Hebrew Free Loan Association of Cleveland

Photos from the 2011 Golf & Tennis Outing

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:20:29 -0500

On Monday, June 20,2011, the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Cleveland was privileged to honor Samuel H. Miller as our Man of the Year.

119 golfers hit the links and 19 tennis players joined the fun at Canterbury Golf Club to support a respected community leader and important community organization. In addition to the participants, 31 corporate sponsors made the afternoon possible. 200 dinner guests enjoyed food and fun at an after-event reception and silent auction.

The Hebrew Free Loan Association makes interest free loans to Northeast Ohioans regardless of religion, race or ethnicity. Loans are granted to people who demonstrate a genuine need to help with expenses for family, home, education, business or medical/dental needs. So far this year, the HFLA has made loans totaling more than $120,200. HFLA is a 501(c)3 organization.

CJN Article: Jewish agencies seek new ways to connect with boomers

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:32:55 -0500

Two of our Board Members, Stuart Sharpe and Kevin Adelstein, are quoted in this Cleveland Jewish News article on working with baby boomer volunteers. Volunteering for the Hebrew Free Loan Association is a satisfying way to serve your community. Unlike many larger organizations, you work directly with the people that the organization is assisting. If you are interested in performing the highest form of charity, providing an interest-free loan so worthy individuals may help themselves, then please get in touch.

December 2010 HFLA Newsletter

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:41:23 -0500

Our latest newsletter announces Samuel H. Miller, co-chairman of the board and treasurer at Forest City Enterprises, as 2011 Person of the Year. He will be honored in our Annual Golf & Tennis Throwdown on June 20, 2011. For this story and a recap of our latest loans and donors, view the December 2010 HFLA Newsletter (pdf).

September HFLA Newsletter

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:44:46 -0500

Check out the September 2010 Newsletter (pdf). It covers the 2010 Golf Outing, the latest loans, and other happenings at the HFLA.

Photos from 2010 Golf & Tennis Outing

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:18:17 -0500

On Monday, June 21, the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Cleveland honored Beachwood mayor Merle Gorden as HFLA's 2010 Man of the Year. A Beachwood resident for over 50 years, and mayor of Beachwood for four consecutive terms, Merle Gorden is truly a community icon. Active in local government for many years, Merle Gorden has held the post of council president, council member, democratic ward leader, served on various boards and commissions, as well as served on the board of numerous community and civic organizations and county committees.

88 golfers hit the links and 15 tennis players joined the fun at Canterbury Golf Club to support a respected community leader and important community organization. In addition to the participants, 25 corporate sponsors made the afternoon possible. 140 dinner guests enjoyed food and fun at an after-event reception and silent auction.

The Hebrew Free Loan Association makes interest free loans to Northeast Ohioans regardless of religion, race or ethnicity. Loans are granted to people who demonstrate a genuine need to help with expenses for family, home, education, business or medical/dental needs. So far this year, the HFLA has made loans totaling more than $60,000. HFLA is a 501(c)3 organization. For more information, visit www.hflaclev.org

2010 Golf & Tennis Outing

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:42:26 -0500

On Monday, June 21, join us in a fun-filled day of golf, tennis and socializing as we honor Mayor Gorden as HFLA's 2010 Man of the Year! In addition to supporting both a respected community leader and a treasured organization, you'll enjoy a great time with old and new friends. You'll have a relaxing day at Canterbury Golf Club, including a delicious lunch, prizes, and an after golf & tennis reception.

Registration & Sponsorship Form: 2010 Golf & Tennis Outing (pdf)

Free Tax Form and FASFA Preparation

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:13:46 -0500

Get Free Tax Form and FASFA Preparation!

Who: WECO Fund
When: By Appointment - 216/458-0250, ext. 116 (Doug)
Where: 3209 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Who Qualifies: Any individual making $57,000 or less.

In addition to preparing these forms, WECO will assist you in identifying state benefit programs for which you may qualify. For more information, please go to www.wecofund.com, www.refundohio.org, or www.obb.ohio.gov.

