OU TO OFFER FREE TRIPS TO ISRAEL EVERY SIX WEEKS AS IT DEVELOPS ‘BRAND NAME PARTNERSHIPS’; YOM YERUSHALAYIM WRITING CONTEST, NOW IN PROGRESS, TO DETERMINE FIRST WINNER
Didn’t win the lottery? Struck out on your synagogue raffle? Don’t despair. The Orthodox Union is coming to the rescue by offering free round trips to Israel every six weeks over the course of the year through a partnership with Israir, the Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel and Nefesh B’Nefesh.
In addition to the free round-trip to Israel, courtesy of Israir, the prize also includes a free week’s stay at the magnificent Renaissance, courtesy of the hotel where the OU has held its last two national conventions, as well as a tour of historical sites, courtesy of Nefesh B’Nefesh, the organization which assists Jews in making aliyah.
The free trips are a part of a new initiative by the OU to strengthen its ties with Jewish-related businesses and other organizations for their mutual benefit — a way to bring their “brand” names before wider audiences.
The initial first prize will be given to the winner of a Yom Yerushalayim Essay Writing Contest, now in progress. Information can be found on the OU website, www.ou.org. The contest is open to anyone 14 years of age and older; essays are limited to 700 words with a deadline of May 13.
“The OU is delighted to offer free trips to Israel in cooperation with our partners, and this is just the first step,” declared OU President Stephen J. Savitsky. “We know that the winners will be thrilled and we expect substantial participation in our contests. The relationships with Israir, the Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel and Nefesh B’Nefesh are the kind of ties we will be developing with other organizations,” he said.
According to Barry Mase, OU Media Sales Director, “In addition to contests for free-trips to Israel, over the course of the year we hope to offer a variety of other competitions and prizes from significant partners who support our efforts here at the OU.”
Mr. Mase continued, “The OU’s mission, to a large extent, is to make it easier to live an observant Jewish life. Our partnerships with like-minded organizations help to enhance Jewish living, while at the same time creating a tangible benefit for companies that wish to reach the OU’s audience, thereby effectively branding their company with the OU’s goals and values.”
Stuart Katz, President and Managing Director of Israir agrees. “We hope that our developing relationship with the OU will be further strengthened and through these ties afford more people the opportunity to visit and support Israel.”
For more information on Yom Yerushalayim Essay Writing Contest and all future OU contests, log-on to the OU website, www.ou.org.
For information on how organizations can partner with the OU in this endeavor, contact Mr. Mase at 212-613-8176 or maseb@ou.org.