A (Brief) History of the ORT Central Institute in Anières (1947-1997) Jacques Lévy, Engineer in the Arts and Sciences of Geneva (active 1959-1963)

The ORT Central Institute building in Anières, near Geneva, today

The Institute in 1949

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Introduction: The purpose of this communication is to remind readers what the ORT Central Institute in Anières was, established in 1947 and closing its doors for the last time in 1997. First and foremost, the college sought to train Jewish teachers and Jewish management teams from all over the world, returning to continue their own studies, teach in the ORT’s own colleges and become the new management of ORT institutions. That was the life of the Institute: the students, their origins, their everyday life, their experiences, successive training, teachers, logistics, … a whole era would be evoked here. Not to mention their passage through professional life, both varied and multi-faceted, their contribution to Geneva, and beyond this, in a word, what they became. Of course, we cannot cite here all of the people who form part of this history, any more than we can evoke the innumerable and sometimes intense moments commonplace at the Institute. Unfortunately, there is no official documentation on the fifty years the ORT Central Institute in Anières was in existence. We have therefore had to sift through people’s memory banks. However, times move on, and the people who were the first to study there have now reached a great age. Some are now over 80… all of the ones I spoke to have told me their stories, often moving ones, and their memories. I would like to thank them at this point1. For them, the pioneers, and for those who followed them in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, for all those who still have memories of Anières, for those who, throughout their life, have had the very best of its teaching instilled in them, and for all those who do not know anything about it, this account will serve as a reminder that the ORT Central Institute in Anières was the incubator of professional training and technical feats! Because, for many of us, it was not merely the place where we opened up our eyes to a new world. This was undoubtedly one of the most commendable of ORTs achievements. But before evoking what this formidable adventure was all about, let us quickly run through the main pages on ORT organisation2, unique of its type in the world. The world ORT (1981-2012) “Give a fish to a man, and he will eat for a day; teach him to fish, and he will be able to feed himself all his life”.

No doubt this is the proverb the pioneers of ORT had in mind in the beginning. The organisation was established in St. Petersburg by Russian Jew financiers and intellectuals of the Tsarist era under Alexander II3. Following the efforts of Leon Bramson (the Russian author and politician) and Aaron Syngalowski4, the American ORT was established in 1922. The headquarters of the World ORT Union was then transferred, because of Berlin’s Nazi strike on Paris in 1933. ORT was particularly active during the war, creating training centres in ghettos, sometimes even in concentration camps, later refugees and escapees later occupying it. In 1943, collaboration and deportations led Aaron Syngalowski to transfer the headquarters of the World ORT Union to Geneva. ORT was presented in 1945 in camps housing people displaced, encouraging them to teach manual skills there. In 1947, Aaron Syngalowski set a key idea in concrete, and, in Anières, near Geneva, set up an Institute to train teachers and management teams. Soon, many ORT centres were appearing worldwide, including in Israel, where the first colleges opened their doors in 1949. ORT was very active in Muslim countries, particularly in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, as well as Iran (until 1980). It was in 1980 that the organisation’s headquarters moved from Geneva to London. In 1990, after 52 years’ absence (Stalin had banned the organisation in 1938), ORT was reborn in Russia. Nowadays, teaching at ORT, loyal to its roots and open to the public at large, incorporates the latest technology from industrial and tertiary fields. From the young electrician equipped with a professional patent to the student working towards a degree from a major Engineering college, students at ORT go on to do a whole host of things. 1 Special thanks to: Benjamin Ittah, Freddy Sarfaty, Nathan Frati, Henri Lévy and Louis Dreyfuss, for the information and eyewitness accounts they have provided, as well as Maurice Aboudaram credited with the idea of drawing up this document. 2 ORT: Organisation, Reconstruction, Travail [Organisation, Reconstruction, Work]. 3 The O.S.E. will also be opened in Russia (St. Petersburg); this international organisation, which did and continues to do, so much for children. 4 Aaron Syngalowski (1889-1956) He was the person behind the creation of ORT in the United States in 1922 and in South Africa in 1936. He succeeded Leon Bramson in 1911 with David Lvovitch, the Director General of the World ORT from 1941 to 1956. He spread and consolidated the network worldwide. In 1943, he transferred the organisation’s headquarters to Marseille and then Geneva. In 1946, with Vladimir Halperin, he created the Institute ORT in Anières, near Geneva, and then contributed towards creating ORT in Israel. One of the most prestigious, the ORT College in Tel Aviv bears his name. His successor, from 1957 to 1980, was M. Max Braude.

