Holocaust Museum LA Reopens: A New Era of Education
By Darren Smith, Arts Reporter
May 4, 2026
LOS ANGELES — After a nearly 10-month closure for a major expansion, the Holocaust Museum LA will reopen on June 14, 2026, as the centerpiece of the new Jona Goldrich Cultural Center in Pan Pacific Park. The $70 million project nearly doubles the museum’s footprint and significantly expands its capacity for education, remembrance, and community programming.
Founded in 1961 by Holocaust survivors, the museum is the oldest survivor-founded Holocaust museum in the United States. What began as a modest collection of artifacts has grown into a vital cultural institution dedicated to preserving history and combating hate.
The new Jona Goldrich Cultural Center, named after the late survivor, philanthropist, and museum advocate Jona Goldrich, features more than 70,000 square feet of space on a 1.5-acre campus. Designed by award-winning architect Hagy Belzberg (who also designed the museum’s previous building), the campus includes outdoor reflective spaces, expanded galleries, state-of-the-art classrooms, a 200-seat theater for survivor talks and performances, and a dedicated pavilion housing an authentic boxcar recovered near the Majdanek death camp in Poland.
“This expansion allows us to honor the past while building a more inclusive future,” museum leadership has stated. The project, supported by major gifts including from Goldrich’s daughters Andrea Goldrich Cayton and Melinda Goldrich, aims to welcome up to 500,000 visitors annually, including 150,000 students.
The reopening launches with the interactive exhibition “Meet Your Neighbor,” which highlights stories from Los Angeles’ diverse communities — stories of immigration, refuge, and resettlement from persecution. Visitors engage by peering through peepholes at personal photographs and artifacts, fostering empathy and connection.
The expanded facility builds on the museum’s strengths, including its extensive collection of Holocaust-era artifacts and innovative digital experiences such as the USC Shoah Foundation’s Dimensions in Testimony, where visitors can interact with recorded survivor testimonies. Advanced security features address contemporary safety concerns while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
Hagy Belzberg’s design emphasizes natural light, reflection, and openness, moving from contemplative spaces to community gathering areas. The campus integrates seamlessly with Pan Pacific Park, near The Grove and LACMA’s new David Geffen Galleries, positioning it as a hub for cultural dialogue in Los Angeles.
This development comes at a critical moment. As the number of living Holocaust survivors decreases, the museum’s role in preserving firsthand accounts and fighting antisemitism and denial grows more urgent. Educational programs will expand, with free admission continuing for students, teachers, children under 17, and on designated days.
The museum temporarily closed in August 2025 to complete construction. During the closure, it continued virtual programs, off-site events, and digital resources to sustain engagement.
Conceptual view of interactive elements in the “Meet Your Neighbor” exhibition. (Image concept: Holocaust Museum LA)
As the Holocaust Museum LA reopens in its enhanced home, it reaffirms its mission as both a memorial to the past and a dynamic center for learning and action in the present.
Mark your calendar for the grand reopening on June 14, 2026. Visit the Holocaust Museum LA website to learn more, explore virtual resources, or plan your visit. Discover the expansion details. Support the museum’s vital work through donations or partnerships. Share your family’s story for the “Meet Your Neighbor” exhibition via the museum’s call for submissions. In an era when historical awareness is essential, your engagement helps ensure the lessons of the Holocaust endure.
