The project is vertically organized to maximize the site footprint. Visitors begin their education experience high in the building and circulate through exhibits spaces connected by a skylight atria. Light diminishes as the visitors descend and only returns as they re-emerge in the lobby. An event room at the highest level above Tremont Street overlooks Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, and the State House through full-height glass windows. The view reminds visitors of the freedoms we enjoy.

The Holocaust Museum will tell the story of the Nazi Holocaust, which stands as one of the most extreme examples of the consequences of unchecked hatred and bigotry. Museum goers will see the horrors that result from antisemitism and the grave consequences of prejudice and discrimination. This confrontation can serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing such ideologies to persist and motivate individuals to actively combat antisemitism and all hatred in their own lives and communities. The museum is scheduled to open in early 2026.

“The design of the museum feels just right for where and what it is. On a tight, heavily traveled site, it is resolutely vertical — six stories and 32,700 square feet of exhibition and educational space.”
– James McCown, The Boston Globe

The renderings, which provide a first look at the proposed design for the six-story, 33,000 square-foot building that will be located on the Freedom Trail, show a dramatic, inspiring, and hopeful building, constructed with durable, timeless materials. The main feature of the exterior is a gently undulating stainless-steel woven metal fabric that wraps the building’s mid-level floors. The metal fabric evokes the curtains that remained drawn in Jewish households at the time of the Nazi rise to power, and the fences that surrounded the death camps and kept Jewish prisoners enslaved.

The curtain is pulled back to reveal a modern bay window that will house an authentic railcar that was used for the deportation of Jews to the extermination camps of the Third Reich. From the Freedom Trail, people may see museum visitors filing into the railcar but not exiting, illustrating the reality of millions of people who were transported to their deaths in such cars.

“From the street, spectators will witness the history of the Holocaust in the moment that freedom is lost,” says Jody Kipnis, who had the idea to expose the rail car when the Foundation was informed of the acquisition. “This will serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of allowing prejudice and hatred to go unchallenged.” Kipnis and Todd Ruderman are the co-founders of the Holocaust Legacy Foundation.

The Holocaust Museum will tell the story of the Nazi Holocaust, which stands as one of the most extreme examples of the consequences of unchecked hatred and bigotry. Museum goers will see the horrors that result from antisemitism, and the grave consequences of prejudice and discrimination. This confrontation can serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing such ideologies to persist and motivate individuals to actively combat antisemitism and all hatred in their own lives and communities.

The design is the work of Boston architecture firm Schwartz/Silver Architects Inc. “We are honored to be a part of this extremely important and timely project for the City of Boston – and for all New England. Inspired by the idea that learning from our past will lead to a better future, the building will  be made of honest, sustainable materials, and energy efficient mechanical systems. The recycled metal fabric curtain wrapping the facade will flicker in the afternoon sunlight and glow at dusk” says Jonathan Traficonte, principal at Schwartz/Silver. “From the top floor multi-purpose and events room on Tremont Street, with its full-height glass windows, visitors will be reminded of the freedoms we enjoy, with views of the Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, and the State House”.

The museum will provide a cautionary experience. “The Holocaust museum will emphasize the importance of embracing diversity and respecting human rights,” Kipnis said. “Through the exhibitions, educational programs, and outreach initiatives, we intend to foster an understanding of the value of inclusivity, tolerance, and equality. By emphasizing the shared humanity of all people and the importance of safeguarding the rights of minority groups, we will encourage visitors to reject antisemitic beliefs and promote a more inclusive society.” The museum is scheduled to open in early 2026.

“Imagine looking up from Boston Common, along the Freedom Trail, to see a six-story building. You notice two things: metal wrapped all around the middle of the building, and a rail car peeking out from behind huge glass windows.”
– Amy Sokolow and Vanessa Ochavillo, WBUR

“The building’s most powerful element is conceptual. You begin by taking an elevator to the fifth floor. There a central stairway is bathed in natural light. As you descend into the exhibits, light is replaced with darkness, with exhibits chronicling the atrocities of the Nazi regime. As you make your way down, there is gradually more light until you finally end up in a sun-washed lobby.”
– James McCown, The Boston Globe

“By engaging with the history and the consequences of the Holocaust, individuals can play a role in ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.”
– Jody Kipnis, Co-founding President and CEO

“From the street, spectators will become witnesses to the history of the Holocaust in the moment that freedom is lost. This will serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of allowing prejudice and hatred to go unchallenged.”
– Jody Kipnis, Co-founding President and CEO

 “We are building a museum that will be an interactive and cautionary experience. We wish to make the lessons of the Holocaust relevant to new generations.”
– Jody Kipnis, Co-founding President and CEO

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Meet the Founders

Jody Kipnis and Todd Ruderman’s deep roots in Greater Boston have shaped their commitment to giving back to their community. Jody, a dedicated mother of two children, has always emphasized the importance of community involvement and service. She understands the significance of creating a positive impact on the lives of others, and now resides in Boston with her children. Todd, a proud father of three children, has spent decades honing his business acumen as a successful real estate developer, investor, and manager. His professional expertise, combined with his personal dedication to philanthropy, has uniquely positioned him to make a positive impact in the community.

During their participation in March of the Living in April 2018, Jody and Todd knew they had an obligation to remember and honor the victims of the Holocaust long after their visit to Poland was over. While on the grounds of Auschwitz, they made a promise to themselves and to their beloved friend David Schaechter, a Holocaust survivor, to preserve and perpetuate the memory and lessons of the Holocaust for future generations. They believed this could be best accomplished with ongoing Holocaust education for teens, including a first-hand visit to death camps and other Holocaust sites. The sense of urgency took hold, Holocaust Legacy Foundation was established and the Foundation’s hallmark program was created – Holocaust Legacy Fellows.

Jody and Todd’s shared passion for Holocaust education, a sense of obligation to fight anti-semitism and devotion for making a difference in their community is evident in their personal involvement with creating a Holocaust museum and educational center in Boston. They firmly believe that a Holocaust Museum in Boston will serve as a catalyst for social change, fostering a more inclusive, understanding, and compassionate society for generations to come. Their joint vision, rooted in their experience and shared values, serves as a driving force behind their efforts to establish a Holocaust museum that will educate, inspire, and empower future generations.

Will you stand with us in investing to foster positive change in our world?

We invite you to support this historic effort to join other generous individuals to help us make this museum a reality. Whether you wish to honor a family member or a friend, or simply to support this important cause, your donation directly impacts our ability to do the work of our mission: preserving and perpetuating the memory and lessons of the Holocaust for future generations through educational programs and a new museum.

The museum will offer a range of prominent naming opportunities. Please contact us at info@holocaustlegacyfoundation.org