ORGANIZATION FOR REHABILITATION THROUGH TRAINING

VOLUME XXVII, No. 2 Published by the American ORT Federation Summer 1973

Dollar Crisis Hits Program precision surgery, with maximum in- sulation for the program and With Massive Fiscal Deficit other basic services. "None of these proposals for economy will endanger The devaluation of the dollar has days, not only was the dollar devalued, the base of our work, its quality and had a drastic effect on the ORT but the currencies of our major ex- its potential for further develop- budget. The ipact has been of such penditures in the Diaspora were de ment", said Braude. massive proportions as to threaten the facto devalued at an even higher rate. The meeting approved machinery survival of a number of programs un- The U.S. decreed a 10% devaluation. through which national ORT groups less substantial new funds are forth- But the Swiss franc is up 22% and would set in motion appropriate coming this year and next. the French franc 16%. Even currencies funding activities. The American These are the inescapable conclu- which were considered softest grew ORT Federation and Women's Am- sions of the international currency up- awfully hard as we started to buy erican ORT pledged to alert their heaval's effect on ORT financing fol- them", said Braude. friends and members to the emer- lowing the plummeting of the dollar Braude outlined and the meeting gency situation. on February 28th. This is the second approved a series of ten points of The third action taken was to call downward plunge in dollar purchas- fiscal retrenchment, program cutbacks, for the convening of an Extraordinary ing power in the countries where postponement of planned expansion International ORT Congress in ORT operates in the last 18 months. and some educational shutdowns. The Europe in early 1974, which will plan While the Israel program, the larg- whole package amounted to inevitable ORT developments for the long pull. est in ORT, is not directly effected since the Israeli pound is pegged to New Service for Soviet Arrivals How to match a Soviet newcomei's mandated a broad scope. It has been previous job skills to its Israeli equiv- put into action in 24 Absorption Cen- alent has been a naggingly persistant ters around the country and has been roadblock to the immigrant's smooth- charged with developing courses for er adjustment to Israeli life. Experts 2,000 newcomers this year. have expressed the view that the A special feature of this ORT-con- whole process of absorption hinges on ceived approach is that it comes into this. In the absence of an assured oc- effect where standard ulpan Hebrew cupational career equivalent to what instruction leaves off. Ulpan has he had left behind, frustration and reached its goal when the recent im- doubt set in. migrant has acquired enough Hebrew The Institute for Adult Training, for daily use. The ORT program sets a joint ORT-Labor Ministry venture, its aim at providing occupationally has been assigned by the Ministry of functional literacy in Hebrew. Absorption the task of aiding a broad The ORT School for the Deaf in Casablanca Relevance may be a victim of the dollar crisis. spectrum of skilled and professional Its core curriculum stresses techni- newcomers to ease their way into the cal Hebrew and technical English, the dollar, it cannot escape wholly Israel economy, applicable to the newcomer's profes- since dollars are scarce to begin with. The Institute has already pre-tested sional discipline. This is rounded out ORT Israel is also saddled with an and found effective a program of corn- with intensive immersion in the ways accumulated deficit of over $1,000,000. bined language and job orientation of Israeli economy and government. "We met last January 28th and instruction that has all the earmarks Specialty classes are held for those adopted a budget which, if not ideal, of a breakthrough on this vexing prob- with academic, managerial, adminis- seemed viable", reported Max A. lem of social and human adaptation trative and craft backgro unds. Braude, ORT Director General, to to the demands of a new country and Strength of the program lies in its an emergency session of the World culture. More than 800 recent ar- capacity to offer something relevant ORT Union Executive Committee in rivals passed through its courses earl- to every kind of immigrant, and that May. ier this year. is why its operation is filled with so "Then very quickly, within ten The new program has now been much hope. School on the site of the Sir Ellie Kadoorie Jewish School. Later, when it became possible to start a Girls' School, we were fortunate enough to find a freestanding three-story