- This event has passed.
Before You Go: Ten Essentials for Talking About Israel at School
Whether you are heading into middle school, high school, college, or any school environment (or any professional environment), conversations about Israel can be challenging and complex. In this timely and empowering session, Dr. Noam Weissman, EVP of OpenDor Media, and host of Unpacking Israeli History and Wondering Jews, shares ten key insights every person should know. You will learn how to navigate difficult conversations, respond with thoughtfulness and clarity, and build a strong foundation for engaging with Israel in an informed and confident way.
Photo ID is required for entrance to Jewish Center of the Hamptons.
All in-person services are reserved for members and their pre-registered guests.
In-Person Only
Dr. Noam Weissman
Dr. Noam Weissman is the Executive Vice President of OpenDor Media, where he drives the organization’s educational vision and strategic growth. Through its flagship brands, Unpacked, Unpacked for Educators, ConnectED, and Amplified, Noam oversees the creation of transformative content and curricula that reach millions of young people globally. From short-form videos and podcasts to social media influencers and comprehensive classroom resources, his work empowers young people around the world to engage deeply with Israel, Judaism, and the Jewish experience in all their complexity. More >
Noam is the host of the acclaimed Unpacking Israeli History podcast and co-host of Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam, two of the most widely listened-to podcasts of their genres in the world. Through these platforms, he tackles the most challenging and sensitive questions surrounding Israel, antisemitism, and Jewish identity, bringing nuance, intellectual honesty, and balance to conversations often marked by polarization.
Under his guidance, Unpacked for Educators has grown into a vital resource for more than 13,000 educators worldwide, equipping schools with dynamic curricula on Jewish history, Zionism, antisemitism, and identity. Building on this success, Noam spearheaded the launch of ConnectED, OpenDor Media’s pioneering initiative for independent schools across North America, providing students and educators with the tools to navigate Israel-related discourse with confidence and critical thinking.
A recognized thought leader, Noam is a Civil Society Fellow with the Aspen Global Leadership Network and served as Scholar-in-Residence at the Horace Mann School in New York City during the 2023–2024 academic year, where he focused on facilitating courageous conversations across political and cultural divides.
Noam earned his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, specializing in curriculum design and narrative formation in Israel education. His dissertation, Approaching Israel Education, advocates for a fresh paradigm that fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a mature Zionist identity. Prior to his role at OpenDor Media, he served as principal of Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles, where he developed a reputation for innovative educational leadership.
Noam lectures widely in both Jewish and non-Jewish spaces, engaging audiences on issues of Jewish identity, antisemitism, and Israel education in the modern world.
He lives in South Florida with his wife, Raizie, and their four children. < Less