Digital Skills Academy Empowers Young Minds with Skills, Confidence and Lasting Friendships

Days after meeting for the first time, laughter and song echoed through a lively karaoke party, as high school students from across Europe and Israel quickly bonded at the World ORT Digital Skills Academy (DSA) in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Over the course of two action-packed weeks, the Academy provided 25 students from 14 ORT schools in nine countries with a unique blend of technical learning, cultural enrichment and personal growth – all wrapped in a spirit of friendship and discovery.

A Warm Welcome and Fast Friendships

Students, supported by a team of madrichim, dived into ice-breaking games and settled into their new home in Sofia in the opening hours of this life-changing summer program.

The group quickly felt at ease with the support of a dedicated team of professional staff from World ORT and ORT Bulgaria who encouraged them to make the most of the experience ahead.

Then it was time to get hands-on: half the group explored digital photography with a professional photographer, while the others dived into video production with digital media experts.

Behind the Scenes of Global Creativity

Students experienced inspiring excursions in the Academy’s first week. A visit to Bulgaria’s renowned Nu Boyana Film Studios gave them rare access to working film sets where they filmed and took photographs amidst blockbuster backdrops. They also had the opportunity to visit Disney’s regional headquarters in Sofia, where they learned how departments such as legal, marketing, and creative teams collaborate on Disney, STAR, and National Geographic content.

Another highlight was the trip to NOVA TV, one of Bulgaria’s leading television networks. Students sat in on a live news broadcast, toured the studios, and met Bulgaria’s most popular weatherman. It was an eye-opening glimpse into media careers and the skills behind the screens.

Workshops, Reflection and Cultural Immersion

Students spent their days building skills through workshops in video editing, photography, podcasting and Photoshop. Each evening they reflected on the day’s highs and challenges, reinforcing the importance of self-awareness and growth.

 

ORT student Miglė, from Vilnius in Lithuania, said: “I have always wanted to be involved in cinema and after seeing everyone here work with such passion and creativity I realised that it is what I really want to do. I want to work with people who share the same passion and now I will do everything to continue working with confidence in video production.”

At the end of the first week the group explored Sofia’s rich Jewish heritage with a visit to the city’s historic synagogue. Shabbat offered a welcome pause. At a kosher restaurant close to the ORT No. 134 “Dimcho Debelianov” Jewish School, the group shared Kiddush and traditional food, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere. A walking tour of Sofia’s landmarks, including the Square of Tolerance and the Roman ruins of Serdica, ended with group games and laughter at the National Theatre.

From Sofia to Kyustendil: A Journey of Discovery

For the Academy’s second week the group travelled to Kyustendil in south-western Bulgaria, in a picturesque setting near the Osogovo mountains. A trip to a nearby sequoia forest showcased the creative power of the natural world and provided stunning scenery for long-exposure activities.

The final days saw a flurry of collaboration and creativity. Students filmed five-minute short movies based on imaginative prompts such as “The Lost Key” and “Wrong Room”, edited their final photo collections, and prepared for the much-anticipated exhibition and talent show. A special celebration included traditional Bulgarian folk dancing, a disco, and birthday cake for one student.

Elizaveta, an ORT student from Moldova, said her experience at the Academy was overwhelmingly positive.

“I think the most valuable part of this program is the people who worked here and the people who came here. This event will stay with me forever and will remain in my heart as a warm memory.

“I would definitely recommend this program to other people interested in photography because through it, you can truly understand if you like photography, meet amazing people, visit incredible places, and just spend two weeks of your summer productively.”

On the Academy’s final day, students completed their projects under time pressure but with enthusiasm and teamwork. The photo exhibition was hung, videos were rendered, and skits were rehearsed. As the end approached, excitement gave way to nostalgia.

One last ceremony showcased the group’s best work to an audience of special guests, including Israel’s Ambassador to Bulgaria together with the Cultural and Scientific Attaché, plus the Mayor of Kyustendil. It closed a chapter filled with unforgettable experiences and friendships that will endure far beyond Bulgaria.

Leor Harel, World ORT Learning Development Manager, said: “It was inspiring to see students given the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and gain a comprehensive understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to succeed and thrive in media and the creative industries.

“This unique experience enables students to develop critical skills, step outside their comfort zones, and connect with like-minded peers from across the ORT Network.”

