OpenDor Media – To develop multimedia resources and launch professional development offerings on Israel education to support elementary school educators in fostering early positive Israel engagement among students.

How do you hope that OpenDor Media’s multimedia resources will impact Israel education in the Jewish community?

In the Jewish education world, Israel-related content and curricula are generally only introduced in middle school, and consequently, there has not been content to educate younger learners about Israel’s history, culture, and context in all its beauty and complexity. Through Unpacked Jr. content, we aim to fill that gap. Our hope is that through our content and curriculum, young Jewish learners will develop a positive enduring relationship with Israel, while being introduced to complex topics about Israel in an accessible and engaging format. 

What inspired you to do this work to uplift Israel education in the American Jewish communities’ elementary schools?

As a leader in Jewish and Israel-focused media, we at OpenDor Media recognized the urgent need to extend our educational outreach to elementary school-aged students as a vital response to the growing need for informed, transparent, and sensitive Israel education for children at a foundational level so they have an understanding of the history.  

What was your experience of Israel education like growing up? How does your own experience impact how you hope to improve Israel education for Jewish youth today?

I grew up in a Zionist home, attending schools and camps that celebrated Israel. I felt deeply connected, but my formal Israel education didn’t begin until 12th grade, during the Second Intifada, in an advocacy-driven approach focused on media bias. While well-intentioned, it felt incomplete. That experience led me to write my doctorate on Israel education, shaping my vision: young Jewish learners should develop both an affection for Israel and a nuanced understanding of its complexities through exposure to diverse perspectives. Unpacked Jr. starts to bring this vision to life in an age-appropriate way, providing knowledge, context, and curiosity to foster an informed, lifelong connection to Israel.