Jews have a specific relationship with money that others tend to blow out of proportion. Some Jews go out of their way to make fun of this antisemitic trope by turning themselves into caricatures in hopes of revealing such lunacy with satire. However, the Torah has so many laws around how we handle money that it must be spotlighted!

Rachel Grose, the executive director of the Jewish Free Loan Association knows a thing or two about cash from the Jewish perspective. Loaning in itself is a tricky bundle of laws to navigate, especially when it comes to the Jewish world. Grose discusses the enticing world of money with Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, in an effort to destigmatize the misunderstanding and highlight what makes the Jewish community so successful.

00:00 Introduction

05:12 Principles of society

09:01 Zero-interest loans

11:33 Circulation in Jewish communities

16:11 History of Jews and money

20:03 Case study of Jewish Free Loan Association

23:53 Jewish privilege and challenges

24:44 Repaying loans

29:20 Jewish loans help communities grow and thrive

About Rachel Grose:

Rachel Grose grew up in a Washington D.C. suburb, surrounded by politics but uninterested in campaigns or running for office. Her passion for creating change began in high school when she became involved with Amnesty International, where she connected deeply with the stories of people impacted by systemic issues. After earning a BFA in art, Rachel discovered an MBA program focused on nonprofit management, which launched her career in the nonprofit sector. For the past 21 years, she has served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA), a financial nonprofit that provides zero-interest, no-fee loans to residents of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

Rachel takes pride in JFLA’s mission to help individuals manage life’s unexpected challenges without turning to high-interest credit cards or predatory loans. Under her leadership, the organization supports clients through every stage of life, offering loans for post-secondary education, small businesses, medical needs, fertility treatments, and funeral expenses, among others, while maintaining a remarkable 99% repayment rate. Despite the challenges of being a woman leader in one of the largest cities in America, Rachel remains committed to equitable lending and the impactful cycle of “paying it forward.”

Beyond her professional achievements, Rachel cherishes warm memories of summers spent in Ocean City, Maryland with her extended family. Days on the beach—collecting shells, jumping in the waves, and sharing snacks under umbrellas with her grandmother—left a lasting impression on her heart. These personal experiences fuel her drive to build a meaningful career while balancing family life. Rachel is often asked, “How do you do it all?” Her response is evident in her decades-long dedication to fostering financial empowerment and community impact through JFLA.

Connect with Rachel Grose:

IG @Jewishfreeloanassociation

FB @JewishFreeLoan

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE:

JEWISH BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF LOS ANGELES!

Become a big today! JBBBSLA.org/mentorship

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