build- ing in a good neighborhood." Other problems arose which needed special handling, according to Guedj "While caste has been eliminated in India," he says, "remnants of the caste system remain. For example, we had to teach our boys that cleaning their tools and machines after use was part of a mechanic's job, and not some- thing that could be left to a man who is only a cleaner." The emerging freedom of women was another situation that needed ex- planation, says Mrs. Sophie Corley, Director of the Girls' School. Machine shop at the ORT Polytechnic for Boys in Bombay. Emancipation "When we first decided to open a Operation Bootstrap—Bombay Version section for hotel training for girls," "This year, for the first time, some- something of a mystery and its begin- she says, "we met with resistance from thing happened that I have been nings are lost in mythology. One story families who felt that their daughters waiting a long time to see. has it that the population stems from should be sheltered from meeting "Two of our graduates emigtated seven couples who were shipwrecked strangers. We solved the problem by and came back to visit us as tourists. off the west coast of India in Biblical taking parents on a tour of the better I don't know if outsiders can tealize times and found refuge there. Most hotels where they could see the work- what this means. The idea that ex- modern historians place the Jewish ing conditions and realize that hotel students of our schools could even presence in Bombay at the time of work was dignified and interesting as consider travel for pleasure was un- the rise of the Portuguese empire in well as being rewarding employment." heard of just a few years ago." Asia in the 15th century. "We can truthfully say that any The speaker was Joseph Guedj, Di- Aside from the strong adherence to Jewish child in Bombay who wants rector of ORT India, and he was dis- their faith, Bene Israel are undistin- an education can attend the ORT cussing two graduates in mechanics guishable from their fellow citizens to schools, and we feel that this is great lrom ORT Bombay Boy s school who most Western observers. Bene Israel progress," says G.L. Gabriel. had moved, with their families, to girls and women almost always dress Beersheba, Israel, after completing in saris and comb their hair in the their studies. On arrival both found long Indian fashion. The men look KT bulletin well-paid jobs and both adapted well and dress the same as their non-Jewish r.71ory .0--a.,`.7.7,0N -RouG„ Tp p IN IN. to their new way of life. During their counterparts. Summer 1973 Like other citizens of Bombay, the Published quarterly in Spring, Summer, vacation period they had returned to Fall and Winter Bene Israel speak Marati, one of the Bombay and had included a visit to Vol. XXVII, No. 2 Annual subscription 50c their school as part of the holiday, more than 300 languages of the In- Cable Address: AMORTFE13, New York dian subcontinent. Hebrew is a popu- American ORT Federation Guedj explained. 817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003 lar second language and, depending Responsive Tel. 6774400 on the educational level, English is ORGANIZATION FOR REHABILITATION ORT India is one of the smaller THROUGH TRAINING used as the lingua franca, held over Second class postage at New York, N.Y. school systems in the ORT network, from the British rule. OFFICERS — Dr. William Haber, President; designed to fit the 15,000 Bene Israel Charles J. Bensley, Chairman, Executive Com- Establishment of ORT in India was mittee; Shelley Appleton, Chairman, Administra- —the Jews of Bombay. It is also tive Committee; George Backer, Honorary Presi- not easily accomplished says G. L. dent; Hon. Maurice Bernhardt, Honorary Chair- uniquely responsive to the real needs Gabriel, President of the ORT man, Administratile Committee; George J. Mintzer, Honorary Chairman, Executive Committee; Shelley of an abyssmally poor community, Committee. Appleton, John F. Davidson, Mrs. David M. Gold- that yearns to free its youth from its ring, Louis Hollander, Chaim Miller, Harry H. Indigenous Platt, Mrs. Monroe M. Rosenthal, Joseph S. chronic fate of unemployment, near— Spivack, Bruce B. Teicholz, Vice Presidents; S. David Gamso, Treasurer; Leonard D. Bell, Asso- hunger and functional illiteracy. "In order to start our school," he ciate Treasurer; Matthew Schoenwald, Secretary; says, "we first had to find a proper Paul Bernick, Executive Director and Assistant The program was begun in 1962. Secretary. The American ORT Federation repre- Last year it had 393 students, 210 boys location. This involved a great deal sents the World ORT Union, with which it is