Who says you need your eyes to see?

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Adrian is 46 years old, he’s married and has 4 children. He lives in Villa Devoto a middle class neighbourhood located in the city of Buenos Aires. He used to be a pharmacist but retired due to his blindness. He’s challenged but not incapable of working to support his family. He just needed some help, someone who knew that he didn’t need his eyes to truly observe.

So he takes the elevator, gets on an average of eleven buses a day and walks all around the big city selling cellular calling cards. Unlike other blind people, he absolutely refuses to use the green city mandatory cane. In Argentina, there’s a law that establishes you must walk with one so people can tell you’re blind, but I refuse to use it.

He explains that he wants to be viewed as someone with different capabilities than others, rather than a helpless individual. Adrian has striking deep blue eyes with a peaceful voice to match. You can tell by his gestures that his other senses have taken total command of his perception. As he settles in his chair, he narrates how and why he contacted Acceder.

I lost almost all my vision due to an eyesight problem. I’ve been blind for 20 years. When I was a college student I began to lose my vision progressively. My financial situation was very difficult before I came to Acceder after I retired from my job as a pharmacist in the year 2001. I was discriminated every time I applied for a job and turned down. So, I decided to work independently selling calling cards.

I found out about Acceder from a magazine that was in my temple. Currently, I visit kiosks, personal clients and offer them calling cards. I work with the major cellular companies in Argentina. I started selling in bulk because the revenues per card are very modest; it’s only 0, 10 or 0, 20 cents per unit so I only earn a 2 percent profit.

I needed the loan to buy in mass and so I used the money to buy calling cards to sell them. In the future, I want to work selling more cell phone credit charge online. This is safer because I don’t need to walk around with cash. I use the computer to charge the credit for my customer by myself with a special program that allows me to work. My situation still isn’t easy; I’m still paying the mortgage on my home and have 6 mouths to feed. It’s not simple, luckily my children help me a lot, and they even pitch in with answering clients orders on the computer.

With a peaceful sigh as we finish our interview, he turns his head and says I love walking all around the city. He gets up from his chair, approaches the elevator and presses the button without my help,

So who says you need your eyes to see?

Camila´s smile

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman


Mauricia has a very tired look in her brown eyes 57 year old eyes. She used to be a seamstress and also ventured into catering but currently is unemployed. She has two daughters; the youngest one has Down syndrome. Her house is very precarious, has water filtrations and walls that are in very bad conditions. As you walk through the entrance and into her home you inevitably feel a sense of sorrow that is reflected even deeper in her expression.
I have two daughters. Celeste is 23 and she studies medicine. Camila is 14 years old and has Down syndrome which means she requires a lot of attention. She has to attend a special school and already had three heart surgeries. I’m mainly devoted to her, Celeste is more independent and lives with her husband, she points out.
A few months ago, I prepared and sold meals for factory workers. When I started my project it functioned well. Unfortunately, due to the increases in the prices, I couldn’t continue with it. I worked with factory workers and I couldn’t increase the prices of the meals which was my main problem. Currently, I’m not working, but if the costs of the groceries stabilize in March I will start over.
I like cooking and I think Camila will benefit from my work because she can learn how to cook and in the future she can use this skill for herself. I wish to renovate the house, especially because I think hygiene and presentation is fundamental when you work with food, she explains as we sit in her kitchen table which is also her family room.
She contacted Acceder through AMIA, the foundation that represents Jewish centres in Argentina. The social worker there recommended her to call them. I’m very happy with AMIA, they are very kind to me and pay attention to my concerns. Even though I’m Christian, I celebrate with Camilla her religion, her father was Jewish.
When she was born in 1993, he got scared and left. I can’t speak badly about him. I adore him and miss him. If God gave me the opportunity to see him, I would ask him why he was so frightened. He missed the chance to get to know how precious his daughter really is. I heard from his family he died in Israel. My life since he left us has been very difficult and sad. I’ve been struggling to raise two daughters on my own
My guarantors were a friend of mine and my son in law. I received two loans from Acceder, one month after I applied. They amounted to two thousand dollars and with that money I bought a freezer and a car to take Camila to school, buy groceries and get around. I also purchased a microwave and motorcycle to deliver the meals.
The loan helped me a lot, especially because I was able to buy the car to take Camila to the places she needs to go, like her school and to her medical treatment. She has a strong fear of abandonment, so she can’t be left alone for more than 15 minutes.
I wish to finish paying off the loan soon. I just have two more instalments left to pay. What I need to get is another credit of a much higher sum. I want to use that money to fix the house and renovate the kitchen so I have an adequate cooking space. There is a lot of humidity in this house, because of this Camila and I got pneumonia. The doctor told me that I should fix this problem as soon as possible.
Presently, I’m not employed and only receive a 200 pesos monthly pension. With that we try to survive. My older daughter also helps me. I would like to tell the people that are going through a difficult situation like I am, to be patient, keep the faith and that not everything in life is bad. There comes a time when things clear up, she says as she shows me a picture of Camila smiling.

Veronica´s closet

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan
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By Nicole Grouman

Veronica meets me in Acceder´s office. The neighborhood where she resides, Piedrabuena located in the southern region of the city of Buenos Aires is not safe enough for me to travel with all the filming equipment.

She arrives promptly for our meeting in the foundation despite having to travel far across the city. She gives a very warm impression, along with her four year old daughter who she brings along to the interview. Valentina is a spitting image of her mother just in a smaller version, both have dark hair and big black eyes that make it impossible to distinguish the pupil from the iris.

We live in city housing apartments. We struggle every day financially. I fabricate clothing for children and my husband delivers car parts. We have three children. I contacted Acceder to buy materials to make clothes. I make the clothes in my house and then we sell them to a store.

I read about the foundation in a magazine I saw in a kosher shop. I got the loan seven months ago. They treated us great. It took me less than a month, my friends were my guarantors. They loaned me 2, 000 dollars. Sometimes, it’s difficult to ask people for help, but I didn’t have any problems, she says as Valentina interrupts in hopes of grabbing her mom’s attention.

The situation in the country is difficult, the prices keep going up. I would like to leave the place where I live. I am grateful for the apartment but the area is very insecure, they are slums near by. I don’t take the kids to the park, it’s not safe. Their friends are only from their school, she recounts with traces of sorrow in her voice.

I advise those in a trying situation like me, to try to get the loan. I thought I wasn’t going to get it but I did at last. It’s all worth it, especially if you accomplish what you hope for. I tell the sponsors to keep donating because it’s worth it. I hope to make better clothes in the future to sell them at a better price. I was able to accomplish what I wished to thanks to the loan, she says as we finish our interview.

