A Note from JMM’s Director
Excitement is growing, and momentum is building as we approach the reopening of the Museum building to the public on February 2, 2025. JMM will formally open its doors to the public while figuratively opening a new era in the Museum’s ongoing evolution.
One of the most exciting elements of this transformative capital project is the creation of numerous new spaces for the presentation of Maryland’s Jewish stories. In addition to updating the Museum’s two existing galleries with new floors, lights, and refreshed walls, we have added eight elegant and customized display cases (many outfitted with interactive touch screens) that will present thematic content, a 16’X9’ Video Display Array, and a new multipurpose gallery.
There are so many stories to tell, and we will have considerably more space and technology to help us tell these stories!
One way we tell stories is by using our collections. JMM’s collections are vast, comprised of more than 12,800 objects and works of art, over 1,500 linear feet of archives and manuscripts, 850+ oral histories, and more than 72,500 cataloged photographs. The increases in exhibition space will allow us to make more of the collections visible and accessible, and we are eager to share more of this material history and culture with the public.
The objects, photographs, and documents in our collections and archives are animated by people. We are calling on you to join us in this ongoing work of telling the many stories that encompass the Jewish Maryland experience. One way for you to collaborate with the Museum now is through Picturing Past & Present, a statewide photo-collecting initiative created to invite all Jewish Marylanders to share their family photos with the Museum for public display. The project allows JMM to fulfill its statewide mandate and consider the Jewish experience in Maryland across generations. It is also representative of our evolving participatory practice. You can submit three photos for inclusion in this display (think of it as a three-photo memoir!) here.
Beyond the content presentation spaces, JMM has created an audio/video production studio in the center of its modernized front of house. The production studio is a space of content creation. It provides us with the space and technology to document exponentially more memories, perspectives, and dreams for the future.
We cannot wait to share all that has been created through this transformative project with you. Please mark your calendars for February 2, 2025: JMM reopens to the public!
On behalf of JMM, I want to thank you for your shared commitment to caring for our communal history and for dreaming with us about the abundant possibilities of Jewish life and community in the future.
Sol Davis, Ph.D.
Executive Director