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Violins of Hope on Display in Orange County

Select instruments from the Violins of Hope collection will be on display at the following locations:

The Hilbert Museum of California Art (May 15 - May 31)
Soka Performing Arts Center (June 1, after the 11am performance)
Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County (June 1 - June 9)
Irvine Valley College (June 4)
Musco Center for the Arts (June 5)
Orange County Museum of Art (June 6 - June 8)
University Synagogue (June 10)

Schedule of Events


May 15 - May 31, 2025

Exclusive Preview: Violins of Hope on Display
Hilbert Museum of California Art

Select Violins of Hope will be available for display for audiences.

Free; reservations required


Saturday, May 31, 2025, 2pm

Violins of Hope Opening Event
Hilbert Museum of California Art

The first event with Violins of Hope instruments on display, this opening event will preview the upcoming week’s events, as well as a discussion with Violins of Hope founder Avshi Weinstein and Violins of Hope author James Grymes, along with a short performance by violinist Niv Ashkenazi.

Free; reservations required

Violins of Hope on Display


June 1 - June 9, 2025

Violins of Hope on Display
Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County

Select Violins of Hope will be available for display for audiences.

Free; walk-ins welcome

Mostly Kosher


Sunday, June 1, 2025, 11am

Songs & Stories of Hope: A Free Family Concert with Mostly Kosher and JAC Trio
Soka Performing Arts Center 

This high-energy performance brings Klezmer music to life—blending centuries-old Jewish folk traditions with a modern flair.

Free; reservations required


Sunday, June 1, 2025

Violins of Hope on Display
Soka Performing Arts Center

Immediately following the family concert, select Violins of Hope will be available for display for audiences to see these impactful and historic instruments.

Free; reservations required


Sunday, June 1, 2025, 5pm

Book Talk with James Grymes
Laguna Beach Books

Author of Violins of Hope, James Grymes discusses the project and reflections on his book.

Limited capacity. Call Laguna Beach Books to RSVP: (949) 494-4779


Monday, June 2, 2025, 10am

Book Talk with James Grymes
Hilbert Museum of California Art

Author of Violins of Hope, James Grymes discusses the project and reflections on his book.

Free; reservations required


Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Private Event

Supporters and select guests receive a unique opportunity to mix, mingle, and hear violinist Pinchas Zukerman, cellist Amanda Forsyth and pianist Shai Wosner in a special and intimate performance setting.

Closed to the public.

* Exclusive to supporters and underwriters at the Gold level and above.

If you wish to be eligible to attend, please contact Halim Kim at halim@philharmonicsociety.org.


Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 10:30am

Private Event
Violins of Hope Discussion and Music 

In honor of Holocaust Survivor Day, presented in partnership with Center for Jewish Care Jewish Family Service San Diego.

Closed to the public.


Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 4pm

Violins of Hope Discussion and Music
Irvine Valley College

Violins of Hope founder Avshi Weinstein and Violinist Niv Ashkenazi discuss the Violins of Hope project, paired with musical excerpts by Orange County Youth Symphony with IVC musicians. Select violins will also be on display for audiences to view.

Free; reservations required


Thursday, June 5, 2025, 7pm

Pinchas Zukerman and Friends Concert
Musco Center for the Arts

This unforgettable evening features an all-star lineup of luminary artists, including Pinchas Zukerman, Arnaud Sussmann, Matthew Lipman, Amanda Forsyth, and Michael Stephen Brown. Select instruments from the Violins of Hope collection will be on display in the lobby before and after the concert.

Tickets $25. Students $20.

Violins of Hope on Display


June 6 - June 8, 2025

Violins of Hope on Display
Orange County Museum of Art

Select Violins of Hope will be available for display for audiences.

Free; walk-ins welcome


Friday, June 6, 2025, 4pm

Performance and Instrument Display
Laguna Art Museum

Hear a performance by Orange County Youth Symphony musicians, as they perform on Violins of Hope instruments and spotlight each one with a short reading and description.

