Maya Davis and Maya Kleinberg, who grew up in Edgware, talked to visiting councillors about their experiences in Barnet and Israel

Cllr Liron Woodcock-Velleman and Cllr Barry Rawlings (Leader of Barnet Council) in a Jerusalem cafe with two students from Barnet who are studying in Israel — **Right to Left: Maya Kleinberg, Maya Davis, Cllr Liron Woodcock-Velleman, Cllr Barry Rawlings** – (Credit – Barnet Labour Group)

Two local students studying in Israel met up with Barnet Council’s leader in a cafe in Jerusalem this week

Maya Davis and Maya Kleinberg, who both grew up in Edgware, met Barry Rawlings, as well as fellow councillor Liron Woodcock-Velleman, for Israeli salads in the city centre’s Jaffa Street.

The students talked about their experiences in Israel and Barnet.

Maya Davis, 19, who is attending courses at the Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim Seminary and Hebrew University said: “It’s great to have come from a cool place like Barnet with its diversity and mix of cultures. It’s something I keep with me while I’m in Israel.”

Maya Kleinberg, also 19, is attending the Midreshet Harova Seminary and plans to volunteer with Magen David Adom, Israel’s ambulance service, next year.

She welcomed the council’s plans to build on Barnet’s culture, arts and leisure provision saying: “I loved growing up in Barnet and feel very connected to it even from Israel. It’s exciting to hear about the Borough of Fun plans, including Edgware.”

Cllr Rawlings said: “I am so proud to lead the local authority with the most Jewish residents in the UK, and I know how much Israel means to the community. It was great to meet up with Maya and Maya to talk about what they are up to in Jerusalem and their plans for the future. They really are a credit to Barnet.”

The councillors were in Israel to attend a conference held by Barnet’s twin city, Ramat Gan. Sessions included visits to schools and museums.

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