PEORIA MAGAZINE August 2023

interpreter, possibly behind enemy lines. Aside from bringing home a few photos and Army mementoes, his family was never sure of his military record, as he never discussed it. “Ours was a family that didn’t talk about the past,” his daughter said. Four years ago, she gave the violin to Avshalom Weinstein, who could tell it had been made in Germany around 1898. He repaired a crack in the wood and restrung the bow, then added the violin to the exhibit. Though Linda VIOLINS OF HOPE August 4-31, 2023 Peoria Riverfront Museum August 3, 2023 Opening Reception 5 to 7 p.m. August 4, 2023 Violins of Hope Exhibition 10 a.m. August 5, 2023 Suzuki School of Music presents Instrument Petting Zoo 10 to 11 a.m. August 10, 2023 The Jewish Federation of Peoria presents a performance of the Heartland Peoria Holocaust Memorial 20th Anniversary Celebration 3:30 p.m. – Doors 4 p.m. – Performance August 31, 2023 Violins of Hope Exhibition Closes Symphony Orchestra August 27, 2023

Leeser has yet to see the traveling collection, she is gratified to keep alive the legacies of the violin and her father, as well as the Jewish spirit of survival. “I’m just glad I can do something in his memory,” she said. ALL LINES INTERSECT IN PEORIA Meantime, there is a local connection to Violins of Hope. Some of the violins were played by members of the Palestine Symphony Orchestra, now the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. It was founded in 1936 by famed violinist Bronislaw Huberman, who was well aware of the rising dangers to Jews in Germany and nearby nations. He persuaded 75 of the area’s finest Jewish musicians to come to Palestine to join the orchestra, saving not only their lives but those of more than 900 family members. In 1936, famed violinist Bronislaw Huberman started what today is known as the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, in the process saving the lives of more than 1,000 Jewish musicians and their families. Several instruments with Violins of Hope were played by members of the orchestra. Huberman was an ancestor of Jeffrey Huberman, the current dean of Bradley University’s Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts

Jeffrey Huberman of Peoria poses with a violin once owned by ancestor Bronislaw Huberman (Photo provided Jeffrey Huberman)

Huberman, who died at age 64 in 1947, was related to the father of Jeffrey Huberman, the current dean of Bradley University’s Slane College of Commu nications and Fine Arts. He marvels at Bronislaw Huberman’s ingenuity in rescuing so many people. “His story is really quite remarkable,” said Huberman, 75. He looks forward to his first glimpse of Violins of Hope, some of which will be played at orchestra performances in Peoria. “They still survive,” he said. “They still make music. They still speak to us in an international language. “These violins survive for other artists to speak from them. They carry with them an incredible history.”

Phil Luciano is a senior writer/columnist for Peoria Magazine and content contributor to public television station WTVP. He can be reached at phil.luciano@wtvp.org

64 JULY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE