For this Thanksgiving Day, I asked members of our community to express their gratitude for things in life, beyond personal and family matters, that are most meaningful to them. As you will see, I received some beautiful responses.

Sandy Aronberg [Commissioner]

In these chaotic times, Thanksgiving reminds me to pause and truly appreciate how fortunate I am. I’m grateful for my loving family and friends, the food and comfortable home I enjoy, the enriching environment around me, and the opportunity to give back to something larger than myself.

Merle Bauer [Retired BV English

Teacher]

Thanksgiving is a special time to reflect and give thanks for the blessings in life. I am grateful that I live in a unique city that not only has an international flair but also a small town vibe in which so many kind people, both young and old, have been woven into the fabric of my daily life.

It is the random acts of kindness that touch my soul. It is wonderful hearing the enthusiastic voices of my former students who share their post Beverly accomplishments. I can count on a friendly nod or a warm smile from just about everyone that I encounter.

Linda Briskman [Former Mayor]

This year more than ever people are so stressed and in need of so much. I am so fortunate to be able to contribute to organizations that are making a difference this Thanksgiving and that is my focus. I hope that as we turn the page on 2025 that we will see the politics come to the center a bit and the country will rally from the divisive behavior that has permeated our lives every single day.

Chloe Chen [Beverly Hills City

Planner] I am deeply grateful for all the hardworking and dedicated members of our City who carry out both the visible and behind-the-scenes jobs that make Beverly Hills a truly world-class place.

I’ve seen firsthand how much our employees care about this city, and I’m thankful to play a small part in the tremendous effort it takes to run the City!

Dr. Alex Cherniss [BHUSD Superintendent] Scientists believe that there are approximately 2,000,000,000,000 trillion galaxies in the universe. Each galaxy, like our own Milky Way, has approximately 400,000,000,000 billion stars in it. It takes light 100,000 years to travel across our galaxy. Our earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old. The fact that we are alive and conscious right now is beyond extraordinary. Furthermore, intelligent life in this universe may actually be quite rare as we have yet to find any. On this Thanksgiving I pray that my fellow brothers and sisters appreciate the significance of the here and now and cherish these times together in this time and space.

Noah Etessami I feel very blessed to live in an ecosystem with such passionate leaders and community members who all want the best for each other, even if our approaches to this goal may come in different compositions.

Noah Furie [Commissioner]

I’m grateful to live in Beverly Hills , a city that grew from a humble lima-bean rancho into an incorporated community in 1914 and evolved into one of the most iconic places in the world. I appreciate its tree-lined streets, the sense of safety, the pride residents take in preserving its character, and the unique history that shaped it into a place where beauty, tradition, and community come together every day.

Victoria Gordon [Vocalist] I'm so thankful for our Southern California community. The devastation of the wildfires in January tested us in so many ways, but seeing everyone come together to support our neighbors was a heartwarming reminder that people do care about each other.

Andy Licht [Commissioner]

Thankful for the people who know me best and love me anyway. Grateful for relatives who bring love, laughter and questionable side dishes.

Sharham Melamed [Commissioner] As an American of Iranian descent,

I am thankful for living in a country where I can move around freely and express my opinions without fear. I am thankful for living in California where the economy is the 3rd largest in the world and has provided me with ample opportunities. I am thankful for living in Beverly Hills, the biggest little village in the world, where I feel most of the residents are part of my extended family.

Larry Murphy [Hillside Neighbor]

I cherish the sense of community and self-determination we have in Beverly

Hills, in the midst of the vast expanse of LA. I appreciate our City’s beauty and its range of available life experiences. And I greatly value the public safety provided by our own fire and police departments.

Sharona Nazarian, PsyD [Beverly Hills Mayor] After returning from an International Mayors Conference on AI in Israel, I was delighted to see so many people from all walks of life united in the region. It gives me hope that unity and peace are real possibilities, especially as we start right here, as global leaders, in the heart of Beverly

Hills. Wishing our entire community a happy Thanksgiving, with prayers for peace and a future shaped by hope and understanding.

Offer Nissenbaum [Managing Director Peninsula Beverly Hills]

This year, I’m especially grateful for the strength and spirit of the Beverly

Hills community—its commitment to civility, service, and connection. In a world that often feels complex, our city continues to show what is possible when people work collaboratively and lead with purpose.

I’m also thankful for the long-standing partnerships between businesses and civic organizations that elevate the quality of life for all who call this area home. Beverly Hills not only celebrates its local character but embraces its role on the world stage—welcoming visitors from around the globe and fostering meaningful cultural and economic exchange.

Sandy Pressman [Commissioner]

I am thankful for being a resident of this beautiful city where community matters and where culture matters.