affiliated, in the United States. ORT is devoted and 183 girls, including children in of searching since the population to the vocational training and economic recon- density of Bombay means that land ttruction of Jews throughout the world. primary manual training classes in The American ORT Federation currently receives costs are extremely high. Fortunately its funds from the Joint Distribution Committee, the town Thana, outside Bombay. a member agency of the United Jewish Appeal, The Bene Israel community is we were able to construct our Boys' and from membership dues. 2 r Ellie , when Girls' STUDENT ENROLLMENT 1972 , ugh to build- LOCALITY* TOTAL TEenciiinliela'nigioVA "Oltillivel& Middle Adult Apprentice- & Post Sec. & Trade Religious Schools Courses ship needed Institutions Schools Schools Gufflj AbuGosh 42 42 atecl iii Affula 498 498 -te caste Ashdod 335 262 73 we had Ashkelon* 985 420 565 g their Ashrat 294 294 'as part BatYam* 853 853 some- Beersheva 421 421 an who Benyamina 348 256 92 women BeneBrak 286 266 ded ex- ChofHasharon 208 208 Corley, EinHarod 1,108 379 126 603 EinShemer 419 265 154 Eilat 103 103 open a GanYavne 196 196 girls," Gedera 67 67 re from Gilboa 920 317 603 ugh ters Givatayim* 1,971 1,105 854 12 neeting Haifa* 2,089 669 154 1,266 dem by HerevLeet 141 141 2 better Herzlia 417 417 e work- Holon* 1,423 134 1,289 it hotel lusfiya 183 183 sting as It * 5,703 360 1,447 vment." 1,113 1,321 360 1,102 tat any Julis 25 25 ) wants KfarAbraham 330 330 ORT KfarAta 175 175 is great KfarHabad 593 593 KfarSaba* 913 913 KiryatBialik 1,977 93 1,276 608 KiryatGat 298 298 Lydda* 1,138 1,138 HI chools S Meiron 124 124 Nathanya* 2,248 287 1,961 imer, Nazareth 237 237 ption 50c PetahTikva 142 142 fork RamatGan* 2,223 169 2,054 003 Rehovot* 709 551 158

TION SdehBaker 218 218 SdehEliyahu 117 117 N.Y. President; SdehHemed 210 210 rive Com- tdrninistra- ShaarHanegev 26 26 ary Presi- sty Chair- Shafir 710 710 I. Mintzer, 2511 1,509 7,682 1931, re; Shelley TelAviv* 13,633 M. Gold- TelNof 92 92- Harry H. Joseph S. TelYeruham 46 46 ridents; S. Bell, Asso- TOTAL 45,174 4,659 19,783 3,771 2209, 9,487 5,265 Secretary; Assistant *Indicates multiple schools or programs in this locality. ion repre- There are, for example, 4 distinct schoo s in Haifa. hich it is 8 distinct programs in Jerusalem, 4 levels of schoolin is devoted at the Syngalowski Center in and a number o nic recon- other ORT schools in Tel Aviv, etc. There were 360 edu- cational units in the ORT Israel network in 1971, and a ly receives teaching staff of 2,153- Committee, th Appeal, tA RT ACTIVITIESINIsrael were a con- community that numbered 650,000. tinuation of programs for almost Immigration included not only camp 80,000 survivors of the holocaust after refugees, but Jews from Yemen, Bul- World War II in the D.P. camps in garia, Rumania, Iraq, Morocco and Germany, Austria and Italy. As one other countries, a motley rag-tag of THE FIRSTSTEP 11 who was there in that grim time, I the uprooted, destitute, sick, aged, recall that the ORT schools were the unskilled. only rays of light in the life of the Government, the Jewish Agency How ORT Isra e Ir camp inmates. and the political parties, at that time, Most survivors of the holocaust saw viewed agricultural development as their future in Israel and, together the top priority national task for the with the Yishuv in Palestine, took part solution of the economic crisis and to by Ja iski in the struggle for free immigration. feed its people. When the big waves of immigration As to the fledgling industry, much began, in 1948, and the camps began of it still at the craftsman stage, prob- to empty, it was natural for ORT to lem number one was how to secure large pool of qualified manpower was ples shift its center of action to Israel and raw materials, not to speak of equip- essential for building a modern na- the begin to fulfill its role, both for the ment for factories and men who knew tion on an industrial-technological with Yishuv and for the newcomers reach- how to work in them. base, or that the formation of a skilled coun, ing their homeland. ORT simply fol- Few Schools manpower was a matter of years. izatic lowed the flow of people to their Against this adverse crisis atmos- ing. destination. In that atmosphere it is understand- able that vocational training was not phere ORT, nevertheless, began to inter, Human Tide particularly popular. Enrollment in set down the foundation of a voca- start. tional training program among Is- stitut The situation prevailing in the vocational schools was very low as rael's youth. 