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Training took 2 years. It included theoretical and practical classes. Consequently, student instructors received teacher training. Students were taught in French. Students received books. They were provided with board and lodge and would be paid. At the end of their studies, students would receive a teaching diploma. In the first year, 85 students aged between 18 and 21, from all over the world, were enrolled in one of 4 disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Electricity, Locks and Cabinet-Making. Most students held a secondary diploma”. All students were considered by the Swiss authorities as university students, foreign students. The first young people who came between 1949 and 1955 came essentially from Eastern Europe (some of them were escapees8 from Nazi camps), Israel, France and North Africa. They studied and then, in turn, served ORT9. Some shone as teachers in North Africa10, and in many other countries; some continued to study11, others made the most of their expertise and their enterprising mind, before, often, rejoining the ranks of international ORT management teams12. This teaching saw great success and year on year, the Institute would receive new student instructors. The training, now in shape, would become enriched as new workshops were created. Thus, on a regular basis, qualified instructors would train others to teach in the many ORT Colleges across the world. Over this period, almost all completed their contract: training students to serve ORT. Until 1957, when the central management of ORT decided to draw this type of training to a close. Doing so marked the end of an era, one termed the “instructors’” era.

Figure 1A group of student instructors at the Institute in 1956 with Max Braude (5th from the right)

Preparatory classes for entry to the Geneva College of Engineering A short time later, the management decided to optimise its use of the superb facilities in Anières and give preparatory classes for entry of Jewish students to the Geneva College of Arts & Sciences13. Again, the aim was to prepare new management teams for teaching branches which were more theoretical than manual, such as Mathematics, Physics and even Engineering. 8 This was especially the case for Joël Szakn, who, in turn, later became the Director of ORT in Tunis, and then Director of the ORT Central Institute in Anières. 9 It is especially worth citing: M. Simon Feldman, originally from Poland (born in 1930), who was an instructor at ORT in Algeria. Then, in the ’60s, he was Project Director at ORT in Guinea, then Director of ORTTechnical Support in 1959. 10 It is impossible to name all of them here. Let us cite just some of them: M. Vittorio Pavoncello, who in particular brilliantly taught Electronics to generations of students at ORT in Morocco; M. Benjamin Ittah, who taught Technical Drawing and Mechanical Engineering at ORT in Morocco before embarking on a brilliant career in research at the Institut Battelle in Geneva; M. Roland Ganem, who started as a teacher and then joined the Board of Directors of ORT in Rome. 11 This is Zvi Rosenlud, the real Mathematics genius. 12 M. Kazes would create, in Carouge, near Geneva, a prestigious clockmaking workshop, in which he continues to design unique pieces. It is also worth noting the alluring personality of Samuel Sonbolian, who came from Iran. In Geneva, he would open a flourishing Oriental rug shop. 13 This college, also called the Technicum, or even the College of Arts & Sciences in Geneva, now bears the name EIG (Ecole d’Ingénieurs de Genève [Geneva College of Engineering]).

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It was in September 1959 that this new teaching began at Anières, in close conjunction with the Management of the Geneva College of Arts & Sciences14. 32 young people aged 17 to 20 were enrolled at the Institute that year, following a test which they had taken previously in their respective countries. They essentially came from Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Israel, Iran, Greece and France. The 4 years of study at the Technicum were rewarded with the degree of Engineer in the Arts and Sciences of Geneva. Classes at the Institute, were held in spacious classrooms, taught by the same teachers who taught at the Technicum. In December 1959, an examination was held in the lecture theatre at the Institute to determine which of the students could go directly for admission into the second year at the Technicum. One third of them passed the examination, whilst the others prepared for admission into the first year, This type of training would continue for over twenty years. Students from 1980-1984 were the last to see this type of training. Life at the Institute Students would stay at the Institute for the first year, and even the second sometimes. They then had to find accommodation in Geneva. In Anières, they were fed and accommodated and their laundry done. The Management literally groomed this tiny world. In fact, on the ground floor, the Institute had a superb little kitchen16, many bedrooms on the first and second floors, and an extremely efficient laundry room in the basement, which also housed many spacious shower rooms. A comfortable and well-stocked library, on the first floor, provided the ideal setting for studying after class. The synagogue (with two copies of the Torah) held more than 50 people. A comfortable television room was the meeting place, especially for broadcasting of major football matches… Meals were served in the large dining room by two young, Italian servers (they were known by the wonderful names Graziella and Romilda) and they were as adorable as they were efficient. The truth was that the staff, qualified, were geniuses at making the stays of us, the students, as pleasant as possible. Outside, there was a basketball court, a space for volleyball, and a real football pitch. On Friday evening, after dinner, we were entitled to “Oneg Shabbat” (Shabbat sweets) under the leadership of Hebrew teacher M. Joseph Daniéli17. This was the time to sing of the wonders of our childhood, and especially sample the cakes and delicious beverages which were served to us. On Saturday, sport ruled; teams got together at around 11:00 a.m. for memorable football matches! Our basketball and football teams would also play in the Geneva Championships. “Maccabi” tournaments, organised annually, were also the occasion, for players in Anières, to make ourselves stand out in these disciplines.

