A recent issue of Phoenix Business Journal features innovative individuals that have started local businesses with a creative edge. The article Work spaces propel creative collaboration features a woman in the graphic design industry that was tired of working out of her home but did not want an expensive, long-term lease. She began to talk to friends about office sharing and then Co+Hoots was born, a collaborative workspace housed in 3600 square feet restored warehouse at 825 N. Seventh St. Co+Hoots has become so popular, it’s almost run out of space, so they are now looking to expand by creating another workspace.

Steve LeVine, owner of an event planning and public relations firm is launching an in-house ticketing system that allows clients to sell event tickets, as a small sale alternative to Ticketmaster. Ryan Naylor, a Phoenix Internet marketing executive, started LocalWork.com, a website that targets midsize businesses and allows them to share job postings. His site is a far less expensive alternative to national job posting sites, yet more professional than classified sites such as Craigslist.com.

A tougher business climate due to the recent economic crisis, brought out the best in these individuals’ creative thinking. Their stories inspire and motivate others to use their creativity and knowledge to come up with innovative ideas that lead them in a successful direction. A creative business idea doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be as simple as a new way of doing something related to your life or business.

Consider Jewish Free Loan when looking for ways to fund your new business. We would love to help you to make your business idea a reality. For more information on our interest-free loans, visit our website at jewishfreeloan.org or call us 602.230.7983.

A recent issue of the Phoenix Business Journal stated that Home Depot is hiring 1,000 people this spring, Nextiva Inc., a Scottsdale based VoIP communications firm, plans on hiring 100 new people, and Discover card is hiring more than 250 workers. Another article, Small-business Selling Prices Rise, as Prices Slip, said that 45 small business transactions closed in the Phoenix metro area, compared to last year’s 38; while the median price was up $10,000 over the same period.

Barry Broome, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, discussed future growth in the Valley. “I think we’ll be a great center for entrepreneurship,” said Broome. “The Valley will continue to draw people from around the world, capitalizing on global trade and business. We’ll be a much more international city like Toronto.”

Are you a budding entrepreneur who wants to grow your business? If a $20,000 interest-free loan would impact your day-to-day operations, please contact Jewish Free Loan. Call us at 602.230.7983 or visit jewishfreeloan.org and allow us to provide you with the information that will make this possible.

The beginning of the new year is a great time to take a step back and review your non-profit. Ask yourself, what is it doing right? What could it do better? How is its work and volunteer culture? I would like to invite you to join me as we take an indepth look at Jewish Free Loan’s contribution to the Jewish community.

This year, Jewish Free Loan looks forward to hosting the 2012 International Conference of Jewish Free Loans. Some of our past accomplishments include giving out 60 interest-free loans at mid-year totaling $138,797. These loans represent individuals and families who required loans to assist them in crises, funding education, debt consolidation, medical and dental costs, women and children in hardship, as well as a variety of other necessities. In the upcoming months, we will be promoting our loans for business development, Jewish camping, student Israel trips as well as our education loans. We also have dollars available for adoption and infertility treatments.

Let’s take a closer look at the programs that promote Jewish Free Loan. Thanks to our devoted leadership, we have three new committees functioning. The first is responsible for our “Yes I Can” campaign, which introduces our tzedakah cans to the youth. The second is our Business Leaders program, which is dedicated to getting the word out about our business development loans. The third, which we have just initiated, is our Full Circle Club for former borrowers who have now become contributors.

We are very grateful for everyone who is a part of Jewish Free Loan. We have board members who participate in committees and our borrower interviews; donors who like to give a “hand up” not a “hand-out”, and grantors to whom our work resonates. There is also another category of individuals whose generosity we salute; our borrower’s guarantors. These guarantors have said, “yes I will co-sign for your loan” to a borrower’s request and make it possible for the borrower to receive an interest-free loan.

In assessing ourselves, we feel very good about our ability to respond to our borrowers. We believe we can do a better job of getting the word out about our services so that more people who could use assistance through our loans, are able to find us. That is where you can help. Please pass the word along to people you know. We thank you for partnering with us.

In the new year, everyone is thinking about eating healthier, exercising more and spending more time with family and friends. Well, maybe we started thinking about it as the last few weeks of December rolled around.

As I sit here thinking about a new post for the Jewish Free Loan blog, I begin to wonder why we only think about our resolutions and continue to work on them for only a few weeks out of the year. There are 365 days in a year; what happens that makes us forget our resolution for the remaining 345 days. We are so excited to have a list of resolutions in January, but in a matter of days, or even months, we don’t look at the list again!

Why aren’t we thinking about what we are committed to every single month? Why don’t we focus on what we want to change or modify, or what impact or difference we can make? Why isn’t every day our New Year’s day? I believe we should try to make a difference more than once a year by looking at every day as a new year and an opportunity to improve at least one thing.

