Each time New America Foundation associate editor Elizabeth Weingarten read a policy paper about the transformative impact of female entrepreneurs, a seed was planted in her mind. It led her to launch TRIBELLE a few months ago. The jewelry business allows artisans in Israel to sell their creations in the US through Elizabeth’s jewelry events, local fairs, and a newly launched website. A portion of the proceeds goes back to organizations in Israel that help women start businesses. One of them is Economic Empowerment for Women.

Elizabeth says many Americans aren’t aware that Israel has communities that are struggling financially. Elizabeth also picked Israel because of her own Jewish roots. Her grandmother had a jewelry business and she grew up appreciating some of the pieces her grandmother would give her, including ones that had a connection to the family’s ancestry. She says already two Israeli artisans have learned through TRIBELLE how Western buyers are responding to their work and have adapted their designs to sell more.