An extraordinary appeal to member groups of the World ORT Union for aid to help meet a budgetary crisis threatening the extensive ORT vocational training network of schools in Israel has received a favorable response, a two-day meeting of the executive committee of the organization was told here today.
Max Braude, director-general of the World ORT Union, reported on the budgetary problems and on the response to the appeal. Members of the executive committee, from 30 countries, studied ORT’s role and perspectives in 21 countries of operation in the light of the major Jewish demographic shifts of recent years. They also evaluated the importance of changes in technology and teaching methods in maintaining superior standards at ORT training centers. The sessions were led by Daniel Mayer, chairman of the World ORT Union, and Dr. William Haber, Dean of the University of Michigan, who is president of the ORT central board.
Delegates took part in graduation ceremonies at the Central ORT Institute for instructors and technicians, including the first group of teachers for technical schools in Guinea and Mali. The schools are operated by ORT under a technical assistance agreement with the United States Government. James Roosevelt, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, addressed the session.
The meeting declared October 16, the tenth anniversary of the death of Dr. Aron Syngalowski, a founder and longtime leader of the World ORT Union, as Syngalowski Day. The anniversary will be observed in ORT schools and organizations throughout the world. Greetings were extended to Charles H. Jordan, executive vice-chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, which provides funds for the ORT programs. In addition to Dr. Haber, a number of other delegates from the United States participated in the two-day deliberations. The executive committee of the World ORT Union is composed of members representing the local ORT organizations in various countries.
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