In an effort to bring additional benefits to its members, the Orthodox Union today announced the OU Preferred Vendors Network, in which OU members will receive significant discounts at a wide variety of stores, restaurants, and other merchants, simply by presenting their OU membership card.
Already, hundreds of vendors nationwide have signed up for the plan, with a substantial number in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, as well as in Great Neck and the Five Towns on Long Island. More and more are signing up weekly both in your community, additional communities, and nationwide.
For a listing of merchants in your area and nationwide, go to www.ou.org and click on OU Membership.
“This is a win-win situation for OU members and for the preferred vendors as well,” declared OU President Stephen J. Savitsky. “OU members, who have always recognized the rewards of supporting an organization that works on behalf of the Jewish people worldwide, in addition now will enjoy the tangible benefit of discounts on everyday and luxury items just by showing their cards. Likewise, merchants can expect an influx of business by displaying the colorful window decal which reads, ‘We honor the Orthodox Union Membership Benefits Card.’”
Full OU membership begins at $54 per year. “To get these benefits,” Mr. Savitsky pointed out, “you have to join the OU as an individual member. The benefits are not automatically extended to members of OU synagogues.”
The businesses that have signed up nationwide include kosher bakeries and restaurants (including pizzerias and ice cream parlors) and Judaica stores. In addition, there are clothing stores for adults and children, as well as shoe stores. Other participating merchants sell appliances, cell phones, eyeglasses, party supplies, printing, pharmaceuticals, wines and liquors, furniture, artwork, jewelry, gifts, sporting goods, dry cleaning, locks, furs and even upholstery. (While every community nationwide offers the restaurants and Judaica stores, individual communities will be represented in a variety of the above categories, although not all.)
The Orthodox Union offers four full membership categories:
* $54, Full Member: entitles members to the membership card; a subscription to the OU’s Jewish Action magazine; Members Insurance Program (accident protection, catastrophic major medical, disability income, long-term care, medicare supplement and term life); a pocket calendar diary of the Jewish year, including the Mincha and Maariv services; discounts at OU programs; and an OU tote bag;
* $100, Family Membership: All of the above for all members of a family;
* $500, VIP Member: All of the above plus a special gift and a subscription to the Behind the OU Symbol Magazine of the Kosher Division;
* $1,800 Lifetime Member: All of the above plus a dedication plaque on the donor wall at OU headquarters.
For further information on becoming an OU member, contact Eva Holczer at 212-613-8317, or holczere@ou.org. For further information on becoming a Preferred Vendor, call 212-613-8141.