Construction is now underway on Florida Atlantic University’s Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building, a new academic facility designed to support Holocaust education, Jewish studies, and public programming on the university’s Boca Raton campus.
University officials confirmed that crews have begun work on the 22,000-square-foot, two-story building, which is scheduled to open in fall 2026 following an estimated 14-month construction timeline. Once completed, the building will serve as a central hub for Holocaust education, Jewish studies courses, scholarly research, and community engagement.
According to FAU, the facility will include classrooms, lecture halls, and exhibit space dedicated to Holocaust history and Jewish studies. In addition to academic use, the building is expected to host public lectures, cultural programs, and educational events aimed at fostering dialogue and remembrance beyond the campus community.
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The project traces its origins to a $20 million philanthropic gift made in 2020 by Kurt and Marilyn Wallach to establish the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Institute for Holocaust and Jewish Studies. A portion of that donation was designated as the lead gift to fund construction of the new building.
Kurt Wallach passed away in 2021, and university officials said the building reflects the couple’s long-standing commitment to education, remembrance, and ensuring that the lessons of history remain accessible to future generations.
“I know Kurt would be so proud to see this building become a reality,” Marilyn Wallach said in a university release. “It is our hope that through education we can ensure that lives will be saved, and history will not be repeated.”
FAU leaders say the new building will strengthen the university’s role as a regional and national center for Holocaust and Jewish studies, while also providing a space for students, scholars, and the public to engage with historical scholarship and contemporary issues related to remembrance and human rights.
The Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building is part of FAU’s broader efforts to expand academic facilities and reinforce its commitment to interdisciplinary education, cultural understanding, and community outreach across South Florida.
Originally reported by Leon Fooksman in Tap Into Baco Raton.
