It has often been repeated that there is nothing more inspiring and rewarding for a contributor than to witness the results of their donation. This sentiment is reflected in the impressions of several of the more than 30 participants who, for a week, experienced “April in Paris” and became acquainted with the students, teachers, and administrators of ORT France.

A dozen years had passed since the last Women’s American ORT delegation visited France. ORT Montreuil, located in a low-income suburb of Paris, had become deteriorated and was badly in need of repair. The successful ORT Montreuil Campaign has enabled the necessary renovation, currently under way, to occur. And the high point of the mission, which also included visits to ORT Strasbourg and ORT Villiers-Le-Bel, was the dedication ceremony at ORT Montreuil.

Participants received a briefing by the Israeli Ambassador to France, Elie Barnavi, on both the situation in Israel and the concerns of French Jewry, followed by a tour of Paris’s Jewish Quarter. Of course, the most memorable aspect of any mission, whether in Israel, Argentina, or the Newly Independent States, is always meeting the students.

“Our Women's American ORT Mission to France was a resounding success. We saw firsthand that ORT's program in France is one of which to be proud. We observed ORT France's desire to renovate a school (housed in an old spaghetti factory) while not disturbing the continuity of the program. The difference between the already renovated parts of the school and the sections of the school not yet renovated are like night and day. Our school in Strasbourg (housed in an old Gestapo headquarters) is a shining star. The students and staff treated us like royalty. Amazingly, each teacher and staff person is an ORT graduate. Villiers-Le-Bel was a treat. We had an opportunity to interact with many students and were even interviewed by a journalism class for their school magazine. I'm ready to go back. Any takers?”
- Shelley Fagel, Board Member and Co-chair, “April in Paris” Mission

“ORT Montreuil is really a marvel. An old factory turned into a school, it’s now being completely updated and renovated – it even houses a robotics lab. The students are so enthusiastic about what they’re learning, too; it’s a pleasure to visit the school and actually see what you are supporting. I feel proud to be a part of it.”
- Grace Mendelson, Board Member

“Before the recent renovations, the building housing ORT Montreuil reflected its surroundings (i.e., somewhat rundown). Walking through this amazing work-in-progress (through areas renovated, partially renovated and yet-to-be renovated), one realizes that what goes on in this school is nothing short of phenomenal and, thankfully, totally out of step with the neighborhood.The WAO pièces-de-résistance of course are the Shultz multimedia lab, Grace Mendelson's robotics lab and Shelley Fagel’s classroom – each magnificent in its own right, but no more magnificent than our beautiful students!”
- Sara Trub, Board Member

“Going on an ORT mission gives you such a warm and proud feeling. Beginning with the opening dinner, we were welcomed and made to feel a part of the ORT family. At every school we visited, we felt so appreciated and were excited to meet the students. We visited three schools, each unique, which shows the flexibility of the ORT programs and the ability to meet the needs of their communities and students. ORT Strasbourg, a combination junior high, high school and junior college, is a wonderful school. It has dorms that house ORT students and university students, a kosher cafeteria, and a video conferencing facility used by companies. The students are of Sephardic and Ashkenazic descent. In all ORT France schools, two hours of Hebrew and two hours of Jewish history per week are mandatory. The network of schools is so well managed. It makes what we do so meaningful. If you really want to see what ORT is all about, please try to go on the next mission.”
- Marcy Wiseberg, Board Member

“I wanted to go to France because of the rise in anti-Semitism. Several people we met expressed the fear felt by the Jewish community. People living in the smaller communities, like Strasbourg, were more alarmed than those living in Paris.

“In Montreuil, the school is being transformed. It is located in a depressed community that is undergoing regentrification. The town and the mayor are behind the project. They are trying to redevelop the area. Montreuil had undergone some minor renovations a number of years ago, but nothing on this scale. It was heartening to see the quality of education being provided. And ORT Strasbourg was also wonderful to see.”
- Reese Feldman, Chairman, World ORT Executive Committee

“To me the exciting part of the ORT Mission to France was meeting and mingling with the students and teachers and seeing the new, innovative programs being initiated in the ORT schools. It was heartening to see the renovations being done at ORT Montreuil and that the monies raised by Women’s American ORT are being put to very good use.

“The Mission was well planned and the week was very organized. I was happy to be a small part of it.”
- Marilyn Rosekind, Mission Participant

“The week before we arrived, a synagogue was set on fire in Strasbourg. Our ORT students can no longer take public transportation to school. The community reports 10 to 20 incidents of anti-Semitism each week. I cannot help but recall the plight of European Jews in the 1930s.

I think about the struggle of these Jewish families, as well as those in Argentina, and of course Israel. I realize that my ancestors gave me a gift, and it is called America. We are surely the luckiest Jews alive in the world today. Perhaps we are the luckiest Jews to live in any time, ever. Given this extraordinary fate, what is our responsibility to Jews around the world?”
- Sheryl Solomon, President, Suburban Chicago Region

“We were enthusiastically welcomed to all of the ORT schools in France by both the students and the faculty. We had the opportunity to visit many classrooms and were so impressed with the high caliber of the equipment that the students had available to use and the high educational standards of all the schools.

“Each school was different and had its own charm – from the very technical to the very musical. The students and their instructors showered us with warmth. They were anxious to practice their English on us and we were sorry that we couldn't respond in French. It was very exciting for us to be a part of "April in Paris!”
- Bobi and Ray Levine

 “‘April in Paris’ – more than a song or a trite phrase. I first visited the Paris of ORT France in 1990, and returning now, seeing what I remembered through the eyes of my colleagues, many of whom had not been there before, was like seeing the program for the first time.

Women's American ORT played a major role in the development of ORT France and we are privileged to be able to participate in its renewal. Each of our students is living a journey, discovering a path, shaping his or her destiny. Each of us, whether participants on the mission or members at home, is a partner in that journey. Together we – you and I, the students, the staff, the members of ORT from France and around the Globe – are creating a legacy for the future.”
- Judy Menikoff, First Vice President

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