A.M. Stein

A.M. Stein Art Imports is dedicated to giving art collectors and lovers of indigenous culture an opportunity to purchase unique and extraordinary works of art. The promotion of these works helps to keep alive the highly artistic and accomplished traditions of the Mayan people of Guatemala.

These large hand woven kippot (6.5" diameter) are woven from 100% cotton and can be washed in cold water.

These Judaica products are made by Mayan women working in cooperatives that are members of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF).

Products can be ordered directly from their website, www.amsteinart.com, or from retailers listed on the website.
Ada Mae Crouse, Owner A.M. Stein Imports 216 Douglas Street Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA (801) 274-0318 info@amsteinart.com www.amsteinart.com

African Home

African Home offers a range of traditional African products ranging from home décor to functional home ware as well as gifts and accessories, based on the finest aesthetic and artistic traditional workmanship. Marketing these products while developing new products creates work for disadvantaged communities with high levels of unemployment. African Home maintains and practices a strong commitment to environmental awareness. Accordingly, all materials used in their products are consistent with, and promoting of, the sustainability of the natural resources of South Africa. For example, the wood they use is sourced from fallen trees within sustainable forests or driftwood. Many natural and local products are used, such as reeds, weeds, clay, paper and wire.

African Home is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).

Each kippah (5.9 inches) is handmade from recycled soda cans, lined with black vinyl and hand stitched with coloured telephone wire so that they are comfortable to wear. They are available in a variety of "flavours"-colours, including orange fanta, fanta grape, lemon twist, appeltiser (carbonated apple juice) and grapetiser (carbonated grape juice. Kippot in silver are available using the inside of the can.

For wholesale orders, contact ilana@fairtradejudaica.org.
Claudette Davis +27(0)21-551-1052 +27(0)83-650-1985 claudette@africanhome.co.za www.africanhome.co.za/relijewi.htm

Fair Trade Kippot

The Jewish Social Action Forum (JSAF) is composed of 20 key organisations including synagogue movements, major communal organisations and charities dedicated to social justice. JSAF is committed to inspiring and educating the community about issues related to social action with a particular focus on Jewish involvement in national and global issues of universal concern.

Fairtrade cotton kippot are currently available in a variety of colours including black, white, blue and pink – plain or with coloured edges."

You can purchase a single kippah or buy in bulk at a discount. Large orders can be personalised.

The cotton from which the kippot are made comes from the Agrocel Pure & Fair Cotton Growers' Assn. in the Kutch area of India. The women who crochet the kippot are members of the Godavari Delta Women Lace Artisans Co-operative.

The woven kippot are made by members of the K.V. Kuppam Tailoring Society in southern India. Both products are imported by Bishopston Trading Co. which is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization.

Products can be ordered directly from their website, http://www.fairtradekippot.org/index.html.
Poppy Berelowitz JSAF Campaigns Coordinator London, England 020 7443-5151 fairtrade@jhub.org.uk http://www.fairtradekippot.org/index.html

Global Goods Partners

Global Goods Partners is dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting social justice by strengthening women-led development initiatives for marginalized communities in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. A nonprofit endeavor, Global Goods pursues this mission by partnering with organizations, associations, and cooperatives worldwide that integrate their commitment to community development - specifically, improvements in education, health, women’s rights, and employment opportunities - with socially responsible income-generating enterprises. Global Goods provides its partners with direct access to new markets in the United States, increasing both their revenue and global awareness of their work. Global Goods uses proceeds from product sales to provide technical assistance and grant support to its partners, assisting them in building stronger, more effective programs.

Global Goods is a member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) in the U.S.

These 100% cotton kippot are available in two styles; solid color background with colorful beaded edging and Star of David, and traditional African printed patterns.

Products can be ordered directly from their website. Individuals or groups interested in fair trade merchandise for fundraising efforts can contact them directly by telephone or e-mail.
115 W 30th Street Suite 400 New York, NY 10001 (212) 461-3647 info@globalgoodspartners.org www.globalgoodspartners.org

Mayan Hands

Mayan Hands is a small fair trade organization that has been working with Mayan weavers since 1989. They work with more than 275 women, organized in groups of 12 to 50 women, living in twelve different communities throughout Guatemala.

Mayan Hands' mission is to assist these women in their quest to raise themselves out of poverty. Working with fair trade, the women can count on a modest, and just as important, a regular income that enables their families to eat better, send their children to school, improve their homes and even save a little. Selling their handwoven textiles at a fair price, the women are gaining control over their lives. In addition to assisting the weavers with technical difficulties, design of new products, credit to buy equipment and raw materials, and simply providing work on a steady basis (our main focus), Mayan Hands purchases school supplies for all of the weavers' school-age children (almost 400).

Mayan Hands is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF).

These kippot are hand woven from 100% cotton fibers and come in a variety of colors and designs.

Products can be purchased on-line at shop.mayanhands.org or by contacting Mayan Hands directly.
Mary Joan Ferrara-Marsland 9607 Dr. Perry Rd. Suite #114 Ijamsville, MD 21754 Phone:(301) 515-5911 Fax: (240) 436-6453 info@upavim-mayanhands.org www.mayanhands.org

MayaWorks

MayaWorks is a non-profit volunteer organization that markets the work of Mayan artisans in Guatemala who otherwise have no outlet for their handiwork. MayaWorks pays artisans at prices they set, assuring a fair wage. MayaWorks returns all sales profits to the artisans, funding scholarships and training programs, and provides micro-credit to the artisans and their families. Products are designed in collaboration with North Americans, blending contemporary ideas with traditional Mayan art.

MayaWorks is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) in the U.S.

The tallit is handwoven by a MayaWorks artisan partner in Comalapa, Guatemala. It is 72" long and available in a 22" width and a 36" width. The tallit is adorned with thin, intricate stripes decorating the bottom and is detailed with a traditional Maya star-shaped pattern. The fringe on the body of the tallit is hand knotted by the artisan. The tzitzit are hand-knotted according to Jewish law. The tallitot are just beginning to be woven, so there may be a several month wait to fulfill all orders. Tallit bags will be available soon.

MayaWorks Kippot come in various colorful designs and are approximately 6" in diameter. They are made by sixty Maya artisans who work together In the small communities of San Marcos and Santiago Atitlan, on the shores of Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala. The women crochet to generate a steady income for themselves and their families. Discounts are available for large orders.

Products can be ordered on-line at MayaWorks: Order Products or by phone.
1732 W. Hubbard St. Suite 1A Chicago, IL 60622 (312) 243-8050 info@mayaworks.org www.mayaworks.org

Photos L to R: African Home, MayaWorks, Global Goods Partners
Copyright © 2007 - 2010 Ilana Schatz and David Lingren. All rights reserved.