In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Jewish National Fund-USA held two “Shared Values: Honoring Our Heroes” programs in Beverly Hills and Encino, honoring first responders and community protectors while highlighting the enduring connection and shared values between the people of the United States and Israel.
On Sept. 11, 2026, Beverly Hills Mayor Craig Corman and Councilmembers Sharona Nazarian, Mary Wells, Lester Friedman and Rebecca Pynoos joined JNF-USA National Campaign Director Rick Hirschhaut and Women for Israel Chair and Board Member Frances Bilak, to honor members of the Beverly Hills Fire and Police Departments in recognition of the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of the city’s first responders. Days earlier, on Sept. 8, JNF-USA partnered with Valley Beth Shalom Day School in Encino to honor Victor Castro, a member of the VBS security team, for his dedication to protecting and helping ensure the safety of staff and students.
The certificates of appreciation that were presented at both commemorations featured JNF-USA and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem — the only memorial of its kind outside the United States that lists the names of all those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001.
The UCLA Nazarian Center for Israel Studies has named Elizabeth Stein its deputy director, effective Sept. 1.
For the past three years, Stein has been a postdoctoral fellow with the Center. In her new role, she will work closely with the Center’s director, Steven Zipperstein, to support public and academic programming, research initiatives, community outreach and fundraising and administration. She will also continue teaching in her field of political science.
For the past three years, Stein has been a postdoctoral fellow at the Nazarian Center. Her research focuses on the political attitudes and behaviors of diaspora Jews with regard to Israel, foreign policymaking and antisemitism, as well as ethnic minority politics broadly.
The organization also recently shared the news that its longtime Executive Director Maura Resnick, though opting to leave her full-time role, has agreed to stay on in a part-time capacity as a senior advisor. In this role, Resnick will advise on and work to implement new strategic initiatives, further the Nazarian Center’s development goals and expand its cultural programming.
