Federation and Hebrew Free Loan Association – San Antonio Stand Ready to Help in this Crisis
Apply Now For Emergency Loan Assistance To Cover Repairs
February 18, 2021
The Jewish Federation of San Antonio has just made another round of life-sustaining grants to community agencies and synagogues from the San Antonio 2020 Community Crisis Fund. From May 2020 through February 2021, the Federation has allocated $430,000 to Jewish organizations to help with their immediate needs.
COMMUNITY CRISIS GRANT RECIPIENTS
Barshop Jewish Community Center
Camp Young Judaea
URJ Greene Family Camp
Jewish Family Service
Shmuel Bass Torah Academy of San Antonio
Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning
Chabad Israeli Center San Antonio
Congregation Agudas Achim
Congregation Rodfei Sholom
Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio
Temple Beth-El
Temple Chai
Ohr Lanu Foundation
San Antonio Jewish Senior Services
As part of this crisis funding, the Federation has established the Jewish Federation of San Antonio 2020 Crisis Allocation Fund of the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio (HFLA-SA). This most recent grant will combine with previous donations to HFLA-SA with the designated intent to use to immediately support Jewish community members affected by the pandemic.
Now, with the onslaught of this week’s winter storm, this fund will also support Jewish community members who may need help to get resources or repairs. Burst pipes, water heater repair, and other costly repairs are facing many area residents. The joint leadership of Federation and HFLA-SA are acting as our traditional Jewish sources command:
“If you lend money to My people, even to the poor among you, do not act toward them as a creditor; you shall not charge them interest.” – Exodus 22:24 (Parasha Mishpatim)
“You shall not lend him your money at interest or give him your food for profit.” – Leviticus 25:37 (Parasha Vayikra)
Federation’s CEO Nammie Ichilov shared, “It is through the generosity of the San Antonio Jewish community that the Federation is able to provide Hebrew Free Loan San Antonio with these critical resources. Gaining timely access to emergency funds and knowing that this loan will not balloon into a sum too large to overcome, maintains our community members’ dignity and sense of responsibility. Sometimes a person simply needs a financial bridge during difficult times, and these funds will provide years of future opportunities for our community members to get through unexpected difficulties.”
Michael D. Robbins, President of the HFLA-SA, noted that “HFLA-SA is proud to be a vehicle for assisting financially vulnerable families. Quietly partnering with the Federation, HFLA-SA has already distributed over $50,000 in zero-interest loans relating directly to needs caused by Covid-19.”
Howard S. Feinberg, HFLA-SA’s Executive Director, shared that the organization continues to make available zero-interest loans to members of the Jewish community for the wide-range of issues facing today’s Jewish community members. “Clearly, Covid-19 has exacerbated the need in the community for a temporary financial hand-up. This new named fund allows the Jewish Federation to directly impact families in need with zero-interest loans through HFLA-SA. And, like all funds, this fund will last into perpetuity; as loans are repaid, the money is recycled into new loans.”
Collectively, we encourage all members of the community to think of those in need during these challenging times. If you or someone you know has need for a financial hand-up via a zero-interest loan, please contact HFLA-SA at 210-736-4352 or visit www.hfla-sa.org
Michael Swanson, Board Chair, Jewish Federation of San Antonio
Nammie Ichilov, President & CEO, Jewish Federation of San Antonio
Michael D. Robbins, President, Hebrew Free Loan Association San Antonio
Howard S. Feinberg, Executive Director, Hebrew Free Loan Association San Antonio