The Jewish Museum of Maryland is getting a major boost to their renovation plans thanks to a famous Baltimore figure. Baltimore Orioles owner David M. Rubinstein recently announced a gift of $1.5 million to the museum, which will be put towards its ongoing renovations.
The museum’s lobby is set to be named in his honor, as the David M. Rubenstein Exhibition Arcade. Plans had already been gestating for the new lobby prior to the donation, with the JMM administration unveiling renderings of a lobby with a brighter, more modern aesthetic at its annual meeting in June.
The lobby’s design is inspired by 19th-century Parisian arcades, which are characterized by their high, arched ceilings often lined with skylights. In accordance with the JMM’s plans to bring the museum into the modern day, the space will feature display cases for artifacts from their archives, interactive stations and a large video screen.
Rubinstein had little experience with the JMM prior to making this donation. When a friend of his told him about the museum’s campaign to modernize and expand its space, he said he saw it as a great opportunity to give back to the community.
“The [JMM] plays a critical role in preserving and sharing Maryland’s rich and fascinating Jewish heritage and culture,” Rubinstein said. “Through modern and compelling exhibits in an inviting space, more and more people will learn from and be inspired by Maryland’s Jewish history.”
JMM executive director Sol Davis said Rubinstein’s donation helped bring these revitalization plans to fruition.
“The modernization of the museum’s front-of-house is part one of a greater capital vision for JMM. Within this initial phase, we developed a sequence of desired updates that would enhance and truly transform the visitor experience,” Davis explained. “David’s generous gift helped us cross the finish line in terms of securing the financial resources needed to achieve the full scope and breadth of our plans.”
He said this gift is meaningful not only due to the financial resources it provides for the museum, but because it’s a contribution from a major player in Baltimore’s local culture and will help bring attention towards the JMM when it reopens.
“David’s gift is transformational. It’s a vote of confidence in the museum and an investment in the next generation of Jewish life in Baltimore City,” Davis said.
