After a year in which US college campuses were rocked by antisemitism and Israel increasingly found itself in need of courageous voices internationally, Masa Israel Journey has unveiled its new group of influencers, Masa Changemakers. They are young adults and alumni from Jewish communities worldwide who, each in their own way, have become ambassadors for Israel on the global stage.
They live far from Israel, but work every day on behalf of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. Some have stood up to personal harassment, while others are waging complex legal battles. This year, two stand out in particular: Tessa Veksler and Arsen Ostrovsky. Both have drawn attention for the paths they have taken since arriving in Israel through Masa programs, and for the courage to turn what they gained here into tangible impact abroad. Alongside them are eight additional Masa alumni living across North America, Europe, Australia and South America.
Tessa Veksler, 23, was born in San Francisco to a Jewish family that immigrated from the former Soviet Union. She grew up in a secular home with a connection to Jewish tradition. At 18, while looking for options for a gap year after high school, she decided to come to Israel through a Masa program. "It was a year of COVID and Operation Guardian of the Walls, but it was still the most meaningful year of my life," she said. "I understood my responsibility as a Jew in the Diaspora to support Israel. That year gave me the tools to go on to college and become a strong voice for Israel."
"You can't hide"
After her year in Israel, Veksler began studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she quickly became a prominent figure on campus. She was active in Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, as well as in broader student groups, and in May 2023 was elected president of the student body.
After October 7, she began facing daily harassment because of her outspoken support for Israel. Among other incidents, she encountered graffiti aimed at her that read, "You can run, Tessa Veksler, but you can't hide."
In April 2024, a vote was held in the student council to remove her from her position, "solely because of her support for Israel," she said. "Very harsh things were said about me there." The motion failed and she remained in office, but the experience of that debate has stayed with her.
Veksler chose to turn the ordeal into a tool for action. She began publicly exposing what was happening on campuses and became a leading voice against antisemitism under the hashtag #WereNotGoingAnywhere. "I didn't just want to survive this attack, I wanted to thrive," she said. "I never planned to end up where I am today. It's simply what I was meant to do."
She was invited to appear as one of the central speakers in the documentary October 8, which examines the rise of antisemitism in the US. "Debra Messing discovered me in January 2024 through a video I made that went viral," Veksler said. "She decided to invite me to take part in the film. I had the opportunity to share my story."
Today, Veksler lives in New York and works as a spokesperson on Israel-related issues. She has spoken at the UN and at the White House. "Antisemitism on campuses isn't going to go away," she said. "I have a lot of hope for the future, but it depends on what we do today. My advice to Jewish students is to be brave, and to fight for what is right."
"A life-changing experience"
Arsen Ostrovsky, 45, was born in Odesa, Ukraine, but moved with his family at a young age to Australia, where they settled in Sydney. "I grew up connected to our history and to Zionism, but less connected to the Jewish world," he said. "It was an evolution. I remember when Daniel Pearl was murdered and said, 'My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.' That moment had a profound impact on me."
In 2010, after completing his law degree and working as an attorney, Ostrovsky decided to join a Masa Career program. "To take part, I resigned from my position at a major law firm in Australia. For me, it was preparation for aliyah. I wanted to spend an extended period in Israel and see if it was a viable option for my life. After one week, I knew the answer was yes. It was a life-changing experience." As part of the program, Ostrovsky interned with a member of Knesset and at a think tank in Jerusalem.
After completing the program, he returned to Australia and later moved to New York to specialize in international law. In 2012, he made aliyah and settled in Israel. Over the years, he built a strong reputation in his field, particularly in human rights and international law. In recent years, he has served as CEO of the International Legal Forum, a nonprofit that brings together a global network of legal professionals to combat antisemitism and defend Israel's rights in the international stage.
"There was a lot of work even before October 7, but since then the international legal battlefield has become even more complex," he said. "We work with the families of hostages, we have filed lawsuits against supporters of Hamas in the US, and I myself have spoken at the UN. We also work with Jewish communities to provide them with information and tools on how to respond to various accusations. We've had incredible opportunities to speak on Israel's behalf in very significant political centers."
"As I see it, I am fighting for the truth. That's what I feel I've always been doing," Ostrovsky said. "Israel will always be home, and any opportunity to continue my mission of pursuing truth and justice is a blessing."
One in five
Masa Israel Journey, founded by the Jewish Agency and the government of Israel, stands as the foremost organization bringing young Jewish adults from all around the world to transformative long-term programs in Israel. Welcoming approximately 10,000 fellows annually from 60 countries, Masa offers young Jews a unique opportunity to engage deeply with Israeli society, culture, and heritage.
Studies conducted among Masa alumni have found that graduates of long-term programs in Israel maintain a connection to Israel for a significantly longer period than those who did not participate in extended programs. They are more strongly connected to their Jewish identity and more active in their communities. For example, one in five Masa alumni chooses a career in the Jewish world and in communal institutions, such as Jewish federations or educational organizations.