Students at Anières in 1959 during a UN visit 14 M. Louis Huguenin was, for a long time, the talented Director. 15 Full medical care, dental care and eye examinations were provided. 16 Mme. Paliwoda especially sought to ensure observation of “Catcherout” rules. 17 M. Joseph Daniéli taught Hebrew and, bringing plenty of flavour them, the Bible and Jewish history. With a most alluring personality, vibrant homage was paid to him in 1994, paid in his presence at the Maison Juive in Geneva, by the Friends and Former Students of Anières.

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A former student18 now recalls: “We came from Tunis. We lived in innocence and indolence. The only thing special about us was our affective links. Still dazzled by the sun of our own country, we got off the train in really grey weather, at Cornavin station. In this cold, austere atmosphere, we curiously watched these people, with their wan colouring, in the grey uniforms worn by the officials in charge of our medical examinations, which we passed with flying colours. What strange precautions! It was then time to leave for… the ORT Anières Institute in all its glory. The weather was overcast, the countryside arid; we eventually arrived at a building which looked huge to me. There was no going back. I felt cut off from the world outside. By that November, it was very cold. I would cross the long corridors, no decorations on the walls. The large hall, opening out onto the surrounding countryside, had large frescos in colours which really brought out the glory of work. I took possession of my room, with a mezzanine set aside for six people. Slowly, I emptied my suitcase. I had arrived. I no longer belonged anywhere. On our beds, the linen bore a strange inscription, “Vivre” [“Living”]. I stared at it for ages. That moment marked an abrupt end to my past. Things would never be the same again. I went into deep depression… I was so far away from the affection of my friends and family…

A bedroom19 which could take up to six students

The Library on the first floor 18 Freddy Sarfaty, born in Tunis, was from 1956-57, a student at the Institute, then later at the “Technicum”, where he obtained his Engineering degree. In 1971, he formed Versoix, near Geneva, an industrial company specialising in automation, employing several hundred people and which he would successfully direct for more than 30 years. Of course, he would offer many positions to young Engineering graduates from ORT. 19 These two photographs courtesy of the World ORT Archive, London.

