Did you know that Hebrew Free Loan is the only agency in the Bay Area that makes interest-free loans? Our main purpose is to offer financial assistance to members of the Jewish community. That's one of the reasons that I chose to become involved with this organization.

Hebrew Free Loan lends a helping hand to countless local Jewish individuals and families. Our loans enable members of our community to go to college and graduate school, adopt children, establish businesses or buy first homes. And we are there for emergencies as well.

Perhaps you know someone who has been helped by an HFLA loan and you understand the power that comes from being given an opportunity to improve your life.

Many people come to us when they have no other resources. They are often feeling discouraged, without hope or means to accomplish a goal. There may be an illness or unexpected job loss or other emergency. When Hebrew Free Loan can assist them with a loan, opportunities open up.

We have so many heartwarming stories of people who have achieved their dreams, with just a little help. You can read some of their stories on this website.

I am immensely proud to be a part of an organization that is there to offer a hand up. We can do this because, for more than 100 years, Bay Area Jews have provided the means for us to help through their kind and generous contributions. The more donations we receive, the more we can improve people's lives. I hope you will join me in this truly valuable charitable effort.

Ed Cushman, Executive Director

I joined Hebrew Free Loan Association as executive director in 2002. I knew I was joining a proud organization, with more than a century of history of helping people in our Jewish community.

I knew I was joining an agency with a caring, committed board and staff who do the work they do because they believe so deeply in our mission.

And I knew that Hebrew Free Loan was supported by a wide range of donors, many of whom have their own stories of how Hebrew Free Loan was there for them -- to help them start a business, get an education, or help them out of a financial crisis.

What I didn't know was how incredibly moved I would be by the strength, power and courage of the people that come to us for assistance. I didn't truly understand how a loan could do so much more than provide financial assistance. HFLA loans enable recipients to get help when they need it, with honor and mutual respect. In the last few years, Hebrew Free Loan has been assisting more and more middle-class Jewish families who are in desperate straits due to the economy. The major wage-earner has been laid off and the family finds itself spending the last of its savings to pay the mortgage on a home optimistically purchased in a better time. They cannot make the next payment; in some cases they cannot even afford food for their children.

In 2004 alone, we made loans to 400 people, many of whom were hit hard by the economy. For people in financial distress, we offer hope and a hand up -- to pay rent, buy food or medical supplies, or to consolidate debt. For others, we make dreams come true - to buy a home, adopt a child, or start a business.

Hebrew Free Loan Association is gratified that we can be here to help, carrying on the vision of our founders, on behalf of our Jewish community.

Officers
Elton Blum
President

Gary Shapiro
First Vice President

John J. Riley
Second Vice President

Howard Shwiff
Treasurer

Peter E. Williams, Jr.
Assistant Secretary

Executive Director
Edward L. Cushman

Board of Directors
Mark B. Abelson
Daniel Goldman
Bruce Goldman
Norman Harris
Emil Knopf
H. David Kwinter
Milla Lvovich
Gerald Ornstein
Norman Plotkin, D.D.S.
Rebecca Posamentier
Elizabeth Shwiff
Sharon Silverman
Debbie Chizever Taback
Bob Tandler
Katherine Weiss
Steve Zimmerman

Immediate Past President
Arlene Kreiger

Honorary Advisory Council
A. Arthur Kirschhorn
Matook Nissim

Custodian of Valuables
Arthur S. Becker

Past Presidents
Arthur S. Becker
Stephen C. Becker
William Breall, M.D.
Leonard A. Cohn
Daniel T. Goldberg
Frances D. Green
Milton Greenfield
Stuart R. Pollak

Executive Directors Emeriti
Julius Blackman
Irwin Wiener

Staff
Edward L. Cushman, Executive Director
Cindy Rogoway, Director of Development
Beth Blackman, Director of Operations
Ed Newburgh, Director of Loan Programs
Ellen McGarvey, Accounting Manager
Jordan Gill, Development Associate
Rachel Gratz, Client Services