THE JEWISH CHRONICLE
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The Hebrew Free Loan Association
Its History and Work in Our Community
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'l'he modern social service in-
It may be presumed that if loans
stitution can no longer be termed
had not been made to these peo-
„ a "charity." The policy of alms
ple, many of them would have
giving is becoming repungnant to
been obliged to seek relief from
the spirit of progress. Social serv-
the charities. This avoidance rep-
ice has become a constructive
resents saving of a spiritual and
force for the welfare of every
material nature ; spiritual as it
member in the community instead
tends to foster the spirit of self-
of concentrating its energies on
reliance ; material, insomuch as
the submerged few to whom a
it saves the charities an added
mere subsistence is the end and
burden.
aim of living. The word "char-
Every element in the Jewish
ity" has assumed an odious sig-
community now supports the asso-
nificance. It stands for the giving
ciation. Through its new system
of something to someone who is
of memberships anybody may con-
physically or mentally incapable
tribute his share to this worthy ob-
of caring for himself. An individ-
ject. Life memberships are open
ual who accepts "charity" is re-
to those who subscribe for $250.00
garded with pity by society. No
and up. Sustaining members con-
matter how benevolent this sym-
tribute $25.00 or over. Ordinary
pathetic attitude might be, it nev-
members contribute $5.00 or more.
ertheless does not redound to the
The largest loan made to applicants
benefit of any person who accepts
so far as been $25.00, but the in-
it. For this reason many social
crease in membership is hoped to
service institutions that extend
raise the individual loan to $100.
relief to the destitute poor and at
This sum would be sufficient to per-
the same time strive to do other
mit some families to set themselves
work of a constructive nature are
up in a small business. This amount
MORRIS FRIEDBERG President of the Hebrew Free Loan Association ,
hampered in the latter by the at-
of money to many of us is a very
titude of individuals whom it tries
small item. It does not represent
to reach but who are not of the
much of any value to us, but to
class that "accepts charity."
family heirlooms that possessed tion was set forth, but after much many families it is the bridge from
There are self-respecting and considerable more sentimental effort its committees then ap- Want to Comfort. It spells for
self-supporting- members of the than intrinsic value. In some pointed raised a little over $900. them the inspiring word—Oppor-
community who sometimes find cases a note endorsed as surety This was wholly insufficient to tunity. The average man • asks
themselves in embarrassing finan- by a known person was accepted, keep the organization alive. With nothing more than a Chance and
cial straits through circumstances but in any case the integrity and the prospects of closing' its doors Opportunity to "make good." And
beyond their control. Sickness in worthiness of the applicant him- and ceasing its activities with a such a privilege no man should be
the family, accident, temporary self was the prevailing foundation consequent great suffering to hun- denied. The Hebrew Free Loan
unemployment, and other unfor- of the loan. This policy strictly dreds of deserving people, the Association desires to make this
seen situations occur. Immediate adhered to even today, has proven outlook was indeed:very disheart- community a Land of Opportunity
aid becomes necessary. Friends its practicability for the society ening. A period of industrial de- to all who signify their willingness
may be appealed to, but they too has not suffered a single loss pression had begun to make it- to become a self-reliant part of our
may be in no better circumstances through its use.
self evident and the need for the communal life.
or there may be no personal ac-
The present officers of the asso-
The organization started its ac- association was intensified. It was
quaintances. 'l'he ordinary chan- tivities with twenty-five subscrib- at this time a man whose mem- ciation are : Honorary President,
nels of borrowing funds in use in ers and a fund of $200. Its first ory shall ever be a source of in- D. W. Simons, one of the founders
the business world are not acces- officers were S. Kaploy, Presi- spiration to us, came to the res- and most intensely interested sup-
sible to the man of small means. dent; J. B. Lasky, Treasurer, and cue and saved the institution. It porters ; President, Morris Fried-
There looms up then only one al- J. Beisman, Treasurer. The little was Jacob G. Brown, the Friend berg, who has injected a youthful
ternative—Charity.
organization struggled along in Need, the faithful and kind enthusiasm in the organization that
In this. city, however, an insti- against great odds. It was a new Brother to the unfortunate, the augurs well for its success aiid who
tution is in existance that has met and untried idea. It was revolu- noble man whose untimely end is devoting much of his valuable
and is meeting this problem very tionary in its methods as com- we all deeply mourn. By aid of his time for personal service ; Vice-
creditably. To many, perhaps a pared with the old form of char- material contribution and per- President, I. Shetzer ; Treasurer, J.
greater part of our people, the ities work. Undaunted by the sonal attention a reorganization B. Lasky; Secretary, S. Wetsman.
work of the Hebrew Free Loan lack of general support this as- was affected and plans laid for a
The Board of Directors consists
Association is unknown. Hum- sociation continued practicing its more permanent and efficient in- of S. Kaploy, David Zeman, J.
bly conceived it was organized on theory of confidence in human na- stitution. Other individuals who Friedberg, A. Klein and Louis Gra-
December 11th, 1895. It was then ture and with no more than one gave up much of their time and net. (The late Jacob G. Brown
called into being by a few public hundred subscribers, who con- faithful service in placing the or- was member of the Board at his
spirited Jews who realized upon tributed $2 annually, over 5,000 ganization on a firm foundation death.)
constant observation the neces- loans were made up to January are Mr. Kaploy and Mr. Wets-
The headquarters of the associa-
sity of an institution that would 11th, 1913. On that date, it had man.
tion are at the United Jewish Char-
give an individual the opportun- outstanding about $5,750 in
The Hebrew Free Loan Associ- ities. An office is kept open on
ity to maintain his self-respect pledges. A most unfortunate cat- ation has done wonderful work in Wednesday evenings and Sunday
without the necessity of appeal- astrophe occurred at this time. past years with the limited re- mornings to grant loans.
ing for charitable aid and without The office of the association in sources at its command. It should
A list of the life members at
resort to the tender mercies of the Hannah Schloss building was be one of our strongest communal present enrolled follows :
the loan sharks and money broken into, the safe was robbed, institutions. It is a constructive
$2000.00
leeches. The idea was to loan and the loss sustained was over force that acts as a preventative D. W. Simons
Eugene Sloman
500.00
small sums of money to appli- $5,500.
and curative of social ills and ail- Ben B. Jacob
500.00
cants deserving with practically
500.00
With barely $150 left to con- ments. The encouragement that David Brown
500.00
no security except the worthiness tinue its work, a mass meeting is offered to the persons aided has A. Shiffman
Joe Sillman
500.00
of the case. Later on security was called which was responded raised the moral tone of a class of Morris Friedberg
500.00
was accepted in the form of the to with indifferent enthusiasm. people that lie on the border line Fred Butzel
250.00
M. Butzel.
250.00
pledge of valuables, jewelry or The urgent needs of the associa-
between poverty and self support. Henry
In Memory of Magnus Butzel.... 250.00
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