By: SJ Tannenbaum
The Senator Joseph Lieberman-Mitzner Center for Public Service and Advocacy and S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program at Stern College hosted Dr. Sharona Nazarian, Mayor of Beverly Hills, for a conversation on leadership, resilience and civic responsibility. The event opened with Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół», reflecting on the emotional return of the remaining living Israeli hostages and the importance of moral clarity in turbulent times.
“Anti-Zionism is antisemitism,” Rabbi Berman stated. “Double standards and discrimination against Jews is antisemitism.” He also spoke about civic engagement ahead of the New York elections, urging students to lead with purpose.
From Psychology to Public Service
Dr. Sharon Poczter, founding director of the Lieberman-Mitzner Center, introduced Mayor Nazarian, noting her groundbreaking role as the first Iranian-American woman and first Iranian-Jewish woman to serve as mayor of any U.S. city. The discussion was moderated by Daniella Landau, a Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» junior majoring in sociology and political science.
Mayor Nazarian shared her personal journey — fleeing Iran with her family, spending a year in Israel, and eventually settling in the United States. English, she noted, is her third language. Before entering public office, she earned a doctorate in clinical psychology and practiced for several years.
“Moments Like These Demand Courage”
Mayor Nazarian spoke about her 13 key mayoral initiatives, many centered on unity and mental health. Her latest effort, “Never Again Is Now,” includes building the world’s first permanent sculpture honoring the victims and heroes of Oct. 7.
“Remembrance is not passive — it’s active,” she said. “Silence is a place that hatred loves to fill.”
She described her decision to enter politics during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she felt her community needed stronger leadership. “You never know what the outcome will be,” she said. “That’s why it’s important to show up — and to vote.”
A Message for Future Leaders
Encouraging students to take initiative, Mayor Nazarian emphasized that leadership belongs to everyone. “Leadership doesn’t belong to mayors alone — it belongs to you,” she said. She also reflected on the personal side of public service, calling motherhood her most important title and encouraging the audience to “block out negativity” and “focus on bringing light.”
Mayor Nazarian closed by reaffirming her belief in equality and community: “I am a voice for all people. My theme this year is unity.”
Students had the opportunity after the event to personally meet and ask further questions to the mayor.
The event underscored Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»â€™s commitment to cultivating values-driven leadership and highlighted the courage required to turn conviction into action.
View the full event recording and photo album . For updates on future events, visit the Lieberman-Mitzner Center website at and follow @yu_lieberman on social media.
