Public speaker, content creator, and activist Tessa Veksler, a leading Jewish and Zionist voice, will headline Connections, Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona Women’s Division’s flagship event, on March 8.
A first-generation American of Ukrainian Jewish descent, Veksler graduated in 2024 from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications. At UCSB, she made history as the first Shabbat-observant student body president. Her passionate social media posts in the wake of Oct. 7 garnered millions of views — and also made her a target for vicious antisemitism. Her response has been unequivocal: “I refuse to be conditionally Jewish.”
Her advocacy has earned her numerous recognitions, including invitations to the White House and the United Nations, the University Service Award from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a feature in the documentary “October 8th.”
Veksler is eager to share her story at the Connections brunch, which will be held at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“There’s a reason I love women’s events so much — there’s a palpable energy in the room that I never experienced until I became a public speaker,” she says. “I didn’t grow up with Women’s Philanthropy or Jewish Federation, so I want all the women to know how much their presence means to me. Jewish women of all ages showing up is literally how we change the world.
“When we scroll social media or read the news these days, it’s easy to let fear overcome us,” Veksler adds. “For teens, maybe that looks like turning down acceptances to universities they perceive as being hotspots of antisemitism, even if it’s their dream school. For parents and grandparents, perhaps it’s worrying about the next generation who will be in positions of leadership 10-20 years from now. I cannot overstate how much I truly empathize with these reactions, but I’m sure I’m not the first or the last person to encourage you to turn pain into purpose — to turn fear into action. I believe when you hear my story you’ll see that after facing overwhelming adversity, I still had so much to gain by stepping up and speaking up for our people and our homeland.
“So what can you do? For starters, you can show up. Engage in an event like Connections because when you know you have community to back you up, you feel invincible. Then, get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Have that challenging conversation with a non-Jewish friend. Engage in thoughtful dialogue with a colleague. Apply to that school, even if you’re afraid. Most importantly, do good for the world with your Jewishness on display. Stand proudly in Jewish and non-Jewish spaces, not just because you deserve to, but because it will make a difference bigger than you may even know.”
Adina Karp and Monica Rudner are this year’s Connections co-chairs.
“As a co-chair,” Karp says, “I am honored to have such an inspiring and powerful speaker coming to share her story with us at Connections. I feel empowered by Tessa, and her advocacy is something that I hope that women of all ages in our community can connect with and feel inspired by. I grew up in Tucson attending Connections with my mother and my grandmother. This event, over the years, has strengthened my Jewish identity and my love for our Jewish community. I look forward to seeing the amazing women of Tucson at Connections.”
To register for Connections, click HERE.
