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.