Each member organization has its own rules regarding such things as who may borrow, the maximum loan amount, and the repayment process.
Hebrew Free Loan societies (such a society is also known as a Gemach) are based on the biblical injunction that Jews may not charge interest to other Jews in need, found in Exodus 22:25: "If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, do not act towards them as a creditor; exact no interest from them."
The IAHFL provides a forum for independent free loan societies to interact, share information, and helps establish new Hebrew Free Loans.
The conference is always hosted by a local Hebrew Free Loan, though the program is generally planned by the International.
October, 2009 Hebrew Free Loan Detroit October, 2008 Hebrew Free Loan Association of Cleveland October, 2007 Hebrew Free Loan Association of Vancouver September, 2006 Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida 2005 Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Francisco October, 2004 Hebrew Free Loan Society of Greater Philadelphia 2010 Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association