FAQs | ORT Michigan

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FAQs

Q: What is ORT?

A: ORT is one of the largest non-governmental education and training organizations in the world, currently active in over 55 countries and reaching over 300,000 beneficiaries annually.

Q: What is ORT America?

A: ORT America is a non-profit fundraising organization that works to support ORT programs around the world, raising funds as well as awareness to the communities in need.

Q: Where and when did ORT begin?

A: In 1880, a group of prominent and wealthy Russian Jews petitioned Czar Alexander II for permission to start a fund to assist Jewish trade schools and establish new colonies, agricultural schools and model farms in order to help lift Russia’s five million Jews out of lives of crushing poverty.

Q: What Does “ORT” mean?

A: Organization for Rehabilitation through Technology. The success of the appeal led Russian authorities to create the “Society for Trades and Agricultural Labor,” for Jews of Russia. It is from this original name—Obschestvo Remeslenovo i. Zemledelcheskovo Trouda—that the acronym ORT was originally derived. Through the years, the term ORT evolved into a standalone term (like Kleenex or Xerox) and as a word, has become synonymous with quality high-tech education that gives people the training to obtain meaningful employment in their local economy.

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What People Are Saying

“ORT is helping unemployed and underemployed people in Michigan receive the tech and computer skills they need to gain employment. This [Rub-a-Dub] program is wildly successful. It’s oversold, it’s helping numerous people from all walks of life. When times get difficult, you want to help out as much as you can right here at home. This event makes that happen.”

Randy Wertheimer,
President of Hunter Pasteur Homes and a Rub-a-Dub co-chair

“Rub‑a‑ Dub is one of the most fun events of the summer. ORT is a powerful organization – it sends a powerful message about the importance of education and training. ORT really does a great job of reaching citizens in our community who can use the help and need the support.”

Steven J. Tapper,
Vice President of ORT Michigan and Rub-a-Dub Co-chair

“ORT and by extension, Rub-a-Dub, have been a part of my family tradition for more than 27 years. My parents committed a large part of their volunteer and philanthropic lives advancing the ORT mission of providing education and training to people across the globe. Rub-a-Dub marries the fun of a summer evening barbecue with fundraising for ORT in Michigan and abroad.”

Brian Hermelin

“ORT has impacted the education of our community and the world for 130 years – and Rub-a-Dub is the biggest fundraiser for ORT locally, started by my late husband as a fluke in our garage. Rub-a-Dub has come to mean something very special to so many – it’s a spirited event that involves so many members of our community of all ages.”

Doreen Hermelin,
Past president of ORT America

“Dan and I are so thrilled that our family is involved with Camp Hermelin and with ORT. The mission and the goals of ORT are values that everyone can get on board with. What better mission is there than to empower people to be self-sufficient?”

Jennifer Gilbert,
Camp Hermelin co‑chair

“[Camp Hermelin] is ORT’s only event for the entire family – for several generations, even. This is a wonderful opportunity to have a conversation with your kids about the importance of giving back. To empower people to succeed is the best goal there is.”

Rachel Zimmerman,
Camp Hermelin co-chair