RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – The Virginia Holocaust Museum's Board of Trustees met tonight to discuss Jay Ipson's future with the organization.
The Board of Trustees agreed to allow Mr. Ipson to keep his title of President Emeritus, but without an office. He has not been reinstated as the executive director.
“The board found that it was in the best interest of the board for Jay not to have an office in the museum,” said Jay Weinberg, Secretary to the museum’s Board of Trustees.
Ipson said he never asked the board for much, only to keep the same office that he’s had for 10 years while he was building the museum. They didn’t even invite him into the meeting, until minutes before it started.
“They think of me as a destructive force. I built this. A building that was dirty..and I turned it into a silk purse,” he said.
For Ipson it’s been a rough couple of months. After being President and Executive Director of the Museum for 15 years, in addition to co-founder, he was stripped of his title.
He was forced out of his leadership role as President Emeritus in June by board chairman, Marcus Weinstein.
“I need to pack up all of my stuff and be out of here by the end of the month,“ is what Ipson said he was told by Weinstein’s assistant.
The holocaust survivor asked supporters not protest outside the Thursday meeting so board members could enter and leave without pressure.
After Thursday’s announcement, he says he’s just glad the drama is over.
“I`m happy. I`m finished. I`ve got a life to live,” he said.
The board came under heavy criticism after members of the community rallied behind Ipson – and what they called his unfair removal.
Additionally, the Board of Trustees postponed a special meeting earlier this month that could have reinstated Ipson.
A Facebook page for Ipson, called Jay Must Stay, garnered 1,573 supporters. Earlier today, a post on the page read:
I just want to be clear........we are feeling very hopeful about the outcome of today's meeting / vote. However, if the vote doesn't give us the results we've been working for.....off come the gloves!!!
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