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To be the address for the most engaging, informative and inspiring Jewish- and Israel-related educational media.
Since 2009 we have been pioneers in the production of the most engaging, informative and inspiring Jewish- and Israel-related educational media, bringing ideas, values and stories to life for a global audience of millions.Â
Through a network of educational institutions, communal organizations and digital channels, and with support from the philanthropic community, we strengthen the understanding and enduring personal connection of young Jews and their peers to Judaism, Israel and the Jewish people.
Our award-winning films have been screened at hundreds of film festivals worldwide and in thousands of communities. Our digital edutainment brand, Unpacked, reaches an audience of millions annually via its website and podcasts, and across all social media platforms. Our films and videos, accompanied by extensive educational resources, are featured on Unpacked for Educators, a digital resource that reaches thousands of educators worldwide.
A celebrated designer whose work has been featured by the likes of Google and Instagram. He comes to OpenDor Media with over sixteen years’ experience in visual design, user-experience interactions, data analytics, coding, and development. He’s an avid creator with work that is spread across a variety of channels: from branding design to content creation, video production, and digital product development. As Creative Director at OpenDor Media, he leads the output for every product you see and focuses on crafting great experiences at every touchpoint across all of our divisions. You can find him during his spare time making handmade notebooks.
Eden is the founder and president of A Wider Frame, a digital media company that provides quick, digestible, and comprehensive Jewish and Israel- related news. She served as Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to Israel's Former Special Envoy Noa Tishby, advancing Israel’s foreign policy regarding antisemitism. Eden is one of the Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life, 2022, by Algemeiner. Before transitioning to her roles in the Jewish world, Eden practiced entertainment law in Los Angeles.
As Senior Producer at OpenDor Media, David has helped produce and distribute their feature films, introducing them to millions of viewers worldwide. He is a filmmaker with more than 20 years’ experience in the entertainment and media industry. Prior to OpenDor, he has produced numerous video and theatrical productions, including the award-winning documentary, Blindsided, which premiered on HBO Television. David believes that the Jewish people and our rich traditions are filled with so much beauty, it is this that motivates him daily to share our story with the world.
Lauren is the Head of Amplified, a program enlisting a community of content creators with a shared mission while helping them reach new heights. A seasoned executive, Lauren has almost 15 years of talent discovery and management experience at MTV Entertainment Group and Paramount, where she orchestrated and drove dynamic collaborations, strategic talent initiatives and iconic shows. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lauren is a devoted mother of two incredible boys. Her downtime is spent enjoying reality television, indulging her love for cooking & baking, and exploring new destinations.
Tania has more than 20 years of experience successfully managing and coordinating operations and projects in the Jewish and Israel nonprofit sectors as well as in the private sector. At OpenDor Media she facilitates cross-functional communication and integration, working closely with the executive team to clear bottlenecks and to develop strategies that maximize efficiency and productivity across the organization. She has a BSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics. When she’s not busy “keeping the trains running on time,” Tania loves to exercise her creative muscles designing kitchens and researching family genealogy.
Sarah Gordon is the Senior Director of Israel Education – AMER for Unpacked for Educators, a division of OpenDor Media. Previously, Sarah served as the Director of Israel Guidance and Experiential Education at Ma’ayanot High School, where she taught Talmud, chaired a course on Contemporary Israel, and brought her vision and creativity to a wide range of school programs. Sarah holds dual masters degrees in Jewish Education and Modern Jewish History from Yeshiva University, where she is currently pursuing her Ed.D as a Wexner Fellow and Davidson Scholar.
Jeff is an award winning filmmaker and storyteller with over 15 years of experience producing, directing, editing and shooting content from commercials to documentaries and feature films the world over. His filmmaking career began at the ripe age of 12 at the Sony Studios sponsored Academy of Visual and Performing Arts in Los Angeles which then led to a degree in film production and communications from Boston University. In his professional career, he co-founded Tribe Creative, a creative marketing agency servicing clients such as Google & Wix, as well as co-founding Cinemad Productions, a film production company producing feature films that have won numerous awards including Best Picture at Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival.
Sara Himeles is the Program Director at ConnectED. She is responsible for the operational execution of the program, overseeing content development, school outreach, and educational offerings. Sara brings an extensive background in content creation and strategic communications, with prior roles in the chief of staff’s office of former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, the presidential campaign of Barack Obama, and a tech company in the Bay Area. Previously, Sara served as the editor-in-chief of the Unpacked website, where she produced content that resonated with both Gen Z Jews and their non-Jewish peers. She holds a BA in communications and public service from the University of Pennsylvania and attended Fieldston School in New York City.