01 new Israel was fraught with difficulties compared with the number of pupils Zalm which had to be overcome before in secondary schools. And only a tiny Guidelines of E( ORT's activities could begin. Massive proportion of youth went to high The first step was a decision by the ago, immigration produced an economic school at all, since there were not World ORT Union to transfer to mayc crisis, and all possible means were many of them. Israel the bulk of the equipment from vocat required to meet even simple material Those in the vocational schools the workshops which had been set up The needs. came from the poorest section of the in the D.P. camps. The engineers, astinnar2 Over 340,000 immigrants arrived in population and vocational education teachers and instructors who had the just declared independent state in as such had a poor name. No one at formed the teaching cadre in the mneawric its first six months—to joint a Jewish that time forsaw that creation of a camps had, in the main, emigrated to Israel, where many of them became the first personnel in the operation oblig Lower left—a demobilized serviceman learning welding at the first ORT of the projected schools. citig school in Israel, located in Jaffa. Right—at the agro-rnechanics school expe in Ben Shemen, one of the very first ORT schools established in In keeping with the basic princi- early 1949. Fr ershi effor high ates ours must the iantagl

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4 ORT set up were in abandoned Shemen, Rehovot, Ein Harod and buildings. We had to invest hard Safed. ORT had to reject many re- work and considerable means for their quests of municipalities, kibbutzim repair. These were makeshift, how- and public institutions for the open- THE HARDEST ever. Conditions befitting modern vo- ing of vocational schools in partner- cational schools could not be created ship with ORT owing to financial in them. Eventually, one by one, those limitations, lack of teachers, equip- first buildings were discarded for new- ment and buildings. e Into Being ly constructed facilities. Despite all obstacles, within a few Retrospect months after December 1948, 25 insti- Instruction was introduced in the tutions for vocational education and following trades: mechanics, auto- me- ski training were established. Attendance chanics, dental technicians, tool and numbered 686 pupils. Of these 295 die making, radio, electricity, watch- were ex-soldiers, many of them war- making, handicraft and carpentry. wounded, who were vocationally re- Two classes were opened in Jaffa for ples which guided ORT throughout habilitated in secretarial tasks, elec- students who had begun tool and die the world, contacts were established tricity, radio-mechanics, carpentry, making at ORT in Sofia, Bulgaria, with Government Ministries, local In 1948, initial plans for an ORT before coming to Israel, to enable councils, Histadrut and public organ- network were outlined. By 1949 thc them to continue and complete their izations dealing with vocational train- network was functioning. studies. ing. This involved a broad web of First Year All of that has changed, spread out interests in our plans from the very The first full school year opened at and become the country-wide program start. ORT was never an isolated in- the beginning of September, 1949, it is today. stitution, but part of the nation. with 595 pupils in improvised voca- On the 25th Anniversary of the ORT was welcomed and assisted by tional high schools, plus 350 adults State of Israel, ORT Israel can justly , at that time Minister in a variety of courses. note its contribution to every aspect of Education and until a few months ORT undertook the management of Israel's economic and social devel- ago, President of Israel, as well as by of two schools for girls in Jerusalem, opment. Let it be recorded that mayors in the towns where ORT's a vocational school in Kfar Ganin, 100,000 human beings, who are among vocational schools were due to open. Kfar Abraham and a girls' school in the sinews of Israel's economic prog- The mayors especially saw the schools Tel Aviv. Six vocational centers were ress, are graduates of the ORT net- as an answer to their prayers. Educa- opened in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Ben work that was conceived 25 years ago. tional facilities were scarce. Their newcomers had large families, with many children. The towns had an obligation to provide schools for their citizens. ORT came with plans and experience. From the outset, ORT Israel's lead- ership determined to direct its main efforts to the setting up of vocational high schools for 13-14 year old gradu- ates of primary schools. We set for ourselves the goal that ORT schools must overcome reluctance, doubt