Parramatta Advertiser, 26 February 2010

THE ties between Parramatta and the Israeli city of Be’er Sheva extend beyond their relationship as sister cities.

The strong bond goes back to World War I when Australian light horsemen liberated the desert city from the Turks in 1917.

This historical connection was reinforced last week when Be’er Sheva representative Shmaya Berkowitz visited Parramatta as part of an initiative to further the relationship between the two cities.

Mr Shmaya, chief executive of a public relations company, met deputy mayor Chiang Lim and councillor Michael McDermott to discuss new ways of improving living and governing.

Mr Berkowitz was ``extremely taken by Parramatta and found it a charming part of the world”, according to NSW’s Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff, who accompanied him around the city.

``Mr Berkowitz’s visit established a personal connection and has enabled us to explore more options in the future,” Mr Alhadeff said. ``He was also grateful for the warmth of the reception he received.’’

Despite the geographical difference, Parramatta and Be’er Sheva are both cosmopolitan cities that share a lot of similarities including the size of the population and the diversity of its communities.

Be’er Sheva is located in southern Israel.

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