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Harmatz Award 2025: Putting into Action the Ideas of Tikkun Olam

A smart glove and walking stick equipped with sensors to assist visually-impaired people, the hosting of a regular staff and teacher appreciation event and the preservation of the memory of the Holocaust are among the projects for which ORT students have been recognized in their efforts to improve the world.

Seven projects that were deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to Tikkun Olam – our shared responsibility to heal, repair and transform the world – have won the World ORT Gina and Joseph Harmatz Award out of a record 18 entries.

Ten entries were submitted by students from Escola ORT in Brazil; two by students from Scuola della Comunità Ebraica di Milano in Italy; two by students from Moscow ORT School #1540 in Russia; and one from students in each of ORT “Mishpahteinu” School in Kazan, Russia; ORT “Gesher” School in Samara, Russia; Colegio Olamí ORT in Mexico; and Colegio Isaac Rabin in Panama.

In a competition first, all four entries from Russia won the award.

Smart Glove and Smart Walking Stick, conceived by students from Escola ORT, is a glove equipped with ultrasonic and color sensors, activated by voice command, to assist visually-impaired people to navigate indoors. A smart walking stick was also envisioned, equipped with proximity sensors to assist visually-impaired individuals in open urban environments.

The students said: “One of our team members was inspired by a conversation with his father, a coach for Paralympic athletes. His father described the daily challenges faced by the visually-impaired, sparking a deep desire to create a practical solution that could improve their quality of life.”

Toys from the Heart was conceived by Vika, a 10^th grade student at Moscow ORT School #1540, who works with children in an orphanage. Many of them struggle with emotional expression, so Vika invites them to draw characters and describe their traits. She then crochets toys based on their drawings, helping them to express their feelings in a safe and creative way.

“When I see a child smile after receiving a toy, I realize we haven’t just created a toy – we have helped them feel important and heard,” explained Vika.

The Memory Through Fates project by students at ORT “Mishpahteinu” School aims to preserve the memory of the Holocaust not only through storytelling but also deeper historical analysis and reflection via archives and the taking of testimonies.

A speaker for the Memory Through Fates project — A speaker for the *Memory Through Fates* project

Student Elizaveta said: “My family met Rakhil Peretsevna Arleevskaya, who told us how her father, Perets Arleevskiy, saved his family along with 66 orphans in July 1941.

“We couldn’t find any information about him at Yad Vashem and we realized there were many such stories that could be forgotten. So we decided to create a project that would help preserve memories and explore the fates of people affected by the Holocaust.

“The project has allowed participants to see the human stories behind the numbers.”

The Toda Le’Kulam (Thank You Everyone) project by students from Colegio Olamí ORT, Mexico, gives thanks to school staff in various departments in recognition of their hard work and contribution.

Once a month, on Friday afternoons, elementary students, along with a teacher and student leaders, prepare and cook a lunch, have a Kabbalat Shabbat and social activities with staff groups.

“Our role is to plan the meals and activities, prepare, cook, share and clean after the event,” the students said.

Students make food for teachers in the *Toda Le’Kulam* project

Students from Moscow ORT School #1540 were behind the Culinary Connection project, which brings together generations through cooking traditional Jewish dishes. Students host workshops with elderly people from chesed organizations and deliver meals to those who are housebound.

“Many elderly people face social isolation, especially those who live alone or have mobility issues. In large cities like Moscow, this issue is particularly noticeable as older individuals often find themselves cut off from society and lose connections with others,” students explained.

“The students realized how important it is to build connections between generations and how this helps to combat loneliness. What began as a simple cooking activity has grown into a meaningful experience for everyone involved – a chance to talk, share stories, and truly understand each other.”

Eva, a student at Colegio Isaac Rabin in Panama, conceived the Recycling Talks project, for which she donated four recycling bins (organic, plastic, glass, and paper) to a school in the coastal town of Veracruz, where ocean pollution is a significant threat.

“I explained to preschool and first graders how to use the bins and why recycling matters, especially near the sea. I wanted to help protect our beaches and marine life. The children were so engaged, and teachers said they would keep using the bins, so the impact keeps going.”

Colegio Isaac Rabin student Eva discusses the benefits of recycling with children

Students from ORT “Gesher” School participated in the Volunteer Squad project, supporting the preservation of Jewish culture and traditions.

They organized national holidays in their school, participated in ORT programs, and helped in chesed centres. “We maintain connections between generations. We consider it important to preserve national customs, culture, languages, and traditions of our peoples,” they explained. “We pass on our knowledge to younger children and promote our idea to the masses.”

Some of the students credited the ORT network with being able to participate in the projects.

“Being part of the ORT network was essential to everything we achieved,” said the students behind the Smart Glove and Smart Walking Stick project. “ORT provided us with tools, structure, support, and guidance that made the project possible and enjoyable. The learning environment and teacher guidance helped us apply our knowledge in a practical and concrete way.”

Jim Lodge, CEO of World ORT, said: “We were thrilled with the excellence and breadth of entries to this year’s World ORT Gina and Joseph Harmatz Award.

“They showcase the concern and desire of our students to improve the lives of others in a practical way. We are incredibly proud of our students, who truly embody the values ORT holds dear.”

Prizes are awarded in memory of the late Gina and Joseph Harmatz, who played crucial roles in ORT’s history.

Joseph Harmatz was Director-General and CEO of World ORT in the 1980s and 1990s. Formerly a partisan, he was regarded as a hero of Lithuania’s Jewish resistance against the Nazis, while Gina Harmatz escaped Nazi persecution in western Europe in the 1930s and 1940s before settling in Israel. She was well-known for her graciousness and the importance she placed on family relationships along with concern for the welfare of others.

To view videos of the students’ projects, click here

International Recognition for Ukrainian ORT Students’ Innovations

ORT students in Ukraine have been recognized with international awards for inventing devices aimed at helping citizens affected by war.

One design is a bracelet that recognizes potential threats for people with hearing problems. Another is a mobile app that aims to relieve psycho-emotional stress in children as young as six. Both projects won the students platinum awards at an international competition.

Viktoriia, 16, a pupil at Lyceum #141 “ORT” Kyiv, designed SoundAid, a smart bracelet that recognizes the name of the person wearing it as well as dangerous signals, such as car horns, sirens, and screams. If a potential threat is detected, the bracelet vibrates to alert the wearer to take care.

Viktoriia demonstrates her SoundAid bracelet

Her project won a platinum award at the world final of Infomatrix 2025, an international computer project competition held in Bucharest, Romania, in May.

Viktoriia, who was assisted by technology teacher Maksym Koroliov and headteacher Olha Rybak, learned about the problems of people with hearing impairments and, after talking to the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf, discovered that there were few devices to support them.

“My goal was to create an affordable and accessible device for people with hearing impairments,” Viktoriia explained. “Other target audiences were added, such as parents with young children and people who often wear headphones, but the device is still planned to be accessible to everyone.”

Meanwhile, 15-year-olds David and Alisa, also students at Lyceum #141 “ORT” Kyiv, won a platinum award for their project Quiet Heart, which aims to relieve some of the stress connected with the Ukraine war experienced by children aged six to nine and their teachers. These stressors include concern over the fate of relatives in the army, air raids, and loud noises.

David and Alisa designed the Quiet Heart app

Their schoolmates, Dmytro and Nazar, 14, who formed the ORT-2 team, won a silver medal for their entry in the Lego Sumo Robot category of the Infomatrix competition: a robot assembled and programmed on the EV3 controller.

ORT Ukraine provided the school in Kyiv with all the necessary equipment and all teachers of STEM subjects receive a salary supplement, supported by World ORT. The organization also partially covered the expenses of students and teachers to participate in the final of the world competition in Bucharest, as well as the round-trip travel.

Thanks again to the support of World ORT, ORT Ukraine was able to equip the school’s shelter with everything needed not only for the safe and comfortable stay of students and teachers, but also to continue the educational process. The school was also provided with uninterruptible power supplies, allowing the students to continue their education during power outages.

Yuliia Tkachuk, of ORT Ukraine, said the organization was proud of the achievements of its students and mentors. “This success is a clear indication of the strength of Ukrainian innovative education, as well as a confirmation of the high level of training of students and teachers of the ORT educational network,” she said. “No matter what, we teach, learn, inspire and support.”

People with hearing impairments often cannot hear important environmental sounds, which increases the risk of accidents, especially on roads. Existing devices are mostly focused on the high volume of the sound rather than the potential danger.

Viktoriia says SoundAid, which uses a neural network to analyze ambient sounds, can be used in everyday life as well as in specialized environments, such as workplaces with high noise levels. In the context of the war in Ukraine, people with hearing impairments are particularly vulnerable to dangers because they cannot hear alarms or approaching danger. SoundAid can be a critical tool for their safety in such conditions as well as more generally.

The prototype bracelet, which can be charged and turned on via a button, was created from a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W board with vibrators and a connected microphone. These were provided by the school.

David and Alisa believe that because Generation Alpha (children aged between 0 and nine) were born into a digital world where smartphone use is ubiquitous, they will be receptive to receiving psychological help via a mobile app. They say they have not found suitable apps for children aged six to nine, therefore decided to design their own.

Their app, which aims to improve concentration during class, will focus on breathing, movement, distraction games, audio fairy tales, and cartoons with exercises. It can also be used with parental support at home and by psychologists.

“Children, especially young ones, are experiencing stress and psychological tension because of the war. They are all in a generation of smartphone users, so the idea of creating an app that will help relieve this situation was creative and everyone liked it,” explained Alisa. “After testing, the children said it helped them to relieve tension and stress, distract themselves and relax a little.”

‘Outstanding’ Ariellah Rosenberg Receives 2024 Singer Award

Ariellah Rosenberg, CEO of ORT SA in Johannesburg, has been announced as the 2024 recipient of the Robert Singer Award for Outstanding ORT Professionals.

The annual award recognizes ORT professionals globally whose efforts and achievements, after years of service for the institutions in which they work, advance beneficiaries locally and support the global ORT network.

Ms. Rosenberg has dedicated her career to advancing education and skills development. She has helped shape ORT SA’s programs to bring STEM education, entrepreneurship and job skills to previously disadvantaged communities. Her role as CEO since 2013 has been pivotal in expanding ORT SA’s reach and impact, affecting thousands of youth, educators and businesses in the country.