and the stigma of being fit only for those at the bottom of the ladder by offer- ing technical and academic education of quality. Vocational courses for adults—re- leased soldiers and new immigrants— and simultaneous proficiency courses for workers and craftsmen—would be conducted in the same centers. The Quality Ingredient These were the critical policy de- cisions. They made it possible to es- tablish vocational schooling as de- sireable for youth and useful to na- tional development. In most cases the schools which 5 at HALCO, F ORthe TOP international MANAGEMENT aluminum con- sortium, formed to exploit the bauxite M( deposits of the Boké region in Guinea, investing in manpower comes quite naturally. Member firms of the con- Tret sortium have been among the out- Jerusa standing innovators in corporate train- fore, ing techniques for at least a quarter Willia of a century. But in the past four At dec years the group has opened a new F. Kei frontier in corporate training that year, I promises impressive rewards for firms first s investing in Africa. sponso "Africanization" Fund. When, in 1968, HALCO formed a WIN mixed company, owned 51% by the asked consortium and 49% by the govern- pride, ment of Guinea, both sides agreed claim that the firm would be staffed with culmir Guinean personnel as rapidly as pos- the Je sible. The new company, set a target recogn of 75% "Africanization" of special- soil ol both h ized jobs within five years. . . . To Technicians tions are that the program will be attain this goal, HALCO experts esti- Supplied over 30 tech- paying for itself many times over. mated that approximately 600 trained nical training teachers and In answer to the big question, "Can The Guineans would be required in a wide training equipment for a Africans adequately replace skilled means spectrum of positions . . . wide variety of skilled posi- expatriate technicians?", ORT Tech- of the Since Guinea's existing training fa- tions including mechanics, nical Assistance Director Eugene work cilities were not able to provide electricians, draftsmen, lab- Abrams says, "Based upon our ex- Nazis, HALCO with needcd personnel de- oratory technicians, ac- perience in Africa over the years, the emigra mands, a training program had to be countants, executive secre- answer to that question is an unquali- "B'r designed that would turn out a large taries and other clerical fied 'yes'. But if you don't want to by B. number of highly qualified techni- staff. take our word for it, you will find several cians and administrative staff . . . Institute convincing a recent survey of foreign tion. For such a program to be effective, pest tc Established a Technical firms with investments in the Ivory it had to be conducted by trainers pose . Training Institute to serve Coast. In response to this question, who understood the special techniques variou as training headquarters for 80% said that they found African for transferring intermediate technol- ican, CBG.... technicians perform as well or better ogy from advanced industrial coun- than expatriates. What's more, they an off tries to the African setting. Management stay around longer, which means "Interi Missing Element —Provided intensive lot to any profit-minded manager. ent The missing ingredient was an training in language, metal- The Difference and RI organization that would both supply lurgy and management for "Most international companies have by Tei the needed trainers and design train- 35 trainees at ORT's own their own in-house training programs the Ai ing programs suited to the company's teacher training institute in which serve their usual needs," Ab- special needs in Guinea. a Geneva suburb. rams observes. "We come into the the W: tal, th( Serendipity came to the rescue. The Abroad picture in special situations. Where an api company called upon the Geneva- Supervised training of there is a time factor, ORT can field appoir based Organization for Rehabilitation Guineans abroad at mem- a specially designed program faster needec through Training (ORT) , a well- ber firms' facilities and in than most companies. made regarded, non-profit, multinational, hospitals and schools in "Where there is a political factor, WricIN technical-education and vocational Switzerland. as there often is in Africa where we training institution, which had de- are intimately connected at all eche- Austri: veloped and operated the Ecole Training lons of government, we can be helpful. Fror Nationale des Arts et Metiers Assisted in the design Where there are particular cultural land, (ENAM) in Conakry under contract of an on-site intensive voca- problems, as there are in most African Teichc with