Loans Issued
Capital Lent
Applications Approved
Sustaining Hope & Maintaining Dignity
Our organization was founded in 1911 when a Montreal realtor, Zigmond Fineberg, gathered together 31 members of the Jewish community. The group was inspired by Mr. Fineberg’s idea to establish a Hebrew Free Loan Association in Montreal, to help individuals to help themselves, and they joined together to create the original Hebrew Free Loan Association of Montreal.
Today, we continue that tradition of making interest-free loans available to Quebecers who need immediate financial assistance or want to invest in their futures, but do not have the resources. The dignity of the borrower is an integral aspect of the loan process.
We can never forget our humble beginnings and the help we received from HFL and their supporters.
Unbeknownst to HFL, this enabled me to become independent and more importantly, responsible for repaying my first loan. It allowed me to be like any other kid at my age and gave me immense self-worth.
We are really thankful to HFL for helping us at the beginning of our journey in Canada.
When expenses accumulated due to the needs of his family or unforeseen circumstances, he would need to go to Hebrew Free Loan for a small loan to make ends meet. Those loans were life savers.
I have never seen an organization like this, that gives you a loan and that really wants to ensure you get back on your feet! They helped me get out of tough times.
The interest-free loan provided has been instrumental in turning our dream into reality.
In 2003, I managed to get a loan of $8,000 from Hebrew Free Loan. It jump-started my whole practice. The clinic where I was once alone, now 20 years later, has grown into 8 clinics with over 78 people working for me. Had it not been for HFLA, I would not have had the money to invest in this venture of mine.
Hebrew Free Loan Montreal helped our family purchase our first home in Canada. Since then, we've become actively involved in helping others in the Russian Jewish community.
If it wouldn’t have been for the $300 loan from Hebrew Free Loans, we (my family) wouldn’t be here today. Every Jewish person, if he can help Hebrew Free Loans, that is a very good donation. They help a lot of people. I should know, I am here today because of them.
I arrived in Canada from Czechoslovakia with practically nothing. We were very lucky to get a loan. For the last 12 years, I have been a director at Hebrew Free Loan. I try to do my best to help families, by giving a helpful hand.
Help to make loans available for generations to come
Since our inception Hebrew Free Loan Association has granted over 100,000 loans totalling more than $140 million, with a 99% repayment rate. As our loans are repaid, the capital is lent out again and again, helping more people and multiplying the impact over time.
Hebrew Free Loan Association is unique. No other organization in Quebec provides an array of interest-free loans to individuals facing urgent financial needs
The loans are funded by compassionate individuals in the community who donate to the HFLA.
Because these loans are repaid, the donated funds can be continually repurposed throughout the lifetime of the organization.
If you would like to make a donation, click here
You live in Quebec and are 18 years or older with a demonstrated need that will be helped by an interest-free loan, and you have endorser(s) who are willing and able to guarantee your loan.
Loans are granted to individuals who demonstrate a financial need and an ability to repay the interest-free loan. Borrowers (except for those requesting a Mitzvah Loan) need to secure an endorser (the number of endorsers depends on the loan amount) who is, in conjunction with the borrower, legally responsible to repay the loan. See For Borrowers for more details.