Lend a Hand During COVID by Helping Others Get a Loan

“It’s difficult to see so many people facing such difficult times, and I think it is important for the public to know how devastated a lot of the city is.” — Rachel Grose, Exec. Director JFLA

Los Angeles is facing a serious economic crisis and as Jews we have an obligation to help. From small loans to help over some rent or health insurance, to larger ones for businesses hit by vandalism or job retraining, the JFLA helps thousands of people each year.

Pico Shul is partnering with JFLA to create a fund to help Jews who need a hand during this hard economic period. The loans are administered by the JFLA - a 100+ year old organization. The borrower pays NO INTEREST on the loan. Depending on the size of the loan, JFLA may require co-signers.

The mitzvah of lending money to our fellow Jews at no interest has its origin in three verses in the Torah (Exodus 22:24, Leviticus 25:37, and Deuteronomy 23:20). In the Talmud, Simon the Just taught that doing deeds of kindness (gemilut chesed) such as lending to the poor is one of the values which preserves the world. Our great sage Maimonides taught that to lend is more meritorious than to give because it saves the recipient from becoming a beggar.