National Co-Chairs, Industry and Trades

Herbert W. Ackerman (Oceanside, NY), member, ORT America Board of Directors
Robert Sill (Pepper Pike, OH), member, Life Trustees of ORT America

• Accountants and Bankers Chapter
• Engineering and Construction Industry Chapter
• Real Estate and Construction Industry Chapter
• Jewelry Industry Chapter
• Workmen's Circle Division  
  

Accountants and Bankers Chapter

The Accountants and Bankers Chapter was established, thanks to the efforts of then President of American ORT, Murray Koppelman, a prominent figure in New York’s investment banking and money management sectors. In 1993, Mr. Koppelman and Stanley Goldstein of Goldstein Golub Kessler enlisted Michael Stoler and, together, they recruited bankers, accountants and factorers to run the chapter's first reception in 1993. Leonard Greer of Israel Discount Bank and Stanley Nasberg of M.R. Weiser & Co. were the chapter's first honorees.

Through the years, the chapter has seen many of its officers move on to assume national positions of leadership in American ORT, including Michael Stoler who served as national president in 1999.

Accountants and Bankers Chapter Executive Committee

Accountants and Bankers Community and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

Engineering and Construction Industry Chapter

The Engineering and Construction Industry Chapter was established in 1982 as a mandate from World ORT. It was determined that it was necessary to enlist American engineers and U.S. technical know-how to improve ORT's curriculum.

John Moss of American ORT and Deputy Director of World ORT Dan Sharon began recruiting members in 1983. The chapter played a leading role in the establishment of the ORT Braude College of Engineering in Karmiel, Israel. Irving M. Footlik and his wife Sylvia were founding members of ORT Braude College in 1984, and in 1994, Mr. Footlik was honored as American ORT's Man of the Year.

Engineering and Construction Industry Chapter Executive Committee

Engineering and Construction Community Achievement Award Recipients


Real Estate and Construction Industry Chapter

In 1980, a group of supporters from ORT's New York Scholarship Fund established a new group consisting of New York real estate and construction professionals.

Eugene M. Grant, a prominent New York philanthropist, major developer and noted New York City UJA Federation leader, was instrumental in bringing together a dynamic group of young men to form the nucleus of this chapter, including Louis Brause, Michael Wolf, Stan Roth, Arthur Draznin and Dennis Karr. Brian J. Strum, who at the time was CEO of Prudential Realty, became chapter president in 1988 and under his leadership the Real Estate Chapter became a major source of funding in support of ORT's campaign.

Real Estate and Construction Industry Chapter Executive Committee

Real Estate and Construction Community Achievement Award Recipients

Jewelry Industry Chapter

The Jewelry Industry Chapter of ORT America was founded following the Six Day War in 1967. At that time ORT schools were directly in the line of fire in Jerusalem. Word of the plight of the ORT students spread and the Jewelers of America rallied their support on behalf of the students. Its supporters were founders of ORT Braude College in Karmiel. Milt and Shirley Gralla established the student lounge at ORT Braude College in the early 1990's. 

Paul Bialo became National Campaign Chairman for American ORT in the late 1980's. For his efforts he was nominated ORT's Man of the Year. In recognition of its fundraising and membership achievements, the Chapter was cited American ORT's "Chapter of the Year" twice, in 1997 and 2001. 

Jewelry Industry Chapter Executive Committee

Jewelry Community Achievement Award Recipients


Workmen's Circle Division

The Workmen's Circle Division of American ORT was founded in 1973, when Shelley Appleton approached the Executive Board of the Workmen's Circle, one of the founders of ORT in the United States, and asked them to develop a division to raise funds in support of ORT schools. Fundraising has been successful through its primary funding of scholarships and the division's successful "Adopt an ORT Student Program."