By Ryan Torok

Via: JewishJournal,com

The Los Angeles-based Israeli American Council (IAC), which sponsors activities targeted for the Israeli-American community, has expanded to open an office in Miami as part of a “national growth plan” first previewed in September.  Florida, and particularly the region around Miami, is home to an estimated 30,000 Israelis, according to the IAC.

“The IAC was approached by community leaders, activists and volunteers in Miami, who were willing to donate their time and make financial contributions to form a local IAC regional council, in order to build an Israeli American community in Miami, bring IAC programs and support existing activities and programs in their community,” Shawn Evenheim, IAC national chairman, said in a press release.

The IAC also aims to build bridges between Israeli and Jewish Americans. Its Los Angeles community programs have included an annual Yom HaAtzmaut festival at Rancho Park in Los Angeles, which draws thousands of attendees.