Our story
אַל תַּשְׁלִיכֵנִי לְעֵת זִקְנָה
“Do not cast me away in my old age.” Tehillim 71:9
Meet our founder
Chaya Apter
Chaya is an occupational therapist. When a much-loved relative was living with Parkinson’s and dementia, she looked everywhere for a group that would suit him. There wasn’t one.
“He became lonely and withdrawn. Knowing the man he used to be, this broke my heart. I decided to use my knowledge as an occupational therapist to help him and others in his situation.”
She started small, with a few sessions in September 2025. Families kept coming back, and in June 2026 Mifgash Lev became a registered charity.
In Chaya’s words
“I founded Mifgash Lev to bring connection, dignity, meaningful activity and joy to the older members of our community, including those living with memory difficulties, so that our older generation never feels forgotten or alone.”
Our name
Mifgash Lev (מפגש לב) means “a meeting of hearts”. That’s what happens every week when people come together.
Our people
We are a team of 20 volunteers and 5 professionals, all from the community. Many of us have cared for someone with dementia ourselves. All our volunteers are DBS checked.
Our trustees
- Sophie Simone Torres Chair
- Jack Taub Trustee
- Eliyohu Lopian Trustee
We are guided by Rabbi Zimmerman Shlit’a on all halachic matters.
Friends we work with
We work alongside JAMI, Bikur Cholim, Jewish Care, MARS and Neshei, sharing volunteers and helping families find the right support.
Registered charity no. 1218667 · See us on the Charity Commission register · For funders & partners