Her daughter grabs her hand tightly and they walk away to the elevator.

Every stamp has a story to tell…..

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

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By Nicole Grouman


Guillermo is 61 years old, although judging by his appearance he seems a few years younger. He has an intellectual facade in the way he express himself. His glasses and beard form part of his soft spoken personality.
He used the loan to buy material for his hobby which I also part of his income, stamp collecting. This cultured man has a degree in marketing, advertising and a few courses shy of one in Psychology. He has 6 children ranging from 36, 35, 35, 32, 22, and 18 and works part time.
I used to be director of an advertising agency. I survive working free lance for my former clientele. I represent a chain of cable from the provinces, I work irregularly and so I have a lot of free time. I collect stamps, this is a hobby of mine that is extended and developed all around the world. It is more developed in first world countries. Years ago it was more significant in Argentina.
I received the loan from Acceder a year and a half ago. I was able to start my hobby again and buy working material. It helps my economy, I make between 200 and 300 dollars. It’s an extra income for me. I work ate least 2 hours a day on this. I have a good marriage, children that are marvelous, each one in their unique way, I feel realized in this aspect of my life.
The system was accessible, appropriate and simple to obtain. I do Tefila in a temple and Acceder had an ad there, so I read it. They loaned me 2,000 dollars. I bought catalogues; he says as stands up and shows me with enthusiasm his book collection.
This one is from Argentina, the rest are imported from France, United States and Germany. Here you have all the stamps since 1940. This one is from France, it is very valuable. I also buy stamp collections in fares that sell them. This one is valued at 575 euros. It was from 1930 to celebrate the first flight to Marseilles that delivered mail.
This hobby keeps me grounded and it’s a complement to my earnings. Also, it’s a source of knowledge. When I was little I started collecting stamps, then I learned that each stamp tells a story about a place, an event and you can incorporate encyclopedic information.
The situation in the country has many facades, economically I think its growing but we still have less democratic dark points like the monopoly of the information and misinformation. They want us to believe things that are unsustainable, like the inflation rates. I think the Jewish community is alert, prosperous and active in its struggle. I advise people in need to get closer to go to the Torah, there they will find the answer.
My living expenses are very difficult to sustain, the rent, electricity, etc. I still have two kids that live with me. The prices have gone up a lot. The loan enabled me to go back to this activity and gave me the impulse I needed.
I plan to grow in the future. I’m professional but once I retired I couldn’t go back. Today the rules and codes have changed, the reinsertion is very difficult. People are discriminated; there aren’t jobs for people over 45 years old. I think that this is a disaster because the country can’t afford the luxury of throwing away half of its intellectual resources, he explains with a very wise expression you can only obtain from experience.
I tell our sponsors that every time they donate we celebrate in temple. People are given help as a credit and they are taught to produce, which is much better than just giving. Instead of handing them a plate of food they are taught to cook it and evolve.

´´If I help myself, God will help me back, everything begins from oneself´´

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

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By Nicole Grouman

Marta is divorced, has two sons who are 24 and 20 years old. She lives in a small one bedroom apartment she has renovated to fit in more sectors. She has straight long brown hair and a caring look on her face. We sit down in her living room located in Once, Buenos Aires and she offers me politely a drink.
My oldest son lives in Israel and the other one lives with me. I work in a Jewish school where I teach art, help the teachers and make lustrations. I have a lot of work this time of the year. I have to dress differently to school, even though I’m not religious. I got a divorce 8 years ago. Actually, I think I was always a single mother, I took care of everything. I was always proactive and optimistic.
I went to Acceder after I saw their ad in a magazine in Jabad Temple. My ex husband got a credit from a Bank in 1991 which he never paid back. He disappeared and since he doesn’t show on any public records, the lawyers from the bank located me at my work. They threatened to repossess my home and my belongings if I didn’t pay for my husband’s debt, she says with a chaotic expression.
I was extremely anxious and worried because of this. A friend loaned me some of the money and Acceder the rest, 2 thousand dollars. Up till know, I’ve paid seven installments, which I found to be accessible. I got the loan quickly because, they explained that when the loans are to pay off debts they approve them faster. There was never a doubt and I felt that I was being heard.
I’m afraid of the country situation, I don’t trust the current government. This country is antisimetic. I’m sort of in a bubble, but if you move around a bit you can see the real situation. In my building I’m the only Jewish, even though this is a Jewish neighborhood. They don’t have expectations of having a good future here. My son is afraid of going out at night.
My oldest son lives in Jerusalem, he is very intelligent and spiritual. He left because of economic reasons. Children of divorced parents always have conflicts but now he is very happy. My youngest is also thinking of going to Israel. He was studying biology but quit because he had to travel too much, now he studies music. If they both go, so will I, she says as she picks up the family portrait.
My ex husband doesn’t pay us alimony, he is also depressive. He works in security in a temple. I don’t talk to him at all because he doesn’t support us. I had to put in a lot of effort because of this.
I told myself I was going to be proactive, if necessary work as a maid. When I have money, I like to give back as well. Today, I gave part of my bonus to a cleaning lady. Now, its summer and I don’t have extra work, like private tutoring.
I recommend people to struggle. When I got separated I was on the street and I went to Miami to try my luck where I tried selling my paintings. I am humble. I can do many things, I can go anywhere and start over. I don’t like staying still, I have to move and make things happen.
I’m very positive. If I help myself, God will help me back. Everything begins from one self. I always look ahead, I don’t look back. I believe that you have you have to do things because of honesty and God sees this. She gets teary eyes
Hopefully, I’ll be able to find a couple and rebuild my life. Thank God, I wake up every day healthy and have a job that gives me strength to go on. I tell the sponsors that they are doing a great deed and it was very motivating for me. I’m very grateful. I don’t think a lot about the future, I live day by day, she says with an optimistic glow that somehow resonates in me.

Adolfo´s blissful notes

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Adolfo Halsband plays the violin as though the directions of each note came directly from his soul. The pleasurable sounds of his violin bounce right off the walls of his music studio where he teaches his students how to play. One can’t help requesting him to keep playing which he complies so willingly, as each remarkable cord vibrates in the spectators.
Adolfo is a quartet composer and concert master musician. He plays classical, jazz and Hasidic music, as well. He has a true fervour for his expression and says he loves teaching. In my home I teach music and Kabala, Adolfo explains as he looks into the camera.
This over qualified performer has played for three years in the New York Philharmonic with the renowned pianist and composer, Daniel Barenboim. He also toured many European cities with the Malaga Orchestra. This articulate musician speaks five different languages, Hebrew, French, Spanish, Yiddish and English. His overweight body is as big as the volume of his creations and gifted talent.
He has three children and is married to a painter. He says that they mutually inspire each other with their artistic creations. While I play the violin or piano, she paints, he says as he sits on his piano bench and points to her superbly inspired paintings.
In the busy neighbourhood of Caballito, in the city of Buenos Aires, Adolfo is revving up his inspiration. In his original living room, he designed a space to create all those marvellous sounds with his students. His studio has a large piano, violins and other musical equipment. He contacted Acceder to enlarge the room by knocking down a wall and also to buy more instruments for his students.

