ILMC Foundation remembers violin maker Amnon Weinstein and violinist Hilde Z. Gruenbaum

It is with great sadness that the ILMC Foundation announces the passing, within hours of each other, of two key figures in the recovery of musical materials from European Jews during the Reich and in musical life in the concentration camps.

Amnon Weinstein, the son of Lithuanian Jews from the Vilnius Ghetto, has passed away. He is responsible for the recovery, restoration, and revitalization of dozens of stringed instruments confiscated from Jewish musicians during the roundups. A great friend of the ILMC Foundation, he had a thriving violin making business in Tel Aviv; his Violins of Hope have literally toured the world.

A few hours ago, the news broke of the passing of Hilde Zimche Gruenbaum , violinist and copyist of the Birkenau Women's Orchestra, at the age of 101. Thanks to her friend and Israeli director Gady Castel (who promptly informed us of her passing), we met her years ago at Kibbutz Netser Sereni.

May the earth be light and Blessed be the Judge of Life, Amnon and Hilde.