ENRICHING lives. EDUCATING children. EMBRACING Judaism.
Rabbi Chaim Mintz

Rabbi Chaim Mintz
begins Jewish Outreach

First Fundraising Events
Including a popcorn sale,
a petting zoo, and carnivals

Shabbat Packages
Distributed in Staten Island

Chanukah Menorah Distribution Begins

First Sukkahs
Distributed in Tristate Area
First Public Purim Seudah

Shalom Chesed Fund Begins

First Tuition Scholarship Awarded

First Chavrusa (Torah Partnership) Program

Oorah Branded as Kiruv Rechokim

Volunteer Tutoring Program Begins

Initiated Program to Sell Chometz

Kars4Kids Founded
First Simchas Beis Hashoeva
Annual Oorah Auction Begins
Horeini Torah Center Opened

Cucumber Communications Founded

Oorah.org Website Launched

Auction Extends to Israel

Oorah Becomes Incorporated in the USA

Kirby Card Program Begins

First Radiothon

Oorah Endorsed by 50 Jewish Leaders

GirlZone Opens summer camp in the Poconos
First Shabbat with Oorah Weekend Retreat with 80 Participants

Official TorahMates Program Begins
Oorah Moves to Accommodate 100+ Employees
Holiday Gift Program Expands
Jewish GirlZone Website Launched
The Israel Connection

Purim Seudah Moves to Lakewood
GirlZone Moves to Gilboa, NY
Boyzone Begins in Gilboa, NY
Jewish BoyZone Website Launched
Oorah Incorporated in Canada and Israel

Oorah's Auction Mascot Fiveish Created
Rebbetzins Matchmaking Program Begins
Designer Sukkahs
Fundraising Project Launched

First Annual Free Chanukah Concert
with famous Jewish singers

First Shmorg Released
First Public Sukkos in Camp
TorahSpot Weekly Classes Begin
Avos U’Banim Learning Program Begins in Brooklyn

Torahmates Mileage Program Begins
Little Star Preschool Opens in Staten Island
Avos U’banim Expands to Queens

Avos U’banim Name Changed to Chillzone
Chillzone Girls Begins
TorahMates exceeds 1000 Pairs
Oorah’s Camps Now Called TheZone

TheZone Website Launched
First Public Seder at TheZone
Cucumber Energy Program Begins
Shabbat with Oorah Exceeds 600 Participants

The Beginning of Oorah

 

Back in 1972, Rabbi Chaim Mintz stopped at a gas station and struck up a conversation with the Jewish mechanic. “Where do your children go to school?” the Rabbi inquired. The mechanic admitted that his children attended the local public school and really were ignorant of their Jewish heritage. So Rabbi Mintz made an offer – he’d get them into a Jewish school, and he’d raise the money for tuition. The mechanic agreed. This was the beginning of Oorah's history.

This was Rabbi Chaim Mintz’s first success in reaching out to Jewish people with a warm and loving heart and a huge desire to make a difference. This accomplishment also paved the way for many, many future successful endeavors. In the early days, Rabbi Mintz would ride the streets of Staten Island looking for houses with electric menorahs, knock on those doors, offering a heartfelt gift of Chanukah essentials, and open a conversation about the children’s Jewish education.

Since its humble beginning, Oorah developed into a professional non-profit, multifaceted organization offering social, educational, and religious services to thousands of families throughout the world. Oorah’s dozens of programs have broadened Rabbi Chaim Mintz’s impact, continuing each year to carry out his vision with care and dedication.