Building Jewish Families

Hebrew Free Loan of New Jersey is committed to helping members of our community build Jewish families – one child at a time. We can lighten your financial load, enabling you to focus on your medical treatment and self-care. We are here to help you continue your family-building journey and reduce added stress.

It is estimated that 15% of those trying to conceive are affected by infertility. Building a family with the help of advanced reproductive technologies can be stressful physically, financially, and emotionally.

Building Jewish Families provides no fee interest free loans to help defray the costs associated with fertility treatments including surrogacy, gestational carrier, egg freezing, and/or adoption, with the express intention of helping to build Jewish homes and strengthen Jewish families.

  • Who May Apply

    The Borrower must live in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Monmouth, Middlesex, Passaic, Sussex, and Union counties.

    The Borrower must be a member of the Jewish community or work for a Jewish organization.

    If the borrower has a spouse/partner, that individual is also required to sign the loan documents.

  • Loan Terms

    Building Jewish Family loans have varying repayment terms depending upon the amount of the loan.

    Building Jewish Family loans over $2,000 require an Endorser who is a New Jersey resident, and loans above $5,000 require two Endorsers – one of whom is a New Jersey resident.

    A grace period of approximately 3 months is given before repayment begins.

  • Who May Be an Endorser

    When two endorsers are required, at least one must be a New Jersey resident, who is credit-worthy.

    Endorsers may not be a member of the clergy, or political office holder, or on active duty in the military.

    An applicant may not be a borrower and an endorser at the same time.

    The Endorser must fill out an information form and is required to sign the applicant’s loan documents.

How to Apply

HFLNJ understands that all information it receives is strictly confidential.

Prospective parent(s) will be considered individually and jointly. All loan applicants must accept and agree to the criteria, which in the aggregate form the basis of the understanding of the loan agreement. All information provided is held in the strictest confidence.

All prospective applicants should contact Malkie Ratzker at (973) 637-1739. She will be happy to help you begin the process.

Application Process & FAQs
  • Close-up of baby feet wrapped in a soft white towel or blanket.

    “We may never have known the love and satisfaction of being parents if not for the generosity of HFLNJ. We now have the opportunity to raise a daughter and guide her in making Jewish values part of her life.”

    -First Name

  • "Hebrew Free Loan of New Jersey is committed to help build Jewish families. We will help prospective parents bring about the miracle of life by providing a resource for the tremendous expenses associated with in-vitro fertilization and other treatments, surrogacy, gestational carrier, and/or adoption by the granting of interest-free loans. We can think of no better use of our funds than this.”

    - Arthur Schechner, Former Chairman of the Board, HFLNJ.