Brought to you by the WECO Fund and the Ohio Benefits Bank.

Annual Meeting 2009 Photos

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:32:21 -0500

Naomi Adler receives an HFLA Lifetime Membership for her dedicated service.

HFLA Executive Committee

Vice President Kevin Adelstein thanks Cynthia Winters for her service as President

Frequently Asked Questions

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:01:32 -0500

Do I need to be Jewish to apply for a loan with HFLA?

No, you do not need to be Jewish to apply for a loan with HFLA. HFLA is a non-sectarian organization. HFLA accepts applications from anybody who lives in Northeast Ohio and is not able to acquire a loan through conventional methods.

What kind of income level must I have to apply for a loan?

We do not require a specific income level. We require that you have a monthly income and that we see that there is an ability to repay the loan. We will look at your monthly expenses versus your income, as well as your credit history.

What details should I include on the monthly expense form?

Your monthly expense form must include all payments you make during the month, even if you are delinquent on those payments. It must be filled out as accurately and fully as possible to be accepted for a loan application. The expense form can be found with the applications that you can download.

Must I have a co-signer?

All our loans require co-signers (please see application information as to how many co-signers are needed per amount). Co-signers are our one source of back up if an applicant defaults on his/her loan. Co-signers must sign a legal document that they are aware of this fact.

What criteria must a co-signer have?

A co-signer will be someone who has good credit and enough monthly income to satisfy the repayment obligations in the event that the applicant defaults on his/her loan. We want to see that if we needed to approach a co-signer that we would not be putting an unreasonable financial burden upon him/her.

How do I get an application form?

You can print an application form off of our website: www.hflaclev.org . If you do not have internet access, once you have clarified that you have the co-signers you need and can meet our other qualifications, we will be happy to mail you forms.

What documentation do I need to provide?

You must fill out the application forms completely and provide all of the following documentation.

PROOF OF CURRENT INCOME
INCOME TAX RETURN
COMPLETED MONTHLY BUDGET FORM
NOTE OF EXPLANATION FOR LOAN REQUEST
COPIES OF BILLS/INVOICES TO BE PAID OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION

Your co-signer(s) must complete the guarantor information form and send in the following documentation:

PROOF OF CURRENT INCOME OR TAX RETURN OR W-2 FORM OR OTHER

Do I need to provide identification?

In compliance with the Patriot Act, we require 2 forms of picture identification.

Do I need to come into the office?

You can mail, fax or bring your application into the office. If you are coming to the office and would like to speak with someone, we ask that you call and set up an appointment. We are a small staff and have varied hours.

What happens once my application is in?

Once a completed application is in, the office will process it. We run credit reports on you and your co-signer(s), and evaluate all your forms. If, after reviewing your application and documentation, we determine that we need more information or documentation to evaluate your application, we will contact you. Once the application is complete, we will make you an appointment to meet with the loan committee.

How long until I know if my loan is approved?

Our loan committee meets once or twice a month depending on the need. If no additional follow-up is required, you will usually know if the loan was approved the next day.

Once a loan is approved, you will be contacted and arrangements will be made to get a promissory note signed by you and your co-signers. Once the promissory note is signed, the loan can be issued.

If my loan is approved do you write the check to me?

We do not write checks directly to our applicants. We will write checks to your source of need. i.e. orthodontist office for braces, contractors for home repair, mortgage companies for delinquent payments, payday loan companies for payday loans.

What is the payback time period?

Payback begins the month after we loan the money and is as follows:

15 months for up to $3,000

24 months for above $3,000 - $5,000

36 months for above $5,000 - $7,500 (our maximum amount for loaning)

Can I have payments directly debited from my paycheck or make online payments?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer these services at this time. Applicants may mail us a check each month, drop payment off at our offices, give us postdated checks or you can set up with your bank to have them mail us a monthly payment.

What happens if my check is returned from the bank?

Any fees we accrue from returned checks will be added to your account. If we have more than one returned check you may be asked to send us monthly money orders instead of checks.

