The Asper Helping Hand Initiative

In June 2003, motivated by a desire to reduce poverty in the Jewish community of Winnipeg, as articulated in Moses Maimonides’ belief that a “loan is better than charity, for it enables one to help oneself”, Israel Asper and his son-in-law Michael Paterson, then Board President of Jewish Child and Family Service (JCFS), announced the creation of The Asper Helping Hand Initiative. With support from The Asper Foundation, JCFS offers this service to members of the Jewish community in Manitoba who are experiencing temporary hardship and are in need of financial assistance.