According to the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, an astounding number of Jews are packing up their households across America and staking their claim in the great city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Six hundred Jews move to Las Vegas every month, establishing it as the fastest growing Jewish community in all of North America (there are currently over 75,000 Jews living within the city limits). Shedding its stereotype as a kitschy desert gambling community, Las Vegas is an emerging metropolis, with one of the most diverse populations in the world.

One of the most rapidly expanding segments of this new Jewish community is families with children under five. The challenge presented to the Desert Suburban Chapter of Women's American ORT to reach out and engage busy moms, as well as young professional women, has been met through effective niche marketing. The board has observed the affinity these young mothers share regarding the value of education, and the fact that ORT does not dole out charity, but helps people help themselves by becoming self-sufficient. With guidance from WAO's Seattle-based Area Development Consultant, board members plan diverse programs geared specifically to the age and interest level of its active members. The Desert Suburban Chapter programs social, mission, and Judaic events and activities that are fun and intriguing enough to convince members to arrange for child care and fit WAO into their hectic work schedules. Additionally, this Chapter's work and activities are intentionally quite visible in the Jewish community, which not only promotes the ORT cause, but draws new women to each event. Playfully dubbed "the miracle in the desert" because it has flourished so quickly, the new Desert Suburban Chapter of Women's American ORT (WAO) has successfully reached out to this burgeoning Jewish community and quickly established an active and productive Chapter membership that is 80 strong.

Women's American ORT recognizes and honors the Desert Suburban Chapter's wonderful work and accomplishments, and we offer them our heartfelt thanks for their continuing support of ORT's mission and objectives.

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