The year 2025 stood as a powerful testament to what perseverance, dedication, and community can accomplish together. While the world around us has grown increasingly challenging, the resilience of Palestinian artisans has been nothing short of extraordinary. From Bedouin communities on the outskirts of Jerusalem to villages scattered across the West Bank, and especially in Gaza where our partners have faced unimaginable hardship, artisans have continued their vital work of preserving cultural heritage while building sustainable livelihoods for their families and communities.
Most importantly, Sunbula stood steadfast alongside our artisan partners throughout the year, ensuring that their invaluable skills, compelling stories, and cultural treasures are not only celebrated today but also carefully passed on to future generations through capacity training programs and product development initiatives.
The 2025 highlights shared below represent far more than organizational achievements—they embody the resilient spirit of Palestinian artisans and reflect the enduring support of the global Sunbula community.
1. Empowering the Bedouin community through specialized training
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We enhanced craft-making skills and expanded income opportunities at Noor Al-Qamar in the Anata Bedouin community through specialized training programs. Gaza-based designer Ibrahim Al-Muhtadi led online jewelry-making sessions that resulted in the development of a brand new collection, bringing fresh designs and techniques to the artisan group. Additionally, designer Shaden Abed Elal provided hands-on hand silk-screening training and created an original tote bag design for their sewing unit.
These training initiatives were designed to help the artisans, mostly young mothers whose husbands have been unemployed since October 2023, earn higher and more stable incomes through the expanded product line.
2. Safeguarding cultural heritage through traditional dress restoration
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In an effort to protect and preserve Palestinian cultural heritage, Sunbula commissioned restoration specialist Tala Sandouka to undertake the meticulous repair of historic traditional dresses held by two of our Bethlehem partners: the Arab Women’s Union and Women’s Child Care Society, organizations that would not have had the means to restore these precious pieces on their own. These garments, some dating back as far as 150 years, feature embroidery designs and patterns unique to the Bethlehem area. Each stitch tells stories of the women who created them and the communities they represented.
These beautifully restored pieces are now displayed locally in community spaces, offering residents and visitors rare access to cultural treasures that are typically confined to museums and private collections. By making these garments accessible to the communities from which they originated, Sunbula is helping to strengthen local cultural identity and ensure that younger generations can connect with their heritage in meaningful, tangible ways.
3. Advancing the Tahriri embroidery book project
We made significant progress on 'The Book of Tahriri: 27 Essential Motifs and Techniques of Bethlehem Couching Embroidery' through research, in-depth interviews with master embroiderers, professional photography sessions, and detailed digital illustration work. With the English manuscript now complete, we've moved into the Arabic translation phase, keeping us on track for a mid-2026 launch.
This publication will be the first comprehensive book dedicated to Tahriri, the distinctive couching embroidery technique that has long been overshadowed by other Palestinian embroidery styles. Featuring a carefully curated catalog of motifs alongside step-by-step instructions, the book aims to make this lesser-known aspect of Palestinian heritage accessible to anyone interested—from embroidery enthusiasts and researchers to community members seeking to reconnect with traditional techniques. By documenting and sharing this knowledge, we ensure that Tahriri embroidery can be learned, practiced, and passed on for generations to come.
4. Bringing traditional Palestinian baskets to the global community
Traditional baskets woven from qertalla ('olive branches') and qash ('wheat stalks') became available both in our physical store and through our online platform. Handcrafted by the skilled artisans of Hares Women's Society in the Salfit region, these beautiful examples of rural Palestinian craftsmanship from northern Palestine serve a dual purpose: protecting heritage skills while creating meaningful income opportunities for women in the Hares village who have limited access to formal employment.
Each basket represents hours of skilled handwork using techniques passed down through generations, connecting contemporary users to centuries of Palestinian agricultural and artisanal tradition. Browse their new collection here!
5. Celebrating community with the return of our annual holiday bazaar
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After a challenging two-year hiatus, we joyfully resumed our Annual Holiday Bazaar in November! Organized in partnership with the French Cultural Center in Jerusalem, this community event was made possible by dedicated volunteers who generously contributed their time and energy to help showcase and sell artisan products directly to the community.
The bazaar provided a vital opportunity for artisans to connect with customers, share the stories behind their work, and generate income during the important holiday season. More than a sales event, it represented a celebration of community, creativity, and the power of cultural resilience.
6. Providing continued emergency support for Gaza partners
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Throughout 2025, we provided ongoing emergency support to Atfaluna Society and Sulafa Embroidery Centre through our dedicated crowdfunding campaign supported by our global community. Despite experiencing devastating losses, including the destruction of facilities, displacement of families, and the loss of loved ones, these organizations continued serving their communities with courage and compassion.
They provided essential services including community kitchens offering hot meals, psychosocial support for traumatized children and adults, safe learning spaces for displaced students, and direct cash assistance to families in desperate need. Even amid this crisis, their artisans continued creating beautiful embroidered work, championing how art and cultural expression persist even in the darkest times. Our continued support reflects our commitment to stand with our Gaza partners not just in moments of crisis, but for the long journey of rebuilding ahead. Please continue supporting Gazan artisans here!
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A big heartfelt thank you to our customers, supporters, volunteers and partners!
Retail partners:
Build A Sky (US)
Educational Bookshop (Jerusalem)
Handmade Palestine (Ramallah/US),
Hilweh Market (Jaffa)
Mai Bookshop (Nazareth)
Middle East Children’s Alliance (US),
Olive Branch Fair Trade (US)
Palestine Fair Trade Australia (Australia)
Palestinabutikken Handala Shop (Norway)
Tanween Bookshop (Bethlehem),
Tiraz: Widad Kawar Home for Arab Dress (Jordan)
Verein Fair Trade / Palestinart (Switzerland)
Yaffa Youth Movement (Jaffa)
Donors:
GlobalGiving Foundation
McMillan-Stewart Foundation
Network for Social Change
Raymond Davis Foundation
Social Capital Foundation
Fiscal sponsor:
ArteEast
As we reflect on 2025, we're reminded that every product purchased, every donation made, and every share of our mission contributes to this collective work of cultural preservation and community empowerment. Thank you for being part of the Sunbula community and for standing with Palestinian artisans. We wish you a wonderful 2026!