ORT UK TRUSTEES

Annette Kurer (Chair)
Andrea Cohen
Yorai Linenberg (Treasurer)
Cassy Martell
Ashley Reeback
Dan Reinhold
Roslyn Wagman
Bianca Weber

Annette Kurer, Chair

“I am thrilled and extremely proud to be the new Chair of ORT UK. ORT is an esteemed organisation, whose work is to educate, support and mentor disadvantaged students to be independent and stand on their own two feet as they reach adulthood. I am passionate about creating greater awareness of the organisation and engaging a wider audience to ensure that ORT UK raises funds for international projects for less fortunate students from around the world. I also want to expand our efforts nationally and inclusively to educate our next generation to become self-reliant individuals.”

 

Andrea Cohen

“I am excited to be joining the ORT UK Board and look forward to working with the team. I have been aware for some time of the wonderful work that ORT UK does, both here and internationally, having been a mentor, and my daughter a mentee, when ORT JUMP was introduced in Manchester. I am passionate about educating our future generations and providing them with opportunities to develop and achieve their potential and have a particular interest in extending the ORT JUMP programme to schools outside the London area. This will not only be of benefit to the students and hopefully encourage them to get involved in the work of ORT, particularly fundraising, but will increase awareness of ORT generally throughout the UK with their families and friends.”

 

Yorai Linenberg, Treasurer

“Growing up in Israel I remember that only the best and brightest got to go to an ORT school there – and since apparently I wasn’t one of them, I’m glad I managed to circumvent the system and join ORT in a different capacity, albeit several decades later. It is a privilege to be part of an organisation that helps people define their own future and whose top three priorities have always been “Education, Education, Education” – nothing can be more important.

 

Cassy Martell

“ORT’s mission to provide education, skills and resilience resonates deeply. If we can empower people, we can quite literally transform the future. It is a huge privilege to begin my journey here and at such a profound moment; taking ORT UK forward into its centenary and World ORT into its 140th anniversary. ORT has successfully transformed many futures and it is our shared responsibility to ensure it continues to do so. I look forward to driving this mission forward.”

 

Ashley Reeback

“ORT’s primary objective is to enhance people’s lives through education and for this to be the foundation for their future.  The heritage of ORT started from dealing with education in a very different world to the one in which we live today and as a charity it has had to adapt to an ever changing environment in which education is as crucial a factor today as was when the charity was founded.  Being able to play a role in the future development of this charity is hugely important and I am looking forward to the future with this wonderful organisation.”

 

Dan Reinhold

“I have been a mentor on the ORT JUMP programme for over five years and I find it an incredibly rewarding experience. Inspired by two family members who mentored before me, I have become passionate about working with young people to help them think about their longer-term careers and aspirations and what it means to engage with a professional adult outside of their family or social circle. ORT’s ultimate ambition is to help transform the lives of others through education and work. In North London, I’m proud that the JUMP programme assists teenagers from a range of schools and diverse backgrounds. I believe that we have much to share with the JUMP students, but they have equally as much to share with us mentors in return. The mutual learning and growth makes me proud to take on my role as a Trustee.”

 

Roslyn Wagman

“It is amazing to think that over a decade has rushed by since I joined the Friends of ORT Committee as a favour to the then resigning President. I became Chair almost immediately to fill the gap and having begged my friend Susan Caplan to help me with this task, she thankfully agreed and so we became Co-Chairs from 2002 to 2012. I became a Trustee of ORT UK shortly thereafter. Over the years my work with ORT and my understanding of the huge importance of our work has grown as I visited our ORT Schools and attended ORT meetings worldwide. Educating our Jewish children is vital for their future success to enable them and their families to become independent and it is indeed very rewarding to meet these young people from all corners of the world and see and feel their gratitude at the opportunity they have been afforded. I do enjoy being part of the ORT family and witnessing the difference ORT continues to make.”

 

Bianca Weber

“A fundamental part of my Jewish identity is the responsibility to give back. Since I was a child, charity is something that has always been instilled in me. Therefore, I am honoured to be associated with one of the world’s largest Jewish education and training charitable organisations. I very much like the fact that ORT UK teaches people how to fish, rather than giving them the fish to eat which would never break the line of poverty and never create self-sufficient economies. Education is key for the future and will make a difference to young people’s livelihood. Education should not be a privilege and no student should fall behind or drop out due to financial distress.”