A Word from Rabbi Schulman - 2/24/17

The Hebrew Free Loan Association is a wonderful organization based in San Francisco that offers loans to Jews in need. Through the HFL, Jewish residents of Northern California receive loans for education, adoptions, small businesses, first-time homebuyers as well as for personal and emergency needs.

The outstanding aspect of this organization is that the loans are offered interest free. That’s because the HFL adheres to the mitzvah in this week’s parasha “If you lend money to My people to the needy among you, do not act as a creditor; exact no interest from them.” (Exodus 22.24)

HFL lends money without charging interest but the organization does expect that every loan will be repaid. That way others can be helped in the future. From its modest beginning in 1897, when nine members of the San Francisco Jewish community pledged to raise $50 to begin a free loan association, the HFL is now helping over 1,000 members of the Jewish community improve their lives with loans totaling more than $4.2 million.

If you know of someone in need of financial assistance, call the Hebrew Free Loan Association at 415-546-9902, or visit their website.