Jews concerned about social justice now can buy kippot from companies that shun sweatshop labor. That’s the newest initiative of the Progressive Jewish Alliance, which declared March to be Sweatshop Awareness Month. As part of its ongoing Kosher Clothes Campaign aimed at persuading Jewish groups to support fair wages and working conditions, the California-based group lists companies that produce union- or cooperative-made T-shirts, kippot and other articles of clothing. Thousands of shirts have been purchased by Jewish camps, youth groups, synagogues and other organizations since the campaign was launched two years ago, according to program director Sarah Church. The group lists “sweatshop-free” manufacturers on its Web site, www.pjalliance.org. The “kosher kippot” list was posted this week. The next campaign, to be launched in time for Passover, will feature union-made T-shirts reading, “Why is this shirt different from all other shirts? Because it’s Sweatshop-Free.”
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