I receive every month a magazine from my temple, which is where I first learned of this foundation. I needed to tear down that wall to expand the place to fit more people and also buy more instruments. Acceder lent me five thousand pesos in March of 2007 to make this possible. My guarantors were a rabbi from Bet Hillel, the temple where I play the violin on Shabbat and a friend of mine.
This loan helped me to improve what I do with my pupils because I was able to fit more students at once and supply them with the necessary learning tools. When you have an idea, you need to obtain the money you need to make it possible. After I received the credit, I was able to renovate my studio to comfortably fit ten to twelve students at once. I teach them violin, viola, piano and the harmony.
I advise people in my initial situation to pursue their objectives with positive energy. First of all, if you have a goal in your mind, you must pursue it. The torah teaches us that the real appreciation of Judaism is not only found in the religion. Furthermore, Kabala inspires you to improve your life and do whatever you want.
You have to be open minded, have positive energy, study languages and play chess. It’s important to get up in the morning and do the things you aspire. I plan to keep teaching which is what I love the most and continue with my current activities. I would also like to play in concerts abroad. It’s important for me to do everything with the meaning of the Torah, involving positive energy in my life.
Adolfo ads that foundations like Acceder are very important and he thinks it would be great if they could lend even higher interest free loans, as he picks up his violin again to play another vibrating song requested by the journalist.

¨When I close my eyes and remember the trip I see my daughter’s pregnant belly¨

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

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By Nicole Grouman

Marcos lives in simply furnished apartment in Villa Crespo a district in Buenos Aires that is home to many families from the community. He has drives a taxi 12 hours a day in the hectic city and has absolutely no sign in his expression of the three bypass surgeries he claims to have had.
He has a fatherly welcoming look on his face, as he invites me to take a seat in the dinning room table of the apartment he rents. I live alone, my first wife passed away and then I got separated from my last wife. I have three children and 3 grandchildren. I’m retired and I work as a taxi driver,
Thanks to Acceder, I was able to travel to witness my granddaughter’s birth. I paid for airline ticket with the loan, I couldn’t afford it on my own. I traveled two years ago. What can I tell you about going to Israel, it was like going to my country.
The nicest memory I have from the trip was the birth of my granddaughter. I arrived five days before and was able to accompany my daughter to the delivery room. I had her two minutes after in my arms.
The last trip was very beautiful because of the birth. I stayed in my daughter’s house and enjoy there company. This picture was taken five minutes after she was born in the hospital and this is my grandson, he explains as he lays a photo album on the table.
I’m blessed because all of my grandchildren were born in Israel. My daughter moved in 1992 to Israel because she wasn’t happy with her lifestyle. The trip changed my life because I was able to witness the birth of my granddaughter and share with it daughter and son-in-law. I’ll be eternally grateful to Acceder, the trip was priceless. Here as you can observe, he picks up the picture again.
A friend of mine told me about Acceder, I called and was interviewed by Jessica. They were very nice to me. The installments are very accessible to pay back. It took me about a month to get the loan of about 1000 dollars. Two friends of mine were my guarantors.
I plan to keep working and in 2010 I hope to go back to Israel for my daughter’s 40th birthday and also to be there for y grandson bar mitzvah. The airline ticket costs about 1700 dollars.
I advise people in my initial situation, if they truly need help, to go to Acceder because they give the help that is needed and do a Mitzvah. With my job I can support myself without luxuries but enough to live comfortably. I live, work and spend time with my friends, he says as he looks at me with his blue eyes behind the rimes of his grey glasses.
I wish to thank Acceder for the loans they give, I know of many other people they helped. I spent a month in Israel, I toured the country and visited the rest of my family, in Tel Aviv, Carmel, Hilat and Jerusalem. When I close my eyes and remember the trip I see my daughter’s pregnant belly, he says with a big smile that wraps around his face.

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My daughter’s wedding

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

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By Nicole Grouman

Monica Micha has a shimmering look on her face as she narrates her daughter’s wedding with blissful memories that run down from her head. She is interviewed in the baby store she work located in Palermo. This is very convenient for her because her newly wed daughter is expecting.
We sat down to chat near the counter and even though we were interrupted many times by customers who wished to get Monica’s attention, she was still able to get her idea across.
I have four children and I’ve been married for 25 years. I’m an employee in this store and my husband work independently exporting. My children are 23, 22, 17 and 16. My daughter is a teacher in a Jewish school.
I found out about Acceder from the brochures I read at my temple in Barracas. They lent me close to 2, 000 dollars. They treated me exceptionally. It took me 3 week to get the loan, I used it to help pay for my daughters wedding.
She got married a year and a half ago. When I close my eyes and think back I remember her dressed in her wedding gown. It was a beautiful first experience for me. After the religious ceremony at the temple we continued the celebration in a salon. I have pictures, she promises to send me later.
I would like to express to the sponsors how important this was for me and tell them to continue donating. They are doing a great thing and helping many families along the way.
I define myself as middle class. I think the situation in Argentina is getting worse, in every aspect, from going to the supermarket to buying clothes. Money isn’t worth as much as it used. I have the same difficulties people with my income have, especially taking into consideration inflation, she explains worriedly.
I’m busy everyday, she says as she interrupts the interview once again to attend to the demanding customer who picks a tiny pink baby dress and ask for the price. My daughter is expecting, any time now so you’ll have to wait to interview her, she explains joyfully.
I really can’t imagine what the occasion would have been like without the loan. I used it for clothes and many other essential things for the wedding. I advise those people in need to ask for help in Acceder because they will receive help almost spontaneously. It was very easy for me to pay it back and accessible.
My daughter thanked us very much and left a note under the pillow. As soon as the celebration finished she ran off with her husband. She left very happy. A marriage is very important, that was what I was taught by my parents and what I teach my children, she says as she goes back willingly to work with a beam on her face.

¨In life this is a law, the one that has the most should help the most¨

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Edgardo had an idea but just needed an impulse to get going and that is exactly what Acceder gave him. He is 51 years old and divorced with two children. He opens the door to his factory to me, which is located in the province of Buenos Aires in the district of San Martin.

