36 | AUGUST 25 • 2022

faces&places

Everyone was feeling back-
to-school vibes at Young
Israel of Oak Park on July 27
and 28 when the National
Council of Jewish Women
and Jewish Family Service
came together to distribute

475 backpacks to students
served by JFS. Each backpack
was filled with essential
school supplies, ensuring
that everyone would get the
school year started off on the
right foot.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JFS

JFS Gives Back
with Backpacks

JFS social workers Samantha
Vine and Sarah Graves take
a well-earned break.

JFS social workers
Amanda Jurewicz
and Alanna Cohen
deliver backpacks.
STORY
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www.hfldetroit.org • 248.723.8184

Hebrew Free Loan Detroit

6735 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 300 • BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN 48301

@HFLDetroit

Community donations help Hebrew Free Loan give
interest-free loans to local Jews for a variety of personal,
health, educational and small business needs.

Loren Dickstein recalls his college days, working as
a pizza delivery driver, and having problems with his
car. He hesitated, but he called his grandmother to ask
for a loan, and her immediate response was that he
should come to her house and take her car instead.
“I will never forget that feeling of support. It was just
so automatic, so giving,” Loren said. ” I could never
have reached my goals without my grandmother and
her generosity.”
Years later, when Loren was ready to volunteer in the
Jewish community, he discussed it with friend and
Hebrew Free Loan Board member David Broner, who
outlined his own work helping agency borrowers with
interest-free loans. Loren jumped on it.
“My time on the HFL Board was exactly what I
wanted,” Loren said. “It was immediately satisfying.
Between making a real difference with borrowers, and
the compassion and camaraderie of my fellow Board
members, it resonated so deeply. The opportunity to
offer support gave me that feeling I got with my grand-
mother. Like family lifting you up, no matter who you
are or what you need.”
Loren felt so strongly about it that he also became a
major donor, establishing an Evergreen Legacy
Fund at HFL.
“In my law practice, I often look outward to possible
outcomes, and HFL helps make positive outcomes
happen for so many. I’m blessed to be in a position
where I can do this for others, and serve as a reminder
for my kids that we are part of a greater whole.”