PITTSBURGH – The Tree of Life today unveiled an updated and final design for the building that will house a new museum and institution dedicated to uprooting antisemitism. 

The revised design, from Studio Libeskind and local architecture partner IKM Architecture, will have a smaller physical footprint than the previous design, allowing for more green space along Wilkins Avenue. Updated plans also include exhibition space, classrooms, a social hall, and a 300-seat state-of-the-art sanctuary/theater that prominently features the historic stained-glass windows and offers space for both religious and cultural programming. 

“We are pleased to share the updated and final design for the building,” said Michael Bernstein, chairman of The Tree of Life board of directors. “As we planned the museum and began to more substantively develop programs, we had the rare opportunity to pause the process to evaluate our progress, consider the input we’ve received from stakeholders across the community, and make a strategic decision about our path forward.”

The unveiling of the updated design follows The Tree of Life successfully meeting its core capital development goal as it remains on track to meet its broader fundraising goals and prepares for fall programs and events. To date, more than $46 million has been raised to rebuild and reimagine The Tree of Life. In addition to the building, the funds raised will support the establishment of a museum and robust programming, as well as seed operations costs and program reserves to ensure the institution’s long-term financial stability and health. The funds raised also support the creation of the 10/27 Memorial.

“We are incredibly grateful to the individuals and foundations here in Pittsburgh and across the country who have supported our efforts to rebuild and reimagine The Tree of Life,” said Carole Zawatsky, CEO of The Tree of Life. “It is truly thanks to them that we are where we are with our traveling exhibition set to open in New York City soon, and exciting programs here in Pittsburgh and in New York with an incredible slate of experts on antisemitism in America, including Bret Stephens, Pam Nadell, Amy Spitalnick and Yair Rosenberg.” 

The Tree of Life has received support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Henry Hillman Foundation, the Heinz Endowments, the PNC Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. The project has also received funding through federal grants secured by the Pennsylvania congressional delegation and through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).

Leaders with The Tree of Life will meet with neighbors and are currently planning a community update this Fall. 

“A lot of good work has been done over the past few years to get the project as far along in the process as it is,” said Craig Dunham of Dunham reGroup LLC, who serves as the owner’s representative for the project, coordinating with the architecture and construction teams. “The prior design effort resulted in a number of project approvals that we are now amending to reflect the new, smaller building design and footprint.”

Early site work within the parameters of the previous approvals is planned to begin at the beginning of the new year, while final building permitting is secured for the revised designs. The early work includes repairing the exterior of the sanctuary structure that remains and preparing the rest of the site for building construction, which is expected to begin in the spring once final permits are issued.

“Our goal is to have the building open for the congregation in the Fall of 2027 in time for the High Holidays, and then host a grand opening with the opening of the museum in 2028,” said Bernstein. “Throughout the project, I’ve shared time and again that we have felt an immense responsibility to move with caution and intentionality as we do something that nobody has ever done before and rebuild the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. This has meant that we’ve not moved as quickly as some in our community would like; however, it was very important to us that we made decisions that ensured the project’s success and long-term sustainability. To borrow a turn of phrase from the construction industry: measure twice and cut once.”

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