By Joe GoldmanLOS ANGELES — At a time in which so much is at stake for Israelis and Palestinians alike, I’m humbled to step into the role of regional director for Southern California at the New Israel Fund. Despite devastating war in Gaza, settler violence in the West Bank, and backsliding democracy within Israel itself, these Israelis never give up. Before joining NIF, I worked at the heart of American Jewish advocacy, including at HIAS, MAZON, and JCRC Bay Area. We’re lucky to have had his leadership here in Southern California, and with your partnership, Laila Lipszyc, our development and program coordinator, and I will work to build on that strong foundation. *Goldman is the Southern California regional director of the New Israel Fund.