Bram steps down as director and CEO
Appointed in 2019, Bram saw the Jewish Museum through the years of the global pandemic and extended lockdowns in Melbourne...
After more than three years as the director and CEO of the Jewish Museum of Australia: Gandel Centre of Judaica, Jessica Bram has announced that she is stepping down from the role to focus on her wellbeing and health.
Appointed in 2019, Bram saw the Jewish Museum through the years of the global pandemic and extended lockdowns in Melbourne, leading the innovation of hybrid programming and digital rejuvenation.
Her vision in the creation of Flagship exhibitions saw Mirka (2021), Helmut Newton: In Focus (2022) and the soon-to-come Chagall (2023).
“It has been the greatest gift to work alongside the museum’s talented team and board, its partners and creative collaborators, to question, ponder, connect and inspire, and dream big in the illumination of Jewish life,” said Bram.
“While thankfully the outlook is really positive, my recovery from recent surgery is expected to be challenging, and I realise the importance of concentrating my energies on regaining full strength.”
Board president of the Jewish Museum of Australia Gideon Kline said that Bram “led the museum through a very significant period of change, engaging with new audiences and the whole community, deepening existing and new partnerships for the museum across the sector”.
“She welcomed thousands of students, life-long learners and volunteers into the museum, all guided by the museum’s vision and Jessica’s passion,” Kline added.
He also thanked Bram on behalf of the Jewish Museum board for “the leadership, creativity and vision that she brought to the role”.
“The museum has emerged with a stronger commitment to audiences and craft, with an unwavering focus on fostering relationships within the Jewish and arts communities, to best illuminate Australian Jewish life for all,” he said.
Noè Harsel, previously head of brand and partnerships at the Jewish Museum has been appointed as acting director and CEO by the board. Harsel has over 15 years of experience in the arts and culture space. In addition to her time in the Museum’s leadership team, Harsel has also been co-director of Melbourne Jewish Book Week, and worked with the Stella Prize, Australian Centre for the Moving Image and Monash University, among others.
The board has shared that an executive search is being conducted to find the next director and CEO of the Jewish Museum of Australia.
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