Orioles owner David Rubenstein announced Thursday a $1.5 million donation to the Jewish Museum of Maryland in Baltimore, aimed at helping the museum complete significant renovations.
Over the course of the next year, the contribution will help modernize the primary public space of the building that connects to galleries, an audio/video production studio and a library, according to a news release. The reimagined space will be called the David M. Rubenstein Exhibition Arcade.
“The Jewish Museum of Maryland plays a critical role in preserving and sharing Maryland’s rich and fascinating Jewish heritage and culture,” Rubenstein said in the news release. “Through modern and compelling exhibits in an inviting space, more and more people will learn from and be inspired by Maryland’s Jewish history.”
Raised in Baltimore, Rubenstein said the donation is his way of giving back to his hometown. Rubenstein and a group of co-owners, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., completed the majority purchase of the Orioles earlier this year, and it was approved by MLB on the eve of opening day.
The Jewish Museum of Maryland was formally established in 1998 to serve as a central place with a mission to connect people with Jewish experiences and preserve Maryland’s Jewish heritage, according to its website. The museum is the successor organization to the Jewish Historical Society of Maryland, founded in 1960.
Sol Davis, executive director of the Jewish Museum of Maryland, called the capital donation for this project transformative.
“We are extremely grateful for David’s support. ... 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,” Davis said.
The museum has been closed to the public for renovations over the last year.
