FAU Receives Gift to Install Jerusalem Stone on Exterior of Wallach Building

Donation from Boca Raton residents Joshua and Harriet Kalin will add symbolic limestone facade to Holocaust and Jewish Studies building.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:51pm

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A highly stylized, abstract grid of interlocking Jerusalem stone blocks in bright neon colors, conceptually representing the sacred architectural material that will adorn the exterior of a new university building dedicated to Holocaust education and Jewish studies.A symbolic Jerusalem stone facade will grace the exterior of Florida Atlantic University's new Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building, connecting the facility to Jewish heritage and culture.Boca Raton Today

Florida Atlantic University has received a gift from Boca Raton residents Joshua and Harriet Kalin that will support the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building and add a significant element to the building's exterior. The couple provided funding to have a portion of the building's front facade constructed in Jerusalem stone, the natural limestone mined from the mountains around Jerusalem that is rooted in Jewish identity and symbolizes strength, endurance, and eternal devotion.

Why it matters

The use of Jerusalem stone on the Wallach building will connect the structure to the sacred history and significance of the material, providing a distinct visual message about the importance of FAU's Holocaust education and Jewish studies efforts. The gift from the Kalins follows a transformational lead donation from Kurt and Marilyn Wallach to create this new center for Holocaust and Jewish studies on campus.

The details

The Jerusalem stone facade will be enhanced with specialty lighting to illuminate the building's front. In addition to the stone exterior, the Wallach building will feature two permanent exhibits - the Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum of South Florida and the George and Irina Schaeffer Dimensions in Testimony interactive display. The 22,000-square-foot, two-story structure will also include a recital/lecture hall, traveling exhibition hall, student study space, and administrative offices for the programs.

  • Construction is currently underway on the Wallach building.
  • The building is made possible through a transformational lead gift from Kurt and Marilyn Wallach.

The players

Joshua and Harriet Kalin

Boca Raton residents who provided a gift to have a portion of the Wallach building's front facade constructed in Jerusalem stone.

Adam Hasner

President of Florida Atlantic University.

Kurt and Marilyn Wallach

Donors who provided a transformational lead gift to create the new Holocaust and Jewish studies building at FAU.

Michael Horswell

Dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters at FAU.

Craig and Barbara Weiner

Donors of the Holocaust Museum of South Florida exhibit in the Wallach building.

George and Irina Schaeffer

Donors of the Dimensions in Testimony interactive display in the Wallach building.

Marta and Jim Batmasian

Donors of the memorial pavilion dedicated to the memory of the Armenian genocide victims.

Marilyn and Jay Weinberg

Donors of the Grand Lobby in the Wallach building.

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What they’re saying

“It is our intention to be a part of the Holocaust and Jewish Studies building in order to provide a resource center for students and the community. This will result in a stronger Jewish presence on the FAU campus.”

— Harriet Kalin

“The Wallach building's mission is to teach about one of the most inhumane episodes in world history, in order to ensure a more peaceful future. A Jerusalem stone facade for the building will send a distinct visual message to our community about the significance of our Holocaust education and Jewish Studies efforts.”

— Adam Hasner, President, Florida Atlantic University

“Josh and Harriet Kalin have been longtime supporters of programs within the College of Arts and Letters. In addition to donating to our Holocaust and Jewish Studies programs, they are Gold Ambassadors of the Arts, committed to excellence in art and culture at Florida Atlantic and patrons of Theatre Lab, Florida Atlantic's own professional resident company. We are very proud and grateful to them for this impactful gift to the Wallach building.”

— Michael Horswell, Dean, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Florida Atlantic University

What’s next

The Wallach building is currently under construction and is expected to open in the near future, providing a new hub for Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs at Florida Atlantic University.

The takeaway

The addition of Jerusalem stone to the exterior of the Wallach building at FAU represents a meaningful symbolic gesture, connecting the structure to the sacred history and significance of the material while reinforcing the university's commitment to Holocaust education and Jewish studies. This gift from the Kalin family builds on the transformational support of other donors to create this important new academic and cultural center on campus.