Jewish Federation of Reading Presents Rachel's Mandolin

This program tells the moving story of Rachela Zelmanowicz-Olewski, a Jewish mandolinist from Poland who, as a young woman, survived the horrors of Auschwitz by playing in the Auschwitz women’s orchestra under the direction of the renowned violinist and conductor Alma Rosé. Rachel’s Mandolin is a tribute to Rachela’s resilience, highlighting how the power of music sustained her through unimaginable hardship. After being liberated from Bergen-Belsen, Rachela later emigrated to Israel, where she raised a family and lived until her passing in 1987.

This concert not only commemorates Rachela’s life but also sheds light on the largely untold role of the mandolin during the Holocaust. It is a story of survival, strength, and the enduring spirit of music in the face of adversity.