Lessons from The Tree of Life:
Lighting the Path Forward
Broward County
Pittsburgh
Washington, D.C.
New York
Cleveland
Rochester
Youngstown
Broward County Pittsburgh Washington, D.C. New York Cleveland Rochester Youngstown
The Tree of Life’s traveling exhibition about what happened on October 27, 2018, the community’s response to the deadliest antisemitic attack in the United States, our reimagining of The Tree of Life, and the history of antisemitism in America.
Created in partnership with the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Heinz History Center, the exhibition features curated items gifted to the Pittsburgh Jewish community in the aftermath of the attack. It challenges visitors to reflect on the impact of antisemitism in America and seeks to inspire action to build a future rooted in resilience and understanding.
Past Exhibitions
Washington D.C.
Russell Senate Office Rotunda | June 2024
For one week, Lessons from The Tree of Life: Lighting the Path Forward was displayed in the Russell Senate Office Rotunda for members of Congress, staff, and the public. This debut presentation of the traveling exhibition featured panels and artifacts exploring the October 27, 2018 antisemitic attack, the community response, and the ongoing work of remembrance and rebuilding. The exhibition was cosponsored by Senator John Fetterman and former Senator Bob Casey and opened with a special reception and program.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh | March 27 - April 25, 2025
The University of Pittsburgh hosted the first full-scale presentation of the exhibition, expanding upon the version initially shown in Washington, D.C. Exhibition docents included survivors, family members of those murdered, and individuals involved in the stewardship and selection of the thousands of memorial objects left at the Tree of Life site after the attack. Two opening events were held for stakeholders and donors. Additional public programming included Songs of Resilience: Music for Lighting the Path Forward, a concert exploring the rich tapestry of Jewish music in a program of hope and remembrance, and Stories From the Sidewalk: Offerings Left After October 27, which reflected on the meaning and impact of the memorial items left in the aftermath of the shooting.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust October 5 - November 9, 2025
New York, New York
At the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the exhibition was further expanded with additional artifacts, interactive elements, and refined interpretive content. During its run, The Tree of Life co-hosted a public conversation moderated by CEO Carole Zawatsky featuring Yair Rosenberg of The Atlantic and Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, focused on confronting the rise of antisemitism and hate through a broad, collective societal response.
Cleveland, Ohio
The Maltz Museum | May 21 - August 3, 2025
At the Maltz Museum, the exhibition evolved into a more immersive presentation incorporating expanded wall graphics and additional interpretive elements. The exhibition opened with a special event featuring Scott Miller, a member of the exhibition’s Academic Advisory Committee who has helped shape both the traveling exhibition and the future permanent exhibition at The Tree of Life.
Rochester, New York
Temple B’rith Kodesh | March 22, 2026
Hillel at the University of Rochester hosted a print-on-demand poster version of the exhibition, making its stories and themes accessible in a community-centered setting. During the exhibition run, CEO Carole Zawatsky participated in a public speaking event at a local synagogue, Temple B’rith Kodesh, creating space for dialogue and reflection around antisemitism, memory, and resilience.
Youngstown, Ohio
Jewish Community Center of Youngstown | March 10 - April 9, 2026
The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown presented a panel-and-artifact version of the exhibition alongside a series of community programs. The opening event featured Scott Miller, and additional public programs invited participants to create paper cranes for a senbazuru, reflecting a key visual and symbolic element of the exhibition and emphasizing collective remembrance and healing.
Broward County, Florida
NOVA Southeastern University | May 11 - June 21, 2026
Nova Southeastern University hosted one of the larger presentations of the exhibition, featuring an expanded installation with additional artifacts and graphic features. The exhibition opened during Jewish American Heritage Month with a special program featuring Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Carole Zawatsky, Rabbi Jonathan Berkun, and Pastor Michael Anderson. Additional programming included a conversation between Alice Greenwald and Carole Zawatsky examining memorialization, public memory, and the role of institutions in confronting antisemitism and preserving history.
