Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at UCLA

The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies (originally founded in 2005 as the UCLA Israel Studies Program) is one of the nation's premier centers for education and research about the history, culture, and society of Israel. The Center has a focus both on Israel's signal achievements as a modern, democratic state and Israel's relations with its neighbors, the United States, and the rest of the world.

The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies was established with steadfast university support and a generous endowment from the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation.  The Center and Israel Studies at UCLA have also received support from the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation to endow the Gilbert Chair in Israel Studies, held by Professor Arieh Saposnik since 2009.  Based at the UCLA International Institute, the Center focuses on three goals in order to promote a firm understanding of Israel:

• the enhancement of both undergraduate and graduate instruction;
• the hosting of both visiting and permanent faculty;
• and programs and conferences on campus and in the community.