O’s Owner and Billionaire David M. Rubenstein Commits $1.5 Million to Jewish Museum of Maryland’s Transformation

September 12, 2024 Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief

The Jewish Museum of Maryland is located at 15 Lloyd Street in East Baltimore. (Provided photo)

The Jewish Museum of Maryland announced Thursday, Sept. 12, that David M. Rubenstein, the Baltimore-born financier, philanthropist and owner of the Baltimore Orioles, has committed $1.5 million to help transform and modernize the museum’s public spaces.

The space, to be called The David M. Rubenstein Exhibition Arcade, will form the epicenter of the museum’s front of house, a central public space that branches out into galleries, an audio/video production studio and a library.

“The Jewish Museum of Maryland plays a critical role in preserving and sharing Maryland’s rich and fascinating Jewish heritage and culture,” said Rubenstein, a Bethesda resident, in a statement. “Through modern and compelling exhibits in an inviting space, more and more people will learn from and be inspired by Maryland’s Jewish history.”

Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein is shown here speaking at a 2018 Associated event at Pikesville’s Suburban Club. (File photo)

An agency of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, the JMM is located at 15 Lloyd Street in East Baltimore’s Jonestown neighborhood.

Since June of 2023, the museum — which is flanked by the historic Lloyd Street Synagogue and B’nai Israel Congregation — has been closed to the public due to an extensive renovation project.

Central to the project is the development of an arcade, a public space inspired by the iconic Parisian arcades of the 19th century. A series of existing structural arches will be transformed into portals featuring customized casework that highlight objects from the museum’s collections, include interactive features to explore JMM content and lead visitors into the galleries.

At the northern end of the arcade, a 16-by-9-foot Video Display Array will present a variety of video content and support dynamic public programs.

In addition to the arcade, the capital project includes the creation of a new audio/video production studio, a multi-media gallery, a relocated lobby and entry experience, and updates to the museum’s major galleries.

The modernization of the museum’s front of house is the first phase of a multi-phase capital project.

“We are extremely grateful for David’s support of this transformative and deeply meaningful project,” said Sol Davis, executive director of the JMM. “This project will ensure the museum’s architecture and technologies support the museum’s evolution as a cultural institution delivering a dynamic range of ways the public can engage with Maryland’s Jewish history and culture.”