We are delighted to announce that we celebrated today not only the fact that this is our 4th Dementia Club in the Borough of Barnet but also this is the first dementia café opening in a Synagogue open to all faiths. This is a new partnership with Sha’arei Tsedek and a new Interfaith venture. As we live in a society which is so multicultural, we believe it is important that we work together to combat the challenges in life. Dementia hits us all.

Launch of 4th Dementia Club UK venue at Sha'arei Tsedek with special guest Lady Poppy Cooksey Master of The Guild of Freemen of the City of London
Launch of 4th Dementia Club UK venue at Sha'arei Tsedek with special guest Lady Poppy Cooksey Master of The Guild of Freemen of the City of London

We had a special guest – Lady Poppy Cooksey who is the Master of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London. She selected the Dementia Club UK as one of her beneficiaries from her year as Master. Lady Cooksey presented a cheque to the Dementia Club UK. Lady Cooksey spoke about her year as Master and the fact that she is the 7th lady to be Master. This is a great achievement and everyone congratulated her. This followed with some questions and answers as people wanted to know what the Guild of the City of London was about and also about the various Liveries and great City Halls. Everyone was also fascinated by her impressive chain and badge representing the Guild of Freemen of the City of London. Other guests included;

Rabbi Judith Levitt

Rabbi James Baaden

Father Gregory Platten – All Saints Church in Whetstone next to the Synagogue

Richard Woolf – Chair of Sha’arei Tsedek

Cllr Lisa Rutter receiving a cheque from Lady Poppy Cooksey for Dementia Club UK
Cllr Lisa Rutter receiving a cheque from Lady Poppy Cooksey for Dementia Club UK

Rabbi James Baaden wanted to say a few words to express how delighted he was with our new partnership and to commend our new Interfaith venture. We then had exercise and dance to music which everyone enjoyed.

    Rabbi James Baaden promoting the importance of the new partnership with Dementia Club UK and Sha’arei Tsedek
Rabbi James Baaden promoting the importance of the new partnership with Dementia Club UK and Sha’arei Tsedek