World ORT Response to Conflict Between Russia and Georgia
Trauma support for students, families, and educators in affected communities

World ORT is taking a leading role in assisting Jewish and non-Jewish children, parents and educators who are experiencing trauma in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. At the request of local and national authorities, World ORT leadership—with David Benish, World ORT representative to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Baltic States—in cooperation with officials from the Israeli ministries, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and The Jewish Agency For Israel are preparing an immediate response. 

• World ORT is organizing week-long intensive trauma counseling training in Israel and flying in both Georgian and Russian psychologists to learn first-hand from Israel’s leading trauma experts.
  
• A cutting-edge curriculum for mental health professionals has been developed to provide expertise to participants on the range of therapies and psychological techniques employed by Israeli psychologists that will serve as a valuable resource in communities affected by the conflict.
  
• These strategies are designed to ensure that trauma professionals working in the schools will have proper tools to provide effective therapies to recognize signs of post-traumatic stress disorder in students and their families experiencing fear and anxiety.

ORT America is the largest fundraising arm of World ORT and supports a global network of schools and high-tech training programs that provide strategic educational initiatives that empower 300,000 students and beneficiaries annually in 62 countries.

It is the generosity of our members and contributors that allows ORT America to help make projects like this possible.

Congratulations on Olympic Gold