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Music at the Institute The students at the Institute loved singing. Those who came from North Africa or France had brought with them the airs in vogue (we could not yet say: tubes) of the ’50s and ’60s. Those who came from Israel would rather hum patriotic songs, often in unison, and soon, all of the others would join in. In the long corridors of the Institute, it was not unusual to hear hummed the well-known Italian airs of the time: “Come prima”, “Tintarella di Luna” and many other successes from the peninsula. At other times, it was the songs of Charles Aznavour, Georges Moustaki and even Nat King Cole. There was one which everyone would sing on the coach which would, daily, take us from the Institute to the Technicum; the mythical song composed by Georges Moustaki for Edith Piaf “Allez venez Milord”. In 1959, I remember, a chorale20 of more than 20 students was quickly formed, and we would proudly sing at major occasions, especially during end-of-year prizegivings21. Once a week, a singing teacher22 would come from outside to teach us to breathe, project our words, sing out loud and maintain the rhythm. As if we really did sing our hearts out: many of us lacked the bare essentials needed for singing. There is no doubt that these lessons had a wonderful effect on our vocal abilities… And then, on Sunday morning, in the lecture theatre, where the acoustics were best, it was quite often our turn to switch on the tape recorder, the Revox as it was known, and blast the place with classical music. Dancing Most student dancing took place on Geneva’s two dance floors, the Grillon and the Mylord. So on Fridays and Saturday nights, many of us would dance, the occasion to risk inviting a young girl to dance with. During the rock, cha-cha-cha and slow era. Conferences Constantly at the hearts of the Directors of the Institute was to organise conferences for us, the students. Illustrious speakers were invited to talk to us in the lecture theatre, The questions and answers sessions which followed, most of the time chaired by M. V. Halperin, further increased our knowledge. They were great! Jeanne Hersch23 taught us philosophy and history, Daniel Mayer24 spoke on the model of a democratic society, Isaac Pougatch entertained us by evoking the sacrifice of major resistants during the War, and Rachel Minc, the philosopher and authoress, discussed with us her own experiences of the War and the extermination camps. Many times, V. Halperin brought us together to explain the meaning behind ORT's mission in the world. On another occasion, Jean Halperin25, his brother, I remember, discussed the role of Shabbat in the modern world. The Maison Juive This was a kind of branch of the Institute. The Maison Juive, Saint-Léger as it was known, was, for Geneva’s young Jewish community in general, and especially for students at the Institute, the cultural centre par excellence. It also served as the large Sephardic synagogue on festival days. Students from Anières went there regularly for lectures organised at the time. Often many, they would be only too pleased to fill up the small conference room to listen to major figures from Geneva, including: Jeanne Hersch, the great rabbi Alexandre Safran, Professor Shapiro, Vladimir and Jean Halperin, and even the illustrious Jean Starobinski. There, wonderful balls were also held. The Institute’s youth was known to adapt easily to the floor. They were appreciated by young, well-to-do girls, both for their ability to dance and as brilliant conversationalists (not to say flirts). 20 This would happen several times at the Maison Juive on rue Saint-Léger, and at the annual festival at the Technicum. 21 The Government Minister for the Department of Public Instruction, M. André Chavanne, attended these ceremonies regularly. 22 This was M. Panosetti from Geneva. 23 Jeanne Hersch was the daughter of Polish engineers. Her father, Liebmann, was Professor of Demography and Statistics and the University of Geneva; her mother, Liba Lichtenbaum, was a doctor, and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Geneva for about thirty years. This wonderful woman was surely one of the most inspiring personalities in the Cité de Calvin and beyond. 24 Daniel Mayer, former Secretary to Leon Blum, was, in France, Minister of Employment and Social Security from 1946 to 1949and Chairman of the Constitutional Council. He had strong ties with Israel and was ORT France Chairman for many years in the meanwhile. 25 Jean Halperin, author and philosopher, was Professor at the University of Fribourg and at the UN in Geneva.

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The contribution made by students at Anières to Jewish life in Geneva Many of them had wonderful Sephardic inspiration, so powerful in the countries where they had been born. ORT students regularly contributed towards Jewish life in Geneva. They often provided the “miniane” at the large Hekhal Haness synagogue. One of them would even serve as the officiating minister26. They were sometimes asked to cover wakes at the Veyrier or Carouge cemetery. Some of them took part in the ceremony to welcome Moroccan immigrant children to Morgins27 as part of the OSE. Many were involved with the Geneva Jewish Students’ Association. Finally, the Institute would often help the Jewish community in La Chaux-de-Fonds28. Transport from the Institute to Geneva Daily, the Institute’s Management would organise transport to Geneva during the day and early evening. However, at night, to get to Geneva, to the cinema, to go dancing or have a drink, the only way of getting there was to hitch-hike. We would walk to the border post at Veigy-Foncenex, and there, we would put our thumbs up in the hope that a car driver would stop. In general, getting to Geneva was not a problem. But when, at about two o’clock in the morning, we had to get back to Anières, it was a completely different story, Sometimes, we would divide ourselves up into groups of 4 or 5 and take a taxi. But usually, we would hitch-hike. Everyone found themselves waiting for hours until a willing car pulled up. And when winter came, with Geneva’s North wind on the Gustave Ador platform, we had to be contented with a high dose of optimism and stay calm! Figures30 of the Institute At the Institute, there was firstly the Director31, who would receive his instructions from the Central Office in Varembe32, with whom, most of the time, we had a good hierarchical rapport. For him, it was essentially about ensuring the respect of the Institute’s interior regulations and ensuring everyone’s safety. The Management33 Secretary, a lovely woman aged about fifty, yet still very good-looking, had a friendly relationship with us, coloured with deep respect. In fact, word spread that she had survived the horror of the concentration camps. She would kindly help us solve minor, day-to-day problems (transport, film bookings, enrolment, official papers, doctor’s/dentist’s appointments, etc.). She always had a beaming smile. She would often be delighted to provide us with a piano accompaniment during our singing sessions. The most colourful person was undoubtedly the Chief Bursar: M. César Sacerdote34. He would rigorously direct the department which dealt as much with the establishment’s financial affairs as college logistics. Nothing which, at the time, required expenditure would be undertaken without M. Sacerdote's35 approval. His very marked Italian accent, the very stylised way in which he said things, his “late 19th-century attire, his natural severity, somewhat contrasting with the generosity with which he covered himself with scents, and the wave he carefully gave to his thinning hair, made him stand out and... the most feared person in Anières. Moreover, the Institute’s regulations stated that no foreigner was permitted to sleep there. 26 This was Michel Cohen, who entered Anières in 1960. 27 In the summer of 1960, for six weeks, a group of three students from the Institute kept Morgins alive, this a camp for young Jews from Morocco, leaving for Israel. 28 Several times. The rabbi of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Isaac Rouch, would ask the Institute if he could borrow a Sephardic Torah. 29 Some. They were very rare, and had managed to get a car. 30 With their valuable advice and the financial assistance they provided, for the satisfactory running of the establishment, important Jews from around Geneva would work to support the Institute’s activities. In particular, it is worth mentioning: Mme. Jacqueline Maus, M. Claude Bigart and M. Pierre de Toledo. 31 In the beginning, in the 1950s, the Director was M. Berlan, assisted by M. Dupraz, the famous Technical Director, who was never really replaced. M. Volski was appointed in 1957-58. In 1959, for a year, M. Robin Gilbert directed the Institute, before continuing his career abroad. Then, there was M. Alexandre Magat, who was its Director for several years. From 1970 onwards, M. Sjazn took the Management of the Institute, staying to the end. 32 Until the 1980s, the Director of the Central Office was M. Vladimir Halperin. 33 The charming, gracious Mme. Warm, as at ease behind her desk as sitting at the piano, the black-tailed member of the Institute. 34 His parents were actually called Cohen, but because of the vicissitudes of the inter-War period, they had to change their name to something else, something they wanted to remain as close as possible to the original. 35 M. Sacerdote also taught some very valuable lessons in accounting to students at the Technicum and the Institute. Alas, he did not have the career he deserved, within the World ORT Union.

