We had an amazing time at the Jewish Teen Summit earlier this week. Teens from across New Jersey came together to learn about the strength and courage that lives in each of them. Teens had the opportunity to hear from the incredible Tessa Veksler, a Jewish advocate, public speaker, content creator, and former student body president at UC Santa Barbara, known for her leadership in combating antisemitism and promoting Israel advocacy. She spoke about showing Jewish pride and confidence and her experience facing antisemitism in college.

Teens also heard from Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, who shared her journey as the first openly lesbian member of the New Jersey Legislature. She spoke about the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs and taking meaningful action—emphasizing the responsibility to vote and to use one’s voice with confidence. She also highlighted the power of authenticity, encouraging students to embrace who they are and to be the change they wish to see in the world.

Students put the advocacy skills they learned to the test in small group discussions, exploring how they would respond if they encountered antisemitic remarks or witnessed an antisemitic incident in a workshop with StandWithUs.

After that, students had the opportunity to either listen to Claire Boren, a Holocaust survivor who has become an abstract artist, or take a class to learn CPR skills.

Claire Boren talked about her experience in Poland and Czechoslovakia, hiding with her mother in holes dug underground. Noah C., President of NFTY GER, said, "Seeing the art and feeling the eeriness of the painting or the emotion of the work is reminiscent of the trauma that she has experienced and has been so gracious to share with us. It was a very moving and powerful presentation and it was life changing."

Teens who participated in the CPR workshop learned hands-on life saving skills and medical training techniques led by Scott Bonito from the Praetorian Agency LLC.

Thank you to JSU, BBYO, NFTY, USY, and NCSY for their partnership and a special note of appreciation to the B'nai Sholom/Beth El Foundation for its vision and generous support. Thank you to Scott Bonito from the Praetorian Agency LLC, Tessa Veksler, Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, Max Kasler of Stand with Us and Claire Boren for their dedication and inspiration.