Shoemakers’ guild and executive of the Linas Hatzedek (Kielce, Poland), [191-?]. Ontario
Jewish Archives, item 1518 © Ontario Jewish Archives
About JFLT
Our Mandate, History, and Leadership
“If you lend money to My people, even to the poor among you, do not act toward them as a creditor; you shall not charge them interest.” – Exodus 22:24
The strength of Jewish Free Loan Toronto’s mandate, drawn from the Torah, lies in its simplicity. An interest-free loan is a singular form of financial assistance that can provide direct support in a wide variety of scenarios.
JFLT is proud to maintain a 99% repayment rate. Since 1924, JFLT has provided millions of dollars in assistance to thousands of borrowers.
Borrowers feel dignified and empowered, knowing that with each repayment, they are playing a central role in ensuring that funds will be available to other Jews in need.
Donors feel confident and uplifted, knowing that the impact of every dollar they give will be multiplied over the years, decades, and perhaps even centuries as capital is lent out time and again.
Our History
In the early 1900s, many European Jews arrived in Canada in search of a better life. As procuring employment proved difficult (especially for the observant) early versions of communal loan societies sprung up. Some offered start-up loans for small business ventures while others such as the Loan Cassa helped settle Jews in agricultural areas. As the Cassa evolved, it joined forces with the United Jewish Relief Agency and the Canadian Jewish Congress, and also began to offer business loans.
In 1911, a Free Loan Society was formed in Toronto under the name of Associated Hebrew Charities (AHC). Operating on a very informal basis, with promissory notes being guaranteed by community members, the decision was ultimately made to disband AHC in 1917, due to various economic pressures.
In 1922, Rabbi Barnett Brickner recommended that a new Free Loan Society be created, this time under auspices and financial backing of B’nai Brith and private donors. With $3,800 from B’nai Brith and $1,350 from donors, the first meeting of the Hebrew Free Loan Association took place on December 7th, 1922 at the Zionist Institute, at the corner of Beverly and Cecil Streets.
On July 12, 1924, Letters Patent were signed and sealed incorporating the Toronto G’Milath Chasodim Association. “Twelve Jewish men, all of the City of Toronto, in the County of York and Province of Ontario” were the founding members of this corporation, whose mandate it was “to assist deserving applicants for relief.” Around this time, B’nai Brith and National Council of Jewish Women began to provide loans to university students.
In 1957, when additional community support was required for these loans, the Scholarship In Aid program was created under the auspices of the United Jewish Welfare Fund. Toronto Hebrew Re-Establishment Services later assumed responsibility for the administration of this program.
Finally recognizing that the community would be best served by a single interest-free lending organization, TJFLC (Toronto Jewish Free Loan Cassa (G’milath Chasodim) Association) was formed in 1985 through a merger of Toronto’s business, personal and educational loan agencies. In 2011, the Board of Directors changed the name to Jewish Free Loan Toronto.
Watch a video of the intake counsellor who worked at JFLT in the 1940s:
Our Leadership
Leo Vaisman President
Leo is an experienced entrepreneur and investor. He is the president of a private holdings company specializing in venture capital, derivatives and equity investing. Prior to becoming president Leo served as a member on many of JFLT’s committees.
Marra Messinger Executive Director
Marra Messinger has been the Executive Director (ED) of Jewish Free Loan Toronto (JFLT) since 2014. In less than five years, she has succeeded in raising the profile of the Agency, attracting new supporters, cementing partnerships with other Community organizations and increasing loan numbers. To all of her positions, Marra brings creativity, compassion and professionalism.
Executive
LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | POSITION |
Vaisman | Leo | President |
Shiner | Alan | Vice President |
Frieberg | Seth | Treasurer |
Camhi | Ingrid | Loan Co-Chair |
Atlas | Mike | Loan Co-Chair |
Weisz | Leslie | Past President |
Directors
LAST NAME | FIRST NAME |
Baum | Tali |
Brown | Mitch |
Catz | Mariana |
Frank | Eva |
Grubert | Nolan |
Kumer | Howard |
Landis | Jeff |
Pillersdorf | Sarah |
Reichert | Rochelle |
Schlanger | David |