I want to look at my list every day and have it be my mantra for the year; used as a direction and philosophy to where I want to go this year. By doing so I will wake up everyday and say, “what can I do to make a difference today?” When the day is over, I want to go to sleep knowing I did one good thing; whether it involves helping someone, attending an important meeting, eating healthier or exercising. These are little steps and accomplishments that over 365 days will add up to a wonderful and meaningful life.

Soon, January will turn into February. Before we know it, another year has gone by with an unaccomplished resolution. Therefore, I invite you to join me in thinking of each day and month as an opportunity to make it a New Year’s Day. Remember to review your list, cross off some accomplishments, and add more challenges and opportunities. Let’s check back in with each other in a few months and see how we are doing. We will also keep you updated on the accomplishments of the Jewish Free Loan as we try to make 2012 a more successful and meaningful one for the people who walk through our door.

Keep in touch.

AARP’S Public Policy Institute survey specified many future changes for older Americans. ”In its wake, the recession leaves high unemployment, widespread loss of income and savings, and lower home values.” The survey sample revealed that nearly 30 percent were either unemployed or looking for work (16.7%). A slim majority (57.2%) not only had jobs at the time of the survey, but had also avoided any involuntary unemployment during the preceding three years.

“Regardless of their employment status, the recession was a painful experience for most Americans 50 and over and many have yet to recover. Nearly one-third saw their homes decline substantially in value. A sizeable proportion (19.4%) fell behind on credit card payments or accumulated more credit card debt. One in seven had trouble paying the rent or mortgage, and one in eight lost their health insurance.” Many middle-aged and older people apparently turned to savings during the recession and fully one-fourth exhausted those savings. One out of eight people dropped their health insurance in the previous three years. One out of two had put off medical or dental care or were not taking their medication on schedule because they had difficulty making ends meet.

Jewish Free Loan provides interest-free loans and is poised and ready to assist those impacted. For additional information, please visit our website jewishfreeloan.org or contact us by phone at 602.230.7983.

During this time of year, many people are being asked to share how they are going to celebrate Chanukah. For my family it will be a traditional celebration, which includes food galore and our annual gift exchange. Despite yearly changes, I believed that our celebration would remain traditional, but I was in for a wonderful surprise.

This year, I am so proud of my daughter and newest son-in-law who called to ask about “adopting” a family for Chanukah. The list of items on this family’s list of things they would like did not include items like toys and games. This family needed pull-ups for their child and other basic necessities. Reading a list like this humbles a person and makes them appreciate the blessings that life has shared with their own family. I am proud of the fact that my family continues to support the Jewish Free Loan by contributing to them via Arizona’s Working Poor Tax Credit program.

I read a recent article written by Hope Yen of the Associated Press who wrote, “Nearly 1 in 2 have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low income.”  She goes on by concluding, “Even by traditional measures, many working families are hurting.” These are people who find their way to our organization. So when we remember the miracle of Chanukah this year, I hope that the miracle will mean that Jewish Free Loan can raise enough funds before December 31^st of this year so that we can continue to provide miracles to those who turn to us.

May the Chanukah candles glow brightly in your homes and provide the light for all of us to find a new direction and success in the coming year.

If you were fortunate, you recently enjoyed a Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by family and friends. You enjoyed traditional foods like turkey, pumpkin pie and left the table full. Unfortunately for many of our Jewish neighbors, this was not the case. They come to us for bare necessities like utilities, medicine, food and rent. It is common to see people who where formerly middle class that have lost their jobs or are struggling because a member of the family has fallen on hard times.

Reflect on these stories and remember that by paying it forward at this time of year, you not only receive a tax deduction, but you also help another member of our Jewish community. By paying it forward, you are giving at the highest rung of tzedakah, because Maimonides says it is far more worthy to give to a borrower who does not know your name.

Jewish Free Loan provides interest-free loans while preserving the dignity of the borrower. That is our mission and we take pride in working this way. A leading economist recently told us it would be 2016 before the real estate industry begins to turn around, so Jewish Free Loan must be here for the long haul as we have been for over 60 years.

Thank you to all of our past contributors who have recently paid it forward. Your generosity has given hope when there was none. If you want to assist your neighbor at this time of year or if you have not yet paid it forward, please go to jewishfreeloan.org or call us at 602.230.7983. You may also mail a check to Jewish Free Loan at 3443 N. Central Avenue, Suite 707, Phoenix AZ, 85012. For all those that will be helped by your caring action, we sincerely thank you.

The title of this blog is a quote from the popular film, Love Story (1970). It was a film that never resonated with me. This is because Judaism teaches us that we are to ask for forgiveness when we have said or done something that we regret. We learn that we can’t just pray to G-d and ask for forgiveness. We must also ask the wronged party for forgiveness. This takes courage on our behalf, because it may be a close relative or someone we love who we have hurt or offended. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin states that the once a year blanket request, ”forgive me if I knowingly or unknowingly did something that hurt you,” is not adequate in these circumstances. How will our children ever be able to ask for forgiveness if they have grown up in a household where they never heard “I am sorry” or were asked for forgiveness?