She said: “This award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of ORT SA’s work to create meaningful educational opportunities. Over the past 20 years, I’ve seen the potential in every young person we work with and I remain inspired by their resilience and eagerness to learn.”

WATCH: Ariellah Rosenberg discusses her career and the 2024 Robert Singer Award

Robert Singer – former CEO and Chair of the Board of Trustees, World ORT; Former CEO, World Jewish Congress; Chairman, Center for Jewish Impact – for whom the award is named, described Ms. Rosenberg’s contributions to the field of education and to the ORT community as “outstanding”. He said she “exemplified the values we cherish” and added: “I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”

He added: “Ariellah truly embodies the spirit of innovation and dedication that the Singer Award represents.

“Over her remarkable 20-year tenure at ORT South Africa she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education, leadership and community engagement.

“Her ability to inspire and empower those around her has created a positive ripple effect, impacting countless lives and strengthening our organization.”

He said Ms. Rosenberg’s contributions extended beyond her role as a leader. “She is deeply involved in advancing educational programs and actively participates in World ORT’s networking initiatives, showcasing her passion for collaboration and growth. As a mentor, she nurtures the next generation of educators, fostering an environment of learning and development.”

Previously Head of Teacher Empowerment at ORT SA, Ms. Rosenberg has focused on creating programs that brought STEM education to hundreds of schools.

From establishing the organization’s Teacher Empowerment department and developing it into the STEM, IT, Skills and Enterprise Development Academies, to launching the Jewish First Lego League in South Africa, and ORT Coding Clubs reaching more than 6,000 learners, she has consistently worked on initiatives aimed at practical learning and skills development.

In each project, her goal has been to equip young people with knowledge and tools that can open doors for their future.

Throughout Ms. Rosenberg’s career, she has shared her insights at conferences and collaborated on educational initiatives globally. She has presented on youth development and the future of learning, gaining recognition for her focus on preparing communities for an evolving world.

She was also a finalist in ABSA’s Europcar Women in Leadership Award in 2020, the first South African to attend the Google Teacher Academy in London in 2010, a nominee for the Women of the Year Award in 2010 and has been interviewed on platforms such as CNBC Africa’s Innovate Africa show, where she discussed the concept of bridging the technology skills gap.

Ms. Rosenberg, who believes that with the right attitude and equal opportunities “the sky is the limit”, said being chosen for the award left her “speechless”.

“I have met Robert Singer and always admired his position and his work,” she said. “It is such a big honor and a privilege to receive this award – ORT is an amazing network of incredible people and work.

“I feel as if I’m standing next to giants and, being recognized, like I’m now a piece of that puzzle that’s called World ORT, not only locally, but part of this network that has benefited South Africa in so many ways. I had the privilege to really impact through education. I always say you can’t measure the impact because the impact grows as the children grow.

“ORT SA’s mission continues to guide me, and I’m grateful to be part of an organization committed to empowering communities and building brighter futures.”

Previous winners of the Robert Singer Award include Dr. Jorge Grünberg, Rector of the Universidad ORT Uruguay; Vladimir Kritsman, Principal of the Jewish school ORT “Pri Etz Haim” in Kyrgyzstan; and staff from ORT Ukraine.

Spanish Team Wins YEP Prize With Mental Health Support App

A team of students from Colegio Hatikva in Barcelona, Spain, have won the 2024 World ORT Taub Young Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) in the northern hemisphere.

Their winning app, Mental Buddy, is designed to offer a supportive environment for users to explore and understand their feelings in real-time. The app acts as a comforting friend, helping teenagers navigate through turbulent emotions.

It uses simple exercises and friendly advice to help users identify their emotions and develop healthy coping strategies. It focuses on self-discovery and empowerment, helping people build resilience and understand their emotional landscape.

The YEP competition gives ORT students the opportunity to design a product or service that addresses a social issue. Throughout the course, students present milestones and pitch their ideas to judges.

This year’s Northern Hemisphere program introduced teams from seven countries—Costa Rica, Mexico, Ukraine, Italy, France, Spain and Bulgaria—to the world of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

The year-long course simulates the real-world process of product development, guiding students from initial idea generation through market research, risk and opportunity analysis, product specification definition, business model selection, marketing strategy design, prototype manufacturing, and finally, business plan and sales pitch presentation.

During the virtual live final, high school student teams delivered five-minute presentations of their projects and answered questions from judges.

Robert Taub, an experienced entrepreneur and the program’s lead sponsor, opened the event with a pre-recorded video, encouraging students to continue honing their critical thinking skills.

The students had a great experience, as Hannah, a student from the winning Colegio Hatikva team, said: “Being able to develop our wildest ideas and turn them into practical reality is one of the most satisfying feelings.”

Costa Rica secured second place with the product Spray It. The students of Instituto Dr Jaim Weizman designed a unique hairspray that offers a combination of convenience and simplicity, allowing people to straighten their hair effortlessly.