I’ve been working for many years in this industry. I needed funding for my factory to make disposable cleaning wipes. I also studied to be a gym teacher, psychology. I’ve worked in this sector for many years. I want to make a good and cheap product, he says as he explains the chain of production with zest.
Acceder loaned me 2000 dollars in July of 2007 and I’m paying them back in 24 installments. I used the loan to buy primary goods to make my products. A friend of mine told me about Acceder. They interviewed me twice and it took me less than a month to get the loan. The way they handled everything was excellent. I don’t have any negative comments about Acceder.
My financial situation is stable. I will continue selling products to other companies until I can venture into my own brand. I make enough to sustain my expenses. I rent my house and support my kids that are in high school and live with their mother. I was born in a generation of inflation, so I’m used to the oscillation in prices, especially since I have to buy products. The inflation is about 10 to 15 percent in prices. The economic situation in this country is getting better, he says with a tone filled with optimism.
I advise people with projects, first of all to know clearly what they want to do, to do research, look for serious suppliers and always do things with a lot of will. The burocracy in Argentina is overwhelming. You aren’t treated well, they don’t give you the right and complete information. In addition to all that, you have to go several times to get things done, he mentions with frustration.
I think that burocracy is one of the worst problems we have. You have to get accustom to the fluctuating situation and you also need money. I tell the sponsors to continue giving their support, in life this is a law, the one that has the most should help the most.
I hope that this factory grows so I can give my kids options. I want to live better and enjoy life and do things I haven’t before. We are waiting for the delivery so we can start making the wipes.
The machine in the back, rolls the wipes and then they are put in the containers. ¨Trapin frescuritas¨ (fresh wipes) is the name of our product for babies. We have a secret formula for the material that the wipes absorbs. The first product will be for baby’s skin and later on for adults, for example to take make up off. We have to sign up first in the public health administration before we launch the product.
I want to thank our sponsors. Hopefully many people receive the same benefits as I have.

Baila´s children

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

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By Nicole Grouman

Baila has 10 children, Iosef, Rivki, Mushka, Chana, Mendel, Berki, Zalman, Malki, Breina and Shamai. She takes a few minutes to recall all those names and as she does, you can see her face light up. Somehow you can tell they are truly meaningful in this woman’s life. She was born in the windy city of Chicago, but somehow ended in Buenos Aires after falling in love with her argentine husband.
Rivki the cute big blue eyed girl joins us as I interview her mother. She has a few missing teeth and two dimples to go along. Her baby Iosef lies peacefully in his stroller and seems to be sleeping delightfully; as Baila narrates what it’s like to have ten beautiful children. They live in Once with her husband. Her name in Spanish means dance, she truly has to dance around to cater to ten kids needs.
I live in Argentina with my family, I’ve been living here for 18 years and it was time to buy a house because we moved out of our apartment. I was born in Chicago. My husband works in Argentina in an orthodox school.
When you’re ready to get involved with someone, you get married if you share the same ideal and start a family. I have 5 girls and five boys. With 10 kids, you never get bored there’s always lots of interesting things to do and you grow along in the process.
You learn things about yourself, you’re always giving and being involved in something that has an eternal value and is very meaningful. When I think of my kids the first thing that comes to mind is how precious they are and how much they mean to me.
When you have a big family, there are many costs, you need a bigger house, everything you do must be multiplied by ten and meal time is always a big expense. The situation in Argentina is difficult; prices are always increasing because of inflation.
A friend of mine husband told him about Acceder. We took out two loans of 2,000 dollars 3 years ago. We had a small apartment and bought an old house; we had to install heating in it. We went filled out the forms and they gave us the money right away. Once, we had all the requirements we needed it was very quick, she says as Rivki hugs her.
My plans for the future are to keep working, to perfect and better myself as a mother, to help my children grow to be healthy and to help my husband. He has a very demanding job. He should be able to work the best way possible.
I teach in high school, Hassidic Philosophy and I’m a mentor.
Teaching and being a mother is very demanding. There are many variable costs, I don’t have a car, prices keep on changing and my older daughter might go abroad to study. You need a constant cash flow. We still have a lot of things to finish in the house, pay for my daughter’s tuition and buy the children’s clothes. We don’t have a car, luckily everything is walking distance but if we go out we need 3 taxis.
The main difficulties I have are keeping my house going, giving my children what they need emotionally and physically. Also, organizing the household and doing a good job as a teacher.
I haven’t lived in Chicago for about 25 years, my family lives there. There are many products that you can’t find here and the quality isn’t the same, the community is very nice. All my married life I’ve lived here, I’m used to managing the household, in some ways it could be easier than in United States.
I think that in the USA it’s much easier to get loans, even in the Jewish communities. There is less access to money in Argentina. I advise people in my initial situation that it defiantly helps to get a loan you can afford. You have to try to find what you need and it’s not impossible to take a decision and get to work. Most people don’t get bank loans. It’s a difficult life, the more opportunities that people get the better, she says as Iosef wakes up from his nap and goes straight to his mother’s arms.

As they look back and at each other

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

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By Nicole Grouman

Monica has a long skirt, a matching white shirt and youthful smile to go along. She married Pablo a year ago, in a beautiful ceremony in their temple. The young couple met after a friend in common got them acquainted in a birthday party. They contacted Acceder because they needed the loan to pay for the wedding.
As we sit in the living room of the apartment they share in Once in the city of Buenos Aires we begin our interview. Monica takes her time to open up especially since she is so camera shy. They lived together before getting married.
We married a year ago. We reached Acceder after a friend told us about it. We wed 6 months before we planned. Our parents couldn’t help us out financially so we had to resort to a loan. We were able to afford a party in a salon and the toast with the credit we obtained. We asked for an interview and it was very simple to obtain the loan. It took us less than a month to get the money. The credit was 2,000 dollars. We only had one inconvenience in paying back the loan, one month when Pablo changed job.
When I ask her to close her eyes and recall the most precious part of her wedding she responds everything. The sweetest tears of joy start strolling down from her brown eyes as she reminiscences over one of the most important events in her life.
She leans over and picks up her wedding album. We were very relaxed for the civil part. This is our parents, my sisters and my nephews. We got married in Jabad Temple. We paid for the food, the clothes and the salon with the loan. This is Pablo’s family, she says as she point to a picture of a group of people holding up their glasses.
This image is also very sweet, of my nephews. This is the religious ceremony, with the Rabbi when both parents agreeing upon our union. While I changed for the party, the guarantors signed the guarantee in case of separation in the temple. We celebrated afterwards in a salon. Pablo was very nervous, she says as we are interrupted by the doorbell. She tells me to wait as she goes excitingly to open the door. It’s Pablo, who walks in with the groceries. They are expecting their family for dinner to celebrate their new home.
Pablo sits down next to his wife and places his shoulder around her as they look deeply in each other’s eyes. When you get married you start a new life, we are very happy. There is a phrase in the Torah that explains that everything happens for a reason. When ever something bad happens, nothing wrong comes from up above, you need to see the whole picture. We hope to keep growing.
There is no stability in this country, although it has improved. I tell the sponsors, that this project is remarkable. To help a fellow Jew is wonderful. It gives them the possibility to grow and be independent.
During the Jupa, we lived very intense situations. The party was also blissful. We wanted to celebrate our wedding. Our family made our investment all worth it. This was when we received the blessing from the Rabbi, he ads as he points to another picture. Monica interrupts as she recalls once again how she felt during that precious event. I was committed to enjoying myself, I had all the emotional energy in that moment. We had what we sought after in the moment we needed it, she says harmoniously.

