CLEVELAND, Ohio – "Violins of Hope" is about to get even more interesting. In addition to the ongoing exhibition and concerts that have taken place so far, the project is about to include an appearance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, with its longtime director, Zubin Mehta.

The mood among Jews in Jerusalem swings from “deeply sad” to “really angry” as a wave of terrorist attacks that show no signs of stopping continues in Israel.

Jewish Clevelander Alexandra is in St. Petersburg, Russia. She is a JDC Entwine volunteer with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Commmitee (JDC), a Federation partner, teaching English and Hebrew to local students participating in a joint YESOD/Jewish Agency camp called TIUL International.

Barry Feldman, Chair of the St. Petersburg Partnership Subcommittee, shared the following message to his fellow volunteer leaders serving on the Federation's Overseas Connections Committee. We invite you to read his message, and be inspired by the work that we do in our sister city of St. Petersburg, Russia to renew Jewish life where it was once forbidden.

One of my first memorable Federation experiences was when I went on a young adult mission to Israel 11 years ago. I’d never been to Israel. I was hesitant to leave my children but something in me said “just go, it will be worth it.” And, it was! Israel was simply beautiful. It moved me.

Brancha, an Ethiopian-Israeli girl, was in ninth grade when her mother died. She was suddenly alone, and her grades plummeted. She was placed in a low-performing vocational high school where she did not belong.

Show your support for Israel. Click on the images below to print your own "Cleveland Loves Israel" and "We Stand with Israel" signs. We stand with Israel.

It’s a collection of instruments that has an inspiring connection to history and to the people who played them. And for the next few months they are here is Cleveland. Dawn Kendrick has the story behind the Violins of Hope.