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Also, in 1959, a nightwatchman36 had been recruited. His role was to carefully note in a log students’ night arrival times and especially, check that they were all asleep… each in their own bed. That meant that there was no-one of the opposite sex around. At the time – we were still far from ’68 – there was absolutely no tolerance where that was concerned. And then, in September 1960, to the delight of the increasing number of students (the number doubled in two years), the Management recruited a boarding school head37. In the beginning, his role was not clearly understood by the students. Or it was insufficiently explained by the Management. However, everything was back in order within a few months and the boarding school head, with his patience, proved that he was a nice person, that he was a born teacher and that he would be efficient in his tricky role. The teachers at the Institute There were quite a few of them38. Together, they all contributed towards making us responsible gentlemen. In contact with them, we realised that strictness and generosity could go hand-in-hand. Some had the same youthful minds as we did. Young mines of information, we would easily be impressed at the wonders of some of the things they did for us. If I had to name just one of them, it would be M. Pierre Bolli, the Mathematics teacher at the Technicum, who, in 1959, taught us, at the Institute, algebra, trigonometry and calculus… Furthermore, one evening, in front of two classes joined together, correcting an algebra test in which we had all “dried up”, he had, for several minutes, gone completely silent with his long and delicate demonstration of algebra. Simplifying and substitution go well together. With great concentration, we followed him and really thought, “Surely this will fail” as the progression was complex; the two drop-down blackboards were almost completely full of chalk, when suddenly, with a round of applause, he concluded with the answer! Amazing! He then looked at us for a moment and nonchalantly put the chalk on the desk. In a class of his own, he would never leave it alone… M. Alex Botkine taught descriptive geometry. With that young attractiveness, he had a wonderful blond moustache and wore wide-checked shirts. He was a very colourful teacher, both in terms of how he spoke and his kind, familiar attitude, In his free time, he was also a jazz and Russian folk musician. He conducted his own orchestra: the Botkineboys and would not hesitate to talk to us about it… sometimes even during class time. Memories of him are that he was a wonderful teacher who would try out anything: would he ever go as far as to teach Physics and… even German at the Technicum. Madame Hannah Pirenne, our French teacher, was Aaron Syngalowski’s daughter. Always strikingly dressed in “bon-chic-bon genre” outfits, she especially stood out as she managed to bring to an end our doubts about very subtle verb agreements in pronominal form. She did not leave a stone unturned and instilled in all of us an interest in speaking and writing correctly in the language of Molière. The legendary Joseph Daniéli, the Hebrew teacher, you might say, led a so-called “double life”. The owner of a flourishing fabric company on Place de Rive, he was also a real erudite both in Modern Hebrew (he was Israeli) and biblical history. A polyglot, tolerant, he was an indefatigable speaker! In front of our very eyes, he knew how to unravel the essential pages of biblical history and even helped us discover the real meaning of Judaism. Time spent in his company was most enriching. M. Bassin, a specialist in Technical Drawing for Mechanical Engineering, had something really debonair about him. Flanked by his eternal hat, this great man was both smiling, competent and generous. He would sometimes advise us right in the middle of a class and would, in a lively manner, relate the details of the first hesitant paces of helicopter pioneers. Proudly, he could not resist adding that he was one of them… M. Grobet, whose laid-back attitude was as unequalled as it was elegant, also taught Technical Drawing. He had a special gift for cavalier or… isometric perspectives. With a keen interest in sport, he was the one who, in Anières, in 1960, organised the famous football match40 between the Technicum and the Institute, which the latter won41 1-0.! 36 His name has remained in everyone’s memories. M. Uldry. 37 M. Maurice Aboudaram, then junior Management at the AIU and a disciple of the philosopher Emmanuel Levinais, owes his arrival in Anières to a meeting in Strasbourg with the Jewish thinker, A. Neher. He came to the Institute with all of his family and always proved most co-operative with students. In the meanwhile, he was also, for four years, assistant to Jean Piaget and, for twenty years, contributed towards education and perfection in ORT Colleges worldwide. 38 Here, we should remember Henri Wermus, who was Professor of Mathematics at the University of Geneva, and a teacher at the Technicum and the Institute in Anières. He published many works on the logic of mental function. Born in Warsaw, he came through the drama of war, and during the era, wrote a poignant book, “Le Temps de la Déchirure” [“When the World was Torn Apart”]. 39 She was the daughter-in-law of the famous Belgian historian Henri Pirenne. Her sister, Lya Syngalowska, also taught French during the first few years of the Institute. Former students recall this period, when she would stage plays with student instructors. 40 The author of these lines remembers them as he was the team’s goalkeeper. 41 Against all the odds, as the Technicum team had as a centre-forward a striker from Geneva’s Servette Football Club!