ORT Day 2025: Celebrating Our Network – and Jewish Pride

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 @ort.orglife 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.

‘Creative Atmosphere Fills Me with Energy and Positivity to Teach Despite War’

Four educators from Ukraine pulled out all the stops in order to attend the World ORT Jewish Educators’ Seminar in Barcelona.

Yuliia Tkachuk, a Hebrew Teacher at Kyiv ORT School 141 and ORT Ukraine PR Manager, said it took her and her colleague, Oleksandra Shokhina, from Kyiv ‘ORT-Simha’ school, 36 hours to reach Barcelona.

Yuliia travelled by train to Chop, which is near the Ukrainian border, and then took another train to Budapest, from where she caught a plane to Barcelona. This took her nearly two days rather than the pre-war three-hour flight direct from Kyiv.

She said: “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to join the seminar in Barcelona. For teachers from Ukraine, who are working in extremely difficult conditions today, it is not only a source of knowledge, but also an invaluable space for inspiration, exchange of ideas and professional growth.

“The knowledge gained during the seminar will have a significant impact on our work. New approaches to teaching, modern teaching methods and tools that we have learned will become the basis for creating a high-quality and effective educational process even in the most difficult conditions.

“An equally important aspect of the seminar was the development of soft skills. These skills are key in our work, as they help us find a common language with students, parents, and colleagues, adapt to changes and make non-standard decisions.

Yuliia Tkachuk, Oleksandra Shokhina, Olena Berezorutska and Anna Tarasiuk

“This seminar also became a platform for inspiration, as we not only exchanged ideas with our colleagues, but also felt real solidarity and support, which is extremely important for Ukraine today. This seminar breaks down walls between people and countries, helps to overcome barriers of misunderstanding and creates effective, and most importantly, much-needed bridges in the modern world.”

She thanked World ORT for its generous support, which also gave delegates the opportunity to be part of the global educational dialogue. “Without your help, many of us would not have been able to join this incredible event.”

Oleksandra said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the community of Jewish educators. This creative and friendly atmosphere inspires and fills me with energy that gives me the strength to teach children with a smile and positivity despite all the difficulties created by the war.

“The exchange of experience, international connections and implementation of joint plans, such as telebridges between schools, will give our students additional motivation and opportunity for development and learning.”

Meanwhile, it took Anna Tarasiuk, an English and Jewish Tradition Teacher from Bila Tserkva Private Lyceum ‘Mitsva-613’, two days to reach the seminar. She had to travel to West Lviv, then on to Rava Ruska, from where she took the train to Warsaw in Poland. She spent two hours waiting on this last train for her documents to be checked, after which she flew from Warsaw to Barcelona. A journey that would normally have taken three hours was extended due to the war.

Anna found the seminar instructive, saying: “I have gained a wealth of knowledge. My goal was to gather fresh ideas for new projects, implement them effectively, and foster collaboration with colleagues from around the world.

“The initiative to promote Jewish traditions in English within our high school is particularly inspiring. Perhaps we could organize Zoom classes with students from Israel or Spain, facilitating discussions on Jewish holidays. This would allow them to exchange knowledge while simultaneously practicing English. Moreover, the experience could extend beyond cultural discussions to leadership development. Many students tend to downplay their talents, but such initiatives could help them build confidence and express themselves more openly.

“I truly appreciated the seminar – it was thought-provoking and left me brimming with ideas. I particularly enjoyed the art workshop, which offers excellent opportunities for both primary and high school students.”

Olena Berezorutska, a Teacher of Jewish Traditions and Hebrew Language at Odesa ORT Zhabotinski Lyceum #94, travelled for 21 hours to reach the seminar – a journey that would normally have taken half that time. She travelled to Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, from where she took a flight to Istanbul, then another flight to Barcelona.

She said: “I was hoping for a supportive international community and to gain experience from everyone. I’m happy to be in the community of educators who are supportive and share my goals. I’m interested in initiatives that combine technology and English, for example, or integrate Jewish education and tradition within another subject and multidisciplinary subjects.

“I would recommend the seminar – it contains so much useful information, which we can apply in real-life scenarios, and I will adapt my approaches after the seminar. I hope to continue our communication because it was an incredible experience.”

