 ORT Outside California Archive |
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New York - January 9, 2006 - The leadership of both American ORT (AORT) and Women's American ORT (WAORT) has agreed to consolidate its two organizations into one more efficient and united entity. "This is an incredible opportunity for AORT and WAORT to unite our messages and speak with a single voice," said Joe Cohen, President of AORT. "By uniting our organizations and speaking with one more powerful voice, ORT will not only operate more efficiently, but we will have a stronger presence in the United States." The AORT-WAORT consolidation is the work of an eight person Restructuring Committee - four from AORT and four from WAORT - selected by their respective boards. The presidents of both AO and WAORT - Joe Cohen and Judy Menikoff, respectively - served on the Restructuring Committee. The consolidation of the two organizations will allow the new entity, whose name has yet to be decided, to operate more efficiently, combining direct mail, the websites, marketing, and public relations materials as well as fundraising and planned giving. This move will eliminate the duplication of services and provide extensive cost savings for both organizations. "Joining forces will enable us to strengthen our U.S. fundraising and outreach activites, and create a more vibrant organization. Harnessing the resources of our individual organizations will increase funding of the global ORT program and allow us operate with greater synergy," said Judy Menikoff, National President of Women's American ORT. The National Boards of Directors of both AORT and WAORT believe that the newly consolidated entity will emerge as a stronger organization in the United States and will be better equipped to support ORT's global educational and training programs in nearly 60 countries. Both organizations will be under the able leadership of Hope Kessler, who will serve as Executive Director of WAORT, will be responsible for consolidating operations and staff functions in the coming months, as well as locating new office space in New York City for the combined organization. Consolidating AORT and WAORT - an idea that has been talked about for many years - is finally becoming a reality. The beneficiaries will be the ORT students ORT serves in Israel, the former Soviet Union, Argentina and in struggling Jewish communities around the world. Source: Sarina Roffe, National Communications Director, Women's American ORT |
