Florida Atlantic University hosted a kickoff celebration on Tuesday for construction of the new Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building.
The new facility aims to be a premier South Florida destination for the public to learn more about the Holocaust through cultural performances, exhibits and lectures. The 22,000-square-foot, two-story building will also house the university’s Jewish studies programs.
At Tuesday’s ceremony, Marilyn Wallach spoke passionately about the new educational facility, which will also serve as a tribute to her husband Kurt Wallach’s legacy after his passing in 2021—one year after the couple made a $20 million donation for the building.
“This is a monumental day, and I know Kurt would be so proud to see this building become a reality,” said Wallach. “Kurt always said, ‘We speak for those who cannot speak, and we remember all the victims, including our family members who perished needlessly.’ It is our hope that through education we can ensure that lives will be saved, and history will not be repeated.”
In addition to the building’s permanent exhibits—the Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum of South Florida at Florida Atlantic University and the George and Irina Schaeffer Dimensions in Testimony interactive display—the facility will house the Arthur and Emalie Gutterman Family Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education, the Leon Charney Diplomacy program, the Marilyn and Jay Weinberg Grand Lobby, and the Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights. Outside and adjacent to the building will be the Marta and Jim Batmasian Memorial Pavilion, gifted by the eponymous local philanthropists that honors the 1.5 million Armenians killed in the Armenian genocide.
Construction is expected to take 14 months with an opening date of fall 2026.
