GIVING TOGETHER
IMPACTING GLOBAL JEWRY
INSPIRING NEW JEWISH LEADERS
INVESTING IN ISRAEL’S FUTURE
ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION
HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE
RESPONDING TO CRISES
Upcoming Events
VIOLINS & HOPE FORT WAYNE
A Photographic Exhibition of Holocaust Violins - March 9-23, 2025 | Fort Wayne, Indiana
About the Exhibition
The Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne and Pearl Street Arts Center proudly present Violins & Hope Fort Wayne, a powerful photographic exhibition featuring the violins and instrument workshop of Israeli luthier Amnon Weinstein, founder of the Violins of Hope project.
Created by acclaimed Cleveland photographer Daniel Levin, the exhibition “Violins and Hope: From the Holocaust to Symphony Hall” showcases 43 masterfully printed photographs documenting Weinstein’s collection of Holocaust-era violins, his Tel Aviv workshop, and his meticulous restoration processes.
Exhibition Location: Rolland Art Center, University of Saint Francis
Exhibition Dates: March 11-23, 2025
Four historical instruments from the Violins of Hope collection will be on display and performed during various events throughout the community.
Event Schedule
The two-week commemoration begins March 9 with a concert by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestras and includes concerts, documentary film screenings, and events throughout Fort Wayne relating to music and the Holocaust.
View the complete event schedule →
Download the complete event schedule →
The Story Behind Violins of Hope
Amnon Weinstein dedicated over three decades of his life to finding and restoring violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. This work honors the memory of 400 relatives he never knew – grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins who perished when Weinstein’s parents, Moshe and Golda, immigrated to Palestine in 1938.
After becoming one of the world’s most respected violin makers, Amnon determined to reclaim his lost heritage by finding violins that were played by Jews in camps and ghettos. He painstakingly restored these instruments so they could be brought to life again on the concert stage.
Although most of the musicians who originally played these instruments were silenced in the Holocaust, their voices and spirits live on through the violins that Amnon lovingly restored – the Violins of Hope.
About the Photographer
Daniel Levin’s award-winning photography book, based on the images in this exhibition, received an Anne Frank Special Recognition Award. His photographs document not only Amnon’s workshop but reveal the ethereal nature of these instruments that have miraculously survived the Holocaust.
“Throughout this journey, my goal has been to share Amnon’s story and his workshop near Tel Aviv with the world, just as he has so generously shared his gifts with us.” – Daniel Levin, MFA
Community Impact
In November 2019, Fort Wayne welcomed over 50 instruments from the Violins of Hope collection in what became the largest and most successful community convening of its type in the city’s history. Over 80,000 people experienced commemorative events produced by 30 programmatic partners, making an indelible mark upon the community.
This 2025 exhibition continues that legacy of remembrance and hope.
Visit violinsandhopefw.org for complete details and event schedule.
Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne Announces New Executive Director
After an extensive search process, the Federation Board is very pleased to announce that Michael Theise will become our new Executive Director,
joining us officially on September 9.
Having spent a rewarding 25 years in the automotive industry, Michael has decided that “It is now time for me to utilize all of my energies, skills,
experiences, and passion” in the organized Jewish community.
Michael and his wife, Kate, have lived in several Midwestern cities, where their two daughters have grown up. They have participated and volunteered in many Jewish activities, including immigrant-resettlement support programs, Holocaust education, and particularly the International Maccabiah Games, where the whole family has been involved as competitor, volunteer, or manager. They are coming to us from Sylvania, Ohio.
In addition to his primary career, Michael has been an instructor at Owens Community College in Toledo for the last 20 years.
The Theise family say they are “excited to join and meet our new community,” as we are excited to welcome them to Fort Wayne!
State of Antisemitism
At the recent Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne, our guest speaker was Trent Spoolstra. Trent is the Associate Regional Director of the Midwest office of the Anti-Defamation League. His presentation was on the current State of Antisemitism in America and you can watch his talk below. Additional resources on this topic are located below the video.
On October 7, 2023, during the holiday of Shmini Atzeret, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets breaching the country’s borders, with significant numbers killed and hospitalized. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war to defend itself and gave the order for the IDF to commence “Operation Swords of Iron.”
Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.
Now, more than ever, they need your support. Israel will prevail, and the Jewish people will stand together as we always do.
Am Yisrael Chai.
How You Can Help:
Donate: Jewish Federations have opened a fund to support Israel. Please donate here.
Advocate: Tell your elected officials and representatives to support Israel. Please advocate here.
Upcoming Event
Insight & analysis on Israel’s war with Hamas – Thursday, November 9th
Join us for a special Zoom conversation on Thursday, November 9th at 7:00 PM EDT (6:00 CDT) with Khaled Abu Toameh, Israeli Arab journalist, and Dan Feferman, IDF Major (res.) & National Security Analyst. Together, they’ll provide the missing context for understanding the developing events in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Register for free at TheJewishFed.org/Israel (Zoom link will be emailed after you register)
Co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne, Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana, Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our previously announced speaker Bassem Eid will no longer be able to join us Thursday evening.
Chailights Newsletter
Chailights is the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne’s official newsletter.
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Jewish Telegraphic Agency News
- Rabbi Eliyahu Fink, compassionate voice in the Orthodox world, dies in road accident at 43
- Palestinian ‘No Other Land’ director reportedly beaten by settlers and arrested by Israeli military
- Jeffrey Klein, 77, Mother Jones co-founder, saw ‘through line’ between investigative journalism and fighting antisemitism
- Manischewitz launches a food truck in New York City
- From the far left to the haredi right, these Jews are questioning the ethics of voting for the World Zionist Congress
- Pete Hegseth wanted to strike Houthis before Israel could, according to texts leaked to the Atlantic
Our Mission
The Mission of the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne is to support the well-being and continuity of the Jewish people in greater Fort Wayne, in Israel, and throughout the world. Learn More Here.