Thank You, Lori Shepherd: Reflecting on Four Years of Impact
From the Docents of the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center
At the end of June, Lori Shepherd will step down as Executive Director of the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center after serving in this role since 2022. Lori joined the museum following her tenure with the Arizona Humane Society and as Executive Director of the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center.
When Lori began her leadership in 2022, her professionalism, passion, and emotional intelligence, combined with decades of leadership experience, helped us move through challenging times and enter a new era of enriched programming. Her departure is a significant loss to both our Museum and the wider Tucson community, where she is respected as a stalwart and friend of the Jewish Community.
Significant accomplishments during her tenure include, but are not limited to:
Initiation of the successful Lakin Lecture Series on Antisemitism
Inception and growing success of the Purim Ball held at locations throughout Tucson
Development of timely, impactful exhibits and oversight of renovations at The Stone Avenue Temple site
Participation in community events such as the Tucson Festival of Books and inter-organizational programs like “Community in Unity” cosponsored by JFCS with guest speaker Rabbi Sharon Brous, author of The Amen Effect
Involvement with various boards and organizations, including the Association of Holocaust Organizations (AHO), Community of Holocaust Education Centers (CHEC), Dare to Care, and the Rabbi Joseph H. Gumbiner Community Action Project
Moreover, Lori’s dedication to advocacy and education led to innovative programs for visitors. During her time as Executive Director, we saw a substantial increase in engagement, including over 6,000 visitors annually, with 1,300 of those being students from 10 school districts across Southern Arizona. Her leadership in the annual Yom HaShoah Program held at the Jewish Community Center also reached new heights, moving all in attendance, many to tears due to its powerful message and highly sensitive care for survivors.
Lori truly became the face of the museum, broadening our outreach and establishing the museum as a "must-see" destination for visitors to Tucson. She modeled integrity, warmth, and a deep commitment to our mission, and we will miss her insights and encouragement.
We wish her the very best in her future endeavors. She is a mensch of the highest order and will be sorely missed. She has enriched each of us personally and collectively in ways we will always remember in our hearts.