MIAMI, FLA.- The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, part of Florida International University, announces that Amy Borman Somek has been appointed as the museum’s new Director of Development. Prior to joining the museum, Somek was the Director of Development at the Greater Miami Hebrew Academy, the oldest Jewish day school in the state of Florida (founded in 1947).

Her career includes experience in designing comprehensive development programs, annual campaign plans and strategies, corporate sponsorships, cultivation of prospective donors, and directing fundraising programs and events. She has a broad knowledge of the Jewish Communities, and the business and philanthropic arena.

The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU is located in the heart of Miami Beach's historic Art Deco District. The museum serves as a major cultural attraction and source of information for a wide audience of residents, tourists, students and scholars of all ages and backgrounds from throughout the state, nation, and the world. Located in a former synagogue that housed Miami Beach's first Jewish congregation, the museum's restored buildings are both on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Our museum has been going through a major transformation over the last few years, and we are thrilled that Amy is part of our team during this important time in our evolution,” said Susan Gladstone, the Executive Director of the museum. “Amy’s experience in leading fundraising strategies, her strong local connections and her national expertise will be pivotal in the continued growth and success of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU.”

Amy Borman Somek was born and raised near Detroit Michigan, in the suburb of Birmingham where her family was instrumental to the growth of the city’s Jewish community. She completed her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, and earned her Masters degree at Florida International University.

Her new duties at the museum will include directing the new annual capital plan, fundraising strategies, major gifts, and cultivating the museum’s donor base – all in alignment with the museum’s new vision which has been recognized in the national press as creating groundbreaking new programming that propels the role of museums for the 21st century.

“I am honored to join the team at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU during this exciting time in the museum’s history,” said Amy Borman Somek. “I am eager to reignite the curiosity of the museum’s already strong core, and to expand even further into new audiences for this vital cultural institution.”