Sissy Keresztes-Fischer is the owner of Creo Arthouse, an upscale art gallery and home décor store located in the Malibu Country Mart. The devastating Palisades wildfire broke out near her business on January 7. Though the store was miraculously spared from direct damage, the mandatory evacuation and long-term closure of Pacific Coast Highway led to a nearly 90% loss in income over the next six months.

During this incredibly difficult period, Sissy received a zero-interest loan from JFLA. “It was a godsend,” she said. “The loan process was quick and easy, and JFLA worked feverishly to fund it. Within a few days, the money was there to plug the holes for that month.”

The loan gave Creo Arthouse the breathing room it needed to stay afloat. “After a loss of this magnitude, only some monthly payments can be delayed or covered by personal savings, but not all,” Sissy explained. “The good-hearted generosity of this organization goes far beyond words of gratitude I can express.”

Thanks in part to JFLA’s support, Creo Arthouse is still open and Sissy remains deeply grateful.

When fire-related closures brought her Malibu gallery to the brink, Sissy turned to JFLA for help and kept her business alive.

Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) understands the devastating impact of natural disasters in our community. That's why we're offering a limited number of zero-interest, zero-fee disaster relief loans to 

. These loans are for people of all faiths and backgrounds who are permanent residents of Los Angeles, Ventura, or Santa Barbara Counties.

If you have been affected by a natural disaster and need financial assistance, please know we are here for you. Our application process is simple, and our team is ready to help. You do not need to be Jewish to apply.

JFLA Disaster Relief loans can provide much-needed financial assistance and can cover costs such as:

Loans of up to $15,000 are available for people who meet our 

Loans of up to $7,500 are available for people with one guarantor.

Final loan amounts are at the discretion of the JFLA loan committee.

Loans for Non-Profits and Small Businesses

JFLA is committed to helping non-profits and small businesses recover from natural disasters. Please note that we will need to run a hard credit check to process your application.

Non-profit and small business loans are up to $50,000, with three guarantors, and can be used for:

Three guarantors are required for all loans of $36,000-$50,000 who meet our standard eligibility requirements.

Two guarantors are required for loans of $7,500-$25,000 who meet our standard eligibility requirements.

Loans of up to $7,500 are available for people with one guarantor. All other eligibility requirements must be met.

Your support is crucial in ensuring that JFLA can continue providing emergency loans to those affected by natural disasters. By donating directly to JFLA, you can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals, families, and businesses in need. As our work is ongoing, recurring monthly donations are especially appreciated.

Do I need to show proof of need specifically related to the natural disaster?

Yes. We reserve the right to request proof of negative impact from the disaster. This could include insurance claims, address of impacted properties, name of schools attended, etc.

Do I need to be Jewish to be eligible for a loan from JFLA.

No! JFLA provides loans to people of all faiths and backgrounds. You do not need to be Jewish to apply.

What if my documentation was destroyed in the natural disaster?

While we sympathize with your loss, we do have minimum documentation that is required. We will try to work with you and provide resources to attain suitable required documents.

Due to the overwhelming demand for assistance, our staff is working diligently to assess and prioritize all loan requests. Response times may be delayed.

How quickly will my loan application be processed?

The process can take between 7 and 14 business days. However, we will do everything to expedite the process.

Can I apply for a loan on behalf of someone else?

No. Please share our application with your friends and family and encourage them to apply directly.

I don’t have a guarantor. Am I still eligible for a loan?

 signs onto a loan and agrees to pay back the loan if the borrower is unable to for any reason. JFLA will work with the borrower to collect payment. If the borrower is unable to pay off the loan, JFLA will turn to the guarantor for payment. A guarantor is responsible for the full amount outstanding on a JFLA loan if the borrower is unable to continue payments.

Please note: If the guarantor is married or in a domestic partnership, their spouse/partner is considered a co-guarantor (and cannot sign on as a separate guarantor). Spouses/partners must sign on to all types of loans.

There are no repayments for the first 90 days. Repayments will begin 90 days from disbursement of loan funds.

I already have a loan with JFLA, can I apply for a natural disaster relief loan?

If you already have a loan with JFLA you are eligible to apply for a natural disaster relief loan. If you are approved, your relief loan will be a second, stand-alone JFLA loan; your first loan will not be refinanced. You will be responsible for two separate repayments per month.

Will everyone who applies receive a disaster relief loan?

Unfortunately, no. We are doing our best to quickly review and approve loan applications – and to raise much needed dollars to fund these loans. However, we are a non-profit funded by individuals and foundations. We cannot loan out more money than we have available. Note: Families with combined net income of $30,000 per month (or more) are ineligible to apply.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us at 

 or 844-535-2674 choose extension 1. Our dedicated staff is here to guide you through the loan process and provide the support you need during this challenging time.

Together, we can help our community recover and rebuild from the devastation.

Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) understands the devastating impact of wildfires on our community. That's why we're offering a limited number of zero-interest, zero-fee loans to individuals, non-profits, and small businessesaffected by the recent wildfires on a first-come, first-served basis. These loans are for people of all faiths and backgrounds who are permanent residents of Los Angeles, Ventura, or Santa Barbara Counties.

We're here for you!

Sissy