In loving memory of Ilana Schatz, founder of Fair Trade Judaica, fair trade advocate, and friend of Mayan Hands.

Our dear friend Ilana Schatz passed away in July 2024 after a long struggle with ALS. Ilana was an exceptional woman who dedicated her entire life to advancing social justice, alleviating poverty and repairing the world. 

Fair trade connections

Ilana first learned about Fair Trade when traveling in Nepal, where she found a shop that carried beautiful fair trade items.  She immediately recognized that her Jewish values aligned perfectly with the tenets of fair trade.  She purchased a shawl and, upon returning home, she tied the tzit-tzit and began wearing it as a prayer shawl.  Each time she donned the handwoven shawl for prayer, she thought of the woman who had woven it.  She continued wearing this special shawl when she prayed for as long as she lived.

Ilana was attracted not only to the economic justice aspect of fair trade, but also to the beautiful forms of cultural expression found in handmade items from around the world. She admired the hard work and creativity of artisans, and the richness of their cultural heritage: traditional craft techniques, colors, and designs passed down from generation to generation.  Respect for the dignity of all peoples was at the foundation of her fair trade work.

A different vision for the world

Ilana embarked on a mission to create awareness about fair trade in the Jewish community.  She knew that Jewish people would embrace a system of trade that supports paying artisans and farmers a fair price for their work, respects the local culture and promotes environmental sustainability.  Ilana and her husband David went to work, creating Fair-Trade Judaica in 2008, with an online store and educational programs.  I remember receiving a call from her at the beginning of her path.  It was exciting to think that fair trade would have a footing in Jewish communities across the U.S., thus supporting thousands of artisans all over the world.

Ilana was right: many people wanted to be part of a movement to create a new system of trade--not the “business as usual” model where the maker is invisible, and where businesses buy low and sell high to maximize profits.  Ilana's work opened people's eyes to how this “business as usual” system creates environmental degradation and misery in the lives of artisans, makers, and producers--and she offered an alternative.

Ilana's Legacy

Ilana and David continued their work until 2018, when Ilana was diagnosed with ALS.  She lived her last years with clarity and fortitude, and did not waste time on denial and anger.  She marked each loss with a deliberate gratitude practice for all that her failing muscles had made possible throughout her life.  She remained connected to her fair trade Judaica friends, suggesting new ideas for products and new sales avenues to explore.  When she couldn’t talk with us anymore, she would use her eye movements to type words.

To this day, her efforts continue to benefit artisans the world over, including Mayan Hands’ artisan partners.  At Mayan Hands, we have developed a beautiful collection of Judaica items: fine crochet kippot, handwoven tallitot, challah covers, pine needle baskets, shalom bracelets and more. By finding markets for these beautiful goods within the Jewish community, we create meaningful income earning opportunities for talented women artisans. 

Ilana was deeply spiritual and lived life to its fullest, enjoying nature, gardening, Israeli dancing, hiking and traveling. She was a thoughtful and loving friend.  Her life is an example for all of us of a life lived with purpose, passion and love.  Her memory will always be a blessing, reminding us what a single person can do to create a more just and compassionate world.

- Brenda Rosenbaum

Founder, Mayan Hands