Podcast Summary: "In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch" Featuring Tessa Veksler
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Introduction
In this compelling episode of "In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch," Rabbi Ammi Hirsch engages in a profound and intellectually honest conversation with Tessa Veksler, the former student body president of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Tessa shares her harrowing experiences of leadership amidst a surge of anti-Semitism following the events of October 7, 2023. The discussion delves deep into themes of identity, leadership, resilience, and the intersection of anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism on university campuses.
Background: Tessa Veksler's Leadership Journey
[00:11] Tessa Wechsler introduces herself as a natural-born leader who successfully ran for student body president at UCSB despite the challenging dynamics of her campaign. She highlights her intention to focus on her merits and accomplishments rather than making her campaign a referendum on Israel.
Key Points:
- Campaign Focus: Avoiding the politicization of her Jewish identity and support for Israel.
- Victory Margin: Won by a narrow margin of approximately 100 votes in an undergraduate population of 24,000, signifying a highly contested election.
Notable Quote:
"I wanted to be voted for based on my merits and based off of the things I wanted to accomplish in office." – Tessa Wechsler [02:02]
The Election and Rising Tensions
Tessa recounts her campaign against fellow Jewish candidates, emphasizing her active involvement in student government and Jewish leadership roles. Despite her dedication, anti-Zionist sentiments played a significant role in the election, leading to an identity-based conflict.
Key Points:
- Opposition: Her main competitor was a less involved Jewish student endorsed by Students for Justice for Palestine.
- Identity Politics: The campaign devolved into an "identity war," focusing on Zionism versus anti-Zionism.
- Support Base: Strong backing from Greek life and active student engagement contributed to her slim victory.
Notable Quote:
"I think the one thing that I didn't want the race to be about was this identity war." – Tessa Wechsler [03:49]
October 7th: An Unforeseen Crisis
The tragic events of October 7th thrust Tessa into an unprecedented situation. As the president, she became a public symbol for the Jewish community, facing an onslaught of hate and bullying both online and on campus.
Key Points:
- Immediate Reaction: Shock and devastation upon learning about the attacks, leading to an immediate public expression of support for Israel.
- First Indications of Hostility: Exposure to violent anti-Semitic imagery and personal threats within days of the attacks.
- Simchatora Weekend Conflict: The juxtaposition of celebrating a joyous holiday with the onset of crisis created intense emotional turmoil.
Notable Quote:
"Simchatora is supposed to be like the most joyous day of the year... but none of us are happy right now." – Tessa Wechsler [06:25]
Facing Anti-Semitism: Online and On-Campus Hostility
Following the attacks, Tessa experienced a surge of anti-Semitic behavior, including hate signs, personal threats, and a recall petition aimed at removing her from her presidential position.
Key Points:
- Nature of Hate: Combination of general anti-Semitic statements and specific threats targeting her identity and role.
- Community Response: Lack of immediate support from the Jewish community and fellow students heightened feelings of isolation.
- Perceived Betrayal: University administration's inaction and delay in addressing the harassment further exacerbated the situation.
Notable Quote:
"If you take away the fact that it's about identity or Israel, it's just bullying." – Unnamed Student [00:47]
Lack of Support and Institutional Response
Tessa discusses the disappointing lack of support from both the Jewish community and university administration. Despite being an active leader, she felt abandoned during her crisis.
Key Points:
- Community Silence: Few peers and minimal organized support from Jewish organizations on campus.
- Administrative Inaction: Regular meetings and offers of mental health support did not translate into concrete actions against harassment.
- Questioning Policies: Raised concerns about the university's policies on anti-Semitism and their effectiveness in protecting minority students.
Notable Quote:
"I felt totally helpless because the scale that it was happening and also the fact that I couldn't identify the majority of the people that were saying these things." – Tessa Wechsler [11:55]
The Recall Election: A Symbolic Battle
The attempt to recall Tessa from her position as student body president intensified the conflict, revealing deeper institutional and societal issues regarding anti-Semitism.
