Hebrew Free Loan Society of Greater Philadelphia
The Highest Form of Charity is to Help People Help Themselves
The Hebrew Free Loan Society of Greater Philadelphia provides interest-free loans to members of the Philadelphia Jewish community. Borrowers must live in the Philadelphia area (including some parts of South Jersey). Credit-worthy co-signers are required for all loans.
Our loan funds include (but are not limited to) an Education Fund, the Be a Family Fertility Fund,and a Life Cycle Fund. We also offer loans to help start a new business or refocus an existing business. Business loans are available to both Jews and non-Jews.
Our loans are funded entirely from donations. Payments from borrowers are returned to our loan fund, so the same dollars can be recycled many times.
Hebrew Free Loan Societies are based on the Biblical injunction "If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, do not act towards them as a creditor; exact no interest from them." (Exodus 22:24)
Notes: The above description came from the organization's home page. The organization is headquartered in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
In The News
- Jewish Groups Make Financial Resources Available Amid Crisis, Jewish Exponent, April 2, 2020.
- Hebrew Free Loan Society Adds Adoption Program, February 2, 2020.
- Anonymous Donor Gives $500,000 To Philly Non-Profit To Offer Zero-Interest Loans To Hundreds of Federal Workers, CBS-3, January 21, 2019.
Info
- Video: Parshat Mishpatim: What The Bible Says About Money Lending (YouTube, 3m55s)
- Volunteer: Volunteering