Belgian ORT was established in 1946 primarily to educate Jewish children who had returned from the camps so that they could enter regular schools.
Over the next 20 years thousands of people – most of them minors – were trained in fields as varied as electromechanics and dressmaking across three vocational schools, 20 training workshops and an agricultural centre. ORT provided pupils with monetary assistance, food and clothing parcels.
In the 21st Century, the organization has operated as a fundraising arm, using missions and school visits to raise money. International trips have included to countries such as France, Lithuania, Argentina and Ukraine.
Belarus
Until 2022 ORT was active in Belarus through two KesherNet centres, located outside the country’s capital, Minsk.
Estonia
Catering to more than 340 students, the ORT Tallinn Jewish School is the only Jewish school in Estonia and consistently ranks among the top 20 schools nationwide.
United States
The United States is, through the work of ORT America, the largest global source of ORT fundraising.