ORT Mexico Opens New Media Center

ORT has identified numerous needs that would benefit many of the struggling Jewish communities in 14 Latin American countries. These include connecting Jews to their heritage and culture, providing technology training, assisting with tuition, building new schools, establishing vocational training and computer centers, and as well as adult education.

In ORT Mexico, the most recent steps include the inauguration of a Media Training Center named the Mauricio and Helen Merikanskas ORT Digital Media Centre. The center is part of ORT’s $9 million campaign to support Latin America’s struggling Jewish communities and boost the success of ORT’s major operations in the region. The center specializes in hands-on instruction to ensure that students would learn practical skills, although theoretical principles would also be taught.

The advanced technology education center was built within Mexico City’s Colegio Israelita School on the exact site of ORT Mexico’s first training workshops in welding and technological subjects 25 years ago but it will be independently operated and open to students from the local Jewish day schools as well as to young adults seeking training.

Technology training organization The Genexis Project, for which ORT develops educational programs, will be a major user of the new center. Rabbi Moshe Walles, who runs the project, placed a mezuzah on the entrance of the center. 

The center will increase people’s earning potential and employability by providing four high-quality educational tracks:

• A comprehensive two-year program for high school graduates who want to combine academic studies with vocational training.
• Short-term training courses in video and editing, television and radio production and graphic design for adults interested in ongoing professional training
• Media workshops for high school students who want to learn about education and career options in the media industry.
• ICT training programs for teachers in Jewish and non-Jewish schools.

“This center is a milestone in the provision of technology education,” said Genexis representative Elias Massri.