¨I tell those in need, to light a candle on Shabbat¨

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

www.acceder.com

By Nicole Grouman

Gladys greets me warmly in her home located in La Boca, a historic neighborhood situated in the southern district of the city of Buenos Aires. She lives in city housing with her three children and her husband. She has two teenage twin daughters and a 14 year old boy.
Her husband wakes up every morning at six to a 14 hour taxi driving shift. Her daughter joins us as I interview her mother and her expression shows she is clearly affected by her family’s situation. The walls of her living room are decorated with paintings from Israel that give a warm sense of security
My son has a scholarship, he has a good average and goes to ORT school. He has good conduct and grades. My daughters are twenty and they are studying to be hairdressers. They still haven’t finished high school. The girls are looking for a job. Brenda, would like to open a hair parlor and finish high school. My husband drives a taxi and I take care of kids.
I asked for two loans, the first was to buy a garage to put away the car, so I could rest well. The second one was to change the car. When we left the car at night on the street, they would break it. Once, a kid robbed my bag. This neighborhood isn’t secure, she says as the expression in her daughters eyes shift to a sad one.
My husband leaves at 6 in the morning. He is very tired, he has diabetes, he has eyesight vision and high cholesterol. He had to take medication for his heart a few days. He has to follow a regime and take medication. He doesn’t make enough to cover our expenses, still we are optimistic.
When I needed help desperately, I found Acceder. My daughter’s Rabbi told me of Acceder. They treated me very well. They are very nice people. I am very grateful. Luckily, the sponsors can still donate.
It was the best thing that happened to me. Not only did I receive the loan but they also helped me. I was able to finish paying off the credit. I would like to get another one, to convert my husband’s car so it can use gas oil which costs less than petrol.
I tell those in need, to light a candle on Shabbat. I have two difficulties, the car and that my daughters haven’t finished high school. When I went to get the first loan with Rabbi, Acceder was great to me. The interest rates are very high with common bank loans. On one occasion, I was even able to give back to Tzedaka with a few installments. I don’t have enough to give, but I was able to thanks to Acceder.
I ask her about her plans for the future. You are going to laugh, but what I really hope for it to take vacations. I would love to go 15 days to the coast with my kids. I would like many other things, for example for my husband to find a better job so we live in an improved apartment. I believe the country’s situation has improved, she says with a beam in her eyes.
She stands up with emphasis and shows gladly me all the paintings from Israel…

Sharon´s Bat Mitzvah

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman
Pablo and his wife have two children, a thirteen year old girl and a 9 year old boy. He lives with his family in Almagro a district located in the city of Buenos Aires. This middle aged family man has light red hair, a soft beard and a friendly smile to match.
He contacted Acceder because he needed the money to pay for his daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. He sells motorcycles and saving plans. He hopes that in the future, he’ll be able to work more so as to stabilize his family’s financial situation.
During his interview, Sharon calls him and he quickly responds with; hola vida (hello life). There is an unmistakable bond between his daughter and him that is reflected in his tone of voice. When Pablo narrates her celebration he is overwhelmed with emotion and inevitably expresses the strong connection he shares.
I remember vividly when she was reading the Torah and how she was dancing as she read. She focused on what was most important; the reading of the Torah not the party. She went once a week to prepare for her bat, luckily she knows hebrew well because she goes to a Jewish school. It took her about 4 months to prepare. We celebrated in Beth El Temple in December of 2006, the first day of Hanukah. Her uncle also invited her to Israel as part of her gift.
I read about Acceder in a newsletter of the Jewish Agency. I contacted them last year when I my daughter started planning her bat mitzvah. They loaned me 1000 dollars, I spent it on the toast, clothing and other costs. I’m paying 160 pesos monthly installments. My guarantors were two friends of mine.
It took me very little time to get it approved. I had two interviews and gave them the required documents. The process was efficient and the results were very positive. The system to pay back is very practical. It’s my second responsibility in my monthly payments. I already told my friends to go to Acceder, where they will receive a helping hand.
As he shows me pictures of her bat mitzvah on his friend’s computer, he narrates the significant occasion with so many emotions that surface in his voice and gestures. Here she is with the Torah. I know that she was convinced of doing this. We enjoyed it very much. Here she is reading the torah with her grandparents. In this one, she is with her brother, before reading the torah the tefilim.
Even though we didn’t have a lot of money to pay for a big celebration, my daughter valued the purpose of her bat and that’s the most important thing. We focused on the religious ceremony and not the social factor. The nicest thing I remember is when she was reading the Torah. She read very well, he breaks down once again as he remembers the special moment.
He says he doesn’t regret the way his family chose to celebrate that occasion. I observed friends who invested more energy in the parties rather than the religious celebration. Sharon never questioned our decision to have a low key party. She told me she was very happy and valued the effort we put into it. She enjoyed it very much, he says as he recollects that unforgettable event in his daughter’s life.

