Founding Donors
Building a museum is the work of many hands and many hearts. The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience is pleased to offer these opportunities to help create this unique and important museum. Starting at only $18,000 payable over up to 5 years, becoming a Museum Founder gives you a meaningful way to honor your family’s history, as well as the overall Southern Jewish Experience.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Museum Founder, please contact Director of Development Emma Herr at emma@msje.org or 504-384-2480, x103.
Ner Tamid (The Eternal Light)
$100,000 and above
- Inclusion as a Ner Tamid level donor on a prominent display near the Museum entrance.
- Donors of $100,000 and above have the opportunity to consider a limited selection
of spaces, exhibits, or programs that are available for named recognition. - An opportunity to create a Family Legacy Page to be included in our exhibits and on our
website with a family history narrative and photos chosen by the donor. - Inclusion in the Mezuzah Society display.
Yad b’Yad (Hand in Hand)
$50,000 to $99,999
- Inclusion as a Yad b’Yad level donor on a prominent display near the Museum entrance.
- An opportunity to create a Family Legacy Page to be included in our exhibits and on our
website with a family history narrative and photos chosen by the donor. - Inclusion in the Mezuzah Society display.
L’Chaim (To Life)
$18,000 to $49,999
- Inclusion as a L’Chaim level donor on a prominent display near the Museum entrance.
- Inclusion in the Mezuzah Society display.
| Giving Level | Naming Opportunity |
|---|---|
| $5 Million | Museum Name |
| $1.5 million+ | Endowed Positions: Executive Director $2 million Historian $1.5 million Curator $1.5 million Educator $1.5 million |
| $1 Million | Theater (reserved) Introductory Film (reserved) Public Programs Endowment |
| $750,000 | Gallery 1: From Immigrants to Southerners Gallery 2: Foundations of Judaism (reserved) Gallery 3: Entering a New Era Special Exhibit Gallery: Changing exhibits on special topics |
| $500,000 | Museum Gift Shop (reserved) |
| $350,000 | Jewish Studies Internship Program (reserved) |
| $250,000 | Classroom (reserved) Conference Room (reserved) |
| $200,000 | State History Sponsors Alabama Arkansas Florida (reserved) Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi (reserved) North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia |
| $100,000+ | Museum Exhibits (see below) |
Museum Exhibit Naming Opportunities
"From Immigrants to Southerners" Major migrations of Jews to the South $100,000 (reserved) "Navigating Southern Spaces" Southern Jews, Race, and the Civil War $100,000 "Peddlers and Merchants" The growth of Jewish-owned businesses from peddlers to merchant stores. $250,000 "Becoming Southern, Building Jewish Communities" The establishment of Jewish congregations, institutions, and social clubs in the American South $100,000 (reserved) "Foundations of Judaism" An exploration of Jewish holidays, life cycle events, and basic beliefs & practices as experienced by Southern Jews $100,000 (reserved) "Entering a New Era" Southern Jews encounter new opportunities and challenges in the 20th century, including the growth of Zionism, the Great Depression, and World War II $100,000 (reserved) "World War II and the Holocaust" An exploration of how Southern Jews reacted to the Holocaust and stories from survivors who settled in the South $100,000 (reserved) "Civil Rights and Activism" Southern Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights movement $250,000 (reserved) "Transformations" The transformation of Southern Jewish experiences from small towns to booming cities; how Southern Jews are represented in popular culture; and the importance of summer camp $100,000 (reserved) "Vibrancy of Southern Jewish Life" Current trends and experiences of Southern Jews and the Community Quilt, a capstone experience for visitors to reflect on identity and community $100,000 (reserved)
