OUR COMMUNITY

O

RT America celebrated its centennial with a Rub-a-Dub 
fundraiser at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac on Aug. 25. 
The event brought together more than 500 attendees 
and raised more than $1 million for the first time in the event’s 
history.
In addition to celebrating its centennial, ORT America hon-
ored Brian Hermelin with the Hermelin ORT Legacy Award in 
recognition of his commitment to ORT and devoted service to 
the Rub-a-Dub fundraiser for more than 20 years. 
 Nicole Miller, regional director of ORT America, provided 
context of the mission and impact of the organization. “ORT 
America is the largest fundraising arm of the global World ORT 
network, founded in 1880. World ORT is one of the largest 
non-governmental education organizations in the world. World 
ORT has schools and training programs in more than 30 coun-
tries on five continents,” she said. 
“Its mission is to provide those living in underserved and 
under-resourced communities with access to a high-quality 
education and training programs that will allow its students to 
obtain in-demand careers, achieve economic self-sufficiency 
and become contributing members of their communities,” she 
added. 
 Attendee Jason Brooks reflected on his family’s commitment 
to ORT. “My family and I have been fortunate enough to travel 
to Israel and see firsthand the impact that ORT is making with 
their schools and youth villages. That experience has made 
attending Rub-a-Dub and supporting ORT’s mission much more 
meaningful.” 

Rub-A-Dub fundraiser is the most 
successful ever.

ORT Raises 
More than 
 
$1 Million

continued on page 32

STORY AND PHOTOS BY YEVGENIYA GAZMAN

30 | SEPTEMBER 22 • 2022 
 
 
 
 

Dr. Conrad Giles, 
Brian Hermelin and 
Dr. Lynda Giles

Francine Hermelin-Levite, 
Erica Gerson, Henrietta 
Hermelin Weinberg, Nancy 
Grosfeld, Doreen Hermelin 
and Lisa Weinberg

