Albright College’s 41st annual Leo Camp memorial lecture will feature James Grymes, Ph.D., musicologist and author of “Violins of Hope: Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind’s Darkest Hour,” along with curator Avshi Weinstein, in the Albright College Memorial Chapel, Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and sponsored by Albright College, the Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks, Reading Symphony Orchestra and Violins of Hope Reading.
A stirring testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of music, “Violins of Hope” tells the remarkable stories of violins owned and played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, and of the Israeli violinmaker dedicated to bringing these inspirational instruments back to life.
Violins of Hope Reading, Nov 1-14, 2021
The Reading Symphony Orchestra and Jewish Federation of Reading are combining resources to present Violins of Hope, Instruments for Unity, for the first time in Pennsylvania, Nov. 1. through Nov. 14. The Violins of Hope Reading project includes educational programming, exhibits, concerts and more. These will be presented throughout Berks County at local school districts, colleges, cultural centers and other venues, with many events low-cost or free to the public. For a complete listing of local Violins of Hope events plus violin stories, local content and more, visit violinsofhopepa.org.
“Through these instruments and the incredible personal stories behind them, we will be making connections between the many individual choices that impacted people during the Holocaust and individual choices students make today,” said Amanda J. Hornberger, coordinator of the Lakin Holocaust Library and Resource Center at Albright College.
Established at Albright by the Jewish Federation of Reading, Leo Camp memorial lectures serve as lasting tributes to a respected leader and humanitarian. They are presented annually to illuminate and explore topics of significance in Jewish culture that add to the enrichment of the entire Reading community.
Named a top national college by Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report, Albright College (founded 1856) is home to a diverse community of learners cultivating integrity, curiosity, connection and resilience. The college’s flexible curriculum encourages students to combine and cross majors to create individualized academic programs. Close faculty mentorship and numerous experiential learning options create opportunities for Albright graduates to exceed their own expectations. Located in Reading, Pa., Albright is home to undergraduate students, adult learners and graduate students.
