Book review — Orchestra of Exiles: The Story of Bronislaw Huberman, the Israel Philharmonic and the One Thousand Jews He Saved from Nazi Horrors

Josh Aronson and Denise George. New York: Berkley Publishing, 2016. 370 pp. (Hardback).

Orchestra of Exiles” is a long book, but I read it quickly, unable to put it down for long. Bronislaw Huberman was a famous Jewish violinist who gave concerts all over Europe in the years prior to World War II, visiting Palestine for a series of concerts in the early 1930s.

Although Huberman felt an affinity for the Jews in Palestine (Israel was not declared a nation until many years later) and was well aware of their reasons for returning to their homeland, he was initially opposed to the Zionist movement. However, after his second round of concerts in 1931, he began to reconsider, eventually coming to support the movement. This change of mind eventually led to his enthusiastic support for Palestinian Jews and, after the rise of Hitler and increased persecution of the Jews, an obsession with the idea of developing an orchestra to put the now unemployed Jewish musicians back to work.

The book is the meticulously researched story of Huberman’s life and how the orchestra saved many Jews from the horrors inflicted by Hitler and his regime.

Even though the WWII era is not my favorite historical period, this is a riveting story told by a talented pair of writers. If you like history, music or biographies, you’ll love this book. I suspect if you just like a good story, you’ll also like this book.

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Meet the reviewer

Martine Bates Fairbanks, Ed.D., reviews books and movies for The Alabama Baptist. She is a university professor and retired principal. She is a member of Central Baptist Church, Decatur.