PITTSBURGH – Three and a half years after the worst antisemitic attack on U.S. soil, survivors of the attack, victims’ family members and community leaders are unveiling plans for a new national institution encompassing a museum, memorial and center for education to be known simply as Tree of Life.

Rooted in the belief that eliminating antisemitism will reduce other forms of identity-based hate, the new Tree of Life will include a museum that tells the story of that day as well as the roots of and the ongoing phenomenon of antisemitism, and a memorial honoring the 11 people from three congregations killed in the attack on October 27, 2018. It will also be an incubator for new ideas to counter antisemitism and provide educational opportunities and curricula that inspire, prepare and empower people to join the movement against identity-based hate.

“I will forever be grateful for the wellspring of love that continues to flow over and through our community from all parts of the world to take the horror of 10/27, and create something beautiful that changes our country and our world,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who survived the attack and serves as the honorary chair of the REMEMBER. REBUILD. RENEW. campaign supporting the new Tree of Life. “Our path forward imagines a future without antisemitism because we know all too well the pain and devastation it causes. Antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem. It is everyone’s problem, and we are all bound to actively work toward its end. We did not ask for this responsibility, but we cannot ignore it.”

Rabbi Myers will continue to serve as the rabbi for the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation, one of the three congregations affected by the attack. The Congregation will continue to worship in the building and retain its nonprofit status and Board of Trustees.

The new Tree of Life organization will be led by a CEO and governed by a Board of Directors separate from the Congregation. The new Board will also oversee the building. Additionally, the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh will merge into the new organization, creating a single institution dedicated to ending antisemitism.

“I think many of us – myself included – felt compelled to do something following the attack, to take action in response to the hate-filled violence of that day. When I learned about the effort to transform this site of tragedy and hate into a site of hope, remembrance and education, I was inspired to support the reimagined Tree of Life. I believe in our community’s resilience and our renewed mission to couple education with action to end antisemitism,” said Michael Bernstein, chair of the Tree of Life Interim Governance Committee (IGC), which is overseeing the development of the new 501(c)3 organization, its programs and the building.

The IGC is in the process of designing programs for the new Tree of Life and anticipates sharing more details about the programmatic plans and the building with the community in November.

The new center’s programming, museum and memorial will be housed in a reimagined approximately 45,000 sq. ft. building at the corner of Shady and Wilkins Avenues in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood that is designed by Studio Libeskind, in collaboration with Rothschild Doyno Collaborative of Pittsburgh.

Studio Libeskind conducted listening sessions with members of the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha congregation, the victims’ families and survivors, and local community members to understand their hopes and needs for the building. The design is sensitive to its context in the historic Squirrel Hill neighborhood, while rebuilding a re-imagined Tree of Life, one that affirms the light and optimism of the human spirit.

“My response to the attack on 10/27 is to create a space imbued with Jewish ideals. The design focuses on the key Jewish dimension of bringing light into darkness and creating an open and democratic space within,” said architect Daniel Libeskind, who was selected last year as the lead architect for the reimagined building. “The Tree of Life will be a place that affirms Jewish life and sees it as a conduit of healing for the community and beyond.”

Central to Libeskind’s design concept is the “Path of Light,” a dramatic skylight that will run the entire length of the building. The glazed volume will welcome all visitors and usher in light to all the spaces and create a main axis that connects a series of programmatic spaces for the various needs of the institution. Along the “Path of Light” will be a museum, a space for reflection and remembrance called the Space of Memory, and a modernized sanctuary for worship and communal events.

“The Path of Light will bring a sense of optimism and hope to all the spaces within the Tree of Life, while creating the flexible and much needed spaces to realize their mission of inspiring people of all backgrounds and faith to unite against hate in our society,” said Libeskind.

Historic building elements, including the beloved stained glass windows depicting the intertwined stories of American and Jewish history, will be preserved. The design also maintains the iconic limestone facade of the building.

Drs. Ellen Stewart and Jeffrey Cohen, and Linda and Jeffrey Solomon serve as the co-chairs of the REMEMBER. REBUILD. RENEW. campaign supporting the rebuilding and reimagining of Tree of Life. Led by Rabbi Myers, the campaign’s honorary cabinet includes actors Tom Hanks and Billy Porter, as well as Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the late Joanne Rogers, wife of the beloved late Fred Rogers.

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About the new Tree of Life 

As a pervasive form of identity-based hate, antisemitism is a destructive force that affects our entire society. Our community’s resilience in the face of a hate-fueled massacre has given root to a reimagined Tree of Life. Through remembrance, experience, and action, we educate and inspire individuals and communities from across our nation to recognize and stand up against antisemitism. Learn more: RememberRebuildRenew.org