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Fifty years ago, a Holocaust survivor brought a renowned Israeli violin maker an instrument to restore, but when the artisan looked inside, he found ashes of the dead. Since then, more than 60 string instruments played by European Jews before and during the Holocaust have been restored by the same artisan. Kohl Mansion will host these Violins of Hope in early 2020, partnering with Bay Area Jewish, Christian, and Muslim organizations as part of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The project, supported by W&EHF, seeks to connect cultures and religions, bring cultural programs to underserved communities, and build empathy for people facing discrimination.