Can I pay off my loan early?

You can always pay off your loan early. We require our clients to make their regular monthly payments and recommend if they have extra income available to pay it towards any debts they have that might accrue interest before they would increase our payment.

What happens when I pay off my loan?

Once a loan is paid off and month's end reports are processed, we will mail you your paid off promissory note as proof of the loan being repaid.

Can I make a donation to HFLA?

We are always happy to accept donations. Donations are how our organization exists and continues to run.

Can I make a donation online?

You can make a donation online at our website www.hflaclev.org .

Student Loans

What makes student loans different that your regular loans?

Full time student loans are repaid at a lower rate for the duration of time that the applicant is a student. When the applicant is no longer enrolled in school, his/her loan is due in full or turned into a regular loan.

Does my GPA affect my ability to get a loan?

Your GPA does not affect your ability to get a loan. HFLA Student loans are need based, not merit based.

What documents do you need?

We will need to see your letter of acceptance at the school, tuition, scholarship and grant information and a copy of your FAFSA document.

For questions that were not addressed in this section, please call our offices at 216-378--9042 or send us an email at team@hflaclev.org.

Calendar

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:31:51 -0500

Board Meetings	6:30 pm on the third Monday of the month at 5910 Landerbrook Dr. in the basement conference room.
Loan Committee	4:30 pm on the first Tuesday of the month at the HFLA offices.
Executive Committee	Following every loan committee meeting.
Golf Committee	First Monday of the month through July in the HFLA offices.

Cleveland Plain Dealer Article

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:26:31 -0500

The following article ran in the Thursday, September 27, 2007 edition of The Plain Dealer: Hebrew Free Loan Association offers helping hand to Clevelanders By Barb Galbincea This is a story about free loans. Really. People usually don't believe it when Rabbi Susan Stone says the Hebrew Free Loan Association she heads can lend them money, interest-free. "They always ask, 'What's the catch?' " she said. But the fact is that the Beachwood-based association - with a two-person staff - has lent more than $7 million since it was founded in 1904. The only "catch" is that the borrower is expected to repay the money so that others can be helped. The first loan was $25 to a peddler who wanted to buy and stock a pushcart. Since then, people have sought loans for everything from braces and breast implants to home repairs and college tuition. The association, part of an international movement that began in the 19th century, serves only Northeast Ohioans with genuine need who don't qualify for conventional bank loans. But they must demonstrate their ability to repay the money and have credible co-signers willing to vouch for them. The guiding principles come from the Torah and commandments that forbid Jews from charging interest. Loans are made regardless of race or creed. In the beginning, the local association served mainly immigrant Jews resettling in Cleveland. Today's borrowers include Muslims, natives of China and other countries, and a growing number of people from the suburbs. Stone estimates that about a quarter to a third of borrowers are foreign-born. In 2005, the association made 22 loans, not counting those to students. Last year, the number grew to 48 and is on track to reach about 70 this year, according to Stone, executive director since 2005. The amounts are relatively small - averaging about $2,000 a loan - but she thinks the impact of microlending can be huge. For instance, she said, a Cleveland family can be lifted out of poverty by a car loan that allows an unemployed mother or father to get to work in the suburbs. Or, Stone recounts the story of a woman who worked hard to become a licensed practical nurse and now needs a little help to become a registered nurse, at a significantly higher rate of pay. That would also boost what the woman contributes in taxes, helping the community at large, the rabbi noted. Another woman came seeking a loan bearing 4-by-6 photographs of the bruises she said her husband inflicted. She wanted to borrow money for attorney fees. And as for the exotic dancer who applied for a loan to enhance her natural assets, the request was before Stone's time so she isn't sure how the board's volunteer loan committee ruled. "Would you call that the cost of doing business?" she muses, with a smile. Those who get loans for more than $5,000 - up to the maximum $7,500 - have three years to repay the debt; two years for loans between $3,000 and $5,000; 15 months for those between $1,000 and $3,000; and a year for loans of less than $1,000. Student loans are limited to $5,000, but not all at one time. The overall collection rate is about 98 percent. Why do so few borrowers default? "I think people, hopefully, feel a moral obligation to repay us," Stone said. "They understand that if they don't, we can't help other people." At any one time, she said, the association has from $200,000 to $250,000 in active loans. The revolving loan fund, of more than $500,000, was built entirely on donations. Maury Feren, who turns 92 this week, said the Hebrew Free Loan Association was a lifesaver for him, his parents and three siblings during the Depression. His father's wholesale produce business pretty much disappeared during those winters, leaving the family all but destitute. So, for at least five years, Feren's mother would regularly take her plain, gold wedding ring to the Hebrew Free Loan Association, which would hold it in return for a loan. When the produce business improved, said Feren, his mother would pay off the loan and retrieve her ring. "It enabled us to maintain some kind of dignity," he said. "That was very important to my mother. She didn't want to accept charity." The association no longer accepts pawn as collateral, but the need for free loans is undiminished, according to Feren. "It's wonderful, wonderful work that they do."

