REACH OUT TO ISRAEL
 

Below are some sample letters to ORT students in Israel. If you would like to use one of the letters below, you can copy and paste the text into a word processor, personalize it, and send it to our attention for delivery to Israel. Or you can take the letters below as inspiration for your own message.

Thank you for helping us "Reach Out to Israel." If you would like to learn more about Women's American ORT, this campaign, or other WAO initiatives, please e-mail

Sample letter (Individual)

Dear ORT Israel Student:

As news reports regarding the renewed conflict in Israel reach us, we in the worldwide ORT community think it is vital for us to express our support and concern for you during these difficult and troubling times.

Although it is hard for us to imagine the daily challenges you face, you should know that you, and all of the ORT students in Israel, are in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

Shalom,

Sample letter (School or University): Use this letter to show support from large groups or entire classes from other schools worldwide. You might suggest to students that they also write their own personal letters of support to fellow students in Israel.

Dear Ort Israel Student:

 The students and faculty of ____________________ want to express our concern for you during this time of conflict in Israel. As news regarding the renewed conflict reaches us, we feel it is vital for us to express our support and concern for you and all the ORT Israel students during these difficult and troubling times.

Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.


Shalom,

Women's American ORT Home page

Contact: Roberta Zulawski, Women's American ORT
315 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
800.51.WAORT

American Jews Show Support for Israeli Students on Jerusalem Day

Monday, May 21, 2001: After seven months of clashes, Israel continues to struggle with its neighbors to establish a cease-fire in order to resume Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Many American organizations continue to support people in Israel who are struggling to lead normal lives despite the conflict that surrounds them. According to a recent survey conducted by the American Jewish Committee, most American Jews intend to continue their support of Israel, whether or not they support the conditions of a peace agreement. Of the 1,010 American Jews surveyed, 87% understood that Israel will continue to need financial support from American Jews and 62% agreed that American Jews should support the policies of Israel regardless of their individual views on the peace negotiations.

"As Americans, we can't imagine what it would be like to try to plan a future, let alone lead a normal life under those circumstances."

- Pepi Dunay, National President, Women's American ORT

As an example of this support, Women's American ORT (WAO), a 60,000-member, national Jewish nonprofit organization, will launch the "REACH OUT TO ISRAEL" Campaign in conjunction with Jerusalem Day on May 21. Because the need for support is so great, campaign participation is open to the general public as well as WAO's members.

According to Pepi Dunay, WAO's National President, the campaign's aim is to put a very human face on the situation in Israel. "We want to support our students during this time of extreme violence and uncertainty," said Dunay. "As Americans we can't imagine what it would be like to try to plan a future, let alone lead a normal life under those circumstances."
The schools and programs in Israel are part of World ORT, a global education network for all people in need. WAO's mission is to empower people to achieve economic self-sufficiency through technological and vocational education and to support ORT's global resources. ORT has a presence in 60 countries, with 800 schools and projects serving more than 290,000 students. More than 3 million people have attended ORT schools and training centers since the organization was founded 1880.