INTRODUCTION:

Planning to enjoy some gelt this Hanukkah season, host a gelt making night, celebrate Chocolate-Cover-Anything Day on December 16th, or lead a December-themed Tikkun Olam program? This resource will uncover the dark side of the chocolate industry and explore how the fair-trade movement is transforming it for the better. You will connect Jewish wisdom and values with fair trade principles while enjoying guilt free gelt! 

MATERIALS:

• If you are making your own gelt: 
• Gelt molds 
• Fair Trade chocolate bars – some brands include Equal Exchange, TCHO, Lily’s, look for the fair trade label (below!)
• Guilt Free Gelt 
• Divine Chocolate – makes fair trade gelt  
• Lake Champlain Chocolates – fair trade and a B corporation!  
• Optional:
  • Speaker

PROGRAM OUTLINE (~90 minutes): 

• Learning (15 minutes)
• Making/Enjoying Guilt Free Guilt (10+ minutes)
• Reflection (10 minutes)

Learning (15 minutes)

• After welcoming everyone to the space, ask folks the following questions and to raise their hands if they answer yes: 
  • Does eating chocolate bring you joy?  
  • Have you enjoyed gelt yet this year?  
  • Can eating chocolate be a reflection of Jewish wisdom and values? 
  • Did you know there is a dark side to the chocolate industry?  
• Use the source sheet below to guide a learning conversation about the chocolate industry and the overlap of Jewish values/wisdom with fair trade principals 

Making/Enjoying Guilt Free Guilt (10+ minutes)

• Enjoy your guilt free gelt! 
  • You can just enjoy the gelt on its own, you could pair gelt with a drink, play a game of dreidel, etc. 
• If making gelt: 
  • Melt fair trade chocolate bars (double boiler works best, but can also use microwave)  
  • Pour chocolate into molds  
  • Let rest until hardened (can put in freezer to speed up)  
  • Enjoy!  

Reflection (10 minutes)

• Ask a few reflection questions to end the program:
  • How does enjoying ethical gelt feel?
  • What is something that is going to stick with you from today?
  • What other ways can you support the fair-trade movement?