Experienced entrepreneurs advised the students. Their assistance was essential to the students’ development, as emphasised by Magalí from the winning group: “We enjoyed sharing our ideas and acquiring knowledge and inspiration from the rest of the teams, as well as developing our project utilising the judges’ feedback.”

The judging panel included Yoni Torgow, Executive Chairman of the Sterling Group, a real estate development, management, and investment company based in Detroit, United States; Nina Rosenzwog, a retired school psychologist and certified mediator; and Pablo Reich, an ORT Argentina graduate now running a specialised furniture manufacturer and distributor in Canada, who is also a member of the World ORT Board of Trustees.

Exemplifying our values: Harmatz Award Winners Celebrate Success

What do socks, chess and aquatic ecosystems have in common?

Believe it or not, they have all inspired a series of meaningful student projects that have been recognized as part of World ORT’s leading social responsibility program.

The 2024 Gina and Joseph Harmatz Award winners highlight the positivity of Tikkun Olam, teamwork, a sense of belonging, forward-thinking attitudes and problem-solving skills.

For students at the ORT-affiliated King David High School Linksfield in Johannesburg, South Africa, it was a hat-trick of successes, with three teams recognized for their inspirational projects.

WATCH: The five winners of the 2024 Gina and Joseph Harmatz Award

Among the winners were twins Caleb and Judah, whose ‘Every Move Matters’ initiative distributed chess resources to those less privileged.

They secured funding and collaborated with their local authority Department of Education to support other children and provide enhanced educational opportunities through chess.

The brothers, aged 13, have already been national chess champions in four different age groups.

They said: “Chess has transformed our lives in ways we never could have imagined – the strategies, the focus, the friendships. It has been an honor to represent our country and a life-changing journey. And now we want to share this incredible game with other kids. We believe every kid should have the chance to explore the world of chess.”

The brothers at the chess club in Johannesburg

A four student team from Escola ORT in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, designed an app to raise awareness of freshwater species and promote the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. The app allows users to assess the water quality of nearby rivers and lakes, identify threatened creatures living there and access information on conservation techniques. Their ‘WaterWise’ project encourages the public to be more aware of conservation and sustainability, with the goal of creating a well-informed society.

Back at King David Linksfield, the school’s 75th anniversary was celebrated with a fundraising campaign to improve the lives of vulnerable children through the creation and sale of funky socks.

Student Gabi sourced materials, created sock designs and planned a marketing campaign as part of her efforts. In doing so she raised more than $10,000 and was invited to a reception at the British High Commission in Pretoria where she met dignitaries including Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations.

Gabi said: “I am so proud of the success of this initiative because it exemplifies my personal values of community, outreach and Tikkun Olam. Not only have Jewish children benefitted from this initiative but also the children from the Kids Haven charity and the wider South African community too.”

Gabi explaining the initiative to Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh

A group of students at the ORT Technology School in Moscow, Russia, created a social club for peers with developmental challenges and health conditions (main image). Meeting at school once a week, the club’s aim is to give children who are often isolated the opportunity to socialize, take part in specially co-ordinated quizzes and games, and to learn how to cook.

Team member Diana explained how a quiz for hearing-impaired children worked: “The kids wrote their answers on paper or showed with their hands. The main thing is not the way you speak or whether you can answer in a loud voice. What is more important are your emotions, your desire to communicate and the warmth that you are ready to share with another person.”

The final group of winners in Johannesburg created the ‘Woven Wishes’ initiative. Benjamin and Julia, a brother and sister team, sought to incentivize the knitting and donation of knitted squares from students across the city. They then partnered with an NGO which teaches unemployed women from a township new skills and roles in which they join the squares, creating blankets which can be sold for income or donated to those in need.

The siblings collected more than 200 knitted squares and have a goal of 5,000 for 2024.

Beneficiaries of the blanket project in South Africa

Other entrants in this year’s Harmatz Awards included a student from Mexico who welcomed Israeli peers into their community after the October 7 attacks, the creation of an app tackling pollution in Rio de Janeiro, a Russian flash mob project encouraging healthier lifestyles, and a boxing club in Johannesburg which promotes better mental health and physical outcomes for young people.

Prizes in the competition are awarded in memory of the late Gina and Joseph Harmatz, who played pivotal roles in ORT’s history.

Joseph Harmatz was Director General of World ORT in the 1980s and 1990s. He was a partisan who was regarded as a hero of Lithuania’s resistance movement against the Nazis.

Gina Harmatz escaped Nazi persecution in western Europe in the 1930s and 1940s before settling in Israel. She was renowned for her graciousness and the importance she placed on family relationships, and concern for the welfare of others.

‘Passionate, Inspiring, Dedicated’ – Leading ORT Teachers Recognized with 2024 Wand-Polak Award

This year, seven inspirational teachers have been selected for the Beatrice Wand-Polak award for going the extra mile in their role as educators.

The annual prize is given to those who have inspired colleagues, worked collaboratively across our network, designed new educational methods, or improved their school environment in other ways. It values excellence across our network and encourages our dedicated and valued teachers to lead their institutions in innovation, technology and practice.

The award was established by former ORT Latin America director Bernard Wand-Polak in memory of his wife, Beatrice.

