Yad Vashem to Establish First International Branch in Munich
Munich, May 28 – The German branch of the Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem is set to open in Munich, the memorial announced today on its website. This decision follows a competitive bid process involving several German states, with Bavaria, led by Minister President Markus Söder, successfully advocating for Munich as the chosen location.
Educational and Remembrance Center in Former NSDAP District
The new educational and remembrance center will be established near the NS Documentation Center and the Israeli Consulate General, specifically at Karolinenplatz. This location is historically significant, as it was once known as the “party district” of the Nazi Party (NSDAP).
Federal Minister of Education Karin Prien (CDU) emphasized that the center’s goal is to reinforce remembrance work and the fight against antisemitism in Germany and across Europe. Prien expressed hope for a contemporary approach to conveying knowledge about the Holocaust, stating, “Knowledge of what was is important to prevent evil in the future.” She added that Yad Vashem’s pedagogical experience offers a unique opportunity to effectively convey the victims’ perspective through innovative educational formats and train multipliers for the entire republic.
Bavaria Prevails Over North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony
Yad Vashem also announced that a satellite location of the future Munich educational center will be established in Leipzig. Saxony, along with North Rhine-Westphalia, had also vied for the Yad Vashem branch. The Bavarian state government, under Minister President Markus Söder (CSU), strongly supported a Bavarian location. The Bavarian Parliament, the Munich City Council, and Charlotte Knobloch, President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, all broadly endorsed the application months ago.
Söder: “Bavaria Will Be a Good Home for Yad Vashem”
Minister President Söder reacted to the decision with enthusiasm, stating, “What an honor!” He emphasized that Jewish life is an integral part of Bavaria and that the decision reflects the close relationship with the Jewish community and Israel. Söder reiterated, “‘Never again!’ is not just a phrase, but a daily mandate to act.” He added, “We stand by our historical responsibility. The horrors of National Socialism must never be repeated.” Söder concluded, “Memorial and educational sites like Yad Vashem are needed so that what happened is never forgotten. Bavaria will be a good home for Yad Vashem.”
The concept for a Yad Vashem branch in Germany originated in 2023 during a meeting between the memorial’s chairman, Dani Dayan, and then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). This planned educational center will be the first branch of the Jerusalem memorial outside of Israel and is expected to open within three years.
