Oct 19, 2017

Hebrew Free Loan Association Becomes Subsidiary Agency of Greater Miami Jewish Federation

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is proud to announce that the Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida (HFLA) is now a subsidiary agency of Federation. Since 1989, HFLA has been offering interest-free loans to Jewish individuals and families in need. HFLA has provided over 600 interest-free loans during the past three decades totaling more than $2 million.

HFLA personal loans provide financial assistance for emergencies, medical and dental expenses, car and housing repairs, lifecycle events, early childhood and day school education, divorce, immigration costs, domestic violence therapy and services, mortgage and rental costs and more.

In addition to personal loans, HFLA offers three other financing opportunities. The HFLA Entrepreneur Loan Program (HELP) provides interest-free loans of up to $10,000 to start or expand a small business. The Making Miracle Babies Fertility Fund provides $18,000 in interest-free loans for assistance with in-vitro fertilization costs to Jewish would-be parents residing in Miami-Dade County. The Goldstein Family Adoption Fund provides $24,000 interest-free loans to cover the birth mother’s medical and living expenses, adoption and attorney fees, social worker fees and court costs.

According to HFLA Chair Michelle Ben-Aviv, the agency’s new status as a Federation subsidiary agency will provide it with greater visibility and allow its services to reach more people in need. “The HFLA model is particularly resonant with young people because it empowers the borrower to stand proudly on their own two feet,” she said. HFLA’s interest-free loans fill an important gap in our social system by promoting self-sufficiency with discretion.

Every loan disbursed by HFLA is a community investment in the dignity and independence of local families and individuals in need. Borrowers’ commitments to timely repayment schedules have helped HFLA maintain a reimbursement rate of more than 98 percent. As soon as monthly loan payments are deposited, HFLA can approve and disburse new loans. Borrowers understand the process and are dedicated to timely repayment schedules as they are quite literally paying it forward to the next person in need.

HFLA Founder Andrew Weinberg praised the new relationship between Federation and HFLA as a bright, new chapter that will complement the agency’s mission. “I was taught by my grandparents that no matter how successful you become, there will always be people in need you can help,” Mr. Weinberg said. “The purpose of the Hebrew Free Loan Association is to provide people with a hand up, not a handout.”

For more information about the Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida, contact [email protected] or 305.692.7555.