SAVE THE DATE!
The Luncheon
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 at 11:30 am at the Vineyards Country Club
Each year, The Luncheon raises essential funds that support the Museum’s Holocaust education programs for students, teachers, and the general public.
This year, The Luncheon will feature Jewish advocate and content creator Tessa Veksler.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Tessa is a 2024 graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where she earned her B.A. in Political Science and Communication.
She began her higher education journey by spending a year in Israel, where she studied Judaics at Bar Ilan University while also completing her first year of UCSB coursework.
Living through Operation Guardian of the Walls shaped Tessa’s passion for Israel advocacy and combating antisemitism, which she carried into her leadership roles at UCSB. She went on to serve in multiple fellowships, including ICC’s prestigious Geller Fellowship, and spent three years in student government, culminating in her term as UCSB’s Student Body President. In May 2024, she made history as the first Shabbat-observant Associated Students President, representing more than 24,000 students.
In the wake of October 7th, after facing targeted harassment and antisemitism, Tessa chose to speak out bravely about her experiences, inspiring Jewish communities nationwide to stand strong against hate. With millions of people engaging with her Instagram content, Tessa has become a leading Jewish and Zionist voice on social media. Her advocacy has earned her numerous recognitions, including an invitation to the White House, United Nations, UCSB’s University Service Award, and a recent feature in the documentary October 8th.
Today, alongside her work in public relations at Hiltzik Strategies in New York City, Tessa travels nationwide sharing her message of resilience, empowerment, and activism.
Sponsorship Information Coming Soon!