Cancer Doesn't Care - Pelorous

Dina’s Story: Vicky Brown
Lady Jakobovits z’l
Dina Grunewald, Julie Cohn, Tami Grunewald & Ellie Grunwald
Chai Cancer Care exists because Lady Jakobovits z’l
had the inspiration to introduce our co-founders
Frances Winegarten z’l to Susan Shipman 20 years ago.
She instinctively knew that there would be a rapport
between them and that they would be able share their
experiences of living with cancer to help others in the
community.
As the “Shadchan” (matchmaker) she was personally
involved - from the very early meetings, some of them
in her Hamilton Terrace home together with her
beloved husband Harav Lord Jakobovits z’l, to her very
sudden and unexpected passing.
difficult circumstances, felt the benefit of her positive
outlook and belief. She had the gift of inspiring people
to find their inner strength and realise their full potential.
It is testament to her influence on our community that
she is regarded by everyone who had the privilege of
knowing her, with such deep affection and respect.
All of us at Chai Cancer Care will strive to continue to
make her proud of the organisation she was
instrumental in founding.
The recipes that are featured in Dina’s cookbook were
originally collected to give to her best friend as a
wedding present – as she wanted her to have
something “that was meaningful and would last
forever”. Dina asked her friends and family to share their
much loved recipes. The response to her request was
amazing and she managed to collect over 100
delicious recipes!
As the original cookbook was such a success, Dina and
her friends decided to continue to gather new recipes
to create another cookbook that she would produce
and print. These would be sold to raise money for Chai,
a “cause that is close to her heart” and dedicated to
the memory of her dear mother.
Having witnessed first hand the effect that cancer has
on the patient as well as the family, Dina feels very
strongly about the importance of having professional
support available for the community through each
stage of a cancer journey. Dina has experienced how
Chai supports the community and wanted to be able to
help this vital lifeline continue to offer its ever growing
services to all those that
need it.
Dina approached Chai
and met up with the team
to discuss the idea of
selling her cookbook.
Dina’s determination and
organisation shone
through as she explained
the concept of the
cookbook, design ideas and how many she was
planning to sell. Dina was even able to get the printing
of the cookbooks sponsored by her close family and
friends.
Over the course of a year, Dina gradually explained to
people her intentions for the cookbook and found that
people were so moved by what she had embarked
upon that they were incredibly supportive.
After the cookbooks had been printed, Dina set to work
on selling them. She found that once again, her
amazing close circle of friends all came together and
offered to either buy, or help her sell the books. With no
real advertising of the cookbook, Dina was inundated
with people asking to buy a copy. She puts the success
of the cookbook sales down to “word of mouth” and
her “unbelievable friends, without whom this would
never have come to fruition.”
Chai witnessed ‘dynamo’ Dina when she attended the
Community Fun Run, turning up with boxes full of
cookbooks. At the end of the day everyone was
astounded that Dina and her sisters had sold the lot.
Dina’s hard work has produced funds which will benefit
many Chai clients and she is an inspiration to all who
come into contact with her.
To date Dina has sold 850 cookbooks and plans to
continue to sell many more! Dina’s cookbooks are
currently on sale at Chai. To find out more or to
purchase a copy please call 0208 202 2211 and ask for
Danielle Satter, or email info@chaicancercare.org.
Lady J held the well deserved title of Honorary Patron
of Chai, however, this does not fully reflect the very
many roles she played within the organisation. A true
friend and mentor, her years of communal experience
and contacts were an invaluable source of support and
guidance as Chai grew and developed.
Her warmth and compassion knew no limits. All who
came into contact with her, sometimes under very
The Leora Kuhillow Courage Awards
Chai Cancer Care is delighted to have been chosen as a charity partner
for these inaugural awards in memory of Leora Kuhillow. The awards are
generously supported by the Jewish Telegraph.
The adult awards will be presented at a prestigious dinner
in Manchester on Sunday 13th March 2011
For more information please call Vicki Morris
on 020 8202 2211or email at
vickimorris@chaicancercare.org
Lady Jakobovits z’l & Frances Winegarten z’l at the 2006 Chai Dinner
34 20 years of cancer support in the community
20 years of cancer support in the community 35