15 July 2005 An official reception for the 19 students from ORT schools in Russia and Israel who are participating in the World ORT Rosner English Summer School was held at ORT House, London. The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Barbara Hughes, and Mehri Niknam, the Executive Director of Britains leading Jewish-Muslim interfaith organisation, The Maimonides Foundation, joined ORT supporters in welcoming the students this week. This, the third year of the summer school, was the first time the particpants included students from ORT Russia and from a Bedouin school in Israel. The students, who were selected for the summer school for their strong leadership skills, educational achievement and commitment to volunteer projects, are in London for two weeks of intensive English language tuition. They are also enjoying special trips around the city to experience British life and culture. On their return home, the students will pass on their improved language skills to fellow ORT students by providing extra informal tuition. World ORT Director General Robert Singer (centre, front row) with the World ORT Rosner Summer School students. Also seated are (from left) Shira Copans, teachers Tzipora Yirmish and Sana Badarne and madrich Itsik Francis. British ORT Co-Chairman Alan Goldman opened the evening. The reception was then addressed by Tzipi Yirmish , an English teacher from ORT Arad in Israel, who is one of two teachers accompanying the Israeli students. Four of the students then addressed the audience Matan Shavit of ORT Rechovot, Elina Lipov of ORT Gutman, Boshra Sawaid of ORT Wadi Salame, and Diana Furshteyn of ORT de Gunzburg, St Petersburg. World ORT Chief Financial Officer Steve West, representing Director General Robert Singer, joined the others in thanking ORT Israel National Director Zvi Peleg and Mr Goldman for their support and commitment and thanked especially Jenny Rosner for her generosity in funding the Summer School and for her personal commitment and involvement with the programme. Mr West noted that this years summer school was taking place in the shadow of terror following the suicide bomb attacks on London and Netanya. The mix of students we have here again shows ORTs commitment to coexistence and is our show of force to try to change the world for the better as well as helping the students to improve their English, he said. Councillor Hughes said the summer school was a wonderful event, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks. Ms Niknam said that Israelis had had to cope with far worse terrorism than Britain. So Im delighted to see again young Jewish and Muslim Israelis proving to all of us that no matter how much they try to break our spirit and create tension and hatred by these terrorist, extremist, despicable acts in the name of religion they wont win. Mrs Rosner said she was delighted the summer school had gone ahead despite the London attacks. Later she described her feelings as laughing on the outside and crying with joy on the inside, adding, These kids are fantastic. Students Avital Zahare (left) and Alex Uretsky present gifts to Jenny Rosner on behalf of the group. In founding the summer school two years ago, Mrs Rosner recognised the need to give Israeli students a chance to improve their command of the English language. Students in Israel need advanced English qualifications in order to meet the entry conditions of most universities. English also plays a vital role in developing a career because most publications, manual instructions and international conferences are in the language. Among those attending the reception was Lisa Ronson, whose family funded the building of the ORT Henry Ronson school in Ashkelon. Ms Ronson said she appreciated being able to meet the summer school participants from ORT Henry Ronson. It was very nice speaking to them, she said. The kids love going to school. They seemed to be having a nice time and seemed quite appreciative. From left: Shirly Tclik, Matan Shavit, Lisa Ronson, Lidar Moshe, Sana Badarne and World ORT Executive Committee member Mark Mishon.