Ruth’s sewing machine

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Ruth has a seamstress shop in Chacarita, a neighborhood located in Buenos Aires. This middle age single mother never let her difficult situation get to her. She has two adolescent children that she speaks of with immense delight.
She says she has to deal with many economic complications and that the father of her kids doesn’t give her enough money to support them. I opened a shop in august to earn more money and also to manage mi time so I could be more with my kids, she says with a luminescent smile. So, I rented this place and started fixing clothes.
Ruth also has a BA in education from the University of Jerusalem. She got divorced 9 years ago. She used to work as a teacher in a Jewish school and eventually she was promoted to director.
Even though my business expanded, I still don’t make enough to pay for all my expenses because my ex husband only gives me 180 pesos a month. I’m accumulating debts because of this. She also adds to our engaging interview a list of her monthly obligations that is clearly overwhelming for a single person.
I’m trying to add new things to my shop so I can increase my income and improve my current situation. She looks straight into the camera and shows us her new creations, bags manufactured from recycled materials and clothes she designed.
She gently picks up from the makeshift mannequin that is placed next to window a pair of cardigan pants and a trendy zipper jacket. The clothes have her trademark embroidered and a lighthearted pattern to go along. I started designing my own brand of clothing, it’s called Ruth Ber.
I contacted Acceder after I spoke to the Rabbi of my delicate financial situation and his wife told me of the interest free loans. It took me less than 20 days to get the loan. I had two friends that were my guarantors.
I used the loan from Acceder to buy the cloth to manufacture 100 bags and I also bought that sewing overlock machine that can use various threads at once and make special designs. This credit helped me a lot and the first few months I was able to make more money because of it. They were very comprehensive of my situation.
The credit totaled 1,600 dollars. This machine cost me $330 and I spent $100 to make the bags. I used the rest of the money to buy supplies for my shop. In February, I will finish paying the installments of the loan.
I have a monthly deficit of 200 dollars which implies cutting back on my spending. I can’t buy more supplies for my shop and I’m behind in my apartment expenses. On some occasions, I even have to borrow from friends. Nevertheless, my situation encouraged me to stand taller.
In the future, I hope that my business grows. If had more to invest, I could buy more goods to sell, she says as she gazes with her light transparent eyes through the big window of her shop.

¨The best ingredient in life is being positive¨

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

www.acceder.com

By Nicole Grouman


Raquel sits by her desk in the Human Resources sector of Jabad offices in Once, Buenos Aires. Her job consists of finding other people employment. She mentions she doesn’t like it when people are discriminated because of her age, especially since she could be retired and still goes contentedly to work.
With the same positive energy she uses to go to work everyday, she approached Acceder two years ago to make her dream of traveling to Israel, once again true. I’m a widow, I have three children and six grandchildren. My oldest grandson just graduated as a lawyer, she says with pride in her eyes.
When I was young I was always studying. I got married at 20 and was with my husband during 46 years, we had 3 children. Then I devoted myself to work, I’m very happy here. This is practically my second home. We contact those who need an employee with those who are looking for a job. The most gratifying part of my job is finding people work. I start at 11 and leave at 5. I’ve been working here for eleven years.
She mentions that her economic situation isn’t simple. I have a retirement fund and a pension from my late husband. My medical insurance and the taxes have increased. I hope, I’ll be able to afford them, she says with a concerned expression on her face.
I had the opportunity to travel to Israel with my best friend who was invited by her niece. She called me crying and said she was afraid to travel alone and asked me to accompany her. I knew her niece since she was born.
It was a very beautiful experience, we traveled in 1976, no in 2006, she says as she smiles at her error. Then she explains she was stopped in time. I traveled with my friend to see her niece in Carmiel and also my cousin. When I close my eyes and remember the trip, Jerusalem is the first vision that comes to mind, she says as her emotions surface in her eyes in two drops of tears.
It wasn’t the first time for me in Israel, I went in 1975 and 2002. The city looked very beautiful and changed in comparison with the other times I visited. The place looked cleaner and the essence was even more stunning. I enjoyed every part of my trip, as you can somehow see the images flipping back in her head.
I found out about Acceder after I told my friends about my situation and they recommended it to me. They were very polite to me. First, they explained the requirements and I had them, so here I am. I’m very grateful, it was a dream I never thought I could fulfill.
People in the community have all types of difficulties, I’ve been told of many painful situations. I feel very sad, I don’t understand how come I can still work and other people are discriminated. Maybe someone who is 45 or more has more experience than someone who is 30. It hurts me to tell people they can’t go to the interview because they need to be 20 years less. I’ve had many disputes over this, she says with a frustrated frown as she pulls back her gray shinny hair.
I don’t know what is in store for me, but I still make plans because that’s the way I am. I would like to travel again. I don’t dream of unrealistic things, like I did when I was young. I would love to be a great grandmother and share the birth of another baby.
When she talks gives her view on the situation of the community in Argentina, she says people live in very different situation. I would try to help those that are going through a difficult situation and tell them to move on. The best ingredient in life is being positive and fighting back. If you sit back and cry with your arms folded you aren’t going to get anywhere.

Jose’s 5TH GEAR

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Jose has unmistakable kind light brown eyes. He had an accident riding a horse and must spend a few weeks in a wheelchair but he still doesn’t lose drive nor fall behind. He’s a truck driver and wakes up every day at 6 in the morning for his 8 hour shift.
He lives with his wife in poor apartment complex located in Pompeya, the southern part of Buenos Aires. This neighborhood, like everything in Argentina has changed. I got used to it, I’ve been here for 25 years, since 1983. Nevertheless, I know of people that were robbed.
I’m told not to go at night to interview him and I wait for his wife to come downstairs until I get out of the taxi cab. She greets me with a cute small black puppy that rest in her arms. The warm feeling I get from his house is very inviting, especially the rich food that is set on the table. Jose talks openly to the camera, he is grateful of the three loans he got and his expression is straight forward.
My job is difficult; I’ve been working in the same company for many years. I wake up very early, drink mate, load the truck and deliver the materials to the customers. My mom is still with me but my father passed away. I got married in 1979. I have 3 children, Juan 27, Fernando 26 and Melisa, 20.

I went to Acceder because my mom told me about the foundation. She is Jewish and knows of the community. I used to play soccer for the macabeos club when I was young, he recalls as he sighs.

So I contacted Acceder. They gave me 3 loans of about 1,800 dollars, I received the first one 4 years ago to fix my floor and renovate the apartment. The second one was to pay my mortgage and the last one was to help my son buy a truck to work. I’ve been paying for 4 years and I never had any problems. They were very nice to me and waited for me to recover for my interview. Now, I own this house and paid off my mortgage.

Like every father you try to make sure your kids are doing well. My only difficulty was with my son, Juan Norberto 27. He needed money to buy his truck. When I think of them, I think of their lives and of my grandchildren. As he sits back, he hands me a picture of his 4 month old granddaughter.
My plan for the future is to get another loan, when I finish paying the installments to celebrate my 30th wedding anniversary with my wife and travel to Israel. I’ve never been there, he says as he gives his wife a sweet stare, she looks back and is drawn right back to his side.
I advise people to go to Acceder, they will understand, they are very nice people. He says he is ambitious and wants to get things done. He shows me what they fixed in their house, with a big rewarding smile. He tells me to go back home safely in a cab, because the bus takes way too long.