Give to HFLA Every Time You Search!

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:41:27 -0500

What if the Hebrew Free Loan Association earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Hebrew Free Loan Association as the charity you want to support. Just 50 of us searching twice a day will raise about $350 in a year without anyone spending a dime! And, be sure to spread the word! Want to let others know of your commitment to HFLA and goodsearch? You can let them know by pasting the following line (or something similar) onto the pre-set signature line of your emails:

Help a great non-profit raise money every time you search the Internet! Go to www.goodsearch.com (powered by Yahoo!), enter "Hebrew Free Loan Association" as the charity you're supporting and HFLA will earn a penny every time you search the Internet through Goodsearch.

Can You Spare a Loan?

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:25:55 -0500

By Wendy Amsellem. Reprinted with permission from the Jewish Feminist Orthodox Alliance. --- Having just gone through a season of giving, I suppose it may be impolitic to point out that the Torah never commands us to give money to the poor. Instead, there are numerous adjurations to lend money to those in need. The assumption throughout is that the money will be repaid. Other laws delineate gifts given to the poor, but they are always gifts of produce–not money. Over time, as the Jewish economy became less agriculturally based, we can trace a rabbinic effort to re-interpret laws of loans into obligations of gifts. This reinterpretation becomes the basis for the laws of tzedaka as we know them today. The first biblical laws outlining our obligations to the poor appear in Exodus 22:24-26:

If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, do not behave towards him as a creditor, do not charge him interest. If you take his garment as collateral, return it to him as the sun sets. For it is his only garment, his only covering for his skin–in what will he sleep? If he cries out to Me, I will hear him for I am merciful.

These verses assume that a loan is taking place, not a gift, and the verses stipulate the terms of the loan–namely that it be without interest. Moreover, there is an assumption that collateral is being taken, which is a clear indication that there is an expectation of repayment. The Torah mandates that the poor be treated mercifully and that, if the collateral is needed by its owner, it must be returned as the need demands. Leviticus 25:35-37 develops this theme further:

If your brother becomes poor and his hand falters you shall strengthen him–stranger and settler–and he shall live with you. You shall not take interest from him; your brother shall live with you. Neither money nor food shall you give him with interest.

The emphasis is once again on lending without interest. We are to enable the brother to live with us, seemingly by extending loans that will allow him to cover his needs. Deuteronomy 24:10-15 similarly stipulates that the poor person who has borrowed money be treated with respect. The lender may not barge into the poor person’s home to collect the collateral. Instead the lender is to wait politely outside for the poor person to bring out the object. Again, there is the presumption that a loan has taken place and that the lender can enforce repayment. The Torah is just trying to safeguard the poor person’s dignity during the process. There is one biblical passage that suggests that the lender may not necessarily be repaid:

If there be a poor person from one of your brothers in one of your gates in the land that God has given you, you shall not harden your heart or clench your hand from your brother who is poor. You shall open your hand to him and lend him all that he lacks. Beware lest there be in your heart an unscrupulous thought [namely] that the seventh year, the sabbatical year is coming, and you think to be stingy towards your brother who is poor and not give him...Surely you shall give him and let your heart not be troubled when you give him since because of this, God will bless you in all your endeavors (Deuteronomy 15:7-10).

