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Give back to someone who's given so much.

Many of you know Dina Cherney as eccentric.  Indeed, few of us know anyone like her. Whereas the “normal” person gives tzedakah (charity) by writing a check or working a shift at a soup kitchen, Dina has dedicated her entire life, her entire being, to helping those less fortunate. Some consider this kind of generosity crazy, but I would consider it pure uncommon generosity.  There should be more people like Dina. 

For the past 40 years, Dina has opened her heart and home to the homeless, abused teens and women, and addicts--  90% of whom were Jewish. Almost every person who has stayed with her has gone to rehab, recovered, and become a self-sufficient contributing member of society.  When these people are helped, we create a more stable and peaceful world for everyone. Thank you, Dina, for providing this enormous service.

Now, after nine years of not being able to afford the refinancing of her mortgage as one bank after another shut down, and a year of rehab and job loss after an auto accident that was not her fault, she is losing her home.  After using her own funds from multiple jobs to help, host, and house others, she is asking the community to give back. 

I originally asked for help raising $2500 to help Dina move to a government-subsidized one-bedroom apartment, but since none is yet available  and since there had been an outpouring of support, I changed the goal to $6000 to help cover 5 months rent of temporary housing and two moves. I will personally ensure that these funds go directly to moving and rent.  Now, since people want to donate to Dina beyond that, any additional funds will go towards  1) food 2) medical expenses 3) purchasing a plane ticket so that Dina can visit her children (and soon-to-be grandchild) in Israel.  She has not seen her son in five years.   

Below are some of the acts of kindness Dina has performed over the years:

- Hosted hundreds of people for Shabbat and holidays who had nowhere to go.
- Housed and counseled dozens of Jewish and non-Jewish abused teenagers, abused women, drug addicts, victims of trafficking and homeless until they recovered. 
- Helped some of these women navigate the court system so they could get their children back 
- Organized countless food and clothing donations and donated signs through her company to businesses just starting up.
- Helped dozens of people acquire jobs and keep up with car payments so they could travel to work.  
- Drove dozens without cars to work and medical appointments. 
- Threw several vorts (engagement parties) and one wedding for couples with few resources
- Sat on the board and was vice president of In the Name of Justice, which supports families of the incarcerated 
- Traveled to Jordan to bring home a Jewish teenager who had run away

Dina feels blessed to have been able to provide hundreds of people a home full of laughter, love, and Jewish tradition.  She has an incredibly positive attitude and an amazing sense of humor. She says with a calmness only a woman of faith can say, "I have no problems, only challenges."  

Please help Dina by donating now and forwarding to people you know. 


Thank you.


Laurie Reitman


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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $25 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $10 
    • 4 yrs
  • Jack and Shelley Levey
    • $54 
    • 4 yrs
  • Mimi Rosenthal
    • $18 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $20 
    • 4 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Laurie Reitman
Organizer
Columbus, OH

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