Passport to Freedom, c. 1948

Narrated documentary about ORT's activities in Europe's displaced persons (DP) camps after the Second World War. The film begins with an introduction showing scenes from the liberation of the concentration camps and views of DP camps and their inhabitants. It then discusses ORT's work within the camps, providing education and vocational skills in numerous professions. Scenes from various camps show students engaged in work. Jacob Oleiski is seen outside the ORT Landsberg Mechanical Center. The ORT central warehouse, where equipment and supplies were sent from around the world is shown. Scenes from a number of courses are intercut with displays of student work. This includes workshops and classrooms in sewing, nursing, technical dental work, carpentry and upholstery, typewriter repair, art and design, watch making, movie projection, car mechanics, building and agriculture and more. An emphasis is placed on providing skills that will enable students to emigrate to Palestine and support the new Jewish nation. A special unit for recovering TB patients which allows them to improve their health while gaining work skills is also shown. Finally students are shown receiving their ORT graduation diploma - their passport to freedom. The film concludes by stating that ORT is moving towards providing the same skills to non-Jewish communities in Europe as well as to Jewish communities outside Europe in places such as North Africa.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• World ORT
• displaced persons
• DPs
• DP camps
• Vocational Schools
• Landsberg DP camp