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.
Latvia
The Dubnov Jewish School in Riga is the only Jewish school in Latvia. It joined the ORT network in 2010.
Czech Republic
Since 2005, ORT has partnered with the Lauder School of Prague, the ethos of which is to establish a warm and communal atmosphere.
Israel
World ORT operates in Israel as World ORT Kadima Mada (WOKM), implementing programs that have raised standards of STEM education in underprivileged communities throughout the country’s northern and southern peripheries.