The Mondoweiss Gift Guide: the best of handmade from Palestine and more

1. Sustainably sourced Christmas decorations from Palestinian artisans

Embroidered Christmas Stocking
Sunbula
$20

Hang a hand-embroidered Christmas stocking on your mantle. This item is sewn in Gaza by Atfaluna Crafts, a social enterprise from the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, the only dedicated institution for Palestinians with hearing disabilities in Gaza. From Sunbula: “Founded in 1992, the Society offers academic education for 250 deaf children and serves more than 5,000 hearing-impaired people and their families annually through its speech pathology and clinical audiology programs and community outreach activities. Of the 148-member staff of the Society, 40% are hearing-impaired.”


Felt Nativity Grotto
Sunbula
$16-40

A beautiful nativity scene ornament fit to adorn your Christmas tree and decorate your home. This item comes in three sizes and is handmade from wool from local sheep by artisans in Bethlehem from Ma’an Lil-Hayat, which means “together for life” in Arabic. From Sunbula: “Ma’an Lil-Hayat provides daily social activities, craft production and meals for 40 people with intellectual disabilities from refugee camps and villages in the Bethlehem area. Through community life and work, Ma’an Lil-Hayat seeks to foster the development of self-esteem and creativity, the ability to make choices, and the active participation in a learning environment.”


2. Apparel with attitude

Nöl Collective is an intersectional feminist fashion collective based in Ramallah, that believes in ethical sourcing and transparency. Their product life cycle is on their website along with pictures of the founders and information about their factories. From Nöl Collective: “All apparel is manufactured in Gaza with a family-run factory. Our jewelry is hand-made by a women’s cooperative based in Beit Duqqu village, on the edge of Jerusalem. Embroidered pieces are hand-embroidered in a women’s cooperative based in Ramallah which is made up of 60 women living in the villages around Ramallah and in Gaza.”

Not Your Habibi Denim Jacket
Nöl Collective
$75

This light-washed denim jacket with front buttons is a classic design from Nöl Collective, first produced under the Baby Fist label, a unique Palestinian brand that was the brainchild of women’s rights advocate Yasmeen Mjalli who launched a clothing line in response to street harassment on women. From Nöl Collective: “We’ve just taken you back to the 90’s 🕶. Oversized sleeves and a cropped length provide a borrowed-from-the-boys look with a feminine touch. The relaxed, oversized fit makes it perfect to throw on over layers.”


Embroidered Pant Suit
Nöl Collective
$189.00

This blazer and pant set can be paired as a suit or worn as separates. Both pieces are embroidered with pomegranate and olive tree branches, bringing a modern take to the bucolic countryside. The jacket is slightly cropped, double-breasted and shaped with a slight shoulder pad.


3. Baby’s first classic embroidery dress

Little Girl Dress
Age 3-18 months
Sunbula
$48

This darling hand-stitched embroidery dress is perfect for newborns and toddlers. The dress was made by Atfaluna Crafts, the same social enterprise from the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children that created the Christmas stocking at the top of our gift guide. Atfaluna is the only dedicated institution for Palestinians with hearing disabilities in Gaza. The specs from Sunbula: “Viscose 100%, lined, and 5-cm hem at the bottom. Button closure at the shoulders. Sashes to tie a bow on the back.”


4. Dresses with historic designs

Taita Leila is a unique Palestinian brand created by London-based designer Noora Husseini, the grand-daughter of famed Palestinian historian of folk artist and author of “The Art of Palestinian Embroidery,” Leila Hussein El Khalidi. “Taita,” means grandmother in Arabic and Leila’s legacy of meticulously tracing Palestinian folk designs is carried on through this latest collection, “Roh Sitti.”

From Taita Leila: “Translating literally from Arabic to mean ‘my grandmother’s soul,’ it can also be interpreted as ‘her favourite.’ Though this collection is smaller in terms of number of items, we have carefully selected the embroidery patterns to reflect on Taita Leila’s life, in a muted palette and timeless silhouettes.”

