Yad Vashem to open Holocaust education center in Munich, first outside Israel

Yad Vashem has selected Munich as the site for its first Holocaust education center outside Israel, with plans for the new institution to strengthen Holocaust education and combat rising antisemitism and historical distortion in Europe.

The center will be built at Karolinenplatz in central Munich, with support from the German government, and is expected to open within three years, Yad Vashem says. Munich was chosen after extensive nationwide research because of its educational infrastructure, strategic location and historical significance as the birthplace of the Nazi Party.

The initiative was first proposed during a 2023 meeting between Dayan and then-German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It has since received backing from Chancellor Friedrich Merz and state leaders across Germany.

The Jerusalem-based Holocaust remembrance institution said the center would serve audiences across Germany and neighboring countries. An additional extension is planned in Leipzig, in eastern Germany’s Saxony state, featuring interactive learning spaces for educators and students.

The project comes at a critical time as the world moves further from the era of living Holocaust survivors, says Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan.

“Historically grounded Holocaust education is more important than ever,” Dayan said, warning of growing Holocaust denial, distortion and antisemitism.