Robert Singer is leaving World ORT, the world’s largest Jewish education and vocational training non-government organisation, after 14 years as its Director General and CEO. Mr Singer will take up his new role as Secretary-General of the World Jewish Congress in April. “I joined ORT as Director General in January 1999 and started work in the London office in April the same year. The 14 years since have been challenging and rewarding in equal measure but I leave the organisation with enormous pride for all that we have accomplished and in the knowledge that ORT will continue its essential work to the benefit of so many people for years to come,”? Mr Singer said after announcing his departure at a meeting of World ORT’s Board of Trustees in Rome.
He paid tribute to the professionals and lay leaders at World ORT and its constituent national organisations for their professionalism, generosity and commitment, in particular to Dr Jean de Gunzburg, who has worked closely with him over the past eight years, first as Vice President and now as President of World ORT.
Looking ahead, Mr Singer said the next decade would be a critical one for the State of Israel and for the Jewish People and he felt very privileged to have been nominated as Secretary General of the World Jewish Congress, which is the highest professional post in the Jewish community on the international political scene.
“I am thrilled by the prospect of facing the challenges ahead with the leadership of the WJC, in particular its President, Ronald S. Lauder, whom I’ve known for many years as one of the leading philanthropists in Jewish life. I see Ronald as a cornerstone of the Jewish community, a visionary, generous donor, and outstanding man. It is a privilege to work with him and the WJC for the benefit of the Jewish People.”?
World ORT President Dr Jean De Gunzburg said Mr Singer had been a fantastic Director General and CEO for World ORT.
“In the 14 years he has been here he has taken the organisation to a completely different level “ﾓ and did it in a rapidly changing, highly challenging global environment,”? Dr de Gunzburg said. “He has gained the respect of all of us at ORT as well as the governments and organisations with which we implement our programs. The Board of Trustees congratulates Robert on his new position, thanks him warmly for his fantastic achievements and wishes him well for the future. And I would like to add my personal best wishes to those of the institution.”?