Since the war began in 2022, ORT students, teachers and their families in Ukraine have faced attacks at home and at school. ORT has urgently raised funds to ensure continuity of education along with the provision of psychological support, financial aid, and essential resources. Schools have adapted with bomb shelters and remote learning and, despite the challenges, ORT Ukraine’s commitment to maintaining educational excellence remains steadfast.

Read more about ORT’s campaign for Ukraine

 

‘This Seminar Deepened My Jewish Identity’

Dean Shannon, Jewish Education Teacher at Sir Manasseh Meyer International School, Singapore, reflects on his experience of the 2025 Jewish Educators’ Seminar

Despite being a Jewish educator for more than 10 years, I have rarely had professional development opportunities that tackled specific needs and ideas relevant to this world.

Facing our own challenges and ideals, the field of the Jewish educator can be a lonely one. This has been exacerbated in a post-October 7 world. I needed this Jewish Educators’ Seminar.

 I was a little sceptical about the seminar in advance. I questioned how suited I might be to an academic approach to Jewish education, but the seminar was filled with wisdom, depth, inspiration and even tears.

The speakers were excellent, the content was thought-provoking, and it was a privilege to share a room with all of the people involved. It was an incredible few days and the seminar exceeded all expectations.

 The ORT team who organized and led the seminar catered to our every need (and literally). The four-day program was outstanding. We covered an incredible range of topics and were exposed to a vast array of practical ideas that we can now implement in our classrooms.

One of the highlights was an exploration of classical Jewish sources on ecology. The session started with the leader hanging texts on a washing line. We were encouraged to look at the sources from ‘different angles’ and then choose the text with which we most identified. This then led into a chevrutah-style learning session and demonstrated the extent to which Judaism contains powerful wisdom to face 21st century challenges.

Damián Weber of Colegio Hatikva reflects on Jewish identity post-October 7

Further invaluable opportunities included a guided online tour of Sefaria and the National Library of Israel. These practical sessions provided insights in how to enable students to discover and utilise primary sources to enhance their Jewish identity. We even explored how to best use AI in the classroom to facilitate our teaching.

We were in tears and in deep contemplation during a post-October 7 activity that explored identity through artistic postcards. A session on the symbolism of food had us considering how powerful ‘culinary stories’ can be in connecting to our Jewish identity.

The walking tour of old Jewish Barcelona provided insights into the importance of ‘urban space’ in education and the Xueta Island movie screening demonstrated the depth, breadth and tragedy of Jewish history. Despite being a terrible artist, the most memorable and enjoyable session was one on Midrash and art.

I am now more confident in delivering a similar creative lesson to my capable students. Each session provided me with insights and ideas that will not only enhance my teaching practice, but has further deepened my own Jewish identity.

The other educators, who were involved in Jewish education and hailed from all over the world, were truly inspiring people, each with an incredible story. We shared, we debated, we laughed, and we cried.

Despite our different nationalities, backgrounds, and opinions, the common denominator was that we all believed in the importance of supporting Jewish education and giving Jewish people the ability to connect meaningfully to their heritage and identity.

I am grateful for all the incredible work ORT does. The Jewish Educators’ Seminar demonstrated how deep, profound, diverse, and beautiful is Judaism. The team made us feel like superheroes who are here to deliver our message to the next generation and to help make the world a better place. Am Yisrael Chai!

Inspiration and Hope: Jewish Educators’ Seminar Renews Pride and Connection

There were tears and laughter at World ORT’s first Jewish Educators’ Seminar, a four-day event that tackled issues including Jewish education in a post-October 7 world, Jewish approaches to dealing with environmental crisis and change management in the community’s schools.

Twenty educators from around the world met in Barcelona, Spain, for an enriching and, at times, emotional seminar, which was coordinated by World ORT Education Project Manager Jennifer Saber. The packed schedule took in classroom activities and a tour of Jewish Barcelona and, importantly for ORT, publicized the organization’s innovative Jewish curriculum.

Educators were welcomed from schools across the ORT network including from Spain, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Israel, Peru, Mexico, Costa Rica, Singapore and South Africa. Four educators from war-torn Ukraine also attended, travelling for at least two days to get to Barcelona – a journey that should normally only take around five hours.

Speaking about the location of the first day of the seminar, one delegate said it was fortuitous to be at Colegio Hatikva, the only Jewish school in the city. The delegate added: “It is very important that there is tikva – hope – and schools are giving hope.”