the U.S. Agency for Interna- tional training center estab- countries, we have special skills and tional tional Development since 1961. ORT lished at the Boke complex. experience. And we can offer other dent o offered HALCO a comprehensive Training programs of this scope programs, more specialized or broader package, which since signing of the and concentration quite clearly do in scope, t o supplement standard Fab] contract has: not come cheap. . . . But all indica- corporate training." year, 6 potent influence on modern art. He York, largest utility company in the was also jealous of his art and was U.S., was in Israel this May as a guest Men and Events reluctant to release his work, with a of the government consulting on singular exception. energy and water supply problems. He Forest at Jerusalem The only exhibit which he author- had long known about the ORT Trees now grow on the hills of ized to celebrate his 90th birthday was schools and stopped off at the Syngal- Jerusalem where there were none be- organized in London under the aegis woski ORT Center as part of the fore, and they are called the Dr. of British ORT to coincide with the manpower aspect of his study, par- William and Fannie Haber Forest. 90th Anniversary of ORT in 1970. His ticularly sections in high energy At dedication ceremonies in the John message on that occasion: "When Jews technology. F. Kennedy Peace Forest earlier this are persecuted, then I am a Jew". His is the verdict of an expert: "I was very impressed by the job being year, Dr. and Mrs. Haber planted the Con Ed. Head at Syngalwoski first saplings of the Haber Forest, done by ORT schools in providing sponsored by the Jewish National Charles F. Luce, Chairman of the the technical training necessary fot Fund. Consolidated Edison Company of New Isr ael's economic development". What are your feelings about this, asked a reporter. "I feel a sense of pride, although we are taught not to From Vilna to Washington claim that virtue. For I see here the by Syd Kasper culmination of 35 years of work in the Jewish vineyard. To have that From The Jewish Week recognized by a forest on the sacred soil of Israel—well, that makes one "If it weren't for ORT, I wouldn't actively supportive of ORT's work in both humble and proud." be here today," says Leon Senders, Italy. ORT graduate, and today part-owner B'richa Means Rescue Once proficient at his new skill, of a typewriter and office equipment The Hebrew word b'richa literally Senders applied for emigration to the means "escape". It became the name company in Washington, D.C., which United States. The family traveled to employs 24 workers. of the organized underground net- the Washington area, where they ar- work of Jewish fighters against the "My father was a builder of ovens rived on New Year's Day, 1952. in Vilna. By the way, he learned his Nazis, and later became the sub rosa Successful Booster emigration channel to Palestine. trade in ORT, too," says Senders. "I followed in his footsteps. After seven "The very next day I went down- "B'richa's Vienna unit was set up town to find a job", recalls Senders. by B. Teicholz, a refugee from Lvov, years of elementary school, I went to the ORT school in Vilna—the Vilna "I walked into a typewriter company several months after the city's libera- office right off the street, without an tion. He had been sent from Buda- Yiddische Technicum—for four years. There I learned metalurgy and got appointment, and asked if they could pest to Vienna expressly for this pur- use a typewriter mechanic. I was hired pose . . . In order to deal with the an education." During World War II, Senders, like on the spot." various occupation authorities—Amer- He worked at his job for three ican, Russian, French and British—on so many other young Jews in coun- tries occupied by the Nazis, escaped years and then, in the tradition of his an official level, B'richa set up an newly-adopted country, decided to "go "International Committee for Transi- into the Lithuanian woods to join the partisan anti-Nazi forces. into business for myself." The rest is ent Ex-Concentration Camp Inmates a success story. and Refugees". . . . which was headed Partisan Senders is a loyal ORT booster. by Teicholz. . On, October 11, 1945, When the war ended, Senders set On business and vacation trips he the American army handed over to out in a search for his family. Finally, makes a point of meeting fellow ORT B'richa the building which, prior to in Austria, in the little town of alumni now making their own way. the War had served as a Jewish hospi- Braunau, Adolph Hitler's birthplace, He recalls several in the typewriter tal, the Rotschild Spital. . . . it