During the Sabbatical year all debts are canceled. In this passage, the Torah addresses the lender’s very reasonable reluctance to lend money to the poor as the sabbatical year draws near. In all likelihood, the debt will be canceled before it is repaid. The Torah demands that the loans be given anyway and promises God’s blessings as an alternative to repayment. It is significant that the money is never given as a gift; it is always termed a loan, albeit one that may never be collected. There are, of course, many gifts that the Torah establishes for the poor. The corners of the field, produce that is forgotten in the field, sheaves that fall during harvesting–all of these are to be left for the poor. A tenth of one’s produce is to be given to the Levite, who is often assumed to be poor. However, it is not clear if these gifts are binding outside the land of Israel, and they certainly only seem to be relevant for an agricultural population. As the Jewish community moved into exile and away from an agrarian lifestyle, these types of land-based charitable gifts were no longer sufficient. As a result, the rabbis reinterpreted the biblical verses to refer to charity as we know it today. The Babylonian Talmud in Ketubot 67b explains that when Deuteronomy 15:7 speaks of lending, it is referring to a poor person who refuses to accept a gift of money. The Torah says to give it as a loan, so that it will be accepted, but then afterward to claim that it was a gift. According to the Talmud, the goal is for the money to be accepted as a gift, and the giver merely uses the pretense of a loan to ensure that the gift is accepted. Maimonides goes further in his re-interpretation of these verses. In his Laws of Gifts to the Poor, 7:1 he states as follows:

It is a positive commandment to give tzedaka to the poor of Israel according to the needs of the poor, as far as the giver can afford, as it says, “You shall open your hand to him” (Deuteronomy 15:8), and it says “you shall strengthen him–stranger and settler–and he shall live with you” (Leviticus 25:35), and it says “your brother shall live with you” (Leviticus 25:36). And anyone who sees a poor person asking and shuts his eyes from him and does not give him tzedaka, violates a negative commandment, as it says “you shall not harden your heart or clench your hand from your brother who is poor” (Deuteronomy 15:6).

Maimonides claims that there is a positive commandment to give tzedaka. Significantly all the verses that he cites to support this idea are not about giving, but rather about lending. Maimonides cites the verses from Deuteronomy and Leviticus out of context in order to create a biblical obligation to give to the poor. Maimonides then continues to explain in the next section:

According to what the poor person lacks, so you are commanded to give him. If he does not have clothing, you clothe him; if he does not have household implements, you buy them for him; if he does not a wife, you marry him to a woman; if the poor person is a woman, you marry her to a man; even if this poor person was accustomed to ride on a horse with a servant running before him, and now he has lost his fortune, you buy him a horse to ride and a servant to run before him as it says “all that he lacks” (Deut. 15:8), you are commanded to fulfill his what he is lacking, but you are not commanded to enrich him (Laws of Gifts to the Poor 7:2).

In this second section, Maimonides describes one’s obligations to the poor. Again, Maimonides quotes a prooftext from a biblical verse speaking of a loan; however, it does not seem that he is speaking of lending the clothing, the household utensils, the servant, or the horse. Instead Maimonides is once again using the verses about lending to create an obligation to give. Later in Laws of Gifts to the Poor 10:7, Maimonides designates a loan or a job offer as the highest form of charity, but he does not indicate that it is the only form mandated by the Bible. It is not hard to understand the rabbinic attempt to create a biblical mandate to give charity. There was a basis in the Torah for agricultural charity, and after the Jewish community moved into exile, that framework was no longer sufficient.. In its place, the Rabbis created an obligation to give money or whatever goods are needed by others. Why though does the Torah devote so many verses to creating an ethical lending framework, instead of simply insisting that we give to those less fortunate? One possible answer is that the Torah is not just concerned with fulfilling the day-to-day needs of the poor. Those needs could theoretically be covered through agricultural gifts. Instead, the Torah is seeking to eradicate poverty. The Torah is in effect instituting a system of micro-lending. Poor people are given the capital to lift themselves out of poverty. The expectation that they will repay the loans is also an expression of confidence that they will be able to afford to do so. For generations, Jewish communities have created free-loan societies as an embodiment of these ideals. The awarding of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize to Muhammad Yunus for creating a system of micro-lending in rural Bangladesh is evidence of the contemporary currency of this biblical idea. As we think about how best to alleviate privation in the world, may we be inspired by the Torah to seek ways to uproot the causes of poverty and to help people to empower themselves. May we always remember to guard the dignity of the recipients of our aid, and may we give with a free heart and an open hand so that we may share in the blessing of Deuteronomy 15:10:

