British ORT

About British ORT

British ORT is the UK-branch of World ORT, the world's largest Jewish non-governmental education and training organisation. Currently operating in 63 countries, ORT helps vulnerable communities to become self-sufficient by training their members in the skills they need to enter the job market.

British ORT is a registered charity supporting specific ORT projects around the world. We educate British donors about ORT and its work, and initiate and manage ORT projects within the UK. This year, British ORT is focusing its fundraising efforts on supporting ORT's network of 17 Jewish Day Schools throughout the Former Soviet Union (FSU).

In the last few years, British ORT has supported a variety of projects, predominantly in Israel and in Eastern Europe. We have provided new SMART classrooms to Megiddo Regional High School and helped fund the new, rocket-proof Science and Technology Centre for Sha'ar HaNegev Regional High school outside Sderot in Southern Israel. We have supported ORT's schools in Zaparoje, Ukraine, and in Kazan.

Last year, British ORT piloted its first UK-based project for a number of years. ORT-JUMP, a mentoring scheme for students in Jewish 6th forms, pairs students for one year with mentors working in their chosen field. Through a structured series of meetings, they are encouraged to explore the profession, the realities of the work environment, and any further training which they might require. Jewish Schools across the UK have expressed an interest in joining the scheme, and British ORT is currently looking for funding in order to allow that expansion to take place.

With the help of a major corporate donor, British ORT is currently supporting an International Cooperation (non-Jewish) project aimed at helping deaf students in Russia to gain employable skills, and thus break the cycle of poverty into which their disability confines them.

British ORT is managed by a team of 9 trustees and supported by a dedicated Friends of ORT committee. Each year it aims to raise around £1,000,000 towards its chosen ORT projects through events, donations and legacy gifts.