Colegio Hatikva Principal Ari Messer delivered a session on the benefits of analysing the demographics of a school to understand the needs of, and better integrate, its pupils. Gaynor Collins, World ORT’s Education Project Manager, and Leor Harel, its Learning Development Manager, ran a session on SWOT analysis and strategic action planning and prompted the educators to reflect on their departments’ areas for development or their own individual practice.

ORT staff Gaynor Collins and Leor Harel delivered a session on SWOT analysis

ORT staff also shared information about the organization’s B’nei Mitzvah twinning program and how AI can be used in a teacher’s school life, such as in planning and assessment. They also gave an introduction to World ORT’s Thinking Skills Curriculum and demonstrated a lesson.

Raquel Cohen, a teacher at Colegio Olamí ORT in Mexico, said: “I aim to introduce the skills of chevrutah in all the other subjects so pupils will know how to build respectful and meaningful dialogue with others without arguing.”

Haya Prys, Teacher of Jewish Thought and History at Lycée ORT Daniel Mayer, in Montreuil, France, said: “It was amazing. I made a lot of connections and am already talking about sharing materials with other educators. It was eye-opening to meet all kinds of people who work in all kinds of schools, with Jewish and non-Jewish pupils.”

Victor Sorenssen, the Director of the European Association for the Promotion of Jewish Heritage and Culture, led an “anti-tour” of Barcelona’s Jewish quarter, exploring an innovative approach to Jewish heritage. Moving beyond traditional tours, educators reflected on the opportunities urban spaces offer as extensions of the classroom. This was cemented by Dr. Goretti Luis Cobreros, Project Manager of Jewish organization Toldot, who took those delegates who were interested into sections of the Cathedral of Barcelona that are not accessible to the general public, including its original 15th century archive, where she gave a private viewing of Hebrew documents that have been hidden for centuries.

Rabbi Samuel Garzón of the Comunidad Israelita De Barcelona

There were also discussions on the diverse Jewish attitudes towards the relationship between humanity and nature, ways to enrich classroom teaching experience with Sefaria, which provides a ‘living library’ of Jewish texts, and a poignant exploration of Jewish heritage and identity through food from art therapist and chef Monica Buzali.

A hands-on session at Casa Adret in Barcelona’s old Jewish quarter by Nathalie Kertesz, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of LABA BCN, took some delegates outside their comfort zone by encouraging them to create their own Midrashim (pictured top right). They explored classical Jewish sources using artistic mediums such as watercolours, clay and collage.

Joanne Greenway, chief executive of the London School of Jewish Studies, gave an overview of the Jewish Lives longitudinal study research project as well as LSJS’s Project Innovate, aimed at developing new ideas.

The seminar gave educators a chance to connect with their counterparts across the world and hear about the highlights of working in the field of education alongside the challenges. The latter included students who are disengaged from their Jewish heritage, problems of integration and large numbers of pupils with special needs.

Ofer Ronen and Layla Akbal shared songs of the Sephardic Mediterranean at Casa Adret

Approaches that improve communication and connection among students of different ages were discussed, including Colegio Hatikva’s initiative of reading buddies, whereby older pupils read to those in the kindergarten or early year classes, and its termly class sleepover held at school.

Anna Tarasiuk, a teacher from Bila Tserkva Private Lyceum ‘Mitsva 613’ in Ukraine, said: “I had hoped to get ideas for new projects and to implement them, along with cooperation with other colleagues from around the world. I really liked the seminar. It was like a knowledge bank for me – you went to bed with a lot of ideas. I especially liked the art workshop. I will think about how I can implement a lot of things. I am also thinking about creating a Jewish Tradition course in English for High School in order to upgrade students’ knowledge and to give them opportunity to communicate with other Jewish schools all around the world.”

Delegates described the seminar as “enriching” and were grateful to be able to step away from the classroom to forge connections with colleagues and discuss their work.

One educator said: “The seminar inspired me to enhance our educational process by combining creativity and meaningful content. The ready-made lessons will significantly speed up lesson preparation. I plan to give students more responsibility, such as larger-scale project work connected to Judaism, as well as incorporating interdisciplinary integrations. Additionally, I’d like to create lessons on the Jewish history of our city, possibly in collaboration with the Museum of Jewish History. Another idea is to develop a custom board or mobile game related to Judaism.”

