Shalom Austin and HFLA Combine Efforts for the Greater Good of Community
By Allison Teegardin
Recently, the leadership of Shalom Austin and Hebrew Free Loan of Austin (HFLA) embarked on a joint venture to combine their efforts and support each other’s missions, both aimed at building and sustaining a thriving Jewish community in the Greater Austin area.
Shalom Austin CEO Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus said, ”We are excited about this growing partnership with an organization that is equally dedicated to supporting the thriving Austin Jewish community.”
Ed Hockfield, Hebrew Free Loan of Austin (HFLA) board chair, first learned about HFLA while speaking with people he met while attending a JAMen dinner. New to Austin after recently relocating from Chicago to be closer to his grandchildren, and with more than 45 years of relevant experience, Hockfield said he was excited to join the board.
Hockfield notes that as the Jewish community in Austin continues to expand, so will the needs, and HFLA is committed to being there alongside Shalom Austin.
“There is enormous potential for the growing, thriving Austin Jewish community to fuel philanthropy at levels most often seen in much larger cities,” Hockfield said. “We are in the strategic planning process right now and know that a critical component needs to be donor development. The more we have, the better we can do. And there is more to do.”
Diana Resnik is an HFLA board member who has been involved with the organization for seven years. “I have stayed involved for so long because I love what we do for the community,” Resnik said. “All board members must lead a loan and participate on a committee approving other loans. Telling an applicant their interest free loan was approved is rewarding and reenergizes members of the Board. This makes me proud of the work we do!”
HFLA has been serving the Austin Jewish community for over twelve years. What began with co-founders Tracy Solomon and Dr. Michael Rotman, of blessed memory, sitting around a kitchen table, the organization has loaned over $1,000,000 to date. With a few more weeks left in the year, Hockfield says it is still possible for HFLA to reach a record $300,000 in loans this year. What is more is how far each loan can extend. “Nowhere else in any organization that I have been a part of have I seen a gift truly last a lifetime. Every dollar stays in the community for generations,” Hockfield said.
Latest Posts
SXSW Session Transforms Holocaust Survivor Stories into VR Short Documentaries
Holocaust survivors Rodi Glass and Marion Deichmann at SXSW 2024. Credit: Wendy Goodman By Wendy Goodman At SXSW 2024, attendees were profoundly moved by a groundbreaking session featuring Holocaust survivors Rodi Glass and Marion Deichmann along with VR filmmaker...
SXSW Panel Explores How Gen Z Is Defining a New Way to Work
Left to right: Valerie Capers Workman, Gali Arnon, Megan Sauer and Novo Constare at SXSW 2024. Courtesy: Fiverr By Allison Teegardin Israeli executive and graduate of Tel Aviv University in Israel Gali Arnon, the chief business officer at Fiverr, spoke at SXSW for...
Kindness Takes Center Stage at SXSW 2024 with Inspiring Meet-Up
At SXSW 2024 on March 13, attendees were treated to a heartwarming and transformative experience at the Acts of Random Kindness Meet-Up. Credit: Wendy Goodman By Wendy Goodman At SXSW 2024 on March 13, attendees were treated to a heartwarming and transformative...
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Fitness
Swimming
Tennis & Pickleball
More Sports
EDUCATION
Jewish Culture & Education
Early Childhood Program Preschool
After School & Childcare
Camps
ARTS & CULTURE
Literary Arts
Visual Arts
Theatre & Film
Dance
COUNSELING & SUPPORT
Jewish Family Service
Counseling & Groups
Case Management
References & Resources
Copyright Shalom Austin 2023. Privacy Policy.