Westminster Town Hall Forum – Ethics & Story: Violins of Hope

On November 17, 1983, Elie Wiesel began his Westminster Town Hall Forum speech “Why Hate?” on memory and the Holocaust by saying, “The best thing one can do at noon on a Thursday is to tell stories.”

Now, more than 42 years later, we gather anew to consider the power of stories and the role of music and memory by welcoming Violins of Hope, presented by the Minnesota JCC. Violins of Hope is a powerful collection of over 70 restored string instruments played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust. These extraordinary violins will be featured in May – June 2026 in local performances, exhibitions, and educational programs that honor the memory of the Holocaust and carry a message of hope, resilience, resistance, and unity. Our Forum will feature some of these instruments and will weave together their stories with music played on them, as we consider the role of story and storytelling in defending human rights and human dignity.

With Special Guests: Rabbi Marcia A. Zimmerman of Temple Israel, Avshi Weinstein of Violins of Hope, and Rev. Dr. Jessica Patchett of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

A free public reception will immediately follow the program.