Closing the event, Daniel Tysman, World ORT’s Head of Education, said: “We’ve tried to show you that there are many ways to reach the minds and hearts of our students. We commemorated our pain together, but also shared beautiful music and food, and we’ve created many happy memories. Our main goal was to demonstrate our appreciation for the amazing work you do in Jewish education, and that you would leave knowing that ORT is here to support you.”

‘The Single Most Rewarding Experience of My Life With ORT’

By Judy Menikoff, World ORT Vice-Chair

For much of my adult life I have been engaged with the work of ORT, the global education network. I cannot begin to count the hours I have spent at meetings, on missions, visiting schools around the world or on Zoom calls.

But the single most rewarding experience of my time in this organization was the day I just spent with 21 of our Israeli students at my own home in Connecticut.

This group of young people, each of whom lost a close family member or friend on October 7 or in the months of violence since, travelled to the U.S. as part of a respite delegation led by educators and counsellors from World ORT Kadima Mada, our operational arm in Israel.

The two-week trip fostered a sense of normalcy, unity, and importantly fun, despite the challenging circumstances. The students took part in activities at JCC summer camps, cultural exchanges and recreational programming such as days out at Wild Play parks.

But crucially they also benefited from one-to-one and group counselling sessions every day, helping them process what they have been through and the emotional impact of this unprecedented upheaval and loss in their lives. This need for psychological support will remain extremely high throughout Israel, especially among these ‘first circle’ trauma victims, for a long time to come.

The trip was laced with its own mix of emotion, tragedy and pain. The group was renamed as the ‘Eyal Delegation’, in honor of Sergeant Eyal Shynes of the IDF’s Nahal Brigade who was killed in Gaza days before the group left Israel. Eyal’s mother, Mirav, is the manager of a World ORT Kadima Mada YOUniversity project in northern Israel and had been due to travel to the U.S. with the students.

And so when the delegation arrived at our small, historic synagogue in Amenia, across the state border in New York, we did not know what to expect. We found a packed congregation had turned out to welcome the Israelis. It felt like a High Holiday. When the rabbi gave the group a blessing, and then community members said kaddish, it was indescribable.

Later when we reconvened at our house, the teenagers dived into the home-made ice cream, snacks – and the lake – with relish.

Many of them played with our dog, Maple. She’s a gentle, black labrador and the kids could not leave her alone. Dogs are widely used in therapy and so it gave us the opportunity to really see these young people as themselves, outside of their school environment, relaxed and able to let go of everything they have been holding these past nine months.

The Israeli students spent a day with Judy Menikoff and community members in Salisbury, CT

The finale of their day was perhaps the most impactful. As a blue and white cake iced with the words ‘Am Yisrael Chai’ was placed on the counter, we played ‘Jerusalem of Gold’. All of a sudden, the students and their teachers, together with our friends and other visitors, stood swaying, arms around each other, waving the lights from their phones. Everyone was crying. It was very special – it was unexpected, unplanned and unrehearsed. The kids had such a sense of unity. You could see their love of their country in their eyes.

The day was a microcosm of what our colleagues in Israel are doing non-stop. In the most challenging circumstances they are working as hard as they can to help the students deal with these traumatic experiences. Staff themselves remain evacuated from their homes and communities in northern Israel. Each has their own story of loss and pain. We continue to work in evacuation centers across the country, helping thousands of young people, as well as their teachers and family members, deal with the upheaval, plan for the future and continue their education.

Like many organizations working in Israel or in Jewish communities worldwide, we talk about delivering impact but too often measure it in terms of refurbished buildings and new constructions. We must not lose sight of who is receiving the real benefits – the students, teachers, social workers and families at the heart of everything we do. Whether it is delivering our extra-curricular programs in the Galilee or running our youth village close to the Gaza border, the true impact of our supporters’ dedication and our decades-long work is most clearly measured in the hearts and minds of this group of young people.

I have been fortunate to have some amazing experiences during my time with ORT; meeting President Clinton and Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, travelling to schools and communities around the world, but nothing prepared me for the unbelievably moving moment of witnessing those children in my own home, joining to share a sense of togetherness, belief and hope in a more positive future.

I will never forget it and it will be the catalyst for me to rededicate myself to supporting our global ORT family as we continue our vital work.

 

Judy Menikoff is Vice-Chair of World ORT and a former President of Women’s American ORT

 

Unity, Kindness and Heroism: Lessons for Jewish Identity Education

Earlier this year Daniel Tysman, Head of World ORT’s Education Department, took part in a very significant mission to Israel, alongside 30 leading educators from around the world.

