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ORT history books, essays and publications.

Several books, articles and other publications have been written about ORT's past work and activities. Anniversaries were often catalysts to these publications. Some were produced internally by ORT staff, some were created by our alumni and supporters, while others were researched and written by professional historians and published more formally. Together they provide a fascinating insight into ORT's history. The following titles cover a wide period and while some offer an overall view of the organisation's history, others focus on individual countries or specific enterprises. Many of these rely on archive materials that can be found in other sections of this website. 

History of the Founding of ORT by Grigory Aronson, 1930.

The narrative covers 1869-1906. Provides background on the situation of Russian Jews prior to and around the time of ORT's foundation; describes the initial efforts by ORT's founders, fundraising and administration of the Interim ORT Committee, including quotations from relevant documents, correspondence and the press. Concludes following the 1905 Revolution as ORT's bylaws were being registered.

Creator:Grigory Aronson
Extent:93 pages
Date:1930
Language:Russian
Location:Russia

L’Histoire de l’ORT en Roumanie, 1931-1949, draft, undated.

The history of ORT in Romania, 1931-1949, draft, undated.

Creator:World ORT Headquarters
Extent:98 pages
Date:1950s
Language:French
Location:Romania

Material and Memoirs: Chapters for the History of ORT, Geneva: ORT Union, June 1955.

A series of articles by ORT personnel covering the history and activities of the organisation at key points in its past from their personal perspective. Includes articles by: Dr Aron Syngalowski, Dr Leon Bramson, Dr David Lvovitch, Senator Herbert Lehman, Wilhem Graetz, L.V. Frenkiel, Rachel Gourman, A.C. Litton, Dr D. Mowshowitch, A.A. Yakir, and Dr J. Frumkin.

Creator:World ORT Headquarters
Extent:68 pages
Date:1955
Language:English
Location:Geneva, Switzerland

80 Years of ORT: Historical Materials, Documents and Reports, Geneva: ORT Union, 1960.

A collection of articles, reproduced documents, and summaries of governing bodies meetings providing an overview of the history of the organisation on it's 80th anniversary.

Creator:World ORT Headquarters
Extent:163 pages
Date:1960
Language:English
Location:Geneva, Switzerland

The History of British ORT: 1919 until 1973 by Cecily Zimmermann, London, 1976.

Textual document.

Creator:Cecily Zimmermann
Extent:40 pages
Date:1976
Language:English
Location:London, England

By the Skill of Their Hands: The Story of ORT by Jack Rader, Geneva: WOU, 1970.

Textual document.

Creator:Jack Rader
Extent:135 pages
Date:1970
Language:English
Location:Geneva, Switzerland

ORT in Lithuania by Jacob Oleiski, draft, undated.

English draft manuscript.

Creator:Jacob Oleiski
Extent:17 pages
Date:Undated
Language:English
Location:Lithuania

Leon Shapiro, The History of ORT: A Jewish Movement for Social Change, 2nd ed., 2010.

Second edition [first published 1980] with a new foreword by David Cesarani, London: World ORT, 2010.

Creator:Leon Shapiro
Extent:412 pages
Date:2010
Language:English
Location:London, England

Educating for Life: New Chapters in the History of ORT, London: World ORT, 2010.

Edited by Rachel Bracha, Adi Drori-Avraham and Geoffrey Yantian. Includes articles by: Adi Drori-Avraham, Gennady Estraikh, Judah Harstein, Alexander Ivanov, Sarah Kavanaugh, Lynn Leeb, Vyacheslav Leshchiner, Harry Nadler, and Geoffrey Yantian. 

Creator:Rachel Bracha, Adi Drori-Avraham and Geoffrey Yantian
Extent:349 pages
Date:2010
Language:English
Location:London, England

One Hundred Quotes on ORT, World ORT, 2010.

A compilation of quotations about ORT and its work, by heads of state, public figures, distinguished academics, ORT leaders, staff and students around the world. Prepared to mark ORT's 130th anniversary. Compiled and edited by Rachel Bracha; designed by Angela Cutler. 

Creator:Rachel Bracha
Extent:151 pages
Date:2010
Language:English
Location:London, England

Person, ORT and the Rehabilitation of Holocaust Survivors: ORT Activities 1945-1956.

Katarzyna Person's book compiles brief histories of ORT's activities in each DP camp in Austria and Germany, as well as camps in Italy. Also covers ORT's post-WWII work with Jewish displaced persons and refugees in other countries in Europe and beyond. Includes copies of archive documents. Edited by Rachel Bracha; published by World ORT in London, 2012.

Creator:Katarzyna Person
Extent:124 pages
Date:2012
Language:English
Location:London, England

A History of the ORT Central Institute at Anières–Geneva (1949–1999) by Jacques Levy. (English)

Published in Geneva by Geneva Jewish Heritage Association (Patrimoine juif genevois), 2021. Made available here by kind permission of the author.

Creator:Jacques Levy
Extent:139 pages
Date:2021
Language:English
Location:Geneva, Switzerland

Histoire de l’Institut Central ORT Anières-Genève (1949-1999) by Jacques Levy. (French)

Published in Geneva by Geneva Jewish Heritage Association (Patrimoine juif genevois), 2021. Made available here by kind permission of the author.

Creator:Jacques Levy
Extent:138 pages
Date:2021
Language:French
Location:Geneva, Switzerland