“Beirut” linen dress
Taita Leila
$240

This white and gold cross-stitched natural linen dress with a cotton lining was hand made with 17 hour of work. The dress has a round neck, wide side slits and is floor length. It is one size fits all and unisex. The name of the embroidery pattern is “Beirut,” from “Fan al Tatreez.” From Taita Leila: “All of the proceeds from the sales of the pieces in this charitable collection will be donated to Grassroots Jerusalem in honour of Taita Leila’s birthplace and hometown.”


5. The classic handmade leather shoe

Black Leather Booties
Rahalah Shoes
$100.

Long-beloved by fashionistas in Ramallah, these handmade leather shoes (and handmade purses) are finally available for purchase in the U.S. thanks to entrepreneur Noora Jebreal who opened an online shop earlier this year. Pro tip: see an item you like on the Rahala Instagram? DM Noora on Instagram, she’s selling exclusive items not available on the website through CashApp @rahalahshoes.

Rahalah established their business in 1985 in Nablus as Rahalah Shoes Wholesalers and Retailers. Rahalah then moved to Ramallah in 1991, opening their third shop. Since then, they offer unique handmade high quality shoes made of natural leather, and uniquely offering the possibility for customers to design and order bespoke shoes. They also make shoes for medical conditions, following international standards and doctors’ recommendations. They ensure that the needs of our customers are addressed in the best possible way.

Handmade and handmade stitched in Ramallah with leather from France, Italy, and Palestine.

Rahala also has stunning leather purses with hand embroidery. From $250.

A message from Noora to us on why she loves the products: “These products are unique and handmade in Palestine with really luxurious quality. Being a Palestinian luxury brand is important because while we are under occupation and having Palestine from the map, it is important to keep the culture alive as we are in diaspora and these shoes represent our Palestinian culture.”


6. Hanukkah candles from ‘your community chandler’

All of Jonah Aline Daniel candles are hand-dipped and poured and made from 100% beeswax ethically sourced from, California and Oregon. The Narrow Bridge Chandlery is located on Coast Salish Land, Key Peninsula, Washington. Daniel founded the company after the passing of their father and searched for shiva candle that was ethically made: “I want to tell a story in which Jews are not bound to a nation built on oppression, or the building of a nation at all, but kindle our traditions of radicalism and justice wherever we are. Through Narrow Bridge Candles, I seek to create more space for ritual with integrity and liberatory potential.”

A portion of the profits of Narrow Bridge Candles goes to support movements and organizations working for Palestinian self-determination and U.S. based struggles for racial justice and Indigenous sovereignty. “I am honored to be your community chandler,” says Daniel.

Narrow Bridge Candles

Box of Hanukkah Candles
Narrow Bridges Candles
Sliding scale $30.00 – $62.00

45 small tapers – enough for all 8 nights! Each candles burns 65-75 minutes. 100% beeswax, no dyes or perfumes. You may also add bag of colorful Hanukkah Gelt to your box of candles using the drop down menus below! The 5781 Gelt reads “LAND BACK” on one side and “FREE PALESTINE” on the other. $10 for bag of 10 pieces.


7. From children’s books, to cookbooks, to cozy fiction, our holiday book picks

Craving Palestine
By Farrah Abuasad, Lama Bazzari, and Fadi Kattan
$49.95

From the publisher: “The book’s contributors come from far and wide, characteristic of the Palestinian diaspora and depicts a very diverse community that includes US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, real estate developer Mohamed Hadid, acclaimed poets and writers Naomi Shihab Nye, Susan Abulhawa, Lisa Majaj, Nathalie Handal, artists Trio Joubran alongside, filmmakers, writers, chefs and includes special recipe dedications to Palestinian literary giants Edward Said and Mahmoud Darwish.” This book has 100 recipes!


