Tree of Life Selects Daniel Libeskind As Its Lead Architect

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May 04, 2021 Tree of Life selects Daniel Libeskind as its lead architect The internationally renowned architect designed the World Trade Master Plan in New York City following 9/11. By Toby Tabachnick

Daniel Libeskind, the internationally renowned architect who designed the World Trade Master Plan in New York following 9/11, has been chosen as the lead architect to reimagine the site of the Tree of Life building. Libeskind was selected unanimously by Tree of Life’s board of trustees and steering committee. The renovation of the Tree of Life building is part of the congregation’s REMEMBER. REBUILD. RENEW. campaign to commemorate the events of Oct. 27, 2018, when an antisemitic gunman murdered 11 worshippers at the three congregations housed in the building: Tree of Life, Dor Hadash and New Light. It was the most violent antisemitic attack in U.S. history. “It is with a great sense of photo by Tree of Life urgency and meaning that I “When my parents, survivors of our time and affirm the join the Tree of Life to create of the Holocaust, and I came as democratic values of our country.” a new center in Pittsburgh,” immigrants to America, we felt Libeskind’s previous projects said Libeskind in a prepared an air of freedom as Jews in this include the Jewish Museum in statement. “Our team is country,” he continued. “That Berlin and the National Holocaust committed to creating a powerful is why this project is not simply Monument in Ottawa, Canada. He and memorable space that about ‘Never Again.’ It is a project told The New York Times that he addresses the worst antisemitic that must address the persistence would be visiting the site for the first attack in United States history. of antisemitism and the intolerance time this month.

May 4, 2021

In addition to commemorating partnerships, remember and joint educational programs and the massacre of Oct. 27, 2018, the reflect.” the creation of a center dedicated reimagined space at the corner Seven members of Tree of Life to eliminating hate. of Wilkins and Shady avenues were murdered on Oct. 27: Joyce “It is humbling to be trusted and will include areas for worship, Fienberg; Rose Mallinger; David have the opportunity to support reflection and classrooms, as Rosenthal; Cecil Rosenthal; this courageous community for well as exhibitions and public Bernice Simon; Sylvan Simon; which today’s announcement programs of the Holocaust Center and Irving Younger. The three is an important step in the of Pittsburgh. members of New Light who were healing process,” said Daniel Studio Daniel Libeskind will killed were: Dr. Richard Gottfried; Rothschild, senior principal of collaborate with Pittsburgh-based Daniel Stein; and Melvin Wax. Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz of Dor in a prepared statement. on the project. Hadash also was killed that day. “Daniel Libeskind brings a “Our collaboration with Two other worshipers, Andrea unique perspective to creating Daniel Libeskind will not be the Wedner, a member of Tree of meaningful architecture. We are culmination, but is the beginning Life, and Daniel Leger, a member very excited about Tree of Life’s of our efforts to create a Makom of Dor Hadash, were seriously selection of Studio Libeskind Kodesh, a safe and sacred space, injured, as were six police and we are honored to be their for all who wish to be a part of our officers. partners in expressing hope, community,” said Rabbi Hazzan “This is an exciting next step in resilience and renewal to the Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life this long process of rebuilding,” future building and site.” in a prepared statement. “Our said Wedner, whose mother, Drs. Ellen Stewart and Jeffrey new and reimagined space will Rose Mallinger was among those Cohen, and Linda and Jeffrey not only serve the needs of our killed, in a prepared statement. “I Solomon are serving as co- congregation, but will offer an am looking forward to entering a chairs for the REMEMBER. open space to our neighbors and new Tree of Life building without REBUILD. RENEW. campaign. the broader community — here fear or hesitation.” The campaign’s honorary in Pittsburgh, across the country Tree of Life’s REMEMBER. cabinet includes actors Tom and around the world. The space REBUILD. RENEW. campaign Hanks and Billy Porter, as well will be welcoming and accessible will also focus on partnerships as Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf for people of all abilities and with community organizations, and Joanne Rogers, wife of the backgrounds, offering safe and including the Holocaust Center of late Fred Rogers. Joanne Rogers secure places to learn, cultivate Pittsburgh. Other plans include died in January at 92.