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.
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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.”

