2017 Guatemala Trip

Come join Fair Trade Judaica’s fourth annual Trip to Guatemala. This is a unique opportunity to meet the local Jewish community in Guatemala City, visit with the Fair Trade artisans who make beautifully unique Judaica products, and visit major cultural and historical sites. You’ll come away with a deep appreciation and understanding of Mayan life in Guatemala today, and how Fair Trade provides an opportunity for artisan and farmer communities to pull themselves out of a cycle of poverty.

The trip is being coordinated with MayaWorks and Mayan Hands, two longstanding Fair Trade groups who work with Mayan artisans, and organize their own tours. FOR MORE INFO, contact Ilana at ilana@fairtradejudaica.org.

Trip highlights include

Shabbat meal and services with the Orthodox and Reform Jewish communities in Guatemala City

Visit with seven different artisan communities, providing an opportunity to meet with them personally and watch them engage in their traditional arts. Judaica products made by these artisans include

• Handwoven tallitot and tallit bags
• Challah and matzah covers
• Crocheted kippot/kippahs
• Pine needle challah trays
• Peace Salaam Shalom banners

Visit the famous Chichicastenango Market and Iximche archeological site.

Spend a full day at beautiful Lake Atitlan and surroundings

Why You Should Join Us!
A unique opportunity to spend Shabbat with the Jewish community in Guatemala City; sing Shabbat prayers with their melodies, taste local delicacies, hear about Jewish life in Guatemala

Experience firsthand fair trade’s positive impact on the artisans and their communities

Learn how to use a backstrap loom and other craft skills

You will be able to buy beautifully handcrafted products directly from the artisans, knowing that your purchases are making a real difference in their lives

Enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of Guatemala

Itinerary

Tuesday, 2/7: Arrive in Guatemala City; transfer to Antigua, dinner, and overnight at Posada Don Rodrigo

Wednesday 2/8: Visit MayaWorks tallit weavers in Comalapa and challah cover weavers in Agua Caliente.  Overnight in Tecpan, Albergues de Tecpan

Thursday, 2/9: Visit Mayan Hands basket weavers in Santa Apolonia, visit Iximche Archeological site and learn about Mayan culture.  Travel and stay overnight in Antigua

Friday, 2/10: Visit huipile museum in San Antonio Aguas Calientes; transfer to Guatemala City and visit Ixchel Museum of Maya Textiles.  Dinner and Erev Shabbat services with Orthodox community Centro Hebreo, stay at Biltmore Hotel

Saturday, 2/11: Morning services, Shabbat lunch, and Tu B’shvat activity with Adat Israel, Reform community

Sunday, 2/12: Visit Chichicastenango Market; transfer and stay in Panajachel on Lake Atitlan at Posada de Don Rodrigo

Monday, 2/13: Full day around Lake Atitlan; visit MayaWorks artisans in Santiago and San Pedro.  Stay in Panajachel

Tuesday, 2/14:  Visit ikat weavers in Salcaja, glass blowers at COPAVIC; lunch at Georginas Hot Springs, and visit Mayan Hands felt artisan group in Vasconcelos. Overnight in Panajachel

Wednesday, 2/15: Visit coffee plantation and nature reserve; free afternoon in Antigua.  Overnight in Antigua

Thursday, 2/16: Farewell breakfast and shuttles to airport in Guatemala City

Logistics
The cost of the tour (double occupancy) is $2,000 per person. Pricing includes:

• All meals, including non-alcoholic beverages
• Full time bilingual tour guide with the group plus Mayan Hands and MayaWorks staff
• Admissions to Guatemala City, Antigua and Iximché visits
• All ground and boat transfers
• All hotel accommodations (double occupancy)
• Tax deductible donation to support the artisans

Pricing does not include airfare, personal expenses, and alcoholic beverages. Single room supplement is $350 – $400.

Comments from previous trips

“Awesome” “Spectacular” – pick any superlative you want – that’s what this trip is.  “Moving” – penetrates to your mind, heart, soul, kishkas.  If you want to see and experience real-live innocence, integrity, and human grandeur, this is the trip for you.

I dislike the hackneyed word “transformative” but these days in Guatemala with these awesome, spectacular Mayan human beings are truly transformative. You just won’t be the same person after this experience – not the same, but better.  Danny Siegel
“I had the pleasure of going on Fair Trade Judaica’s first trip to Guatemala, where I learned a lot about Guatemala and fabrics about which I knew little or nothing, met great people and had fun. The staff and planning were excellent and their relationships with the Mayan craftspeople we visited added depth to the trip and gave it a dimension that would be not available on a regular tour. The experience was even better than I had anticipated. ” – Ann Eisenberg

Stories and Pictures from our 2013 and 2014 Trips

What’s Jewish About Guatemala? 2014 Participant reflections and slideshow

Slideshow and Report from 2013 trip

Visit with Guatemalan Jewish Community from 2013 trip

A Weaver’s Reflections on the Trip from 2013 trip

FTJ’s Chief Technology Maven’s Reflections on the Trip from 2013 trip