Prominent architect Daniel Libeskind will be the lead architect in the Tree of Life's REMEMBER. REBUILD. RENEW. campaign, Tree of Life leaders announced Tuesday.
The campaign, unveiled last year, is an effort to transform the synagogue where 11 worshippers were shot and killed on October 27, 2018 in the worst antisemitic attack in United States history.
The synagogue in Squirrel Hill has been closed since the attack.
"With Mr. Libeskind, we will work together to plan a renewed facility that will include worship space, additional spaces for reflection and remembrance, classrooms and educational center to fight hate, as well as a new home for the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh for a new interactive exhibit," said Barb Feige, executive director of Tree of Life Congregation.
Libeskind, who is based out of New York, also designed the Jewish Museum in Berlin and the World Trade Center Master Plan after 9/11.
“It is with a great sense of urgency and meaning that I join the Tree of Life to create a new center in Pittsburgh," Libeskind said in a statement. “Our team is committed to creating a powerful and memorable space that addresses the worst antisemitic attack in United States history. When my parents, survivors of the Holocaust, and I came as immigrants to America, we felt an air of freedom as Jews in this country. That is why this project is not simply about ‘Never Again.’ It is a project that must address the persistence of antisemitism and the intolerance of our time and affirm the democratic values of our country.”
Tree of Life's Board of Trustees and Steering Committee unanimously selected Libeskind's proposal over ten others.
"We were so excited when we got his proposal," said Carol Sikov Gross, president of Tree of Life. "I remember when I was reading it myself at home one evening and just tearing up because it was so moving, the things that he wrote about his background and why he wanted to help deal with issues of antisemitism and to help educate people to move forward after such a terrible tragedy as we suffered here."
Tree of Life leaders say they plan to renovate the synagogue's sanctuary and will likely demolish and rebuild other parts of the building.
Feige said keeping the sanctuary, which is the tallest part of the synagogue, was always part of the plan.
"That is the way the world views this," she said. "Regardless of where the actual attack took place, this is how the world views us at this point. To keep that makes a lot of sense for that. It's also magnificent inside."
There is no timeline for completion of the project. Libeskind will come to Pittsburgh, talk with stakeholders and hold listening sessions about the next steps.