Over 125 attendees were present at Jewish Free Loan’s Annual Meeting in May. The evening began with a meaningful D’var Torah by board member, Rabbi Elana Kanter. It was followed by outgoing President, Ron Blau, reflecting on accomplishments over the past three years he has served as president of Jewish Free Loan. He mentioned an increase in named donor funds and legacy donors, and indicated the addition of 445 new donors. Social media promoting our organization has been fortified with the assistance of Graphique Communications Design, through a Facebook page and Jewish Free Loan blog. Ron concluded by expressing his appreciation to all our donors and legacy society members for sustaining Jewish Free Loan, as well as to the board members for their dedication to the mission of our organization.

The President’s Award was presented to the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix. The foundation has provided financial assistance to Jews in the Valley who have been hit extremely hard by the economic downturn. B’nai Tzedek youth has supported Jewish Free Loan to financially strengthen local Jewish families with dignity and compassion. The Jewish Community Foundation has also provided essential capacity and capability training programs through its Jewish Technical Assistance Center (JTAC). Naomi Goodell, immediate past Chair and Stu Turgel, President, accepted the award.

David Senkfor, chair of the Board Development and Nominations Committee, announced the officers for the coming year: President, Fred Wabnik, Executive Vice President, Barrett Silver, Vice Presidents, Eric Rinestone and Ira Shapiro, Secretary, SaraRuth Rossow, Treasurer, Larry Moffitt and Ron Blau, immediate past President. He also acknowledged new board members, Seema Liston and Suzanne Parelman.

Nathan Hirsch, a recent education loan recipient, described how the loan allowed him to pursue his current profession as a local chef. New board member, Sharon Briskman, passionately expressed why the board of Jewish Free Loan appealed to her and why she feels the mission of Jewish Free Loan is uniquely vital in the community.

The one-hour meeting concluded with Tina Sheinbein, Executive Director, expressing her appreciation to the staff and board. She also mentioned that Phoenix will be hosting the International Association of Hebrew Free Loans Conference in 2012. Tina announced two new programs being initiated in the fall: a special tzedakah box campaign titled ‘Yes I Can’, as well as a four-part business seminar targeting small business owners. She reported that we increased the number of loans made in our fiscal year to 93 from 84 of the prior year, with a total of $183,957 in loans. She continued by indicating that the write off rate was only 1%, which means 48 loans were paid in full this past year. Finally, she thanked outgoing board members, Kay Abramsohn and Marvin Stein, as well as Gerald Webner and Dr. Ethan Bindelglas who recently co-chaired the Advisory Council.

Tina presented outgoing President, Ron Blau, a framed Judaic art piece related to Tikkun Olam. Ron will continue on the board co-chairing along side Joel Shapiro on the Tikkun Olam Community Campaign.

Our board members for 2011-2012 are Blaise Biller, Ron Blau, Paul Blum, Sharon Briskman, Rabbi Elana Kanter, Lisa Lerner, Seema Liston, Larry Moffitt, Suanne Neuman, Suzanne Parelman, Eric Rinestone, SaraRuth Rossow, Al Rubinow, Ellen Sacks, David Senkfor, Ira Shapiro, Joel Shapiro, Barrett Silver, Dr. David Tessler, Howard Treshansky, Fred Wabnik, and Stacie Wittenberg.

Emeriti: Kay Abramsohn, Harry Adler, Dr. Ethan Bindelglas, Helen Handler, Al Honig, Marvin Stein, Gerald Webner, and Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

The Jewish Community came together in May to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our organization with over 350 in attendance. SelmaFiel, Anniversary chair and former Executive Director, set an attendance goal of 200-300. Her comment at the event evaluation was “I set the bar too low!” “We appreciated Selma’s vision and excellent execution, and the board and staff of JFL sincerely appreciated the community support,” said Ron Blau, President of the JFL. As the Phoenix Jewish News printed in an editorial following the celebration, “It’s a sign that although 60 years isn’t so long ago, it’s an eternity in Phoenix years.”

Accepting the Founder’s Award in memory of Sam Block and Joseph Rabinowitz, was Myra Block Boime, Block’s daughter. An especially poignant moment was when Mrs. Block invited five young grandchildren representingthe Block’s fourth generation to the stage. Ron Blau, JFL  President, presented the President’s Award in absentia to Mathis Becker. Barry Becker, Mathis’s brother, accepted the award on his behalf.

Nostalgic historical events were addressed by honorees, Harry Adler and Helen Handler. Both leaders inspired those in attendance with their sincerity, humility and heartfelt passion for Jewish Free Loan, as they reminisced about their years of leadership and involvement.

TML Arts presented a revue of outstanding songs across the six decades, as well as personalizing songs to the honorees. The Phoenix Jewish News editorial quoted above stated that the Jewish Free Loan celebrated its 60th anniversary “in style.” “We hope those attending felt this way.

We honored those who provided JFL a stable foundation that we can continue to build upon as we plan for our future,” concluded Tina Sheinbein, Executive Director.

Ron Blau awarded the President’s Award to Jay and Karen Bycer at Jewish Free Loan’s 2009 Annual Meeting. Jay and Karen have been instrumental in connecting the Prescott Jewish Community Foundation and Jewish Free Loan.