The Museum is New, Again, for Everyone

From the Desk of Martin Reichgott, Director of Philanthropy

I was recently reminded of a well-known Jewish joke, that usually goes something like this:

The Rabbi stands before the congregation and says, “I have good news, and I have bad news. The good news is that we finally have the money to fix the hole in the roof. The bad news is that it’s still in your pockets.”

It always makes me smile. It’s human. It’s all of us. Many of us have been on both the metaphorical bimah and in the pews for that joke. I hear it with that heimish delivery and I even shrugged my shoulders a bit when typing. And like the joke talks about, there really was a problem with the museum roof last year, and the other parts of deferred maintenance on a 115-year old building.

A few months back, I attended a presentation of the Association of Fundraising Professionals about the timeline and strategy for the end-of-the-calendar-year campaign, the big push on connecting with donors before the calendar year ends, because of tax implications for charitable gifts. Over the years, it feels as if the letters and emails have started earlier, with a campaign feeling late if they don’t arrive in mailboxes before Thanksgiving. As a group of professional fundraisers, we were talking about December strategies in August. Traditionally, many nonprofits put the most time and investment into this season, even when it doesn’t match their own fiscal year.

Before that presentation I had given a tour of the museum to a small group, which always includes a discussion of the Torah that we have on display. I love sharing what makes a Torah kosher, how Hebrew is written right-to-left, and that the vowels are ‘missing’. And I always share the tradition of Simchat Torah, that we can never get to the end of the five books, but immediately start Bereshit again in a never-ending cycle of learning. We find something different each year. Not because the words change but because we do.

And so it goes at Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center.

This is what the fundraising is for: to always be here when the community needs it. The mission of TJMHC is year-round and always needs your support. “Educate, Explore, Preserve, and Collaborate” is not tied to the calendar year, school year, or the seasons.  Your investment can come at any time, multiple times during the year, when you feel particularly connected.  

Below are some reminders of the vehicles that you can use to donate to TJMHC. As always, consult with your financial advisor for the best tools for you. We need each and every one of you to invest in the mission even when a visit isn’t on the schedule.

As always, we look forward to sharing the good news with you, everyday.

Cash gift – Keep it simple with a credit card, check, online. Make it recurring to help the organization plan annually.

Donate through your IRA – If you’re older than 70.5, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA directly to charity, maybe even lowering your taxable income.

Make TJMHC part of your RMD – Your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA starts at age 73. Consider the museum as part of your philanthropic plans for that money. Additionally, the QCD can go towards the total required distribution.

Make a stock gift – making a gift of appreciated stocks or bonds can help avoid capital gains taxes.

Estate/Planned Giving -  plan a gift for TJMHC through your estate, that can include fixed amount, a percentage of your estate, or specific assets. Reach out to Martin Reichgott to learn more.

Also remember that tax laws are changing in 2026, so consult a professional to understand what philanthropic route makes best sense for you. Here’s a summary from our philanthropic partner Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

For more information, please reach out to Martin Reichgott, Director of Philanthropy at mreichgott@tjmhc.org and (520) 277-7076.