Sixty Israeli teenagers from the Galil celebrated Yom Ha'atzmaut with families in communities across England on a friendship building UJIA scheme.

Arriving on the last flight to Luton last Thursday before its closure because of the volcanic ash scare, the teens were here through the annual Magic Moments Living Bridge programme.

The were hosted by families in 10 communities, including Birmingham, Borehamwood, Edgware and Prestwich. During their week-long stay, they participated in volunteering and Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut activities, also taking in charities such as Norwood and Jewish Care and the Nightingale home in south London. At a Nightingale lunch, a former IDF lieutenant was among the residents they chatted to.

On Tuesday, the teens and their host families celebrated Israel's birthday with a barbecue at the Rowley Lane Sports Association in Barnet, where Living Bridge co-ordinator Adrienne Cinna stressed the benefits of the programme. "The Israelis connect with their peers and take part in community services so they can experience life in the UK and what it's like to live as a Jew in the diaspora.

"Some of the Israelis live literally 100 yards from the border and for them life carries on. It's important to show that to the kids here."

Staying with a Stanmore family, Stav Fisher, 16, said it had been "really hard to be away for Yom Hazikaron [Israel's memorial day for soldiers and terror victims] because people in my family have died. But it's very important to come to England and tell people about it and what we've been through."

Hosted in Woodside Park, Idan Peretz, 17, had been energised by "an amazing Shabbat at shul. In Israel, the shul is just a place to pray but here it is the centre of the community. Everyone comes, even if they are not as religious."

A Stanmore host family member, Ben Gordon, 16, said: "It's great to be able to speak to people from abroad and keep up the connection after they go."