A

t Hebrew Free Loan’s 
(HFL) Annual Meeting in 
June, HFL leaders met to 
cap a year of growth and financial 
support, and to honor fund donors, 
salute board members who con-
cluded their terms and elect new 
board members for 2024-2025.
HFL President Dr. Allen 
Berman and Executive Director 
David Contorer shared financial 
and staff updates, celebrated the 
agency’s increased reach, com-
munity support and focus, and 
welcomed new colleagues Breanne 
DaSilva, intake and resource spe-
cialist, and Katie Wallace, incom-
ing loan program director.
Hebrew Free Loan welcomed 
new board members Scott 
Bernstein, Nikki Budaj-Chatfield, 
Tara Forman Hack, Lulu Rubens 
Hartman, Josh Rubin, Neil 
Sherman, Yoni Torgow and Lauren 
Willens. Previous board members 
Loren Dickstein and Emily Shwedel 
Levin returned to the board for 
new terms, as well as previous HFL 
NEXTGen liaison Lacey Foon, who 
was elevated to the full board.

Donors honored included 
family members of those who 
established the following named 
funds at HFL: the Annette & 
William Liberson Memorial Fund, 
the Gail Danto & Art Roffey 
Education Loan Fund, the Stuart 
B. Freedman Memorial Education 
Fund, the Amy and David 
Goldman Family Education Fund, 
the Ketai Family Education Fund, 
the Anessa & David Kramer 
Education Fund, the Levin Family 
Education Fund, the Rena and 
Mark Lewis Family Education 
Fund, the Henry F. Marcus, D.O. 
Medical School Education Fund, 
the Jay B. Must Family Education 
Fund, and the Judie Narens 
Memorial Education Fund.
Hebrew Free Loan, an agency 
with a storied history in local Jewish 
life, was established in Detroit and 
chartered with the state of Michigan 
in 1895. The agency offers inter-
est-free loans to Jewish residents 
across Michigan for a host of needs 
that encompass all of life’s mile-
stones. To learn more, visit 
www.hfldetroit.org. 

Board members, donors honored at Hebrew Free Loan’s Annual Meeting.

A Year of Growth

HEBREW FREE LOAN

OUR COMMUNITY

24 | AUGUST 8 • 2024 
J
N

TOP: Newly elected Board members with HFL President 
Dr. Allen Berman, at the agency’s 2024 Annual Meeting: 
L to R: Scott Bernstein, Loren Dickstein, Yoni Torgow, 
Dr. Allen Berman, Neil Sherman, Tara Forman Hack, 
Lacey Foon, Nikki Budaj-Chatfield, Josh Rubin, 
Emily Shwedel Levin and Lulu Rubens Hartman.

HFL President Dr. Allen Berman and Executive Director David 
Contorer join Fund donors, who display mezuzot by Israeli 
artist Eial Ovin, gifts from HFL in recognition of their gener-
osity. From left to right: David Kramer, Sherri Ketai, Dr. Allen 
Berman, Emily Shwedel Levin and David Contorer.

HFL Vice President Sue Hodess (far right) recognized Avi 
Brandvain, Louise Granader and Beth Brandvain, who, 
along with Alice Liberson, created the Annette & William 
Liberson Memorial Fund at HFL in honor of their parents.

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