There is another attribute that we are asked to bring along with the request of forgiveness, which is sincerity. We are told that if someone sincerely asks for forgiveness and we meet that person with a cold heart by not accepting his or her apology, then how is G-d to forgive us when we have refused to forgive? Is there someone you are ignoring from whom you should ask for forgiveness?

If you have insulted an individual or hurt them in anyway, says Telushkin, “ask if there is anything you can do to mitigate the damage or hurt you have caused. Ask for forgiveness, and express the wish for reconciliation.” He goes on to explain, “Certainly, life would be easier if we only had to attend a synagogue service, reach deep within our souls, and ask G-d for forgiveness. But it should be our goal to transform our relationships with others and with G-d, to enable us to start afresh the only way one truly can, by erasing, to the extent possible, the wrong we have done.”

The Arizona Republic had a great article that specified what to say and not say in job interviews titled Ace your interview with these do’s and don’ts written by Eric Gembarowski. We would like to pass this valuable information along to our readers. Many times we get into an interview and are hesitant about what is okay to ask and what we should stay away from but as Eric writes, “Asking the right questions and recognizing the no-go zones can make all the difference in beating out the competition for that coveted post.”

Questions to ask:

1. What is the company culture like?

This question, according to the article, shows both your short-term and long-term interest in the company.

2. Do you promote from within?

This question indicates that you are not just passing through but intend to stay for the long haul.

3. Do you offer training or do I learn as I go? 

This indicates a willingness to work the way they want you to work.

Tactics to avoid:

1. Don’t presume.

Employers like workers with affable personalities that go with the flow.

2. Don’t badmouth previous interviewers or employers. 

No one wants to hire a whiner or a complainer.

3. Don’t ask about benefits. 

If you ask about time off or other perks in the first interview, it appears that you are more interested in the benefits than actually working.

Let us know if you agree or disagree with these suggestions by commenting below. We also encourage you to share the tactics that have worked for you during a job interview both as an employer and a job seeker.

The following is a great inspirational blog post from the eJewish Philanthropy blog. We would like to feature it on our blog for our readers to enjoy before Yom Kippur.

Why Yom Kippur is Also a Day of Joy:
Its Implications for the Philanthropic Community

by Michael Bohnen

President of the Adelson Family Foundation.

Last week, Yossi Prager wrote a thoughtful piece explaining why Rosh Hashana is not only a day of awe, but also a day of joy. Can the same thing be said of Yom Kippur, the most somber of our holidays? The answer is yes.

Indeed, the Mishna quotes Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel who said that Yom Kippur was one of the most festive days of the year.(1) He explained that on Yom Kippur the maidens of Jerusalem would go dancing in the vineyards, seeking to attract a young man for marriage. He interprets a verse from the Song of Songs (3:11) as calling the girls out to dance because Yom Kippur is the “wedding anniversary” of God and the Jewish people, referring to the tradition that on Yom Kippur the second set of tablets were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Years later, after the custom of dancing in the vineyards was lost, the rabbis of the Talmud explained that Yom Kippur is so joyous because it is a day of forgiveness and pardon.(2)

We see this theme articulated anew in modern times. When Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik first came to Germany in 1926, he was shocked when he heard the joyful tunes that were sung there as part of the Yom Kippur liturgy. He then realized that it was quite appropriate because “there is also great joy on the day that our sins are forgiven.”(3) Soloveitchik noted that the community recites the Al Chet prayer “with a sense of confidence and even rejoicing.”(4)

How does this relate to those of us in the field of philanthropy? While we don’t see maidens dancing in the vineyards anymore on Yom Kippur, this Yom Kippur we can celebrate the many programs which will make for a better Jewish future. On the day we commemorate our people’s “wedding anniversary,” we can celebrate programs like Birthright Israel which, besides increasing connections to the Jewish people and the Jewish State, has dramatically improved the in-marriage rate among young participants. The work of our day schools, our adult education programs, our programs that promote new leaders – among many others – all add to our sense of joy on the day we received the second set of the Ten Commandments.

But, as Yom Kippur comes, some of us in the field of Jewish philanthropy might be tempted to feel that our professional work gives us a leg up on the rest of the world when it comes to balancing good deeds against sins. We may feel that we can “check off” tzedakah, which together with prayer and repentance are said to “mitigate the severity of the decree.” Therefore, we are reminded by another passage in the Talmud that, when we reach the heavenly court for our final judgment, the first question we will be asked is not what our work was, but how we conducted it.(5) For us the important question is: Did we deal with our grantees, donors, beneficiaries, and employees with integrity and dignity? As important as outcomes are to our work, we also need to engage in an organizational cheshbon hanefesh, a spiritual audit of how we do our work.

Yom Kippur gives us an opportunity to seek forgiveness for any wrongs we may have done and to resolve that we will improve the way we conduct our work. This special opportunity is another good reason for us to mix our awe with some joy this Yom Kippur.