Final design unveiled for Tree of Life, construction to begin in 2026

An updated and final design was just unveiled for The Tree of Life in Squirrel Hill — which will house the planned museum and institution dedicated to uprooting antisemitism.

With construction expected to begin in early 2026, the revised building design will have a smaller physical footprint than the previous design unveiled in 2022, according to the Monday announcement.

There will be more green space along Wilkins Avenue.

The Oct. 27, 2018 shooting killed 11 people across three congregations — Tree of Life, New Light and Dor Hadash. The shooting is the deadliest antisemitic attack in the United States.

Initial work in 2026 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, the announcement said.

The Tree of Life will include exhibition space, classrooms, a social hall and a 300-seat state-of-the-art sanctuary/theater featuring the historic stained-glass windows 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.”

Studio Libeskind and local architecture partner IKM Architecture produced the revised design, The Tree of Life said.

As of now, a soft building opening is planned for the congregation in fall 2027 in time for the High Holidays — with a grand opening of the museum in 2028.

“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,” Bernstein said. “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.”

More than $46 million has been raised to rebuild and reimagine The Tree of Life. Funds will support the establishment of the museum and programming, seed operations costs, program reserves and the creation of the 10/27 Memorial.