Federal building with murals by Jewish artists at risk of sale, demolition

By Jackie Hajdenberg January 28, 2026(JTA) — A federal building in Washington D.C. known for its murals crafted by important Jewish artists is at risk of demolition. Now, activists are calling on New York City’s Jewish Museum for support to prevent the sale — and possible destruction — of the Wilbur J. Cohen Building. The Jewish Museum recently concluded a retrospective of one artist whose work appears in the building, Ben Shahn. The Jewish Museum has expressed sympathy to the cause but not said whether or how it might heed the activists’ calls. Jewish artists including Shahn, Philip Guston, and Seymour Fogel contributed murals to the Cohen Building.