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The various (and often brilliant) paths taken by Anières students - Those who came in the first year: As was said earlier, there were some top-flight instructors. Highly motivated, they taught42 in the many professional ORT Colleges. In so doing, they in turn trained thousands of young Jews, with devotion and passion, instilling their knowledge in them; accordingly, they used their talent to accomplish ORT’s historic mission. After their (sometimes long) missions abroad, many of them returned to do other things within the World ORT Union.

• Joël Szajn, having been an instructor at ORT in Tunis, was appointed Director of ORT in Tunisia44, then from 1970 onwards, Director of the ORT Central Institute in Anières.

• Simon Feldman, after a career as an instructor, was appointed to the post of Director of ORT Technical Support. • In 1951, M. Adam Scherrer taught Mechanical Engineering in Tunis; he then returned as Director of ORT

Technical Support. He founded and then for over eighteen years directed the Office for the Promotion of Industry (OPI) in Geneva.

• Nathan Frati, one of the few instructors with a degree in the Cold. His devotion and mastery of his field of expertise firstly led him to Tunis, and then to Iran, where, in the meanwhile, he would teach. He returned to Geneva, where he would take up several management posts in the field of Technical Support.

• Benjamin Ittah would teach Technical Drawing for many years at ORT Aïn Sebaa near Casablanca. He then set up in Geneva, where he took up a management post at the Battelle Research Institute.

• Joseph Guedj, who graduated as an instructor in the 1950s, had a notable career at ORT in India. He left in 1964 to teach Precision Mechanics there; a few years later, he would be appointed Technical Director, then Director General, of two (co-educational) colleges of ORT in India.

Graduates of the Technicum in Geneva They came to Anières to gain the coveted diploma Engineer in the Arts and Sciences of Geneva. At the end of their four (sometimes five) years of studies, some were soon snapped up by the ORT Central Office45 to teach in ORT Colleges. Others enrolled for ORT missions in technical co-operation.

• Gideon Meyer came to Anières in 1960. After his Doctorate, he spent a great many years at ORT. In 1999, he was appointed Deputy Director General of World ORT in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

• Henri Lévy would go to ORT in Iran to teach there for many years. Appointed Technical Director, whilst there, he especially developed teaching methods. He would then occupy a number of posts in the World ORT Union, and would, in 1996, be appointed Director of International Co-operation in charge of the Geneva Office. Since 2010, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the World ORT and the “International Co-operation” committee.

• Michel Malka, who came to Anières in 1959, went on to specialise in Metallurgy. He left to teach at ORT in India. On his return, he would firstly be appointed Professor of Metallurgy, then Dean of the Geneva College of Engineering (EIG) (formerly the Geneva College of Arts & Sciences)

• After gaining his instructor’s diploma in 1957, Victor Allali attended evening classes at the Technicum. He then gained his degree in Physics from the University of Geneva. He then went to the ORT Central Office46 in Geneva, and then for many years, taught Physics at the Geneva College of Engineering.