The group considered the key issues facing Jewish education globally post-October 7.

Participants explored the educational opportunities presented by the tragedy and considered the resources needed to transform a Jewish crisis into an opportunity for fostering greater Jewish belonging, confidence, and resilience.

In this piece, written as part of a compilation of essays for the UnitEd organization which provides a network for developing and empowering Jewish educators worldwide, Daniel explores some of the lasting impressions he took from the trip:

 

The mission provided an extraordinarily close-up view of how Israelis are living through and responding to their ongoing trauma.

We were persistently challenged to reflect, respond, and share our thoughts, making it feel like an event of historic significance for the entire Jewish people.

The main impression made on me was that we all have a huge and pressing obligation to respond. Examples of unity, kindness and heroism that we witnessed gave me optimism that educators responsible for Jewish identity can use this momentous time to rethink and rebuild.

Spontaneous expressions of unity in response to shared grief can be a foundation for systematically building a new, deeper, more intentional version of Jewish peoplehood.

The kindness shown to displaced families, and the outpouring of support for the loved ones of the victims and hostages showed us a different and better way to respond to cruelty.

Visiting the sites of tragedy and meeting people whose lives have been torn apart also exposed stories of individual heroism.

Elie Wiesel wrote that whoever listens to a witness becomes a witness. The narrative and language that we use as educators to retell the story of this tragedy has the potential to reinvigorate Jewish pride.

The ORT network reaches a hugely diverse student population across more than 30 countries. One unifying feature is that our schools share a sense of belonging to a global Jewish family and their educational programs put emphasis on our collective history.

In the wake of the events of 7/10 our connection to this supportive network helped us to navigate the dark months that followed. The heartache of colleagues, relatives and friends has left us emotionally drained. The representation of the war across all forms of media and new expressions of antisemitism have contributed to a sense of insecurity and uncertainty that has tested our resilience.

For all of us responsible for building confident Jewish identities and positive connections to Israel, the Jewish educators’ mission came at a critical time.

We had been asking ourselves how to reassure young people whose media feeds portray Zionists as the perpetrators of evil. What level responsibility should they assume to promote a narrative that counters hate? How do we prepare them for the transition to university campuses where they are likely to encounter hostility towards Israel?

In the short term we need measures to address the specific challenges, to find some order in the chaos, to look out for each other’s wellbeing and to provide a level of security that makes us all feel safe.

Over the coming months we are going to be conducting a strategic review of Israel education across the international ORT network, leading our school leaders and educators to transform our approach to building Jewish identity in terms of peoplehood and forming relationships with Israel.

The social entrepreneurs we met during the mission taught us that above all, it’s important to respond to a need with action, and that having a clarity of mission can overcome obstacles and lead to impactful change.

Daniel (holding the left corner of the banner) with fellow educators in Israel. The trip was organized and sponsored by the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, the Pincus Fund for Jewish Education, the World Zionist Organization and The Koret Center for Jewish Civilization – a partnership between ANU – Museum of the Jewish People and Tel Aviv University.

‘A Safe Place for Students to Learn about Israel’

By Jennifer K Saber

Teens have not had it easy. In the last few years, they have been confronted with one roadblock after another on their life journey, navigating challenges during the pandemic followed by coping with its academic and social emotional aftermath.

Just as World ORT educators saw progress in recovery, the war in Israel erupted on October 7 leading to a backward slide of mental health and social emotional trauma.

To understand the breadth of the situation, World ORT held an Educators’ Forum to hear firsthand what the schools were witnessing amongst their staff and student body. What were the repercussions from the Israel War and from the spike in global antisemitism?

A topic that rose to the forefront was the new role which our Jewish students now found themselves in – being the voice of Israel.

Students discovered themselves in a situation where by virtue of their religion, they were expected by their peers to be a spokesperson for Israel. Our students were unfairly put in the position to field questions about the current landscape and defend our Jewish homeland.

Students were unprepared and struggling. The staff expressed concern that their students were stymied by a lack of knowledge and understanding about the conflict in Israel.

Responding to this urgent need, World ORT put a plan into action to offer educational support for students post-October 7.

Ken Stein, Founding President and Chief Content Officer of The Center for Israel Education, was invited to facilitate a mini-series for our network, providing content and context to this complicated current situation.

