Communities throughout the country are using Fairtrade Fortnight to further their support for ethical trading.

A guide published by the Jewish Social Action Forum (JHub) has been distributed to shuls nationwide explaining how they can become involved.

The forum has received hundreds of orders for kipot - many personalised for simchahs - which are made by Indian co-operatives from ethically sourced cotton yarn.

JHub's Poppy Berelowitz said that during the fortnight, which runs until March 8, "synagogues, communal organisations, J-Socs, schools and youth movements will continue to raise awareness about Fairtrade and the issue of trade justice.

"Knowing where your food comes from and that the producers are paid fairly gives us as Jews and British citizens a chance to change the lives of the world's poorest through what we choose from the shelves of our supermarkets."

Other activities include cheese and wine evenings organised by the Liberal movement, a Fairtrade coffee tasting event at the Jewish Community Centre, J-Soc-organised Shabbat dinners and Fairtrade kiddushim.

Board of Deputies president Vivian Wineman said: "The integral Jewish principle of tzedakah steers us not just to focus our activities for our own communal benefit, but externally towards the improvement of wider society.

"The principles of Fairtrade, therefore, are a natural extension of this philosophy, providing us with an opportunity to have a positive effect on a large number of people far less fortunate than ourselves."