She was a former president of the Chicago Region of Women’s American ORT and assisted her husband in building a network of excellent technical high schools throughout Latin America.

This year’s winners are:

Dikla Fartouk – Collège et Lycée ORT Robert Blum, Villiers-le-Bel, Paris, France

Dikla Fartouk is a Hebrew and Jewish History teacher and a mind-body therapist and art therapist who was born in Israel and moved to France aged 20.

Dikla Fartouk

In 2018, she joined the Collège et Lycée ORT Robert Blum, Villiers-le-Bel in Paris, where she is in charge of educational, religious and cultural projects. She aims to encourage students to learn Hebrew and the history of the Jewish people through the medium of art and creativity and believes it “essential” to instil confidence in her students who, she says, find success through forging their own paths.

Additionally, through sharing with her students her knowledge of the relaxation method known as sophrology, she helps them to manage their stress and emotions.

Jean-Paul Freva, the school’s director, nominated Dikla saying: “Dikla Fartouk has demonstrated exceptional commitment. She regularly explores teaching methods to captivate and motivate her students. She initiated several ambitious projects and contributed significantly to the development of the various events set up in the establishment, particularly in terms of Jewish life.”

Yael Mitelman, Escuela ORT Argentina, Buenos Aires

Yael Mitelman is a Jewish Education teacher who has worked in community institutions in Argentina and, in 2004, joined Escuela ORT Argentina at the Almagro campus.

For the past five years, together with the school’s teaching staff, Yael has coordinated the development of, and helped to write, a new collection of teaching books and assisted in the modernization of teaching materials. These are now used by Spanish-speaking Jewish educators.

She is described as consistently adding value to the curricula and teaching teams and placing special emphasis on training and upskilling.

A specialist Shoah educator, Yael initiated innovative projects, such as the participation of students as guides at the Holocaust Museum in Buenos Aires during the annual The Night of the Museums event.

Yael Mitelman

Nominating Yael, the school said she was “a professional convinced of the enormous importance of education in the construction of identity and the millenary continuity of the Jewish people. She works every day to provide quality education towards this goal”.

Yael added: “Belonging to such a prestigious educational network has allowed me to develop professionally, while creating projects and educational materials that also benefit other institutions. I am overjoyed and want to thank the school and my team for their part in our daily work.”

Stella Dinkova, ORT No. 134 “Dimcho Debelianov” Jewish School, Sofia, Bulgaria

Stella joined ORT Jewish school No. 134 “Dimcho Debelianov” in Sofia in 2005 as a university student and immediately established herself with her dedication and energetic work ethic.

As the Hebrew and Jewish Studies coordinator, she now prepares graduating students for the final Hebrew exam conducted by the Jewish Agency for Israel. She also has extensive experience in managing projects, including online for the Centre for Holocaust Education and Jewish Education in the Diaspora for Bulgaria. She has played a major role in helping dozens of Israeli families who arrived in Bulgaria after October 7.

In Stella’s nomination form, the school said she was “direct, straightforward and with a distinctive leadership style. Stella is very competent and is always looking for development opportunities. Courageous and adaptable, Stella has not only managed to keep and guide the Hebrew team through the school’s most difficult years, but also to bring it even closer together and develop it further”.

Stella Dinkova

Stella says: “It is a great honor to receive this award, but I am also aware of the responsibility it carries. It is the students who influence me the most. They are my motivation to continually learn and develop.

“At ORT we are part of a big family – the contact with other people in the network, the exchanges between ORT teachers and the contact with students from different countries are invaluable.”

Nathalie Rondot – Collège et Lycée ORT Léon Bramson, Marseille

Nathalie Rondot, a science teacher, joined the Collège et Lycée ORT Léon Bramson in Marseille in 1997.

Nathalie helped the school obtain the E3D label: School in Sustainable Development Approach. Her inspection reports are highly rated and her students pass their tests with excellent results.

Until last year, Nathalie accompanied numerous groups of students on trips to Israel. Her dedication is such that she continues to teach while undergoing cancer treatment and, one year away from retirement, is training her successor.

Nathalie Rondot

Nominating Nathalie for the award, Vanessa Zeitoun, director of the college, says: “Highly appreciated by her colleagues, families and students, Nathalie knows how to help those who need it and does so discreetly. She demonstrates great rigor in her work and her diligence is flawless. She is a woman of extraordinary courage, an exceptional woman from whom we could all learn a lesson.”

Michal Malka – Kfar Silver Youth Village, Ashkelon, Israel

Michal Malka has worked at the Kfar Silver Youth Village in Ashkelon for 32 years and has held various positions, including as educator, literature teacher and class coordinator. She has also contributed to projects involving pedagogy, matriculation eligibility percentages and improving the school climate.

During the past year, she has been leading one of the 10th grade classes and coordinates all of that year group’s classes. Additionally, after a teacher from the Gaza envelope was evacuated from her home following the war, and whose brother was killed on October 7, Michal took over the running of that year group as well.

Michal is rated as professional, thorough, dedicated and responsible and is also highly regarded by parents of pupils. One parent recently wrote of her: “She is a significant treasure for the school.”

She is described as a highly patient and nurturing teacher, who always has the best interests of her students and goes above and beyond to lead them towards success.