Because of this, the Lord your God will bless you in all your endeavors.

-- Wendy Amsellem is a faculty member at Drisha Institute and serves as director of its high-school programs. She is pursuing a PhD in Jewish Studies at New York University.

The People of HFLA

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:25:56 -0500

2007-2008 Executive Board

President

Cynthia Winters-Stone

Vice Presidents
Eric J. Rivchun
Kevin S. Adelstein

Secretary
Nadene Norr

Treasurer
Michael J. Levine

Office Staff

Michal Marcus, Office Manager
hflaclev@sbcglobal.net

Board Directors

Jeffrey Aarons
Naomi Adler
Stella Arnaut
Jeffrey Bogart
Marcia Coven
David Edelman
Marcia Elbrand
Benjamin Greenberger
Bruce Greenwald
David Leavitt
Lawrence Mack
Clifford S. Mendelsohn
Jodi Rich
Frances Riemer
Ryan Rivchun
Lee Rosen
Walter S. Schwartz
Stuart J. Sharpe
Alex Shvartshteyn
Richard T. Streem
Tom (Tzvi) Turner
Mitchell Wasserman
Mark Weintraub

Past Presidents

Ronald Abrams
Anthony Babin
Valera Bendersky
Barnett Bookatz
Roger Carran
Andrew Finger
Irwin M. Frank
Charles Frankel
Jerome Frankel
Stanley Friedlander
Samuel Jaffe
Michael A. Lewis
Leon Lindheim
James Mellman
Richard Pollack
David Senkfor

Life Members

Joseph Babin
Keith Belkin
Bert Chernin
Lewis Frauenthal
Phyllis Gary
Leonard Senkfor
Margaret Wasserstrom

Golf Outing a Success! (Includes Photos)

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:56:16 -0500

View Event Photos Dear Board Member, What a time was had by all! Yes, our First Annual HFLA Golf and Tennis “Throwdown” was an unqualified success. We are writing to you to crow just a little bit longer. We are writing to crow about the fun each of the over 100 golfers and tennis players had. We are writing to crow about the great visibility we gave our sponsors and the high regard in which they hold us. We are writing to crow about the multitude of volunteers without whom we’d never have come even close to succeeding at such a vast undertaking. And yes, we are writing to crow about the terrific amount of money (over $30,000) we raised for the Hebrew Free Loan Association. This is YOUR HFLA. The many Board members who contributed their time and talents are what made the event work. Eric J. Rivchun chaired the Outing and worked hand in glove with Irwin Frank, Stuart J. Sharpe, Cynthia Winters-Stone, Marcia Coven, Ryan Rivchun, Marla Silberman and many others. The office staff of Rabbi Susan Stone and Michal Marcus worked tirelessly even though they had no prior golf outing experience. Our many volunteers came through as well manning the various tables and holes to make this event truly special. For those of you who couldn’t make it this year please put July 14, 2008 on your calendars for our Second Annual Outing. Next year, we’ll play at Beechmont CC but we know that we will spend much time during the coming year building on the winning formula we’ve found to make it an even better and more profitable event for us and our clients. We look forward to you joining us in all aspects of our work as we move forward. L’shalom, David Senkfor President