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jubilee_prague_stockORT has been operational in Europe since between World War I and World War II. ORT’s operations were originally headquartered in Paris until it became unsafe for Jews there. Then ORT moved is world headquarters to Geneva. Today, ORT’s international headquarters are in London, while the Geneva office houses ORT International Operations.

ORT was recently elected to the Board of OING-Service, a body that helps non-government organizations accredited with the Council of Europe to participate in the pan-European organization’s activities. The Council of Europe groups together 46 countries, including 21 from Central and Eastern Europe. Based in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe’s governmental, parliamentary, regional and other representatives aim to defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law as well as to standardize member countries’ social and legal practices.

ORT applied to the Council of Europe in 1992 for what is now called ‘participatory status’ and was accepted, becoming the first Jewish organization to be so since the Council of Europe was started in 1949. Since 1992, ORT has served two six-year terms as a member of the Liaison Committee, the elected group of 36 INGO representatives that works to improve and intensify co-operation between INGOs and the Council of Europe. Thanks to its participatory status, ORT may be involved in the definition of Council of Europe policies, programs and actions. It has also resulted in Council of Europe backing for some ORT projects, such as ORT France’s distance learning via internet for adults in poor countries.

Now, as a member of OING-Service, ORT’s representative helps to manage the funds that allow the Liaison Committee to function smoothly and so ensure better representation of grassroots organizations at the various Council of Europe bodies. World ORT must wait until 2009 before it is eligible for another six-year term on the Liaison Committee.

RELATED MEDIA GALLERIES
ORT America Mission to Rome and London: ORT Members were treated to tours of the Jewish historical sites in Rome, the Great Synagogue itself (a very special opportunity) and foc oruse, got to see the ORT Renzo Levi school in Rome and visit with students and faculty. Then they were off to London for high tea, a tour of the and a chance to see the magnificent ORT related crafts and art works on display at ORT House in London.  (Read the full recap.)

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ORT NEWS FROM THE REGION
ORT Colleges in Moscow and Strasbourg Fashion Strong Ties: ORT Strasbourg is preparing to host their first group of Russian students, under a bilateral agreement it signed with the Moscow ORT Technology College just over a year ago. The group of a half-dozen fashion design students will spend a week at ORT Strasbourg in April joining in classes and collaborating with their French peers on a joint project.

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ORT strengthens links with Jewish Community of Milan: Milan’s Jewish school is looking forward to a whole new world of opportunities following the signing of a cooperation agreement with World ORT which strengthens its affiliation to the ORT network.
 
ORT ACROSS EUROPE
Belgium: ORT began offering broad vocational training in Belgium after World War II to meet the needs of the local Jewish community, one-third its pre-war level of 90,000 and with about half the Holocaust survivors dependent on aid. Subjects taught included needle trades (such as sewing, tailoring and dressmaking), textiles (weaving and mechanical knitting), carpentry, electrical installation and mechanics. Today, ORT Belgium has begun a new era by raising awareness of ORT’s philosophy and programs among Belgium’s 38,000-strong Jewish community.

Bulgaria: ORT operations in Bulgaria are the result of its partnership with the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, which is dedicated to rejuvenating Jewish communities in Eastern Europe.The Lauder-ORT Science and Technology Center at the Dimcho Debeljanov Jewish School in Sofia has media and science laboratories and a reputation so outstanding that the school has five applicants for each place available.

Czech Republic: Just as in Bulgaria, ORT operations in the Czech Republic are the result of its partnership with the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. The Lauder-ORT Science and Technology Center at the Lauder Guy Aryeh Jewish Community Day School provides students with access to 21st century skills such as computer science studies and this enables them to acquire skills that will provide a foundation for their careers and further education.

France: ORT France, founded, in 1921, provides schooling and vocational adult education at seven schools and centers located in Paris, Strasbourg, Lyons, Toulouse and Marseilles. During an average school year, ORT France educates more than 6,700 students, including more than 4,000 adults.

ORT Hungary: The ORT Hungary Network includes the ORT Computer Center at the Balint Jewish Community Center in Budapest, the Lauder School, the Scheiber Community School, the American Endowment School, and the Rabbinical Seminary of the Jewish University.

Italy: ORT Italy serves the oldest Jewish Diaspora community in the world. Jews have been in Rome since the time of Judah Maccabee and the Roman Empire. ORT currently operates Jewish community high schools in Rome and Milan.

Montenegro: ORT is strengthening the capacity of Montenegrin NGOs to conduct effective public policy advocacy initiatives under the Montenegro Advocacy Program (MAP). MAP is operated by ORT International Cooperation, which provides non-sectarian training and technical assistance programs to enable both individuals and organizations to meet the needs of an evolving society and workplace.

Netherlands : ORT Netherlands is dedicated to fundraising for projects operated by World ORT. Recently, ORT Netherlands committed funds to help the hard-pressed municipality of Kiryat Yam, near Haifa, Israel.

Switzerland: ORT educational programs in Switzerland ceased in 1992. The country now hosts ORT's legal international headquarters (in Geneva). ORT Switzerland is becoming increasingly influential as a fundraising organization with committees in Geneva, Basel, Berne and Zurich.

United Kingdom British ORT’s main campaign focus is to support ORT activities worldwide. Support from UK-based donors has also been directed to specific projects in Ukraine, Israel, Argentina, Latvia and Russia—in particular the ORT Alef School in Zaporojie, Ukraine and the ORT Kazan school in Tatarstan.


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