Janeth Garduño – Colegio Olami ORT, Mexico City, Mexico

Janeth Garduño has more than 15 years’ experience teaching maths at all educational levels at Colegio Olami ORT in Mexico City.

She effectively plans, runs and evaluates classes that enhance student learning. Janeth encourages class participation and uses different materials and activities to motivate her students and make the subject more accessible.

In her role as co-ordinator, Janeth is rated for putting together a great teaching team, members of which are inspired and enterprising, and she provides support and feedback to every teacher. She ensures they are trained and kept up to date and encourages her students to take part in local and global competitions.

Janeth Garduno

Described as empathetic, open and with a willingness to learn, Janeth is also solution-focused and aims to promote cohesion. She cites as her inspiration a high school teacher who made students feel included and that their opinions mattered. Janeth says: “I understood that teaching must be done with love.”

In nominating Janeth, Orly Picker Schatz, academic director of Colegio Olami ORT, says: “Her passion for education is reflected in her constant search for new pedagogical methodologies and approaches that promote meaningful and lasting learning.”

Janeth adds: “Being part of the ORT network as a teacher has given me access to updated educational resources, collaboration with other like-minded teachers and it allows me to contribute to the advancement of education in an ever-evolving environment.”

Dmytro Kuprovskyi – Chernivtsi Lyceum “ORT” No 15, Chernivtsi, Ukraine

For the past eight years, Dmytro Kuprovskyі (main image) has been a teacher of physics and robotics at Chernivtsi Lyceum “ORT” No 15 in Ukraine, where he has proved to be an invaluable asset.

Under his guidance, ORT students have become actively engaged in STEM projects and have achieved successes in Ukrainian and international competitions. These include first place in the international Hackathon in Kyiv in 2018 and 2019 and in the “3D Modelling” category of the 2018 international Robotraffic robotics competition in Israel.

Dmytro implements ORT methodologies and courses and his expertise has been shared through webinars and seminars. In 2021, he participated in the winter session of STEM education, demonstrating practical applications of Arduino kits in everyday life.

At the start of the Ukraine war two years ago, under Dmytro’s leadership, students at the school developed and manufactured medical tourniquets and bandages.

Dmytro says: “The Wand-Polak Award is a recognition of the work and achievements of my students. For me, this gives impetus to new achievements, realization of interesting projects, implementation of ideas, development and self-education.”

World ORT congratulates all our 2024 Beatrice Wand-Polak Award winners for their work in schools and for preparing students for a better future.

Beatrice Wand-Polak winners 2024:

Yael Mitelman – Escuela ORT Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Stella Dinkova – ORT No. 134 “Dimcho Debelianov” Jewish School, Sofia, Bulgaria

Dikla Fartouk – Collège et Lycée ORT Robert Blum, Villiers-le-Bel, Paris, France

Nathalie Rondot – Collège et Lycée ORT Léon Bramson, Marseille, France

Michal Malka – Kfar Silver Youth Village, Ashkelon, Israel

Janeth Garduño – Colegio Olami ORT, Mexico City, Mexico

Dmytro Kuprovskyi – Chernivtsi Lyceum “ORT” No 15, Chernivtsi, Ukraine

Jorge Grünberg is 2023 recipient of leading ORT award

Dr. Jorge Grünberg, Rector of the Universidad ORT Uruguay, has been announced as the 2023 recipient of the Robert Singer Award for Outstanding ORT Professionals.

The annual award recognizes ORT professionals globally whose efforts and achievements for the institutions in which they work advance beneficiaries locally and support the ORT network as a whole.

Robert Singer, former World ORT Director General and Chair of the Board of Trustees, for whom the award is named, described Dr. Grünberg as an “outstanding professional – creative, innovative – a real educator and a top manager”.

Mr. Singer lauded Dr. Grünberg for building from scratch, along with his mother Charlotte de Grünberg (winner of the award in 2020), the Universidad and developing it into one of the leading universities in the world.

He also spoke of Dr. Grünberg as a man “devoted to Jewish values, Jewish community and the State of Israel”, having come from a family of Holocaust survivors who made their new home in Montevideo.

Having graduated from Oxford University with a Masters degree in Education (he has since gained his Doctorate), Dr. Grünberg has served as Rector of the Universidad since it attained private university status in 1996. Under his leadership, the institution has grown to be rated the best in the country and among the 500 best universities worldwide. It offers a wide range of technical courses and undergraduate and graduate degrees in Architecture, Engineering, Biotechnology, Business, Economics, International Relations, Design, Animation, Communications and Education.

Dr. Grünberg also represents ORT in his capacity as Deputy Chair of the Academic Advisory Committee and serves the Uruguayan academic community as a full member of the National Academy of Engineering of Uruguay and as founder and secretary of both the Council of Rectors of Private Universities of Uruguay and the Uruguayan Computer Society.

Dr. Grünberg has also worked as a consultant for several global organizations, both public and private, and he has had more than 50 specialized articles published: his academic specialty is the integration of new technologies in educational systems.

