Behind the Gift: How Jerry and Carole Grafstein built a life around giving back

In fact, Carole’s mother, Carole, and Jerry and Carole’s two sons were all born at Mount Sinai Hospital. Over the years, Jerry and Carole would go on to generously support care across Sinai Health. When Carole’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, they made a gift to the Marvelle Koffler Breast Cancer Centre. When the Foundation launched their campaign for mature women’s health, they donated to help build the Weston and O’Born Centre for Mature Women’s Health. They’ve also supported heart failure research and emergency medicine addiction and mental health services. Carole received the Order of Canada in 2002, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions.

Yet, despite a storied history of philanthropy, Jerry still shies away from calling himself a philanthropist. Instead, he credits his wife for their lifetime of giving.

“It was really through my wife, Carole,” says Jerry. “She led the way. I was a fellow traveller, along for the ride.” 

Carole was the first call for many

Carole’s connection to Mount Sinai Hospital can be traced back to the hospital’s opening day in 1923. Her grandfather was involved in founding Mount Sinai and her grandmother was part of the Ezras Noshem, a group of women who rallied the community to fund its original location on Yorkville Avenue. Her grandmother also served on Mount Sinai’s first women’s volunteer committee, later called the Women’s Auxiliary.  

Carole herself devoted most of her time to helping the community. At Sinai Health, she served on the boards of the hospital, the Foundation, and the Women’s Auxiliary – becoming only one of two auxiliary members to hold the position of Auxiliary President twice. She also chaired several of the Auxiliary’s annual galas.  

“It was in her DNA,” says Jerry. “Incredible doesn’t quite capture all that Carole was. Because she never applauded herself and she never looked for credit. She just did it, and for countless people.”

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Jerry attributes his own philanthropic principles to his father.

“When I was a kid, my father was an immigrant and we were very poor,” says Jerry. “He taught me a philosophy that I used in politics as well. ‘Help people that can’t help themselves’.”

Together, Jerry and Carole’s home would become a flurry of fundraising activity. Jerry shared that the phones in their home would ring constantly, with people reaching out to Carole – people who had heard about her work in the community and wanted advice or support.  

“She didn’t want her name anywhere and yet everyone knew who she was. I was a senator. Nobody called me that often, I can tell you that,” jokes Jerry. 

A special gift to honour all that came before

The legacy of Jerry and Carole’s philanthropy is felt by many at Sinai Health. And although you won’t see Jerry and Carole Grafstein’s names in the hospital, there is one spot you can see Carole’s.  

When Carole was homebound with cancer, Jerry made a donation to Mount Sinai and named one of the Hospital’s donor walls in her honour. He named it the Carole S. Grafstein, O.C. Impact Centre, and to this day, it celebrates stories of philanthropy and the community at Mount Sinai Hospital.  

“I showed her a picture of the wall named in her honour and she told me to take it down,” recalls Jerry, laughing. “I remember I asked her why and she said to me, ‘Where’s your name? You’re behind me, so where’s your name?’. I went to the hospital and I had my photo taken in front of the wall. She was much happier with that.”

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Carole passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025, in the home where she raised her family and fundraised for Sinai Health and so many other causes. You can read Jerry and Carole’s story and other stories of giving on the fourth floor of Mount Sinai.

We are grateful to Jerry and Carole Grafstein for more than 40 years of generous support.