Free; reservations required


Saturday, June 7, 2025, 10:30am

Performance and Discussion
Bowers Museum

Attend a discussion about the Violins of Hope project, along with some musical interludes on an instrument from the collection. 

Free; reservations required


Sunday, June 8, 2025, 1:30pm

Violins of Hope Display and Musical Accompaniment
Orange County Museum of Art

An afternoon of musical highlights on Violins of Hope instruments by local violinists, alongside a display of pieces from the collection.

Free; walk-ins welcome

Niv Ashkenazi


Monday, June 9, 2025

School Visit with Niv Ashkenazi

Violinist Niv Ashkenazi visits a local school for a performance and discussion of the history and significance of the Violins of Hope and the Holocaust.

Closed to the public

Niv Ashkenazi


Monday, June 9, 2025, 5:30pm

Tour and Performance with violinist Niv Ashkenazi
Holocaust Education Center of Orange County

In collaboration with Holocaust Education Center of Orange County, this event features a tour of the museum, followed by a performance and discussion by Violins of Hope founder Avshi Weinstein and violinist Niv Ashkenazi.

Free; reservations required

Niv Ashkenazi


Monday, June 9, 2025, 6pm

Tour and Performance with violinist Niv Ashkenazi
Holocaust Education Center of Orange County

In collaboration with Holocaust Education Center of Orange County, this event features a tour of the museum, followed by a performance and discussion by Violins of Hope founder Avshi Weinstein and violinist Niv Ashkenazi.

Free; reservations required


Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 7pm

Closing Night Concert
University Synagogue

This powerful and moving finale concert for Violins of Hope will feature Pacific Symphony Concertmaster Dennis Kim, string players of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Niv Ashkenazi and pianist Jason Stoll. The Violins of Hope collection will be on display for audiences to view.

Free; reservations required

Education Engagements

Violins of Hope education engagements were held in the months leading up to the collection arrival in early June 2025. As part of these engagements, the Philharmonic Society visited schools and community centers with violinist and Violins of Hope Artist-in-Residence, Niv Ashkenazi, the only musician to have one of the Violins of Hope in their possession. These engagements discussed the stories of the violins and their involvement with the Holocaust and the survivors.

To learn more about Violins of Hope education and engagement opportunities please contact: education@philharmonicsociety.org

Niv Ashkenazi


Monday, January 13, 2025

St. Cecilia School

Violinist Niv Ashkenazi visits St. Cecilia Catholic School for a performance and discussion of the history and significance of the Violins of Hope and the Holocaust.

Closed to the public

Orange County Holocaust Education Center


Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Orange County Educational Arts Academy

Violinist Niv Ashkenazi visits Orange County Arts Education Academy for a performance and discussion of the history and significance of the Violins of Hope and the Holocaust.

Closed to the public

Orange County Holocaust Education Center


Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Holocaust Education Center of Orange County

In collaboration with Orange County Holocaust Education Center, Orange High School students attend a tour of the museum, followed by a performance and discussion by violinist Niv Ashkenazi. 

Closed to the public

Mostly Kosher


Thursday, March 20, 2025

Soka Performing Arts Center 

As part of the Philharmonic Society’s youth concert series, this year’s Sounds Around the Globe fuses together klezmer and rock music for an energetic performance by Mostly Kosher.

Closed to the public

candles


Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 7pm

An Evening of Holocaust Remembrance
Fish Interfaith Center at Chapman University

An evening of Holocaust Remembrance with music, words of reflection and the lighting of candles of remembrance. In partnership with Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, and featuring musical tributes and lighting of the Candles of Remembrance with Chayim Frenkel, remarks from Executive Director and CEO of The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Jonathan Brent, and a special performance by Niv Ashkenazi, performing on a Holocaust-era Violin of Hope.

Free; reservations required

Orange County Holocaust Education Center 2


Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Holocaust Education Center of Orange County

In collaboration with Orange County Holocaust Education Center, Orange High School students attend a tour of the museum, followed by a performance and discussion by violinist Niv Ashkenazi. 

Closed to the public