As one of the world’s leading experts in the field of Israel education, Professor Stein guided our students and their teachers through four sessions.

Topics for the first three sessions included: background to the Hamas–Israel War, Israel’s response and how it has unfolded since October 7, and the connection between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. A fourth session was offered for school principals and teachers, explaining how they could best support their students to use the materials.

To support and meet each school’s individual needs, World ORT encouraged our educators worldwide to participate in the live, interactive Zoom sessions led by Prof Stein, but the sessions were also recorded so classes could experience them at their own convenience and return to them as a permanent resource.

The ongoing feedback throughout the mini-series demonstrated its impact. One teacher said “the lessons represented a safe place to learn facts and share our doubts and uncertainties about the future”.

The Center for Israel Education met the goal of creating an atmosphere for students to openly express themselves, free of judgment.

The students’ response was a sigh of relief, a reaction to receiving the content they so desperately wanted and the social, emotional support they required.

One student said: “The lessons on the Hamas-Israeli conflict have been really interesting and helpful. Being a Jew in a world full of hatred requires a great knowledge, in fact during the three meetings I realized how important it was to be aware also about what happened before October 7.

“During the lessons we had the opportunity to ask questions and solve our doubts, giving us the ability to face situations in which we are discriminated against just for being Jewish.”

Another student added: “The lessons were well done. It’s difficult to find the knowledge like this that we have learned with ORT. One very important thing was that with this series we know how to have a debate with correct information. Thank you.”

Another student not only found a confident voice during the mini-series, but is now willing to use it. “I hope to share the information to all the people who still know nothing.”

As current events unfold, World ORT is committed to receiving ongoing feedback from our schools – which have a finger on the pulse of their students’ needs – and to transform it into an action plan of support.

Jennifer K Saber is a project manager in World ORT’s Education Department

Holocaust Art Website Launches on Yom HaShoah

On the solemn occasion of Yom HaShoah, World ORT is honored to launch a powerful educational resource born from the ashes of history: Art and the Holocaust.

Developed in collaboration with the Ghetto Fighters House Museum in Israel, this resource stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who suffered unimaginable horrors during one of humanity’s darkest chapters.

Available in English, Spanish, Russian and Hebrew, the site explores the art created by 30 individuals who were imprisoned in concentration camps during the Second World War and who painted and drew while incarcerated.

These works of art provide important documentary evidence, as well as an insight into camp life, the harsh treatment and the impact on the victims. It delves into the personal stories of these artists, revealing their artistic expression in unimaginable circumstances.

These artworks become windows into their hopes, fears and experiences within the camps. Through carefully curated biographies and a rich collection of artworks, the resource offers a glimpse into the lives and experiences of these remarkable individuals.

For most of the artists featured, only a few works survived, but in some cases many artworks were recovered after the war, hidden in walls or jars until liberation. The experience of the Holocaust so profoundly affected the surviving artists that it continued to dominate their work long after the war. For those who perished, their works are an enduring legacy of their lives and experiences.

Due to limited resources in the camps and ghettos, the works are mainly paintings or drawings on paper or cardboard but cover a wide range of subjects. The treatment of internees, the constant longing for food and shelter, the boredom, and the horror. Many works show a longing for the past, for a future and for peace, through depictions of nature and landscapes. But many of the works are portraits preserving the memory of those who lost their lives to the Nazi onslaught.

Charlotte Buresova, a talented Jewish artist who endured the horrors of the Terezin concentration camp, is among those featured on the site. Despite the brutality, Buresova used her art as a weapon against despair.

Charlotte Buresova

Buresova had a happy life developing her artistic skills before the Nazi occupation. Forced into Terezin, she found herself working for the Nazis, first painting roof tiles then later ordered to copy famous works in the camp’s artist workshop.

But Buresova created her own art in secret, capturing the artistic spirit of the camp through portraits, dancers and flowers. These works, in stark contrast to the suffering around them, offered a glimpse of beauty and hope.

Despite her artistic work, Buresova acknowledged her privileged position in the camp. She had a room, books and contact with friends, unlike many who suffered daily for their families. But the constant fear of deportation to unknown horrors remained a terrifying reality.

Buresova, along with a few others, managed to escape from Terezin a few days before the liberation. She returned to Prague and continued to create art, some of it inspired by her harrowing experiences.

