New Britain herald., 1930-03-17
Hebrew Free Loan Society Hopes
 To Construct Own Business Home;
 Lends Money Free to Needy Cases
Samuel Greenberg Ex- plains Expectations of the Organization, Which Helps Jews and GentiIes Without Charge and Not On Basis of Charity.

A movement for the elimination of charity, probably the most unique campaign in the history of the city. Will be given an added impetus Sunday evening, March 30, when Park Commissioner Samuel Green berg, who is president of the Hebrew Free Loan society announces that he has been promised substantial support towards the erection of building for the organization. The occasion will be the annual meeting and election of officers.
 The Hebrew Free Loan society, is an organization which lends money without interest or other charge to needy cases, instead of giving aims. It's purpose is the elimination of charity, on the grounds that the giving of charity does not serve adequately the pur- pose for which it is intended.
 While the society has been in ex- 1stencc for the past 16 years, it is within the past seven years, under the management of Commissioner Greenbers, that it has functioned to its fullest extent.
 The object of the organization is given in the following announcement, printed on it's letter heads:
 "The object of this society is to loan money to those in need, instead of giving aims, and thus assist respectable people whose character and self-rcspeCt will not permit them to receive alms but who will accept loah which they can repay and thus overcome the difficulties in their struggle for means of liveli- hood.
 "Aloney is loaned in any sums up to one hundred dollars on notes in dorsed by business people, without charge Of interest or expense of any kind, the borrower repaying the loan in weekly payments"
 When the society was organized, individuals contributed from their private resources to create the origi- nal fund. At least two local bank presidents were among those who gave their personal and financial aid to the formation of the organiza- ton.
 Sevcnty-five members agreed to pay dues of s3 q year. from which they derive no income.
 The money is loaned to needy per sons, who sign form of promissory note, endorsed by some reputable business man, that they will pay it back on the basis of weekly pay ments. There are no racial or religious restrictions.
 No Barriers Here
 A total of S1,200 was raised by subscriptions when the society was reorganized seven years ago. Con- missioner Greenberg then held a bazaar in the Hebrew hall on Elm street and raised enough to bring the fund to s9,S Considerable as sistance was given by members of the Y. M. T. A. X B. society at the time. In 1927 when the Tabs hall was completed, Mir. Greenbsrg sent a check for $50 with a Msket of flowers as an appreciation from the Jewish society.
 Among his most nrized posses sions, kept ill his office safe and brought out only on rare occasions is q letter of thanks from the T. A. B. society, which he uses to point out with pride tho fact that there is no unfriendliness between Jew and Gentle nor are there any bar riers between Jew and Catholic.
 How the society functions is told the president. Walking along a street in the northern section of the city one day, Commissioner Greenberg, then a member of the board of charity commissioners, came upon a family seated upon their household furnishings on the sidewalk. Not be- ing able to pay the rent, father. mother and five children had been dispossessed,
 Mp Greenberg noted several peo- pie walk past and remark, Its too bad He became indignant, Its not too bad" he said to himself.
 He hired a horse and wagon, transported family and furniture to another tenement which he rented and paid the first months rent, went to a nearby food store and purchased meat, flour, groceries and supplies, had coal placed in the cellar and paid all the bills, taking the personal risk of getting the money. He had the man sign a note of the society, although the man was neither Jewish nor a citizen.
 The money was paid back at the rate of s1.50 week, the last weeks payment amounting to 75 cents. The man was given new hope when he received the help, but was impress ed with the responsibility of feel In gthat 1t was up to him to pay 1t back, the commissioner making the point that no man should expect something for nothing.
 May Erect New Building
 So successful have the activities of the organization been that Mir. Greenberg has been promised lum- Der, bricks and building supplies enough to erect a small bank build ing, removing it's location from the Hebrew school, if he can procure a site large enough to hold a 20X40 fbot ctrrcture "T scap mt m the