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ORT America

Urdan earns national leadership award
for shaping new fundraising model.

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26 April 14 • 2016

ubba Urdan, immediate past
president, Michigan region
of ORT America, received
the organization’s first National
Leadership Award at its annual con-
ference last month in Orlando.
Urdan of West Bloomfield was
recognized for his role in helping
shape a new direction for fundrais-
ing by ORT America and “for lead-
ing the way with innovative think-
ing, fierce dedication and buoyant
spirit” in his efforts on behalf of
the Jewish community of Detroit,
where he serves on the boards of the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit and the Holocaust Memorial
Center.
The recipient of the Mark Family
Leadership Award in 2005 by
Federation, Urdan led 10 missions to
Israel before going on his first mis-
sion with ORT in 2014, when he saw
World ORT Kadima Mada (Science
Journey) programs in action.
“I was honored to be chosen for
this award,” Urdan said. “What ORT
America is doing to further educa-
tion in Israel to make the country
stronger is truly impressive, and by
raising awareness of ORT programs
and the way they transform the lives
of many disadvantaged individuals
— particularly in the periphery of
Israel — we can surely inspire more
people to give.”
Urdan played a pivotal role in
starting the ORT America corporate
sponsorship initiative that piloted
in Detroit and became a model for
other regions, bringing in $200,000
annually in sponsorship funds.
As region president, he doubled
fundraising to more than $1 mil-
lion in four years,
brought in many
new board members
to revitalize the
region and has been
instrumental in
attracting support
from the younger
generation.
Dr. Conrad
Dr. Conrad Giles,
Giles
deputy president
of World ORT and
chief emeritus of ophthalmology
at Children’s Hospital of Michigan,
was a featured speaker at the confer-

Linda Kirschbaum, outgoing ORT
America national president, congratu-
lates Bubba Urdan, recipient of the
National Leadership Award.

ence. He will be installed as the new
president of this global body at its
General Assembly in Israel in May.
Giles of Bloomfield Hills has held
numerous leadership roles within
the Jewish community, including
having served as a member of the
ORT America executive committee
from 2007-2010.
Conference participants from
Michigan involved with ORT for
more than two decades included
Andi Wolfe, a national ORT America
board member and past president
of Women’s American ORT; Robbie
Sherman, current Michigan region
president; and Randy Wertheimer,
a new national ORT America board
member and past president of Men’s
American ORT.
ORT has served educational needs
since its establishment in 1880.
ORT America is the fundraising
organization for World ORT, whose
Kadima Mada educational network
in Israel and worldwide schools,
colleges and international programs
enable more than 300,000 students
to live independently, develop
careers and lead fulfilling, produc-
tive lives.
The Michigan region also supports
the David B. Hermelin ORT Resource
Center in West Bloomfield.

*

For more information, visit ORTAmerica.org.

