HFLA-SA: 100 Years Changing Lives and Building Community

January 9, 2023

“As they planted trees for me, I am planting so that my children and grandchildren will eat the fruit,” said Honi, the Scholar.  When the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio supported post-war emigres Joseph and Ella Rotman, it planted trees bearing bountiful fruit today.

With an interest-free startup loan in 1950, Joe and Ella began a dry goods business and immersed their family in San Antonio’s Jewish Community.  Serving as a Trustee, Joseph was devoted to the annual BBQ, and the whole family – including children Sam, Michael, and Diana — participated.  The “American Dream” beckoned, and they thrived.

Sam earned honors as a concert pianist and Julliard student: the first American semifinalist in Vienna’s Beethoven competition. Diana studied science at UT and medical technology at Tarleton State, earning advanced degrees.

Michael Rotman took his MD from Galveston and opened a practice in Austin.  There, he and his wife Sandy became stalwarts of the Jewish Community … but he always remembered helping Dad at the HFLA-SA BBQ.

Austin community leaders introduced Dr. Rotman to Tracy Solomon, herself inspired by her brother’s activities with HFLA-Houston. “When I think back now, the timing was so perfect how the two of us came together,” says Tracy.

Solomon and Rotman (of blessed memory) co-founded the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Austin in 2011.  Roots planted in San Antonio are now giving fruit in the Texas Capital.

The Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio changing lives and building community, one interest-free loan at a time since 1924.