Palestine on a Plate: Memories from My Mother’s Kitchen
By Joudie Kalla
$33.25

Zoom Cooking Classes with Joudie Kallah
$47 for a single class – $167 for a package of five

Zoom with chef Joudie Kalla! During the pandemic, London-based chef Joudie Kalla started hosting weekly Zoom cooking classes where you can learn how to prepare classic Palestinian dishes and Kalla’s contemporary take on family recipes from the comfort of your home. Classes begin 6 p.m. London time (1 p.m. EST).

Check out our interview with Kalla from last spring where she dives into what’s making it on her plate and her savory recipe for Kufta bil tahineh from “Palestine on a Plate.”

Class Schedule

Note: Be sure to register only AFTER CLASS PURCHASE.


Farah Rocks
By Susan Muaddi Darraj and Illustrated by Ruaida Mannaa
$15.95

Susan Muaddi Darraj’s children’s chapter book series from Capstone Books follows the adventures of Farah Hajjar, “known as Farah Rocks to her friends.” Farah is a creative and courageous Palestinian-American girl in the fifth grade and the series follows her and her little brother Samir. From the publisher: “In this 4-book series, Farah faces all of life’s challenges: bullies, school drama, and even problems with her best friend.”


The Beauty of Your Face
By Sahar Mustafah
$26.95

From the publisher: “A uniquely American story told in powerful, evocative prose, The Beauty of Your Face navigates a country growing ever more divided. Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, is the principal of Nurrideen School for Girls, a Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. One morning, a shooter—radicalized by the online alt-right—attacks the school.”

Selected as one of the New York Times 100 notable books of 2020.


An Army Like No Other: How the Israel Defense Force Made a Nation
By Haim Bresheeth-Zabner
$29.95

This book is a pick from our correspondent Michael Arria, “It’s impossible to understand Israel without understanding the history of the IDF. This book is gripping, infuriating, and essential.”

From the publisher: “In this fascinating history, Bresheeth charts the evolution of the IDF from the Nakba to the continued assaults upon Gaza, and shows that the state of Israel has been formed out of its wars. He also gives an account of his own experiences as a young conscript during the 1967 war. He argues that the army is embedded in all aspects of daily life and identity. And that we should not merely see it as a fighting force enjoying an international reputation, but as the central ideological, political and financial institution of Israeli society. As a consequence, we have to reconsider our assumptions on what any kind of peace might look like.”


8. Notebooks with a purpose

From Nöl Collective, these garden notebooks are constructed with 40 blank pages for “doodle, or journal within the unlined pages of these spiral notebooks featuring eye-catching covers. Great for simple tasks, strokes of genius, or expression and exploration.” From $9.50.

From Interlink Books, this notebook is “high quality printed and bound volumes available in large and pocket formats. Each notebook has 192 ruled pages, acid-free paper, 70 [grams per square meter] cream shade pages and includes a matching elastic band and pen loop. Each also has a ribbon-marker and an expandable inner note holder as well as informative text on the specific design used.” From $13.95.


9. Mask up with style!

Keffiyehs Masks
Herbawi Textile Factory
$20

From the mask makers: “The keffiyehs used for these masks come from the Herbawi Textile Factory in Hebron, which is the only remaining keffiyeh factory in Palestine. These keffiyehs are 100% soft, breathable cotton that transmits moisture away from the body. The traditional keffiyeh is black and white, and these keffiyehs have been contemporized using multiple colors to celebrate this iconic Palestinian pattern.

Theses masks are made in Hebron, and are assembled with three-cotton layers. They are machine wash safe. Use promo code MONDO.


10. Mondoweiss shirts

“Free Palestine” and “Palestine Fist” t-shirts
Mondoweiss
$25

Show your support for the Palestinian cause with Carlos Latuff’s iconic image or a classic slogan. The shirts are wonderful 100% cotton grown, cut, sewn and printed in the Carolinas. You can track your shirt’s supply chain.

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