‘ORT saved my life’ – how charity offered a future to a student caught up in two wars

"It is wonderful. I’ve got acquainted with some cool guys and we have become friends.”

Karpin was aiming to study and become an engineer. Life was going well. And then Hamas launched its barbaric massacre on October 7, igniting another conflict and Karpin’s life was thrown back into turmoil. Thankfully, World ORT evacuated him, along with other students, and when he was finally able to return to his “new home” in Israel, it offered him the support he needed to recover and flourish.

“World ORT saved my life,” he said. “I was able to graduate and to get one of the best scholarships out there. ORT is the organisation that gave me my future.”

Monday’s annual dinner was held at kosher chef Tony Page’s restaurant in Marylebone. Students from the UK took to the stage to share their stories of how the charity has changed their lives – and despite not being stories of overcoming war, the underlying message of opportunity radiated just the same.

One of these belonged to Sam Rose Isaacs, recipient of ORT’s mentoring programme ORT JUMP’s Student of the Year award, who told the audience: “ORT JUMP has definitely increased my confidence and outlook for the future.

“Being surrounded by such a supportive network of experienced professionals has encouraged me to keep pushing myself and to take every opportunity that comes my way, allowing me to thrive in my personal, academic and professional life.

Jude Jackson, newly appointed CEO of ORT UK, said: “The annual dinner was a wonderful evening full of celebration, recognition and aspirations for the future.

"As the very new CEO of ORT UK, I was struck by the commitment and collaboration in the room and the passion of the team. 

"The impact of an ORT education on young lives is evident. For me, it was a magical introductory evening to this wonderful charity, which is continuing to evolve and grow.”

Annette Kurer, chair of ORT UK, said: “The annual dinner was a wonderful way to celebrate the remarkable and enduring legacy of ORT, which has been teaching skills and trades to the community since 1880. At ORT UK, we are continuing this legacy as we empower the next generation to reach their goals through our ORT JUMP Mentoring and Employability Skills Programmes.

“Demand is rapidly increasing – this year we’ve had more than 550 applications for the Mentoring Programme alone, and we are relying more than ever on the generosity of our donors as we expand our offerings.

"With their support, we can continue to evolve to meet the needs of young people, as they take their first steps toward meaningful careers.”

Jackson said 550 young people applied for ORT JUMP this year but due to limited resources, some students may have to be turned away. This is why, she told guests, their donations are more important than ever.

Meanwhile, this week World ORT announced Manchester-born Dov Ben-Shimon as the international organisation’s new chief executive.

After moving to Israel at the age of 18, he went on to become chargé d’affaires at the Israeli Embassy in Angola and assistant spokesperson to former Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

His career has also included leadership of a Jewish Federation in the USA and and senior roles with other Jewish organisations.

Ben-Shimon, who will be based in New York, was “deeply honoured and humbled to be appointed the next CEO of World ORT, an organisation with a profound and storied legacy spanning nearly 150 years.”