was in he remarks ironically, luck turned his business in New York City, a fur an apalling state. . . . Teicholz was way. First, in the D.P. camp he met dealer in Buenos Aires, and another appointed director of the shelter, the girl who became his wife. Second, in Munich, and others in various oc- needed repairs were made and he soon the day they were married, Senders cupations in Tel Aviv and various made it ready for its new function as heard that his sister had survived the Canadian cities. B'richa's main refugee center in Holocaust and was living in Milan, "ORT is one of the most worth- Austria." where he and his wife went im- while organizations in the world be- From B'richa: Flight to the Home- mediately. cause it gets the biggest results for the land, by Ephraim Deckel. Bruce In Milan, Senders enrolled in a smallest investment." Said Senders, Teicholz is now President of the Na- local ORT school for D.P.s. The trade "If anyone had given me $10,000- tional ORT League and a Vice Presi- he selected was, for him, a new one $20,000 to buy office furniture and dent of American ORT Federation. and, as it turned out, a fortunate one other equipment when I started it Picasso, Picasso, Picasso —the repair of office equipment, study- would not be worth nearly as much as Pablo Picasso, who died earlier this ing under Olivetti teachers. Olivetti, the training ORT gave me. That was year, is generally regarded as the most incidentally, then as now, has been the real beginning." 7

tablished practise for ORT agricul- board of teachers of their school's con- The House tural equipment and auto shops to struction design department and out- repair and machine the spare parts side architects. They passed with fly- for tractors, harvesters, and trucks ing colors. that Beni from neighboring farm settlements. They appeared next before a more ORT students have, in short, not demanding board, composed of the and Yoram only been learning but making with central ORT Israel management and their own hands much that goes into capital funds committee of the city Built their learning environment. But stu- council of Givatayim, which would dents never had occasion to design have responsibility to fund the VOL In this permissive age, youth may that environment—not until earlier project. They bought it. wear whatever they please, and stu- this year. Construction biddings were given dents are expected. to participate in This January two students at the out and groundbreaking is now a mat- Fo running their schools. There is another kind of participa- tion, too. In ORT, they have long Le had a substantial hand in producing the tools they work with, the ma- chines they are trying to master, the chairs and desks on which they sit and the installation of the lights under which they work. No Hobbies These are not hobby projects, done in extra-curricular time. They fabri- cate usable educational equipment as part of the learning experience. Not T1 is it small stuff. Working from blue- good prints granted by manufacturers for trend non-commercial use, or from designs who: conceived by ORT teachers, students ber at the ORT schools in Israel last year • precision tooled, calibrated and as- OW sembled 47 engine lathes, 58 vertical Beni Butnaro, left, who collaborated with his fellow student, Yoram Neeman (right) are shown ever drill presses, 11 plastic presses, 3 tool above with a model of the new ORT Technical College which they designed for construction in Givatayirn. gran room milling machines, among others. 70,0 Electronic students set up instru- Givatayim ORT Technical College, ter of time. The house that Beni and • ment laboratories and carpentry sec- Beni Butnaro and Yoram Neeman, Yorem devised is contemporary in schc tions built dozens of lab working presented the architectural plans for style, but avoids the far-out. It will 48,0 tables and other furnishings. Plumb- construction of a new building for be built across the road from the pres- year ing pupils did what plumbers do in their school. They chose this subject ent school. It will have a capacity of the schools; and it has long been es- as the thesis for their final qualifying 350 students in four disciplines— engi, examination. neering technicians, automation, re- • Beni and Yoram presented a mock- frigeration—and it will house the enr( up of the five story structure, accom- department from which they have now pro; panied by detailed working diagrams oraduated, construction and archi- reqi for each of its units before a mixed tectural design. Isra anti not ORT BULLETIN 40,( 817 Broadway be New York, N.Y. 10003 line Yor ruli

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