UNPACKED Jr., a new educational initiative for elementary school-aged children, aims to provide young Jewish learners with the tools to understand and connect with Israel in an accessible and engaging format.
UNPACKED, a division of OpenDor Media, and the most popular address for teens and adults to access balanced, nuanced educational content about Israel and the Jewish people, has launched UNPACKED Jr., an exciting educational initiative for elementary school-aged children.
With generous support from the Jim Joseph Foundation, Maimonides Fund, and Natan Fund, this initiative comes in response to the increasing demand for age-appropriate content for a younger audience on Israel’s history and culture, particularly in light of the ongoing complexities surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
UNPACKED Jr. will initially comprise a 6-part animated YouTube series, Exploring Israel: An UNPACKED Adventure, and a companion podcast, UNPACKED at Camp: Kids Talk Israel, released fortnightly. This first series tackles essential aspects of Israeli history and culture through engaging, age-appropriate storytelling, with each episode focusing on key themes including Zionism, Independence, Diversity, Innovation, Connection, and Hope.
Developed by a team of seasoned children’s media writers, producers and education experts, who have contributed to some of the most popular mainstream kids’ content worldwide, UNPACKED Jr. is both entertaining and educational. The video series has been animated by The Hive Studio, an Oscar-nominated Israeli animation studio, and is also supported by Animation Israel, whose mission is to support and expand the Israeli animation industry.
Unpacked for Educators has also developed a comprehensive UNPACKED Jr. curriculum, which is being piloted in a select cohort of schools. The team will work closely with educators participating in the pilot, supporting them as they incorporate the series into their curriculum.
“In a world where children are increasingly exposed to misinformation and negative narratives about Israel, UNPACKED Jr. aims to empower young Jewish children with the information they need to feel confident in their own understanding of and relationship with Israel” says Andrew Savage, CEO of OpenDor Media. “By introducing complex topics in an accessible and engaging format, the program seeks to build a positive, enduring relationship between children and Israel, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to navigate challenging conversations.”
Yoni Buckman, Education Lead of UNPACKED Jr. shared, “Our goal is that children will “see themselves” in this series – to know that they are connected at the deepest level to the land and the people of Israel, and to feel uplifted and energized by the information they learn about their heritage.”
