Austin to Host International Gathering of Jewish Free Loan Leaders
By Debbie Cohen | June 2026
Austin representatives at the IAJFL Conference 2025 in Phoenix, AZ: Debbie Cohen, Gary Solka, Dana Epstein
This November, Austin will welcome approximately 100 Jewish free loan professionals and volunteer leaders from across North America and beyond for the International Association of Jewish Free Loans (IAJFL) Conference — a milestone moment for Hebrew Free Loan of Austin (HFLA) and for our broader Jewish community.
For many attendees, this will be their first visit to Austin. For HFLA, it is an opportunity to proudly showcase both the strength of our local Jewish community and the uniquely Austin spirit that has helped our organization grow and thrive over the past 15 years.
What makes this especially meaningful is that HFLA is the smallest agency ever to host the international conference.
Jewish free loan organizations provide interest-free loans to help individuals and families facing financial challenges or pursuing important life opportunities. Across the world, these agencies support needs such as education, emergency expenses, housing, small business development, growing families, and more — all rooted in the Jewish value of helping people move forward with dignity.
This year’s conference theme, “Meeting Borrowers Where They Are,” will focus on how organizations are adapting to changing borrower needs and economic realities in today’s world.
Over three days, attendees will participate in collaborative workshops and discussions on topics ranging from financial literacy and fundraising to artificial intelligence, staffing models, collections, borrower experience, and innovative loan programs. The conference will also explore how Jewish free loan organizations are responding to emerging community needs, including support for survivors of domestic violence and growing family expenses.
But beyond the sessions themselves, the conference is designed around something deeper: meaningful conversation and shared learning.
One of the most unique elements of this year’s gathering will be interactive table discussions that intentionally mix staff, executive directors, and volunteer leaders from organizations of all sizes. Rather than simply listening to presentations, participants will actively exchange ideas, compare approaches, and discuss real-world challenges facing their agencies and communities.
For Austin, hosting this conference is both an honor and a reflection of how far HFLA has come.
Founded in 2011 by Dr. Michael Rotman (z”l) and Tracy Solomon, Hebrew Free Loan of Austin began with a vision of bringing interest-free lending to Central Texas in a meaningful and sustainable way. Today, HFLA has distributed millions of dollars in interest-free loans to help members of the Jewish community navigate life’s challenges and opportunities with dignity and support.
As preparations continue, HFLA is excited not only to welcome colleagues from around the world, but also to highlight the warmth, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define Austin’s Jewish community.
We are proud that Austin — and a relatively small but deeply committed organization — has the opportunity to host these important conversations about the future of Jewish communal support and care.
This November, Austin will welcome approximately 100 Jewish free loan professionals and volunteer leaders from across North America and beyond for the International Association of Jewish Free Loans (IAJFL) Conference — a milestone moment for Hebrew Free Loan of Austin (HFLA) and for our broader Jewish community.
For many attendees, this will be their first visit to Austin. For HFLA, it is an opportunity to proudly showcase both the strength of our local Jewish community and the uniquely Austin spirit that has helped our organization grow and thrive over the past 15 years.
What makes this especially meaningful is that HFLA is the smallest agency ever to host the international conference.
Jewish free loan organizations provide interest-free loans to help individuals and families facing financial challenges or pursuing important life opportunities. Across the world, these agencies support needs such as education, emergency expenses, housing, small business development, growing families, and more — all rooted in the Jewish value of helping people move forward with dignity.
This year’s conference theme, “Meeting Borrowers Where They Are,” will focus on how organizations are adapting to changing borrower needs and economic realities in today’s world.
Over three days, attendees will participate in collaborative workshops and discussions on topics ranging from financial literacy and fundraising to artificial intelligence, staffing models, collections, borrower experience, and innovative loan programs. The conference will also explore how Jewish free loan organizations are responding to emerging community needs, including support for survivors of domestic violence and growing family expenses.
But beyond the sessions themselves, the conference is designed around something deeper: meaningful conversation and shared learning.
One of the most unique elements of this year’s gathering will be interactive table discussions that intentionally mix staff, executive directors, and volunteer leaders from organizations of all sizes. Rather than simply listening to presentations, participants will actively exchange ideas, compare approaches, and discuss real-world challenges facing their agencies and communities.
For Austin, hosting this conference is both an honor and a reflection of how far HFLA has come.
Founded in 2011 by Dr. Michael Rotman (z”l) and Tracy Solomon, Hebrew Free Loan of Austin began with a vision of bringing interest-free lending to Central Texas in a meaningful and sustainable way. Today, HFLA has distributed millions of dollars in interest-free loans to help members of the Jewish community navigate life’s challenges and opportunities with dignity and support.
As preparations continue, HFLA is excited not only to welcome colleagues from around the world, but also to highlight the warmth, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define Austin’s Jewish community.
We are proud that Austin — and a relatively small but deeply committed organization — has the opportunity to host these important conversations about the future of Jewish communal support and care.