The ORT Chagall Technology Centre at the Byelorussian State University, Minsk
The Belarusian State University (BSU) is located near the center of town on one of the city's major roads and is readily accessible by public transportation.
The ORT Technology Center in Minsk was opened in May 2002. It is located in the building of the Department of Culture of the Faculty of International Relations of BSU (former Marc Chagall Institute). This Institute was created to fill an essential gap in the city's higher education system, providing a center for education where young people can pursue academic and professional studies as well as explore Jewish culture, history and traditions. The Faculty’s lively Jewish Studies Department, which offers modules in Hebrew language and Jewish literature, regularly attracts renowned academics and researchers from Israel, Russia, the United States and Belarus.
The ORT Technology Center location within the Belarusian State University makes close cooperation possible between the Center and the BSU in both secular and Jewish studies. The ORT Center provides support and resources to the educational program of the university in such disciplines as architecture, design, cultural studies, languages and marketing, as well as Judaic studies including Tanach, Hebrew language and literature, and Jewish history, culture and traditions.
The ORT Minsk Technology Centre has the following facilities:
- Two modern IT Labs equipped with 32 computer workstations, scanners
- Resource Lab: includes 4 computer workstations, colour and wide-format printers, and other modern equipment required for the development of methodical and training aids.
The Labs are connected to the Internet via high-speed DSL connection, which provides Internet and e-mail services to people attending the ORT Centre.
The ORT Minsk Technology Centre carries out the following major activities:
- support an education process at the Department of Culture in FFR BSU;
- provide community projects with resource and methodical support;
- provide vocation training in IT and business undertakings for adults;
- provide vocational training in IT for teachers.
Secondary School no. 132, ORT Bialik
The Bialik School (no.132) in Minsk was opened in 1974, mow is widely acknowledged as one of the best schools in the city.
Since opening its Jewish department in 1992, the school has been attracting secular Jews who are usually highly assimilated but still seek a Jewish educational framework for their children. Many, struggling through an unstable economic situation, hope to improve their children’s future through education.
The school’s curriculum combines the educational requirements of the local education authorities with an all important Jewish syllabus. The program includes Modern Hebrew, Jewish traditions, Jewish history and Geography of Israel
The ORT Technology Centre was officially opened on 15th May, 2002. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of World ORT, sponsors to the project – Seiden family, representatives of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, diplomats, mass media, representatives of the Jewish School, students and employees from the Marc Chagall Institute (now - Department of Culture of the Faculty of Foreign Relations). At the end of the opening ceremony the agreement was signed between the World ORT and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.
The ORT Minsk Technology Centre consists of one IT Lab equipped with 16 computer workplaces and Resource Lab: includes 2 computer workplaces.
The major ORT Minsk Technology Centre activity is providing technology education to pupils from the School no. 132; and supporting of the Science, Humanitarian and Jewish disciplines.
Teachers and students of the school regularly take part in the international competitions, seminars, conferences conducted by ORT.
ORT Technology Centre at the JCC “Emunah”
The ORT Technology Centre at the JCC “Emunah” was opened in September, 2002 in the Jewish Cultural Centre "Emunah", located in the Minsk Jewish Campus (MJC).
Today the centre is equipped by 10 workplaces united in local MJC network. The main aim of the Centre’s activity is development and application of modern computer technologies into the hobby group work on development of culture, history, traditions and spreading of cultural heritage among the members of community.
Centre’s beneficiaries are the members of Minsk Jewish community, from kids who are engaged in Animation Studio, and up to the aged people using resources of the Centre for communication with relatives and friends living in other cities and countries.
Also the trainings for the beginners, advanced and experienced users, including these ones of Computer Graphics are organized there.
Trainings are conducted by skilled tutors, having the instructional and organizational support of ORT specialists.
ORT ICT Laboratory at the Israeli Cultural Center, Minsk
New computer laboratory at the Israeli Cultural Center was opened in October 2006.
Today, the Center organizes community and cultural activities and is visited by around 300 people a week. However, without working internet connection and outdated facilities, the Cultural Center become less and less attractive to visitors, particularly to Jewish teenagers and young adults.
The new ORT Computer Laboratory allows more people from the local Jewish community to benefit from ORT’s vocational training courses and facilities and strengthen the role of the Cultural Center within community life.
ORT ICT Laboratory at the Jewish Agency for Israel in Belarus
March 4, 2008, the opening ceremony of the ORT Technology Centres at the Jewish Agency for Israel in Belarus Republic took place.
There were participated:
· Igor Gitelman, Head of Jewish Agency for Israel in Belarus
· Gennady Akselrod, Envoy of Israel Ministry of Education
· Avi Ganon, World ORT Representative in Russia, Belarus and Central Asia
· Anatoly Greenberg, ORT Representative in Belarus
· Frants Karziuk, Director ORT Technology Centre
The honorary right to unveil the plague and to cut the ribbon was delivered to Igor Gitelman, Head of Jewish Agency for Israel in Belarus and to Avi Ganon, World ORT Representative in Russia, Belarus and Central Asia.
So within the frames of opening the partner organisations discussed the further directions of future cooperation.
There are Ulpan trainings held. Groups are trained during the whole academic year in Hebrew mainly (using computer programs for training intensively).
Besides this the Sunday School for children of different age (about 25 students) and Youth Club are working here.
Teachers of Jewish Agency are Ilana and Vadim Akopyans.
