NEW YORK! NEW YORK!


 Start spreading the news! New York City is the dramatic backdrop to Convention 2001. The Grand Hyatt Hotel connects into historic Grand Central Station, midtown's newly refurbished transportation hub housing the Big Apple's hottest new shops and restaurants. The Convention will offer a number of off-site activities, including a Saturday evening illuminated bus tour of Manhattan. Extend your stay (and a very favorable hotel rate) by purchasing one of our pre or post Convention packages!

CONVENTION PREVIEW

WAO's 75th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION : Join us as we kick off our celebration of WAO's 75th Anniversary.

 WORLD ORT FAMILY: Hear first-hand accounts and up-to-the minute updates on ORT programs worldwide, with special briefing from ORT Directors including Robert Singer, World ORT Director General; Haim Ben-Ami, Director General of ORT Israel; Vlad Lerner, Director General for ORT programs in the FSU; and Ephraim Buhks, Director of ORT Operations USA.

STUDENT SPEAKERS: Experience the success of ORT through the eyes of our students when you greet and meet our very special guests from Israel, the FSU and the U.S. A highlight of the National Convention is the chance to participate in dialogues with ORT students and hear their compelling stories. Among the students expected to speak are Mickey Mogilevsky from ORT Holon in Israel and Masha Yezopkina from ORT Odessa.

PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES: As our organization changes with the times, together, we will elect a new slate of National Officers, and hold hearings on by-laws and the adoption of National Resolutions.

 CYBER STATION: ORT's high-tech presence will "Beam You Up" in our Convention. Surf ORTnet; explore Navigating the Bible and meet ORT students from around the world on the Internet. This year we are adding Tech Talks, a series of presentations and materials designed to update you about the computer systems, the databases and how to best utilize all our technological resources.

TABLE TOPICS: Once again, Convention will feature the very popular Table Topics (formerly Clusters and Consultations) providing opportunities for Chapter and Coordinating Body representatives to network and exchange successful approaches to fund raising, membership recruitment, outreach and other "Best Practices." This year we will be introducing "Tools for Success," offering a choice of motivational and educational mini-workshops.
SHABBAT: Join with delegates and ORT's leadership for a traditional Shabbat dinner, followed by special Oneg Shabbat activities. A Saturday morning service and meaningful Shabbat experiences are scheduled throughout the day.

LUNCH AND LEARN: In keeping with the spirit of Shabbat, Saturday afternoon is filled with a series of thought-provoking study sessions on contemporary issues facing the Jewish community. Each session will be led by a guest speaker. Choose from a menu including: Looking at Ourselves: The American Jewish Experience on Film with Dr. Eric Goldman; Whither American Zionism with Samuel G. Freedman; Back to the Future: The Case for Jewish Continuity with Susan Jackson; Dames on the Hudson--The Stories, Legends and Lore of New York's Earliest Jewish Women with storyteller Lisa Lipkin.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS: The theme is Women and Leadership, as we usher in a new national administration at a very special evening Installation, with special Guest Speaker the Honorable Susan Molinari, former congresswomen from New York and 1996 Keynote Speaker at the Republican National Convention. Join us as we welcome our new national leaders with a moving and motivational ceremony.

YOUNG LEADERSHIP: Our "rising stars" will again play a prominent role at Convention. The Young Leadership Convention Committee has astronomical plans for an evening cocktail reception and a night on the town. The President's Young Leadership Council #6 and #7 will convene and a graduation ceremony for the former will take place. Additionally, a variety of sessions with a YL focus will be offered throughout the weekend.

HIGHLIGHTS

Appearing as Guest Speaker at the Installation Event is the Honorable Susan Molinari, former congresswomen from New York and 1996 Keynote Speaker at the Republican National Convention. Join us as we welcome our new national leaders with a moving and motivational ceremony.

LUNCH & LEARN

Looking at Ourselves: The American Jewish Experience on Film with Dr. Eric Goldman; Whither American Zionism with Samuel G. Freedman; Back to the Future: The Case for Jewish Continuity with Susan Jackson; Dames on the Hudson --The Stories, Legends and Lore of New York's Earliest Jewish Women with storyteller Lisa Lipkin.

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