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History of Israelis in Los Angeles facts for kids

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Los Angeles, California, is home to one of the biggest groups of Israeli Americans in the United States. These are people who have moved from Israel or whose families came from Israel.

History of Israeli Americans in Los Angeles

Building the First Community

In 1930, Jewish people living in Los Angeles who were originally from Palestine (the land that later became Israel) started an organization. It was called "Agudath Eretz Israel of Los Angeles." This was the first group of its kind in the American Southwest.

This group included Sephardic Jews from Palestine. Rabbi Solomon Michael Neches, an Orthodox rabbi born in Palestine, was the president. He was very active in the Zionist movement, which supported creating a Jewish state in Palestine.

An article from 1930 announced a celebration for this new organization. It invited "All Palestinians of Los Angeles and vicinity" to enjoy Palestinian culture. The event featured songs and Israeli folk dancing from the land of Israel, also known as Eretz Yisrael.

Growth After 1948

Israeli-American Council Celebrate Israel Festival, Los Angeles
Israeli and other Jewish Americans celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut at the Celebrate Israel Festival in Cheviot Hills, Los Angeles

Many Israeli Americans in Los Angeles are first, second, or third-generation Americans. Their families first arrived in the 1950s. A new wave of immigrants began moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s and continues today.

The Israeli American community in Los Angeles has become very important in local business, government, and culture. Los Angeles is home to the world's first Israeli Community Center (ICC). This center is similar to a Jewish Community Center (JCC) and is located in the San Fernando Valley.

Population of Israeli Americans

Los Angeles has the largest population of Israeli Americans outside of Israel. More than 250,000 Israeli Americans live in the Greater Los Angeles area. This information comes from the Israeli American Council.

Most Israeli Americans in Los Angeles live in the San Fernando Valley and the Westside of Los Angeles. The neighborhoods of Encino and Tarzana are especially known for having many Israeli residents.

Notable Israeli Americans

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