ORT Day, the annual global celebration of our network, took place with students participating from countries including Bulgaria, Lithuania, Mexico, Panama, Brazil, Georgia and Israel.
The event unites students, teachers, alumni and friends of ORT to celebrate our mission, which is to prepare people and communities all over the world for meaningful, self-sufficient futures.
Welcoming attendees to the online session, Daniel Tysman, World ORT’s Head of Education, said: “ORT Day is an annual event where we’re celebrating almost 150 years of education and training all over the world.
“This is an important celebration of being part of ORT but at the same time we are all very much aware that these are very difficult times to be part of the Jewish community, to be living in the Jewish world.”
The students heard from keynote speaker Spencer Solomon, Director of Marketing of Lost Tribe, an organization aiming to build a stronger Jewish future. He delivered a compelling talk about celebrating Jewish identity and Israeli culture in the digital space. It included advice on how to produce good content, the power of analytics in brand growth, working with content creators and influencers and concerns relating to posting online.
Spencer Solomon’s Lost Tribe session
Lost Tribe has 81,800 followers on Instagram and 123,400 followers on TikTok and Spencer told the session: “Lost Tribe is the largest online Jewish teen community in the world on social media. [It] leverages the power of new media platforms to cultivate Jewish life, spread knowledge and strengthen Israel-Diaspora bonds, making connections around the world to Israel and connecting and empowering the next generation to lead vibrant Jewish lives and overcome antisemitism with Jewish pride, identity, and joy.
“I think [Lost Tribe and ORT’s] missions are very closely aligned, so it’s awesome to be speaking with all of you today as I know you have a deep and profound understanding of the importance of a mission like this, which is really special.”
Following his talk, students tested their knowledge of the network at the annual ORT Day Quiz, for which they had previously received an information pack. The students answered questions about the foundation of the organization and its former and current programs. Liepa from ORT Sholom Aleichem Jewish Gymnasium in Lithuania won, collecting a $150 prize for herself and her school.
Students taking part in the ORT Day quiz
Jim Lodge, World ORT CEO, said: “I would like not only to congratulate you personally but to give applause to all of you. I am so impressed by both the depth on this program but also its international span, so it’s been a great pleasure being here. I want [to say] mazeltov to you all for what you are doing at our ORT schools, not only today, but daily throughout the world.”
All ORT network students were challenged to celebrate Jewish identity through social media: to create an engaging Instagram Reel or TikTok that is up to one minute long on any Jewish-related theme in their own style before April 16.
To enter, students need to follow and tag @ortlife on Instagram or TikTok, use the hashtag #ORTDay and send us a message with their full name and Instagram/TikTok handle. The best Reel or TikTok will win a special prize.