• Jacky Cabessa (active 1960) gained his degree from the University of Geneva. He became a Mathematics teacher at the EIG for twenty-five years. He also taught at the Institute for many years, both preparing students for admission to the EIG and in ORT Technical Support.

42 Nearly 200 people taught in ORT Colleges in Israel, North Africa, Iran, France, Belgium, Italy and India. Let us cite just some of the ones we either knew or met: M. Abou, M. V. Pavoncello, M. B. Ittah, M. N. Frati and M. P. Abergel. 43 M. Szajn would credited with bringing the first students to the Institute. 44 Maxime Mimouni, who came to the Institute in 1956 to study Technical Drawing for Mechanical Engineering there, would become its loyal colleague, firstly in Tunis and then in Geneva. 45 Accordingly, let us mention M. Léon Aleinick, who was firstly a violinist at the OSR, then a teacher at the Technicum, then Technical and Teaching Advisor at the ORT Central Office. He played an active role in appointing young graduates to ORT missions abroad. 46 M. David Alberstein, in Geneva at the time, was World ORT Director of Operations.

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• Claude Sabbah, a 1973 EIG graduate, would spend his whole career at ORT. Firstly, he taught Mathematics and Physics at ORT in Montreuil and at ORT on rue des Rosiers in Paris. In 1978, he joined the Technical Management at ORT in Tehran. The country’s political situation led him to return to France in 1979. He then became Director of Studies at ORT in Toulouse from 1979 to 1981. In 1981, he took up a Management post at the centre in Strasbourg (over 500 students).

• Roger Chantiel, an Architecture graduate, would enter the City of Geneva (15 years) before going freelance. Inter alia, he would refurbish the Hôtel Richemond in Geneva. Since 2010, he has chaired the Jewish Community of Geneva (CIG),

However, because of falling demand for ORT’s requirements, many Technicum graduates could not commit themselves to the Organisation. Attached to the Cité de Calvin where they felt at home, they stayed in Geneva. Some of them continued to study. They enrolled at the University of Geneva, gaining either a degree in Mathematics, or a degree in Physics. Others studied at the EPFL47, and even at the College of Architecture48. Most of them were at the end of their university studies, involved in the Department of Public Instruction, at the time directed by the great friend of the Institute, André Chavanne. Some were appointed teachers in different cycles of Orientation. Others were appointed teachers at the Geneva College of Engineering. Finally, others set up in France, Belgium and elsewhere. One student who came to Anières in 1960, Isaac Benguigui, had a remarkable career: after studying Engineering, he obtained a degree and then a Doctorate in Physical Sciences. He has taught at the University of Geneva for twenty-five years. He is also known for his books: “Les Nobel Juifs de Chimie – Le Partage du Savoir au XXième Siècle” amongst others [Jewish Winners of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry – Knowledge-sharing in the 20th Century”]. Others became real masters of industry. Thus, Gilbert Zerah directed a major study office50, of international renown, specialising in the design and construction of abattoirs. Last but not least, others, with panache, went to work in industry in Geneva51, Zurich52, Paris53 or Africa54. ORT’s main mission, through all of these successes, indisputable and no longer amazing, was confirmed. Profound acknowledgement of the students of Anières. This was expressed in this recent account by Louis Dreyfuss, a student from the 1960s: “Anières was the wonderful fraternity of a whole, voluntary Group which had a broadly identical philosophical conception of life, with virtually the same social origin. We, young and naïve, benefited at the time from a unique system which can probably never be reproduced, i.e. that we were fed, accommodated, we had our laundry done for us, we were instructed, protected, cared for, etc., … all that, free of charge, in an idyllic setting. Would anyone dare say that they could do better? That day, when we were chosen, we had, without knowing it, won the Jackpot. In the 1960s, whilst we were privileged students “with no commercial value” (in the broadest sense of the term). Life in Geneva was indeed easier than in other countries, where neither money, nor any jobs, were guaranteed. We were foreigners in magnificent, rich country, but at no time did I feel foreign, either in my studies, or at different stages of what I did”. 47 Armand Chettrit is now Director of Technical Infrastructures at Philip Morris in Lausanne; Samuel Mamane directs his own IT training firm; Noni Benchetrit is involved with fortune management, having taught at the EIG. 48 P. Szabady became distinguished from the 1980s onwards, as the precursor of solar architecture in Switzerland. He has written many works in this field. 49 There were about ten in this case, all contributing towards the spread of education in Geneva. From memory, we note: Moise Amsellem, Simon Benaroche, Isaac Assor, Nessim Myara and Huber Sitbon, who, after a career in the SIP, also taught at the EIG. 50 Louis Dreyfuss became its Technical Director. 51 Lucien Néjar would direct the Regulation Department at Technicair; Jean Boccara successfully applied to an American multinational; Marcel Sayag, after a career at the BBC, would direct a major cleaning company; David Haddad, after passing through Consulting, would form his own plumbing-bathroom company; Elias Frjia is now CEO of an IT company; Gérard Guez, after a brief career at 3M, would open one of the most famous “ready-to-wear” shops in Geneva; Charles Krief has become one of the most prominent tradesmen on the Place de Genève. 52 Jacques Lévy, the author of these lines, would emigrate to Zurich, where he would be appointed Vice-Chairman of a major multinational. An international orator, he would publish several books in the field of international communications, as well as in that of technical building management. He has also taught in several hospitality management colleges in Switzerland. Charles Sroussi, in the same multinational, would direct Technical Support at the International Distributors’ Network; at SBT International, he would then take up a management post. 53 Isaac Benisty (air conditioning), André Stioui (BP) and Julien Guez (IBM) would take up management posts in these companies. 54 Georges Garby now directs a company in water treatment and use of power stations in Nigeria.

