On November 1, 2005, the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27th (the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau) as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring the 11 million Jewish victims and other minorities murdered by the Nazi regime and their allies between 1933 and 1945. To do our part in learning more, we asked Melissa Tatreau Holtmeier (violin/viola Artist-Faculty) to share some informational resources about the Holocaust, and particularly how music played a part in this violent historical event.

(Written by Melissa Tatreau-Holtmeier)

I will never forget.

My maternal grandma came from Germany. My paternal great-grandparents came from Germany. My married name is German. I am the parent of a white, blond-haired, blue-eyed, straight, able-bodied, neurotypical gentile. I will never understand what it was like to be “other” during WWII, but yet I have every responsibility to learn what I can and pass it on. I have always been interested by the Holocaust…HOW could the hateful genocide of 6 million Jews (11 million total humans killed) ever happen? I have learned that through any difficult circumstance, music tends to serve as both a gift and tool to make navigation a bit easier.

Music builds bridges. Music unites us. Music helps us feel and heal. Music speaks when words fail. 

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share some helpful resources I’ve discovered through the lens of being a parent, music teacher and human.

1. Institute for Holocaust Education – Years ago I had the incredible opportunity to hear a Holocaust survivor speak in person. I’ll never forget what she said, “Be sure this never happens again.” What an incredible resource the IHE is to Omaha. As time keeps passing, there are very few survivors still alive. Therefore, it is more important than ever to seek out and listen to their stories.

2. Tri-Faith Center – Just this month in Texas there was yet another synagogue attack. Antisemitism is still very real. Please check out the Tri-Faith Center here in Omaha (includes Temple Israel). What an incredible place that serves to support and unite our community.

3. Violins of Hope – Captive musicians entertained those running the concentration camps or even served to lure the inmates into a false sense of security. Playing in the orchestra made them useful and therefore in many cases saved their lives. Amnon Weinstein, a luthier, has been collecting Jewish violins and restoring them. (In one case, he even found black powder inside the instrument.) These refurbished fiddles are now being played again–bringing their stories to life. “We are restoring the violin so now, when you hear the violin again, it can pray. And if it can pray, it is talking for these people.” Here is one news story about the incredible project: ‘Jewish’ Violins from the Holocaust – restored and played at AIPAC 2017

4. Joe’s Violin – The poorest school in NYC has an instrument drive. When they realize that the donor of a particular violin is a holocaust survivor, they are sure to learn his story and get the violin to a very special student. When Joe and a girl from the Bronx get to meet, both lives are changed. Check out this short and sweet story here: Joe’s Violin | 2017 Oscar Nominee | The Screening Room | The New Yorker

5. Anne Frank: Books for Kids – The discovery and publishing of Anne Frank’s diary is a gift and has made a huge impact. For kids who aren’t quite ready to digest it all, here’s a shorter one that my daughter Ella and I have enjoyed. The murder of 11 million people is a tough topic to bring up with our kids. Brad Meltzer has written a fantastic biography series. (Ella and I have read them ALL and we own all the ones about women!) He has one about Anne Frank!

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6. Hatikvah is an incredibly beautiful and simple tune that now serves as the Jewish national anthem. It was played on a restored violin at the Violins of Hope concert (see #3). Maybe you learn to play it on YOUR instrument. Let it resonate as you meditate and remember all who were lost.

7. Research Jewish musicians that play your instrument. (For the violin, it will keep you busy for a LONG time!) Check out how Bronislav Huberman saved Jews in WWII.

8. The Paper Clips Project – How do we even fathom how many people were killed?  One school created an incredibly moving concept.  Click for more info on the project and watch the movie trailer. 

9. The Tattooist of Auschwitz – I loved this book (and there’s a sequel!) In this incredible novel based on a very true story, the reader learns and feels what it was like to live in the shoes of concentration camp inmates and how they found ways to survive. 

10. Movies – There are so many WWII movies, but my two favorites are “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” and “Life Is Beautiful.”

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That ending of “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.” How the dad turns devastation into a game to keep his son feeling safe in “Life Is Beautiful.”

My mama heart…My human heart. 

Thank you for making time to start tough conversations. Thank you for remembering and keeping their stories alive. I hope these resources are helpful to you and yours!

Most sincerely,

Melissa Holtmeier

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