The redesigned Tree of Life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, site of the deadly 2018 antisemitic attack, envisions a transformed 4,180-m2 (45,000-sf) building in Squirrel Hill. Designed by Studio Libeskind and Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, it aims to be a national institution dedicated to eradicating antisemitism.
The architectural venture, spearheaded by Daniel Libeskind, engaged the Tree of Life—Or L’Simcha—Congregation, victims’ families, survivors, and the local community in extensive listening sessions. The outcome is a design that not only respects the historical context of Squirrel Hill, but also envisions a Tree of Life that symbolizes resilience, optimism, and the indomitable 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,” says 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.
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.
Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, a survivor of the attack and honorary chair of the REMEMBER. REBUILD. RENEW. campaign, emphasized the communal effort to transform tragedy into beauty. The Tree of Life organization, governed by a separate board, will merge with the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh to consolidate efforts against 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,” says 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.
