Schoolboy Joel Weiner, who found fame this week as one of the questioners of Brown, Cameron and Clegg in the first party leaders' TV debate, was back on more familiar territory on Monday.

The Bnei Akiva member was one of over 1,000 people at the BA celebration at Finchley Synagogue, the country's biggest Independence Day event.

Joel said: "There was the most fantastic atmosphere and everyone felt the great vibe, celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut with Bnei Akiva and such a big crowd."

Communal personalities joining the movement members included Board of Deputies president Vivian Wineman, his United Synagogue counterpart Simon Hochhauser and Lady Jakobovits. Barnet Mayor Councillor Brian Coleman also attended and the crowd was addressed by Israeli envoy Ron Prosor and Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.

Movement leader Zak Jeffay said the event demonstrated that Bnei Akiva boasted "the most capable and passionate young activists in the community."

Among the revellers, Anna Coleman noted that "nothing compares to 1,000 people singing together in unison and there is no better way to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut."