Simultaneously, because of Sharon Nazarian’s own interests, she started looking at the possibilities of starting an Israel Studies Program at UCLA. That idea came from political salons she held at her home. Political salons bring people who are interested in intellectual pursuits together. In her home it was mainly about the Middle East and politics. For example, one of the salons was about looking at anti-Israeli sentiments on United States campuses. So much misinformation was coming out, and all the yelling and arguing was not helping anyone. What she really believed was needed, was a true academic look and research to study Israel seriously. That is when Sharon Nazarian started the Israel Studies program.

The program started with courses in political science, taught by visiting scholars. Five years later, the program was elevated to a center, endowed by and named  for the family - the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israeli Studies at UCLA. Sharon founded teh center, but it has a community board and faculty advisory board. Sharon is the chair of the community advisory board, which is also made of ambassadors and people who really understand education and Israel. The center is not an advocacy center, and it is not about making Israel look good. It is about expanding knowledge about Israel. The center is a multi-disciplinary center. It looks at Israel from every possible angle. Programs talk about the conflict, but also teach about Israeli art, Israeli sociology, history, and law. The Nazarian family truly wants to learn what is the best way to attract as many students possible to come and learn about Israel. Many students are turned off because the Israeli history and culture is so complex, but, by having a multidisciplinary approach, the center does not take sides to showcase anything. It is truly about studying Israel. Their center is an important pillar of their foundation, and one that says who they really are as a family.

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