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Today, all students from the Institute, without exception, have wonderful memories of Anières which cannot be changed. Quite simply, they know that those years, lived in the cocoon of the Institute were decisive in their lives, both personal and professional. ORT Technical Support55 at Anières In parallel with this major business56, from 1974 to 1993, through financing from the Swiss Department of Development and Co-operation (DDC), more than 450 instructors, from countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America were trained at Anières as instructors in very diverse fields. In the early 1990s, with demand for instructors from the world network of Professional ORT Colleges falling considerably, the World ORT decided to stop training instructors. In parallel, the DDC decided to orientate its activities elsewhere, and so to no longer train future instructors from developing countries. Therefore, the World ORT decided to close Anières temporarily. One or two years later, after refurbishing the buildings and classrooms, the attempt was made to launch a specialist IT management programme for senior ORT teachers. This burden was, it would appear, too much for the World ORT budget. Things were resolved. in 1997, with the sale of Anières to the Geneva authorities. Nowadays, the Institute is used as a Refugee Centre, housing people from the republics of the former Eastern bloc. So that we do not forget it, the Friends and Former Students of Anières (3A) More than twenty-five years ago now, the Institute’s students formed the Friends and Former students of Anières. Since then, they have met regularly to enjoy reminiscing on their younger years, their student heyday. What they do is recreational, cultural and social. Meeting up43 also helps improve the infrastructures of some of the ORT Colleges. Nowadays, when they meet up, 30, 40 or even 50 years afterwards, their hair has gone white, but they still retain that spirit which makes them receptive to what is good, wonderful and great, people “receptive to messages from human nature and infinity59”. They remain amazingly young. Conclusion Since it was founded in 1881, the tasks done by ORT worldwide have been innumerable, and have had far-reaching implications! The extraordinary adventure of the ORT Central Institute in Anières is surely one of the greatest chapters in its history. Even today, all of the students who came to Anières, their hearts filled with hope, to acquire new knowledge, retain in their memories the profound souvenir of the place, which was undoubtedly where they spent the best years of their lives.

Jacques Lévy, Zurich, December 2011 Postscript: Saying everything, relating everything, and mentioning everything has, at the end of this document, suddenly becomes an impossible operation: these years of study were so full of marvels. The format of this communication is deliberately limited to some ten pages and evidence would have to be found to fill in the gaps. To anyone whom I have forgotten: please forgive me. If their names do not appear here, they have merely been forgotten. 55 It was M. Eugène Abrams, from the senior management of the World ORT, who actually brought about this major division. 56 Already in 1966, under the impulse of M. Alexandre Magat and Georges Cohen (who taught Technical Support for many years in Africa), in conjunction with Revox, the first language laboratory in Switzerland was being created at the Institute. The precursor in this field, the system was first used at the EIG. It was then applied to the whole of the Geneva canton. The laboratory then provided some wonderful services to train foreign students. 57 The Friends and Former Students of Anières has over 300 members. More than half live in Geneva and neighbouring France. 58 The Friends and Former Students of Anières took part in the project “World ORT’s Regeneration”. In 2007, it offered new IT equipment to the “Shalom Haleikhem” ORT College in Vilnius. 58 According to the wonderful formula of the Jewish author, Samuel Ullman, in his famous poem: Youth.