Beth has over 15 years of experience working in the Jewish community, mainly in Federations. At OpenDor Media, she oversees the New York region with a focus on donor cultivation and development and recruiting new partners to the organization. Beth brings her passion for Israel and Jewish identity to the organization and is driven to ensure young Jews receive the tools needed to strengthen their identity. Beth lives in New Jersey with her two children and is active in her local Jewish community. In her free time, she loves to run, travel and spend time with family and friends.
Hart comes to OpenDor Media with a wealth of experience working in the Jewish non-profit sector at organizations that include RZA-Mizrahi and the Orthodox Union. For over twelve years he worked in various capacities with Jewish young adults both on and off campus. As chief operating officer, he is responsible for helping integrate the vision, strategy and day-to-day operations of the organization. Hart earned his bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania, studied community organizing and experiential Jewish education, and received rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). When he’s not working, you will find him spreading a love of Israel, data visualizations, and hosting incredible Shabbat meals.
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Beth is in charge of all strategic initiatives related to talent acquisition, employee training and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and employee welfare. Before she came to OpenDor Media Beth enjoyed a 20-year career on Wall Street where she managed portfolios, major projects, and teams for Goldman Sachs and AllianceBernstein. Beth has a BS in Applied Economics and Business Management from Cornell University. An avid reader, she always has a book in hand. She also loves hanging out and enjoying time with her extended family.
Avi Posen is the Senior Director of Israel Education – EMEA at Unpacked for Educators, a division of OpenDor Media. His focus is on content creation and exposing Jewish educators around the world to our Unpacked for Educators materials. Avi has worked as a Judaic Studies teacher, Hillel Director and Jewish camp director. He holds a Masters in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University in New York.
Ryan serves as OpenDor Media’s Chief Marketing Officer, leading efforts to boost the organization’s visibility and impact in its vital educational mission. Prior to joining, Ryan spent 13 years at the global advertising and communications agency, Ogilvy, where he served as a trusted advisor and partner to some of the world’s biggest and most impactful brands. Driven by a passion for building meaningful relationships and fostering positive, long-lasting behavioral change, the transition to OpenDor Media was seamless. Away from the office, Ryan spends his time reading, trying to keep fit and together with his wife and children, actively involved in the community.
Jeana comes to OpenDor Media with a rich background in non-profit Jewish community-related work. She leads all fundraising efforts, developing and implementing strategy, overseeing grant writing and research, managing the fundraising team, and keeping the excitement and energy dialed up to 11. Jeana earned her BA from Yeshiva University, Stern College, with a major in psychology, and holds a master’s in community social work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Jeana is an avid reader and the mother of four beautiful children with whom she loves to travel.
Andrew is an experienced executive in educational non-profits. He has led a long list of successful social and educational programs that make a positive impact on the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel. These include founding the UK-based Forum for Jewish Leadership and serving as Director for Germany of the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. Prior to joining OpenDor Media, he was Executive VP for the Tikvah Fund in New York. Andrew is a graduate of Oxford University, where he studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He completed Executive Education programs in nonprofit management at Harvard Business School and at Columbia Business School. He now makes his home in New Jersey with his wife Leora and five children.
Raphael is a rabbi, educator and award-winning film producer. He is passionate about the power of film to educate and inspire, and brings his talent and skills as a filmmaker along with his excellent leadership abilities to help lead OpenDor Media in forward-thinking strategies and vibrant development. Raphael’s films serve as pillars of OpenDor Media’s educational curriculum and drive impact to a broad audience via broadcast, streaming, and film festivals. When he’s not telling stories on film, Raphael can be found enjoying quality time with his family or out and about on his rollerblades.
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Laura, born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, has a Master's Degree in International Law from the University of Amsterdam, and practiced law at prestigious law firms in Los Angeles. Before joining OpenDor Media, Laura worked at AIPAC for 12 years, where she was responsible for engaging and growing the base of pro-Israel political activists in Los Angeles, inspiring people to get more involved in influencing American policy in support of the U.S.-Israel alliance. She is a Schusterman Fellowship alumna, serves as the Annual Campaign Chair for de Toledo High School and is on the Baruch Link Scholar in Residence Committee at Temple Beth Am, which brings leading Israeli authors to the community for enriching conversations. Laura lives in the Beverlywood area of Los Angeles with her husband Michael, her children Yuri, Emma and Noa and dogs Charlie and Ruby.
Noam brings a decade of Jewish educational experience and leadership to OpenDor Media’s digital world. With a doctorate in educational psychology from USC, focusing on curriculum design, Noam uses his insights into how teens and young adults think about issues to help educators better leverage new media. He is passionate about empowering students to find meaning in their Jewish learning, and his own studies are a large part of his life outside the office. He loves consuming information about Israel and the Jewish people and then imagining how he can help the world be a smarter and more compassionate place. Noam also loves eating pizza and devouring bags of chips, and is fascinated by the Kotzker Rebbe.
