Prefer Jewish News on Google
World ORT and ORT America merge
Former IDF combat medic Dov Ben-Shimon appointed as director general and chief executive of newly joined body
Global Jewish education organisation World ORT has merged with ORT America to create one combined charity with headquarters in New York and offices in London and Israel.
The new body will be led by chief executive Dov Ben-Shimon, the former deputy ambassador at the Israeli Embassy in Angola, appointed in November 2025 as head of World ORT.
It is understood that there have been a number of departures from within the UK office as a result of the merger.
From its roots in 1880s Russia to more than thirty countries spanning five continents, World ORT is one of the most far-reaching Jewish educational networks in the world, supporting eighty thousand students every year.
Ben-Shimon said: “Even when situations are dire — poverty, war, displacement — ORT students can imagine a future. That is what World ORT has done for 145 years. And we will carry it forward for 145 more.”
World ORT board chair Jon Levine added: “World ORT doesn’t just teach skills. We also share the joy of Jewish peoplehood, ensuring our students are both prepared for the future and proud of their identity.”
In a statement, the organisation said it is “positioned to deepen relationships with locally run schools, connect educators across borders, and direct funding more strategically to where the need is greatest. The ambition is not to standardise. It’s to strengthen. Every student in the World ORT network, wherever they are, should have access to the best that the network has to offer.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
