Women’s ORT Moves to Larger Office

After years of working in a small storefront on Reseda Avenue, the Southern California Valley/Ventura County chapter of the Women’s American ORT will finally move into more spacious accommodations this weekend.

“We simply outgrew the space,” said the group’s publicity chair, Pearl K. Bank.

The Women’s American Organization for Rehabilitation through Training will dedicate its new office with the hanging of the mezuza and a ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. City Councilwoman Laura Chick will be the keynote speaker.

The mezuza is a parchment scroll inscribed with a biblical prayer, placed in a casing and hung on the doorpost of a traditional Jewish home or business.

The century-old organization, which has branches in 60 countries around the world, serves 260,000 students in its 800 vocational schools and programs designed to turn young people’s lives around, officials said. The American arm of the Jewish-based organization was established in New York in 1927.

Bank said the organization, with the cooperation of government agencies, builds technical schools to train students from all backgrounds who need help.

“We try to save teenagers,” Bank said. “We go into prisons and, if they qualify, we give them room and board, rehabilitation and technical training.”

The goal, officials said, is to provide education and promote literacy. The group also combats anti-Semitism and champions women’s rights.

Bank said the new office space, at 5530 Corbin Ave., Suite 336, Tarzana, will primarily be a staging ground for the business side of the organization, which serves the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County, rather than a place for meetings.

For information, call (818) 881-9370.