This unique online resource is designed for educators, students, and the public. It aims to:

Join us on Yom HaShoah and beyond in exploring this new resource. Learn about these courageous artists and use their stories to inspire future generations to fight against prejudice and hatred.

As we commemorate Yom HaShoah, let us honor the memory of the millions who perished by bearing witness to their stories. Together, let us pledge to uphold the values of tolerance, compassion, and remembrance, ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust are never repeated.

https://holocaust-art.ort.org/

Malva Schaleck’s watercolour painting of the courtyard at Terezin

Anxious, Overwhelmed, Scared: Seeing The Impact of October 7 On Our Global Schools Network

By Jennifer K Saber

I struggled with what I was hearing, holding back tears, hoping no one noticed my desperation to keep my composure as I facilitated the discussion. Once, as a teacher at an American Sunday school, my greatest problem was unearthing sharpened pencils. Such innocent concerns paled in comparison to what I was hearing on Zoom.

I was participating in World ORT’s Educators’ Forum, convened to discuss the impact of the horrific October 7 attacks and rise in antisemitism on staff and students from across ORT’s network.

The stories I heard shook me. Teens frightened watching social media posts of “war porn” and antisemitic images hitting too close to home; schools in the Diaspora opening their doors to students from Kfar Silver Youth Village needing respite from war-ravaged Israel; teachers worldwide not knowing how to comfort their students, while in need of comfort themselves.

At World ORT we knew we couldn’t sit idly by. We are driven by our priority to give our schools the tools to support the social emotional wellbeing of their students and staff. The Educators’ Forum was a space to gather, hear from professionals about the benefits of addressing the mental health needs of our beneficiaries, and an opportunity for schools to share their lived experiences.

Daniel Tysman, Head of World ORT Education Department, opened by sharing a message of solidarity and unwavering support. Dr. Moshe Leiba, Chief Pedagogical and R&D Officer of Kadima Mada, gave an insider’s view of Kfar Silver. Julia Alberga, Wellbeing Manager at Partnerships for Jewish Schools, addressed using Social Emotional Learning as a tool to support students and teachers during these tough times.

Boarding school students at World ORT’s Kfar Silver Youth Village are dealing with the ongoing impact of October 7

Listening in breakout rooms, the facilitators heard exactly what we had hoped – and dreaded – staff would raise. They painted a heart-wrenching picture. One teacher described her students with constant anxiety. She said the students are fortunately not familiar with what war looks like based on its absence from their own country. But then how to explain the anxiety? “Even though the war is far away from them in Israel, the war is in their hearts.” She said students have family and friends fighting for the IDF so are worried around the clock. “They are thinking about it every moment. Every time someone brings up the war it reminds them of their brothers and sisters on the front lines.”

Another concern for students is their own security. Participants spoke of an increase in security at schools worldwide as a preventative measure against rising antisemitism. One teacher said this was a red flag for her students. “Increasing visible security around the school had the opposite effect. The students questioned why there was all of a sudden more security and asked if they were in danger. One teacher said following October 7, some students were scared to come to school for fear of a terrorist attack. Parents kept their children home under their protective eyes until they understood that life needed to go on as usual and sent their kids back a few days later.”

An unexpected topic that emerged was the effect on Jewish identity. “Some of the recommendations students were given were to be careful with things like wearing sweatshirts with Hebrew lettering,” explained one staff member. “Students are grappling with the internal conflict of ‘I want to be safe but this is my sweatshirt, it’s who I am.’.”

Emotions running high were not just reserved for students. Faculty shared their own personal anxieties and frustrations. How do we support teens who are viewing antisemitic social media? How do we navigate the mental health issues of our students when we need to address our own? How do I come to work to tackle the day when I am not trained in mental health and trauma and don’t have the tools to deal with what is happening? It is completely overwhelming.

There are no easy answers. This is a crisis with no end in sight. World ORT’s Education Department will support our network of schools – both as a shoulder to cry on and to lend a helping hand. We are taking the emotions, thoughts and directives we heard at the Educators’ Forum as fuel to move forward with an action plan.

In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) 2:16, Rabbi Tarfon said: “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.” The social and emotional wellbeing of our global network is our top priority. It is our duty to work towards finishing the work of emotional and mental repair.

Jennifer K Saber is a project manager in World ORT’s Education Department