Unpacked for Educators is coming to Los Angeles
In-person workshops • November 2026
Bring thoughtful, nuanced, and engaging Israel education to your students, educators, and community.
About the tour
November 4–11, 2026
This November, Unpacked for Educators is coming to Los Angeles for a week of in-person workshops, student assemblies, and professional development sessions—designed to give your students, staff, or community the tools to unpack Israel and Jewish identity with nuance, empathy, and clarity.
Thanks to the generous support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, all sessions are offered at no cost to your school or institution.
Whether you work with teens, parents, educators, or lay leaders, there’s a program here for you.
Sessions offered
Unpacking Israeli Current Events
Ideal for: Teens and up Israel is constantly in the news, and understanding what’s happening can feel overwhelming. This session explores the most pressing current events in Israel by unpacking the history, context, and different perspectives behind the headlines. Students will learn how today’s events connect to the past and gain tools to better understand and think critically about the ongoing news coming out of Israel.
The Top Three Zionist Moments You Need to Know
Ideal for: All Ages Understanding Israel and Zionism begins with knowing the key moments that shaped the story. In this session, students will explore three major turning points in Zionist history and why each one matters. Together, we’ll ask big questions about how these moments shaped Jewish identity, Israel’s founding, and the debates that continue today. Students will leave with essential historical knowledge and a renewed sense of ownership over Israel’s story and its ongoing significance.
The Untold Story of Ethiopian Aliyah
Ideal for: Teens and up In honor of Sigd, explore the powerful and often overlooked story of Ethiopian Jewish aliyah through a short video (15 minutes) followed by a guided conversation. The story of Beta Israel’s return to the Land of Israel is one of broken promises, secret agreements, and extraordinary resilience in the face of unimaginable danger. While the origins of Ethiopian Jewry remain a subject of debate, their courage, faith, and deep connection to the Jewish homeland, alongside the daring efforts of the Mossad and the activism of North American Jews, helped bring thousands home to Israel, offering meaningful lessons for how students can better understand Israel today.
Professional development sessions
Navigating Israeli Current Events
Ideal for: Day school and supplementary school educators With the constant stream of news coming out of Israel, it can be incredibly challenging to know how to explain or explore current events when students turn to us with questions. This session unpacks the most pressing issues in Israel today by exploring their historical roots, broader context, and the range of perspectives surrounding them. Educators will learn practical strategies and best practices for engaging students with Israeli current events in thoughtful, age-appropriate, and meaningful ways.
Crash Course in UED
Ideal for: Day school and supplementary school educators Ready to take your Israel teaching to the next level but not sure where to start? This session offers a guided tour of Unpacked for Educators’ resources, including curated collections, curricular outlines, and experiential programs. You’ll see how UED brings Zionism, Israeli history, and Israeli culture to life through engaging, classroom-ready materials and practical lessons you can use immediately. By the end of the session, you’ll know how to navigate the UED site, find high-quality resources with ease, and walk away with concrete ideas to implement in your classroom right away.
Meet the educators
Yoni Romick
Yoni Romick is a Senior Educator at Unpacked for Educators and ConnectED. Drawing on over a decade of experience in Jewish education — spanning classroom teaching, curriculum development, and professional development facilitation — he has worked with learners from elementary students to seasoned educators. At UED, Yoni serves as Education Lead for Unpacked Junior, directs the Unpacked Teller Teen Leaders Fellowship in Los Angeles, and leads school workshops and educator trainings across North America. He holds a BS in Business Administration from Western Governors University.
Jonathan Golden
Dr. Jonathan Golden is a Senior Educator at Unpacked for Educators and Founder of HeartStance Education Consulting. He teaches at Hebrew College and the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, and previously served as Israel Curriculum Coordinator and history teacher at Gann Academy. At UED, Jonathan leads professional development course offerings and guides schools in integrating Israel education across grades and subject areas. He holds a Ph.D. from Brandeis University and an M.J.Ed. from Hebrew College, and is a graduate of Princeton University.
Lauren Grunsfeld
Lauren Grunsfeld is a Senior Educator at Unpacked for Educators with 25 years of classroom experience teaching English literature and history. She developed an integrated Judaic and general studies curriculum at Barkai Yeshiva that continues to be used by teachers today. At UED, Lauren brings her passion for teaching, textual analysis, and Israel education to shaping curriculum development and educational resources. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from Brooklyn College and an MA in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Alex Harris
Alex Harris is a Senior Educator and Projects and Partnerships Lead at Unpacked for Educators. Before joining UED, he worked on conflict education at The iCenter for Israel Education. At UED, Alex leads major projects and partnerships with federations and educational organizations, develops Judaism Unpacked content, and supports schools and educators, especially in Chicago. He holds a Master's in Education and Human Development from George Washington University and a Bachelor's in Judaic Studies and International Studies from the University of Michigan, and received semicha from Rabbi Brovender.
Bring Unpacked to your community
Don’t miss this opportunity to bring meaningful, engaging, and nuanced Israel education to your students and community.
Complete the short form below, and we’ll be in touch to schedule your program and customize your sessions.
Sign up today
For questions, email ybuckman@unpacked.education
This tour is made possible thanks to the generous support of
