Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial has announced plans to open its first educational centre outside Israel in Munich, Germany. The facility, expected to open within the next three years, will aim to expand the organisation’s educational and commemorative work across Germany and neighbouring countries.
Munich was chosen in part for its historical significance as the city where the Nazi party was founded. A smaller satellite centre is also planned in Leipzig, located in eastern Germany.
According to Yad Vashem, the new hub will make use of its expertise in Holocaust remembrance, documentation, and education—all with the goal of reaching a wider audience. The organisation said the initiative comes at a time when antisemitism and Holocaust denial and distortion are increasing concerns across Europe.
Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan said the centre will help strengthen educational outreach in a critical period. He added that the project is designed to enhance teacher training and improve historical understanding among younger generations.
The idea for the Munich centre was first discussed in 2023 during a meeting between Dayan and then-German chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to the organisation. Germany has maintained close relations with Israel, shaped by its historical responsibility for the Holocaust and the murder of six million Jews during World War II.
