The Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida is pleased to announce the launch of its newest loan program designed to help couples who can’t have children.

Thanks to a generous donation from Reggie and Jeff Goldstein, HFLA of South Florida has expanded its Making Miracle Babies Fertility Fund to include interest-free loans for adoption. The Goldsteins, whose son and daughter were adopted, wanted to expand on HFLA’s existing fertility fund. That fund was recently started by Michelle and Matan Ben-Aviv of Miami Beach, who have two children through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

“I saw this story in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation newsletter on the Making Miracle Babies Fund. It touched me so much and I said we need to give money,” said Reggie Goldstein. “We met Michelle and Matan, who are so warm and caring, and we agreed that we didn’t need to reinvent the wheel.”

The Making Miracle Babies Fund provides couples with an $18,000 interest-free loan for IVF treatment. The Goldstein Family Adoption Fund will provide $24,000 interest-free loans. Adoptions can cost from $25,000 to $60,000. The loans will be used to cover the birth mother’s medical and living expenses, adoption and attorney fees, social worker fees and court costs.

“Jewish tradition places a great deal of emphasis on the concepts of family, children and continuity. But not every couple can have children of their own. That’s why The Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida, with a generous donation from the Goldstein family, has launched this newest fund,” said HFLA Executive Director Andrew Weinberg.

The Goldsteins, who are donors to Federation, were introduced to HFLA of South Florida through Federation’s Director of Philanthropic Initiatives, Simon Kaminetsky.

“We knew it was the Ben-Avivs’ dream to one day expand the fund to include adoption,” said Kaminetsky. “Federation is thrilled because we want to help people build Jewish families. We realize it’s not always easy and it doesn’t happen immediately for many people, so this is one more opportunity for us to be responsive to community needs.”

Infertility affects 6.7 million women in the U.S., or about 12 percent of the reproductive-age population.

Couples often are faced with this difficult decision: Should they begin what might become a long and very expensive series of infertility treatments, or should they consider adoption?

 HFLA of South Florida is working with Elizabeth Schwartz, a local adoption attorney, to identify potential couples interested in adoption.

“For a lot of people, one of the biggest impediments is the incredible cost of adoption,” Schwartz said.

“A vast majority of folks have spent lots of money trying to use reproductive technology before they get to the adoption stage. And, by the time they get to that stage they run out of money. This will be a real lifesaver for them and for the children who get to have a forever home.”

To be eligible for an IVF loan through the Making Miracle Babies Fund, applicants must be Jewish, between the ages 25 to 40 years, and first time parents. HFLA also requires a letter confirming the applicant’s eligibility for treatment from a licensed IVF physician. Those who meet the criteria can receive up to $18,000. They must provide two credit-worthy guarantors and must repay the loan within 36 months.

To be eligible for an adoption loan, at least one of the applicants must be Jewish, between the ages of 25 and 50 years, and first-time parents. Those who meet the criteria can receive up to $24,000. They also must provide two credit-worthy guarantors and repay the loan within 48 months.

All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must have resided in Miami-Dade or Broward county for at least one year prior to submitting a loan application.

ABOUT HEBREW FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, also offers interest-free loans to Jewish individuals and families in urgent need and who may not qualify through normal financial resources. HFLA offers interest-free loans of up to $4,000 with a maximum repayment of 36 months. It also provides up to $10,000 in loans through its Entrepreneurial (HELP) Fund, for individuals looking to start or fund an existing business. The maximum repayment period for that loan is 36 months. The HFLA loan committee meets weekly, enabling the loans to be readily available once the applicant has completed their loan application prerequisites, been granted approval and undergoes a personal interview prior to disbursement of funds.

Since 1989, Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida, Inc. has been funded primarily by private donations. Our funding program facilitates financial independence through interest-free lending. Each contribution is an investment in the dignity and independence of many individuals and families in our local Jewish community. As soon as monthly loan payments are deposited HFLA approves new loans and is able to help the next persons in need. Our clients understand our procedures and they are committed to timely repayment of their loans. This helps us to maintain our 98 percent-plus repayment rate and the perpetual recycling of charitable dollars.