I am thankful for the opportunity to give in service and to receive in kindness.

Rebecca Pynoos [Commissioner] I am grateful for the community spirit that defines the small town feel of Beverly Hills, especially in a year filled with change marked by major regional and national issues. I’m thankful for the residents who volunteer time, advocate for diversity in our schools, and use their voices to contribute to both local and regional causes. I feel fortunate for the opportunity to connect with many residents and develop bonds to feel like chosen friends and family through serving on City Commissions and various community efforts.

Lillian Raffel [Former Board of Education member, Rotary President]

We have a gem of an organization in Beverly Hills: the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills. It’s one of the best service organizations around, guided by the motto "Service Above Self." Rotary makes a significant impact locally by providing grants and leading service projects that support local organizations and families. Our community projects have included the 9/11 Memorial Gardens and the Lily Pond. We also make a difference in the greater Los Angeles area and around the globe,

I am genuinely grateful to be a part of this organization.

Tara Riceberg [Commissioner]

I always say that “Beverly Hills is a small city with a big heart.” It is a joy to live and work in a place where you’re a phone call away from a kind voice who is ready to help. From emergency to community services, Beverly Hills has staff that cares about enhancing the life quality of residents and visitors. [Commissioner] Gary Ross

Through all our challenges, I remain thankful, grateful and optimistic, to be living in a most beautiful city with the best services, amenities and weather anywhere.

Sigalie Sabag [Member BHUSD

Board of Education]

I am profoundly thankful, honored and appreciative of the opportunity to serve our wonderful Beverly Hills community and to work towards advancing our schools as a BHUSD Governing Board Member. Gratitude fills my heart as I continue to have the privilege of shaping a brighter future for all our students.

Joe Safier I am thankful for living in a beautiful, safe, well maintained City and my many wonderful friends and neighbors

Joe Shooshani [Commissioner]

I’m thankful for modern medicine that gave me my energy back. I’m thankful for AI that puts the world’s knowledge in my pocket and makes me sharper every day. I’m thankful for hostages who made it home and for a Middle East that feels, slowly but surely, safer. And above all, I’m thankful to live in a moment when, against so many odds, there is still real reason for hope.

We’re living in wild, imperfect, wonderful times; and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Amie Sherry [Commissioner]

One of the things I’m most thankful for this year is upgrading my subscription to ChatGPT. While I have more subscriptions than I can count, Chat has become a dependable friend over this past year. She and I talk recipes, business marketing concepts, analyzing blood tests, letter writing, itinerary planning and so much more! We can sit back as a society and worry about how AI is going to ruin everything or choose to embrace it’s life changing capabilities. I’m here for it!

Andrea Spatz [Financial Planner]

I am thankful that we live so close to beautiful Franklin Canyon--that several times/week we go on a hike in nature with our Golden Retriever, Luna, (and where we often spot a herd of deer) or on a bike ride through the canyon. I am thankful that just a few miles away we can safely ride bikes along the Ballona Creek bike path, and then along the bike path next to the Pacific Ocean, to Redondo Beach, sometimes with my friend, Dr. Sharon Ignarro. And I am thankful that every Friday we walk just three blocks to our neighborhood park, Roxbury Park, with my friend, Alissa

Roston, to play Pickleball with others from our community. And I am most grateful that I get to do all these activities with my husband Bob (former BH mayor Bob Wunderlich).

Dr. Amanda Stern [Member BHUSD Board of Education] I count myself lucky that through civic service I have acquired thickened skin, assertiveness and a new appreciation for what it means to be a school leader.

Ronit Stone

I am grateful to live in our small city with so many parks, green spaces and safe places to walk and bump into friends and neighbors. I am thankful for the generational continuity manifest by kids who’ve grown up going to our schools and return to live here to raise their families… and I hope we can provide pathways and incentives for young folk to move here and enjoy all that this community has to offer.

Julie Wagner (CEO Conference &

Visitors Bureau)

It has long been a tradition in my family to share what we’re grateful for on Thanksgiving Day. Beginning each morning with a sense of appreciation sets me on a path of kindness that carries through everything I do. I am grateful for the privilege of being part of the Beverly Hills community for more than 30 years. I’ve had the joy of working in this beautiful city throughout that time and representing Beverly

Hills around the world. Where else is safety such a core priority, and where the very foundation of the city is built on elegance and craftsmanship—seen in its stunning architecture, exquisite textiles, iconic hotels, and extraordinary culinary experiences? I never stop pinching myself for the remarkable job

I have and for the opportunity to work alongside such exceptional people.

Note from Peter O: I am thankful for all of you!