“Winning this award means a lot to me,” Dr. Grünberg said. “First of all because I am proud to be part of a group of many illustrious people, much more deserving than me, who have won this award in the past, and secondly because it serves as validation that what my team and I do is perceived as valuable for the educational mission of the ORT family worldwide.

“The Robert Singer Award has a consistent record of commitment to highlighting useful educational practices to share within the global ORT network. Sharing and collaborating is, I believe, one of our network’s most important differentials and strengths and one that we should cultivate, using the award as an important platform to that end.

“What makes ORT special is that it is not a job, but rather a cause and a calling. When imbued with the ORT spirit, one develops a tremendous commitment – towards education in particular and the Jewish people in general.

“When you work at ORT you really feel that you are making a difference in people’s lives and this is invaluable as a reward. The work that we do provides us with meaning and purpose and there is no substitute for that.”

Mexican Students’ Office Space Solution Secures Taub YEP Victory

A plan to match digital nomads to unoccupied office spaces secured a group of Mexican students first place in the final of the World ORT Taub Young Entrepreneurship (YEP) Program for northern hemisphere schools.

Created by a group of students from Colegio Olamí ORT in Mexico City, the project aims to connect remote workers, young entrepreneurs, small and mid-size businesses, freelancers and digital nomads to unused spaces in hotels, business centers and meeting rooms.

The team’s business solution will offer a professional working environment without the obligation of a long-term commitment as a better alternative than the standard options of coffee shops, restaurants or working from home.

The project was pitched to be available in major cities across Britain, the United States and Mexico. Customers would be able to choose the nearest locations to them and rent per hour or through a membership with the company.

The Taub YEP competition is an opportunity for ORT students to live the experience of designing a product or service that solves a social problem, with milestone presentations and pitches to judges throughout the course. During this year’s program, nine teams of students from seven countries received a thorough introduction to the world of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

The year-long Taub YEP course simulates the real-world process of developing an initial idea through market research, analyzing risks and opportunities, defining product specifications, selecting the optimum business model, designing a marketing strategy, manufacturing a product prototype, and finally presenting a business plan and sales pitch.

During the virtual live final in May, teams of high school students gave five-minute presentations of their projects before answering questions from judges.

Opening the event, Robert Taub – an experienced entrepreneur who is the lead program sponsor – welcomed the students via a pre-recorded video and encouraged them to continue developing their thinking skills.

Ari, one of the winning students, said: “This program was very fun, inspiring and creative. Thanks to that I was able to achieve many goals and enjoyed the teamwork and more. I am very grateful to have participated in this program and proud of my teammates for achieving this victory.”

The final was an opportunity for the students to receive advice from experienced entrepreneurs. The judging panel included Jeff Moness, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Canadian Paper Connection and member of the ORT Canada Board; Anna Propp Riesenberg, an active board member for several not-for-profits, including the Jewish Education Project; and Sarah Weitz, founder of The Fat Shallot food truck and a member of the ORT Chicago Advisory Council.

Second place went to the team from ORT Liceo Renzo Levi, from Rome, Italy. They created a posture corrector band connected to an app that notifies the user to straighten their posture throughout the day.

Kfar Silver Students presenting their project

Due to disruption caused by rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza, the team from the Kfar Silver Youth Village could not take part in the live final but presented their project to the judges a few days later. The team created a Smart Refrigerator, which shows in an app what the person has in their refrigerator, helping the customer to avoid wasting food and money.

The winning team members will all receive iPads as prizes.

Brazil team score victory with app design

A team of ORT students from Brazil proved more successful than their national football team by winning top prize in an international competition.

The teenagers from Escola ORT Brazil in Rio de Janeiro impressed the judges in the World ORT Taub Young Entrepreneurship (YEP) final with their app which helps improve the wellbeing of cancer patients.

Their ‘COM VC’ (‘with you’) online platform works to connect specialist psychologists with patients, promotes health, and provides a range of comforting aids for the sick.

Created by students Juliana Scliar, Arthur Toscano, Clarice Sa and Bruno Levy under the supervision of mentor teacher Rodrigo Carvalho, the app uses entrepreneurship for social good.

The team told the online YEP live final that in partnership with NGOs and other social projects, COM VC would help provide assistance for cancer patients who lack the financial resources to access therapy and other services.

Five teams of ORT students from three countries participated in the conclusion of the southern hemisphere YEP program. The teams received a thorough introduction to the world of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship during this year’s program.

The YEP course simulates the real-world process of developing an initial idea through market research, analyzing risks and opportunities, defining product specifications, selecting the optimum business model, designing a marketing strategy, manufacturing a product prototype, and finally presenting a business plan and sales pitch.

During the final, teams of students – aged 14 to 16 – gave four-minute presentations of their project before answering questions from the judges. The teams in this year’s final were all well prepared with excellent ideas to solve local and global problems and demonstrated how the program contributes to their development.

Robert Taub, YEP’s lead sponsor and World ORT Secretary, himself an experienced entrepreneur, opened the event by telling the students: “The best reward for me would be if one day one of these projects that you are presenting would actually turn into a concrete business plan, and even… to commercialization.

“I believe very much in technology… and the thinking process is vital. Our mission is to educate you, open your mind, and provide you with the skills you need for the future.”

