The much anticipated ORT UK Intimate Annual Dinner was a joyous evening, bringing together our loyal supporters to reflect, reminisce and discover more about ORT’s life-changing work, both in the UK and across the globe.

A warm welcome by our Chair of Trustees, Annette Kurer, was followed by a glimpse of World ORT’s incredible impact on students and staff alike, from WO Education Project Manager, Gaynor Collins.

Head of Hasmonean High School for Girls, Charlotte Valencia, spoke next, expressing her gratitude for the ORT JUMP programmes, sharing how her students benefit from mentoring and employability skills training year after year.

ORT JUMP participants Sam Rose-Isaacs, Liberty Costa and Molly Masser, from Yavneh College, then told guests how the programmes had increased their workplace skills and confidence, preparing them for the future.

ORT UK’s brand new CEO, Jude Jackson, spoke of her hopes and vision for the future of ORT UK, under her leadership.

And finally guest speaker, Ronel Lehmann, Founder and Chief Executive of Finito: The Employability Experts addressed the audience, stressing the importance of helping the next generation to find meaningful careers.

Interspersed between the speeches, guests viewed ORT UK’s three new films: The first journeyed through ORT’s history, from lifting Russian Jews out of poverty in the late 19th century, to the present day programmes. The second, told the story of Artem, a Ukranian student who tells us that ‘ORT saved my life,’ when he fled to Israel and enrolled at ORT’s Kfar Silver Youth Village. The third film featured four ORT JUMP students who shared how the programmes shaped their futures.

Reflecting on the event, Annette said:

“The ORT UK Annual Dinner was a wonderful way to celebrate the remarkable and enduring legacy of ORT, which has been teaching skills and trades to the community since 1880. At ORT UK we are continuing this legacy as we empower the next generation to reach their goals through our ORT JUMP Mentoring and Employability Skills Programmes. Demand is rapidly increasing – this year we’ve had over 550 applications for the Mentoring Programme alone – and we are relying more than ever on the generosity of our donors as we expand our offerings. With their support, we can continue to evolve to meet the needs of young people, as they take their first steps toward meaningful careers.”

Jude added:

“It was a wonderful evening full of celebration, recognition and aspirations for the future. As the very new CEO of ORT UK, I was struck by the commitment and collaboration in the room and the passion of the team. The impact of an ORT education on young lives is evident. For me, it was a magical introductory evening to this wonderful charity which is continuing to evolve and grow.”