made in the workshop of Schweiter, Germany, around 1870
Playing Level: Very Good
Erich Weininger was a butcher in Vienna as well as an amateur violinist. When the Nazis marched into Austria in 1938, Erich was arrested and sent to Dachau, where he managed to bring along his violin. He later was sent to Buchenwald and though he was not allowed to play there, he still kept his violin.
In a miraculous way, Erich was released from Buchenwald by the help of the Quakers. He then returned to Vienna only to be one of the very last Jews to escape Nazi Europe. He boarded an illegal boat to Palestine, but was soon arrested by British police who did not allow Jews to come to the country. Erich, with a violin in hand, was deported to the Island of Mauritius off the coast of East Africa where he stayed until the end of World War II.
While in Mauritius, Erich did not go idle. He started a band with other deportees, playing classical, local and even jazz music in cafes, restaurants, etc. He reached Palestine in 1945. His violin was given to our project by his son, Zeev.