Participants also benefitted from the contributions of the judging panel, which offered advice after hearing their pitches.

The judges were Jeff Moness, Chairman of the Board of Canadian Paper Connection Inc.; Justin Pollack, Managing Director of the Private Funds Group at PineBridge investments; and Margie Green, a founding member of Women’s American ORT and a supporter of the organization for more than 50 years.

Students from Herzlia School in Cape Town, South Africa, finished in second place with their app called LOCKD. They created a safe storage option for people taking belongings to beaches. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world.

Their peers from the PACE team in Johannesburg created ‘Order Pro’, an online canteen system for schools, colleges and university students. The program provides diners with a QR code after ordering so that on arrival in the canteen they receive their tray of food, cutting down on long queues and time wasting.

A team from ORT Almagro campus in Argentina devised the ‘Domestikus’ app, helping families keep track of their pets and monitor walks, feeding schedules, medication and other vital information. Using a notification system, users are told about scheduled activities and receive alerts about their pets.

The final was completed by the ORT Belgrano team, also from Argentina, with their ‘Movienator’ web service designed to help viewers decide which movie or TV show to watch. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and past selections the service provides options best-suited to the user.

The winning team from Brazil will receive a trip to Israel to learn first-hand about Israeli entrepreneurship in the Start-Up Nation. The runners-up will win $100 each to go towards online training courses.

Ukrainian ORT Team Wins 2022 Robert Singer Award Alongside Kyrgyzstan School Principal

Some of the longest-serving and most dedicated professionals in the ORT network have been recognized with a prestigious award.

Staff from ORT Ukraine and Vladimir Kritsman, Principal of the Jewish School ORT “Pri Etz Haim” in Kyrgyzstan, are the joint winners of this year’s Robert Singer Award for Outstanding Senior ORT Professionals.

This annual award recognizes those who have attained high levels of achievement for ORT, for the institutions in which they work and for their beneficiaries.

The award comes with a financial prize, which this year has been doubled in response to the urgent need for additional support in Ukraine.

The extraordinary circumstances in Ukraine in the past seven months have had a huge impact on ORT’s team, headquartered in Kyiv, with individual staff members forced to flee their homes while continuing their vital work to support our schools and programs across the country.

Some at head office in Kyiv have worked for ORT for more than 20 years. When the conflict began they immediately adapted: educators began distributing medicines (main image: ORT staff in Zaporizhzhia sort through supplies of medicines); IT support workers tackled the urgent need to get meals to children; and school buildings were modified to provide essential safety features.

Robert Singer, Chair of World ORT’s Board of Trustees, said: “This award is recognition of both the exceptional response of our Ukraine team to the pressures they have been under this year, and also to celebrate the long-term service and total devotion they have shown to ORT students, teachers and their families over so many years.”

Accepting the award on behalf of her team and colleagues, Mila Finkelshtein, ORT Ukraine Chief Executive, said: “Our ORT Ukraine staff – both in the office and in our schools – are all heroes.

“It has been a huge challenge to overcome the fear and uncertainty, to continue to work and support those who need our help the most.

“I thank everyone across the ORT network for their great support, which we have felt every minute since that terrifying morning on February 24. I believe we will survive, without any doubt.”

Vladimir Kritsman receives an award from Bishkek City Hall to mark the school’s 25th anniversary in 2018

ORT “Pri Etz Haim” in Bishkek is Kyrgyzstan’s only Jewish school. Situated in the Muslim-majority country, it has around 100 full-time students and an additional 300 part-time students.

Pri Etz Haim opened in 1993 and joined the ORT network in 2004. It provides a safe and nurturing environment for Jewish children. The school has long been seen as an integral factor in the positive co-existence between the city’s Muslim and Jewish communities.

During recent months Mr Kritsman has fought efforts to evict the school from its premises. He has led the school for almost 30 years and is a key leader of the city’s Jewish community – one of the most isolated in the world.

Mr Kritsman said he was delighted but surprised to receive the award.

He said: “The year turned out to be so difficult for all of us; the world has changed beyond recognition, and the attacks against the school brought additional bitterness in addition to our regular problems. But ORT once again showed and proved that together we will always win.

“I had the honor to be at the opening of the school and part of ORT’s arrival in Kyrgyzstan. On the bookshelf in my office are two of the school’s most prized awards: the 2016 and 2020 STEM Communication Award winners’ trophies. All this creates an unshakable sense of community and interconnectedness, which cannot be overestimated. Thank you, ORT.”

Mr Singer said: “Vladimir is not only a devoted school principal, he is also a dedicated leader of the wider community in one of the most complex places in the region. His work has ensured the continuation of the school, and by extension, of the community he has served for so long.

Robert Singer, Chair, World ORT Board of Trustees

“We are all indebted to him and I know his students, teachers and graduates will join me in thanking him for everything he has done for ORT and the Jewish people of Kyrgyzstan.”

The school celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2018 with a concert for 700 people at a local theatre. Every student took part on the stage and Mr Kritsman was honored with a silver badge of honor by Bishkek City Hall.

Previous winners of the Robert Singer Award include ORT Russia National Director Mikhail Libkin and Charlotte Gruenberg, National Director of ORT Uruguay.