Key Points:
- Recall Process: Petition arose unexpectedly, leading to a narrowly failed recall election where Tessa retained her position by one vote.
- Underlying Cause: The recall was ostensibly about Zionism but was fundamentally rooted in anti-Semitic motivations.
- Leadership Betrayal: Trust in fellow senators and administrators was eroded as some were revealed to be opposed to her leadership.
Notable Quote:
"I found out very late and I'm pretty sure it was already going on in the fall when people were already asking how do we get a petition started." – Tessa Wechsler [37:25]
Reflections on Community and Identity
Tessa reflects on the broader implications of her experiences, highlighting the shift in anti-Semitism dynamics and the unique challenges faced by younger American Jews, especially those with immigrant backgrounds.
Key Points:
- Generational Shift: Increase in anti-Semitic incidents among younger generations compared to previous generations.
- Cultural Identity: The intersection of her Russian-speaking immigrant background with her Jewish identity heightened her sensitivity to anti-Semitism.
- Community Responsibility: Emphasizes the need for proactive support and solidarity within the Jewish community to combat widespread hostility.
Notable Quote:
"If an attack on one Jew is an attack on the entire Jewish community, why wasn't there an immediate communal response?" – Tessa Wechsler [15:36]
The Nexus Between Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism
A significant portion of the discussion explores how anti-Zionist sentiments often translate into anti-Semitic behavior, especially in academic settings.
Key Points:
- Definition Confusion: Many equate anti-Zionism solely with opposition to Israeli policies, overlooking its roots in anti-Semitism.
- Double Standards: Highlighting the inherent anti-Semitism in denying Jews the same indigenous rights as other groups.
- Moralizing Hatred: Anti-Israel sentiments are often disguised as moral or ethical stances, masking underlying bigotry.
Notable Quote:
"Anti Zionism turns into anti Semitism really quickly." – Tessa Wechsler [42:04]
Advice to Young American Jews
Tessa offers heartfelt advice to young Jews navigating university life, emphasizing resilience, community engagement, and self-education.
Key Points:
- Choosing Universities Wisely: Select institutions based on personal goals and ensure the presence of a supportive Jewish community.
- Active Involvement: Engage with Jewish organizations on campus to build a support network.
- Self-Education: Deepen understanding of Jewish history, identity, and the complexities of Israel to better articulate and defend one's beliefs.
Notable Quote:
"We don't fight antisemitism by removing ourselves. Nothing good ever happens when Jews leave." – Tessa Wechsler [49:48]
Looking Forward: The Future of American Jewish Leadership
Tessa expresses optimism for the future, believing that proactive and educated leadership can reshape the narrative and strengthen the American Jewish community.
Key Points:
- Proactive Engagement: Encourages young Jews to lead initiatives rather than reacting to crises.
- Building Networks: Stresses the importance of creating strong, informed networks to combat anti-Semitism.
- Hope for Resilience: Despite current challenges, there is hope that future generations will continue to fight against hatred with pride and solidarity.
Notable Quote:
"If we continue moving in the right direction, future generations of Jews will look back with a lot of pride on how we responded to hatred like this." – Tessa Wechsler [49:48]
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The episode concludes with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch lauding Tessa Veksler's courage and leadership, emphasizing the critical role that young leaders like Tessa play in shaping the future of the American Jewish community.
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership in Adversity: Tessa's journey underscores the importance of resilient leadership in the face of systemic anti-Semitism.
- Community Solidarity: There is a pressing need for the Jewish community to unite and support its members to overcome isolation and hostility.
- Educational Imperative: Comprehensive education about Jewish identity and history is essential for fostering understanding and combating prejudice.
Final Thoughts
Tessa Veksler's testimony provides a poignant glimpse into the struggles faced by Jewish student leaders on American campuses today. Her experiences highlight the urgent need for institutional policies that effectively address anti-Semitism and for a united community response to support those who stand against hate. This episode serves as both a sobering reflection on current challenges and a rallying cry for proactive engagement, education, and solidarity within the Jewish community.