The art of giving

www.acceder.com

ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

There is probably nothing more rewarding in life than giving back. After visiting many people who received interest free loan from Acceder and looking at their smiling faces, I learned how important this actually is.
Close to 200,000 Jews call Argentina home. About 85% are Ashkenazi and 15% Sephardic. About 90% are located in the capital city of Buenos Aires, the remaining population reside in Rosario, Cordoba and Santa Fe.
According to Delegacion de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas (DAIA) and the Latin American Jewish Congress, the present situation is extremely serious. At least 20,000 Jews are in need of welfare - about 10% of the community - and the number is constantly increasing. There are thousands of homeless.
Pensioners and the elderly are especially hard-hit as the value of pensions has eroded and basic needs and services are becoming more expensive. The welfare institutions in the community are trying their best to help, but the feeling is increasing that, without the mobilization of the entire Jewish world, it will not be possible to deal adequately with the crisis.
In Acceder we are fully aware of this disturbing situation due mainly to the instability of the argentine economy. So, we chose to mobilize our community in a collective effort to help those in need. A person might need a loan to start a new endeavour, to go to Israel, celebrate their bat or bar mitzvah, get married, pay for a medical treatment, etc
In 2001, during the economic crisis, we opened our doors to those souls. There was and still exists a huge gap between what people have and what they actually require. In Acceder, we realize that if we join together we can make such a big difference in people’s lives.
As part of my rewarding task, I visited many applicants that received their loans. Silvia was able to pay for her medical treatment of lateral sclerosis, Nestor bought a computer to study, Adrian, a blind man, was able to continue working for himself and his family. And so many more moving stories…
Tzedekah means charity but the origin of this word is actually justice. We have the religious responsibility to give and to engage in philanthropic ventures. This beautifully rewarding act applies to everyone, even a poor person can help another.
Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher established 8 principles of Tzedekah starting with the most important type. The first one is to give someone the independence they need to be without charity. He establishes four ways to make this possible, giving a poor person work, making a person your business partner, giving a loan or a gift.
The second one is to remain anonymous and give to an unknown beneficiary. The third principle is to give namelessly to an identified person. The fourth form is to give publicly to an unidentified person. The fifth form is to give charity before you’re requested. The 6th rule is to give adequately after being asked. The 7th form is to give willingly but inadequately and finally the 8th is to give unwillingly.
We keep these principles in mind our foundation. For instance, when we loan money to people who wish to start their own business, we are fulfilling the first principle. We realize that if we help a person to become independent, later on they might feel the need to also give, which in turns helps to complete the circle with the positive flow of energy.

Gustavo’s story and El Jaial kosher restaurant

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Gustavo is a tall, robust man with a beard and a
Kipa. As you walk into his kosher restaurant you can smell
the delicious homemade typical Sephardic falafel, lajmayim,
salads and other delicatessen. This restaurant has a rich 70
year history, it’s situated in Tucuman 2620 in the heart of
“Once”, a notorious Jewish neighbourhood. A rabbi
approached Gustavo to reopen the place. The problem was
he didn’t have enough money and was already working
managing a kiosk. Nevertheless, he felt it was his calling and
decided to contact ACCEDER to realize his dream.
“I went to Israel when I was 19 years old. I lived in a Kibbutz for
many years. I also went to the army and worked in USA. Then I
came back to Argentina where I worked as a bank manager. I
also opened a chain of kiosks with a friend.
He explains why he contacted ACCEDER.
“Well, I needed financial help a year ago and I thought it was it
was a good option since this loan doesn’t come with interest.
Also, they gave me a reasonable pay off period. I was starting a
new endeavour; I wanted to open my own kosher restaurant.”
“The process of getting the loan was very pleasant and simple. I
needed guarantors and so I contacted a group of friends from
primary school which was very fun. We opened a week ago. The
restaurant’s been in the neighbourhood for seventy years. The
grandfather of a friend of mine founded it and then they closed
it. A Rabbi from the Sephardic community asked me if I could
reopen it. So we had to modernize it, to revive the place”.
“We serve typical Sephardic kosher food. We have falafel,
salads, etc. The process is very simple to cook. We named it
El Jaial because I’m known by that name. I went to a Jewish
seminar and I told them a personal story when I was in the
Israeli army.
As Gustavo prepared a delicious falafel sandwich, with
mouth watering ingredients he looked at us and with a great
big smile full of appreciation said, “I want to thank the Hebrew
Free Loan of Argentina for the loan I got, because of that I was
able to fulfil my dream.”

The loan changes their outlook on life

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Jessica sits in the conference room in a neat
office located on Corrientes av. in the heart of Once.
This 29 year old psychologist enjoys the rewards she
gets from her job, she knows that the most valuable
ones don’t come in bills.
She studied psychology in UBA and knew she was
going to pursue this career ever since she was in
high school. What I like about my career is that it has
many specialties that you can chose from, I like clinical,
educational and institutional psychology.
As she makes a sincere eye contact, she narrates the
experiences she’s had over the past two years
working in Acceder. This job allowed me to expand my
area of expertise, since I was able to pursue the institutional
branch of psychology. I feel valued here and glad
to be able to grow from this whole experience.
I started working here after I was recommended by
someone. I learned a great deal about the institution,
how to help people with difficulties and also give them
constructive criticism. What I like most is that I can lend
a hand to people that may not be able to get loans
from banks.
Some people that come to see us don’t have steady jobs, are
older or due to different life circumstances can’t gain access to
credits and need some one to give them a break.
As she sits back in her chair, she explains in a very methodical
voice the steps applicants go through to obtain the
credit. First, I talk over the phone with the applicant, to get to
know them and comprehend their situation. Then, we ask them
about their background, why they need the credit for security
reasons and to see if our help is feasible. We also want to make
sure that if we interview them personally, they are eligible for
the credit. We make sure that everything is clear from the get
go.
Jessica explains the legal requirements applicants must
have to gain access to the loan. We require them to have two
guarantors and bring all the essential documents. They don’t
necessarily have to be Jewish, but must be involved with the
community at least. What makes us different is that we don’t
charge interest and people that may have strayed away from
their community come to us. We allow them to grow, when we
give them this opportunity.
The blond psychologist with a perceptive stare recalls the
most difficult cases she’s dealt with. There are many cases
that touched me. For example, one person that I interviewed
who was blind and sold telephone cards on the street. He had
four children to feed and lost his vision. He always had a smile
on his face and saw things with a different vision.
I remember another man that came in really bad state. We gave
him a credit and this totally changed his outlook on life. He
started taking courses and opened a flower shop. We had other
interesting cases, for instance people who need to pay for rehabilitation
and medical treatments. People from all walks of life
come to see us. The most common problem applicants have is
debts, mostly from the 2001 crisis.
While she gazes out the window, she talks about what she
envisions for the foundation. I hope that Acceder grows and
we are able to help more and more people to travel to Israel,
get married, open up their dream store, etc. I wish we could
cover all the demand for loans applicants have, this takes a lot
of effort. I also look forward to reaching more places in
Argentina.