Peter is a veteran business leader and visionary. A director of Teltronics and board member at Brighter Minds, he is also the chairman of FGC Holdings Inc. and Steelman Software Solutions. Throughout his career, Peter has been involved in multiple real estate projects in Canada, the United States, and Europe. He played a central role at one of the largest steel mills in Central Europe, which was acquired by United States Steel in 2000. More recently, Peter has turned his attention to the IT industry. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario in 1972.
Raphael is a rabbi, educator and award-winning film producer. He is passionate about the power of film to educate and inspire, and brings his talent and skills as a filmmaker along with his excellent leadership abilities to help lead OpenDor Media in forward-thinking strategies and vibrant development. Raphael’s films serve as pillars of OpenDor Media’s educational curriculum and drive impact to a broad audience via broadcast, streaming, and film festivals. When he’s not telling stories on film, Raphael can be found enjoying quality time with his family or out and about on his rollerblades.
Michal is a best-selling author and TEDx speaker on the topics of leadership and spirituality, having spent the last two and a half decades driving effective workplace culture and developing leaders at the likes of TikTok, Facebook (Meta), Freuds, eBay, and Ogilvy & Mather. Along with her deep commitment to our mission and belief in the unique power of media to drive impact, Michal brings her impressive academic background and research-driven, evidence-based approach to support our people, our work and our Board.
Ostrov currently serves on the board of directors of several privately held companies, including Mother’s Choice, a natural products company working with industry giants, Addon Optics, an innovative technology company, and Nuvo, a developer of next generation baby and mother health monitoring for both hospital and home use. From 2008 to 2010 Mr. Ostrov served as Chairman and CEO of Bausch & Lomb. Prior to that, he served as Company Group Chairman, Worldwide Vision Care, for Johnson & Johnson. Jerry was previously Company Group Chairman for its North American Consumer and Personal Care businesses and spent over 20 years with JNJ. Jerry started his career with Procter & Gamble and also ran CIBA-Geigy’s (now Novartis) over the counter pharmaceutical business for 9 years. He is the founder and (pro bono) CEO of reThink Israel Initiative focused on positively impacting American attitudes and beliefs toward Israel via proactive social media based communications with 30 million views annually. Jerry also invests in and serves as board member and advisor to startup companies primarily in Israel. Mr. Ostrov holds a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from Cornell University and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University.
Rivka is an active philanthropist with a focus on bringing education to the community. She maintains strong ties to Israel through the Zell Entrepreneurial Program at IDC Herzliya. Rivka brings Israeli culture to Chicago through the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema and serves on the Chicago boards of the Jewish National Fund (where she is co-VP Education and Community Affairs), CAMERA, and StandWithUs. Rivka is also actively involved in AIPAC and works closely with members of Congress to support the US-Israel relationship.
Mitch is co-founder of Canyon Partners, LLC, which specializes in value-oriented and event-driven investments. He served on the board of trustees at Princeton University and is a member of the advisory council for the Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science Leadership Council. Mitch also serves on the Asia Society’s Board of Trustees and the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute’s advisory council. He helped establish the Harvard Law School Program on Jewish and Israeli Law, and is a recipient of Institutional Investor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. A graduate of the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University (B.A., magna cum laude), Harvard Law School (J.D., magna cum laude) and Harvard Business School (M.B.A., honors), Mitch received an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University.
Marc is a Founding Partner of Apollo Management LP, a private investment firm. He currently serves on the board of directors of AAA, an Apollo-sponsored multibillion-dollar alternative investment manager, Harrah’s Entertainment, a leading hotel-and-casino company, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, a premium cruise line with itineraries worldwide. Before joining Apollo, Marc was a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions Department of Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., with responsibilities in high-yield financing, transaction idea generation and merger structure negotiation. Marc graduated from The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in finance.
Jeff Sagansky has been a long-time investor, executive and producer in the media business. He is the former president of Sony Pictures Entertainment. There he acquired the Telemundo network and spearheaded the merger of Loew’s Theaters and Cineplex Odeon to create one of the world’s largest theater companies. He is the former president of CBS Entertainment, and former CEO of TriStar Pictures, where he developed hit movies including Steel Magnolias, Look Who’s Talking, and Glory. He served as CEO of Paxson Communications and founded Hemisphere Capital to fund tentpole movies including Smurfs, World War Z and Men In Black: International. As a producer, he has produced documentaries including TWA Flight 800 and Code of Silence, and most recently, Delhi Crime. Jeff graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Business School and serves on the boards of Global Eagle Entertainment, Williams Scotsman, Target Hospitality and Omio.
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