Elgin played a big role in the ‘Growing Hope’ movement

When the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago brought in the Violins of Hope, an exhibit of restored violins owned and played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust, no one seemed to fully appreciate its significance, the center’s president and CEO said. Or at least not until it came to the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin last year. “I think the flood gates really opened when Elgin came onboard,” Addie Goodman said. “I think people saw how the city of Elgin, the library, the municipality and the orchestra came together.” The local exhibit included history programs, musical performances,...