Micaela´s new creation

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Micaela began to create when she was little, by the
time she was ten she was making ceramic pieces. With her
hands she loved moulding things from scratch. As you walk
into her studio and look at all those wonderful creations you
can tell that she is committed to her craft.
In the quiet street of Lemos in the neighbourhood of Chacarita,
the artist is up to something new. Many items are placed
over run down wooden tables. They will be put later into her
new oven she was able to purchase, thanks to the loan she
received. She has students that come to her studio to learn
how to make ceramic objects, like bracelets, mugs and vases.
Micaela is a young 27 year old art historian with a degree
from UBA (University of Buenos Aires). The possibility to do
what I want is what I like most about my job. I used part of my
father’s work space for my studio. I also sell my pottery in
artisans sales which helps me get more students. It wasn’t
planed, it just happened progressively.
Her friends say she is proactive and has leadership qualities.
She joined BRIA which helped her get back to community.
My experience there was wonderful. I wasn’t expecting to make
such a great group of friends, she ads with a smile on her face as
she carves out her ceramic bowls.
I applied for the loan because I wanted to expand my studio
which included working more and getting a new low consuming
oven. It was definitely a necessary investment. I read
about ACCEDER because I saw their web site. The whole process
was very simple. It took me some time to get organized and
gather all of my documentation. I asked my friend and my aunt
to be my guarantors, which they agreed to eagerly. I could tell
that they had a genuine interest in helping me and I felt
comfortable with the process.

Argentine brothers take on South American poverty

Published Friday September 30, 2005 in the Jewish news weekly of Northen California (http://www.jewishsf.com)



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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Joe Eskenazi


It was almost like a magic trick. All it took was a massive currency crisis, and presto! Argentina’s middle class disappeared.

Now a pair of young Jewish brothers has taken up the slow, massive task of bringing it back.

Elias Kier Joffe, 32, and his 22-year-old brother, Ezequiel, note that the idea of interest-free loans is not a new one in Argentina. But the idea of actually paying them back is.

“Every day school or synagogue always has wealthy people, you know? Many times, the people will come to the rabbi and say ‘I need money,’ and the rabbi will go to this person,” explained Elias, a soft-spoken lawyer with a full beard and kippah, in San Francisco this week for the International Free Loan Association conference.

“So they give, but it is paid back for only one or two months. And then it is never returned.”

Along with Ezequiel, a tall, wiry business student with a passing resemblance to the actor Orlando Bloom, Elias decided to launch Argentina’s first free loan society, making the informal and lightly regarded handout into a serious and professionally administered loan, complete with notaries, co-signers and credit checks.

The brothers have been in business for a year with “Acceder” (literally, “access”) and have so far made about 70 loans of about $1,000 a pop — around three months’ salary for a working-class Argentine.

And the two have hit upon a novel method of raising capital. When Elias approached Eduardo Elsztain, a wealthy Argentine Jewish developer, he hoped his mentor and frequent business partner would lend him the seed capital.

That didn’t happen.

Instead, Elsztain offered Acceder the rights to more than $300,000 in loans he’d made as the wealthy guy in synagogue and had written off as money he’d never see.

So far, the brothers have recovered more than $40,000 of this “dead money.” And they’ve even taken the model to other wealthy potential donors, and collected funds from loans long written off as unpayable.

“We’ve created a new concept. The person who borrowed and wasn’t paying back anymore, now he feels he is doing a mitzvah, and we turn him into a new donor,” said Ezequiel.

“Some have even given us additional money.”

The brothers have also gotten sponsorships from businesses, including calling-card giant IDT.

A thousand bucks goes a long way in Argentina, and the brothers Kier Joffe have been able to help many people out of many jams.

An interest-free loan can help an engaged couple pay off a wedding, move out of their respective parents’ homes and pay the deposit and first month’s rent on a new apartment. (In a nation where most people earn $300 to $500 a month, purchasing an apartment often runs $50,000, so most folks rent.)

Loans are there for impoverished families unable to pay the utility bills or needed repairs for their homes, or to help pay off bar and bat mitzvahs, funerals, weddings and other lifecycle events.

The brothers hope to aid more and more of Argentina’s 200,000 Jews, and aim to open branches in the west of the nation to reach the roughly 60,000 who don’t reside in the vicinity of Buenos Aires. Next on the radar screen are moves into Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.

Nelson´s master plan_

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ACCEDER Hebrew Free Loan

By Nicole Grouman

Nelson sits by his desk next to his brand new
computer as he shows us one of his new designs in the auto
cad program. He came a long way from the city of Paraná,
Entre Rios. This 22 year old has inquisitive blue eyes and a
true passion for building. He says he wants to get far in life
and even talks about relocating in Canada once he
graduates.
I knew I wanted to be an arquitect ever since I was little. I always
liked to draw and design things. I still have four years left of
college. I would like to make all types of buildings.
When I came here I struggled to find an apartment and I also
missed my family a lot. I moved around frequently. First, I lived in
hostel and then 2 months in my sister’s apartment. Eventually, I
found this apartment which I share with two friends. I worked
as a salesman in a store when I got here.
The main difficulty students from other provinces have when
they get to Buenos Aires is finding an apartment because they
are expensive and hard to locate. It would be nice for there to be
a hostel for Jewish students to live in. Currently, my family is
helping me out financially.
I found out about ACCEDER from an email I received. I called
them right away and asked for an interview, I needed the credit
to buy my computer. I had a difficult time getting guarantors
but once I did, everything went smoothly. Later on, many
people from my hometown asked me how to get the loan.
I’m truly happy about this, what this foundation does is great.
This loan simplified my life, I was spending too much on
internet. I use the computer about four or five hours per day. I’m
also saving a lot of money using internet to keep in contact with
my family. I use auto cad to design houses, in this program you
can see three dimensional drawings.
Nelson sits back in his desk, in the modest apartment, which
has an unmistakable reminiscence of people studying. He
has an enthusiastic look on his face, as he gazes out the
window and then back to his designs while he talks about
his potential plans.
In the future, I would like to work in an architectural studio and
live abroad. I still have four years left of studies in UBA
(University of Buenos Aires), so I have time to decide. I would
prefer to live in a house rather than an apartment because I like
peaceful sceneries like those in Entre Rios.

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