Oorah (organization)
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Founder | Rabbi Chaim Mintz |
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Headquarters | Lakewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
Website | oorah.org |
Oorah, or sometimes Oorah Kiruv Rechokim, Hebrew for "awaken and bring in those who are far" (a reference to educating non-observant Jews), is an incorporated Orthodox Jewish kiruv (outreach) organization founded in 1980 "with the goal of awakening Jewish children and their families to their heritage."[1] It is a United States-based 501(C)3 non-profit organization.[2]
History[]
Oorah, Inc. was founded by Rabbi Chaim Mintz and is based in Lakewood. Day-to-day operations are overseen by his son, Rabbi Eliyohu Mintz of New Jersey.[3][4]
Programs[]
Oorah operates and/or funds 49 individual programs that target Jewish outreach (Kiruv) and learning, family support, personal growth, and relationship counseling. It promotes family support and development.[5][6] It runs summer camps for boys and girls, Jewish holiday enrichment, early, primary, and secondary educational support and enrichment, as examples.
Fundraising[]
Oorah's fund-raising programs include Kars4Kids (a car-donation program) and an annual Chinese auction, offering tickets for a variety of prizes at five dollars each. They have a mascot named Fiveish, a five dollar bill who has starred in YouTube videos in both animated and costume version.[7]
Legal issues[]
In the summer of 2007, 31 undocumented workers doing work for a subcontractor at Oorah's summer camp were arrested in a raid by ICE and local law enforcement.[8] Camp director Eliyohu Mintz stated that the organization was not aware that the workers lacked employment authorization.[9]
In September 2010, a website for some of Oorah's camps was hacked.[10]
References[]
- ^ "Oorah.org". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Oorah.org - Tax exempt status". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Leadership and team members at Oorah". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Rabbi Chaim Mintz". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Oorah Programs". Oorah. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ Oorah's self-published December 2008 news bulletin, pages 90-91
- ^ "Dance the Fiveish". Youtube.
- ^ Palmateer, Jake (July 12, 2007). "Neighbors surprised by ICE raid". The Daily Star. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ^ Immigration News Briefs. "Immigration News Briefs - NY: Raid at Upstate Summer Camp". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ '"Oorah's Children's Camp Site Attacked by Radical Islamists on Anniversary of 9/11". The Yeshiva World. September 14, 2010.
External links[]
- Orthodox Jewish outreach
- Orthodox Judaism in New Jersey
- Jewish organizations based in the United States
- Non-profit organizations based in New Jersey
- 501(c)(3) organizations
- Jewish organizations established in 1980
- 1980 establishments in New Jersey
- Lakewood Township, New Jersey