October 25, 2007 British ORT raises more than 300,000 at annual dinner Nearly 200 people attended the Annual Dinner at the prestigious Park Lane Hotel in the heart of London. By the end of what proved to be an enjoyable and relaxed social occasion, more than 300,000 ($614,000) was raised for World ORTs Kadima Mada (Science Journey) programme in Israel. Israels outgoing Ambassador to Britain, Zvi Heifetz, has praised ORTs work in Israel and around the world. Ambassador Heifetzs speech at the British ORT Annual Dinner proved to be an appropriate ending to his four years of service in London. One of my first duties in the UK was to address a British ORT function so it seems fitting that you are here wishing me farewell, he said. ORT is one of my favourite charities, he continued. It helps Jewish communities across the globe to make a difference to society. ORT consistently strives towards a higher level of science and technology in Israel, working across the spectrum of religion. World ORTs support of Israel has been an inspiration to me and my wife. Nearly 200 people attended the Annual Dinner at the prestigious Park Lane Hotel in the heart of London. By the end of what proved to be an enjoyable and relaxed social occasion, more than 300,000 ($614,000) was raised for World ORTs Kadima Mada (Science Journey) programme in Israel. From left: Alan Goldman, Shikmah High School student Einav Ben Dror, teacher Rada Finkel, Sigalia Heifetz, Ambassador Zvi Heifetz, Horfesh High School student Jawan Murad, Shifman High School student Ido Cohen. The evening featured entertainment by Druze and Jewish students from three of the more than 30 campuses currently benefiting from Kadima Mada, World ORTs programme to raise the standard of science and technology education in Israel. Among those attending the dinner were the Mayor of Horfesh, Rekad Kheredan, the Principal of Shaar HaNegev High School, Aharon Rothstein, and the Mayor of Kiryat Yam, Shmuel Sisso. Shaar HaNegev, Horfesh High School and Rodman High School in Kiryat Yam all benefit from the Kadima Mada programme. Addressing the Annual Dinner, Mayor Sisso illustrated the importance of a good education by describing his own path from a poor Moroccan immigrant family to become a lawyer and eventually Consul General in New York. Imagine what a great change can happen when you give a child even one whose future already appears fated the help they need to become someone, he said. Mayor Sisso said this was what World ORT was achieving in Israel: transforming mediocre schools to high quality ones by complementing government services. Following the Lebanon War, we were touched by a visit by ORTs representatives to Kiryat Yam and within months, the charity had initiated new educational projects for our students and had developed relationships with teachers, students and parents alike. With our inclusion in the Kadima Mada programme, our technology and science equipment was renewed and our students in need have received additional funding, he said. British ORT Chairman Alan Goldman added: Following the traumatic events of 2006, ORT recognised the need to respond quickly. In cooperation with Israels Ministry of Education and the local municipalities, we have helped those affected through our many educational initiatives. Kadima Mada has contributed towards this worthy objective. British ORT Executive Director Ivor Levene OBE said the Annual Dinner had been an outstanding success. The mood of the evening reflected the British Jewish communitys on-going support for our work to provide children in Israel and around the world with the skills to build a secure and prosperous future, Mr Levene said. World ORT is the worlds largest Jewish education and vocational training non-government organisation and has benefited more than 3 million people Jewish and non-Jewish in 100 countries since its foundation in 1880.