Demolition Begins at Tree of Life Synagogue, Site of Deadliest Antisemitic Attack in U.S. History

New Multipurpose Facility and Memorial to Replace Synagogue, with Construction Expected to Take Two Years

Demolition of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, began on Wednesday, with plans to rebuild a new multipurpose facility and memorial in its place.
The new facility will include spaces for worship, an education center, a museum, a movie theater, and the first U.S. museum focused on American antisemitism.
About 80% of the old building will be demolished, leaving parts of the sanctuary walls preserved.
The project is expected to take months for demolition and two more years for construction, at a cost of approximately $75 million.
The synagogue was the site of a mass shooting in 2018 where 11 people were killed. The gunman, Robert Bowers, was found guilty on 63 federal charges and sentenced to death.