It has been clear since Seth Mandel's first article ("H.P. shop: Questionable connections," Nov. 9, 2007) that the Ten Thousand Villages (TTV) stores are related to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a point reiterated by the recent Editor's Note (12/21/07; p. 8). For some of your readers this is undoubtedly sufficient to not buy at the TTV store.

I vigorously oppose many of the positions of the MCC regarding Israel, and the fact that TTV is a wholly owned subsidiary of MCC (or, in Schloneger's terms "É an independent program of MCC") is clearly relevant. However, the letter from Craig Schloneger, CEO of TTV, addressed a major concern of mine, the flow of money. Mr. Schloneger states unambiguously: "None of this net income (of TTV) was transferred to MCC. It was all retained by Ten Thousand Villages ... to help finance growth and product development." The "Editor's Note" and his reproduction of the MCC Income Statement imply that the Financial Statement contradicts Mr. Schloneger's statements, but the MCC Financial Statement says nothing about the flow of money. By contrast, Mr. Schloneger specifically addressed the issue: "We do not transfer any surplus or profit to MCC". I have no reason to mistrust Mr. Schloneger's statement.

I support the approach of TTV and the "fair trade movement": providing outlets in developed nations for artisans in developing regions and ensuring that the workers get fair wages. This approach is consonant with the Rambam's (Maimonides') highest level of tzedakah. While most goods in the store support artisans in South America, Africa, and Asia, I believe that the development of the West Bank Palestinian economy is also consistent with the long-term goals of Israel. As a Zionist and supporter of Israel, I am pleased that some of my money may go directly to Palestinian artisans working on the West Bank.

We often buy Israeli products for their beauty, appropriateness, and to support Israel. We even sometimes buy at department stores, with articles produced wherever by whomever. Now, in Highland Park, I can purchase items in a "fair trade" store that supports workers in developing regions around the world, including workers in the West Bank. While I would be happier if TTV were totally independent of the MCC, I believe that the significant tangible good from the monies provided directly to workers in developing regions outweighs any intangible value to the MCC by its association with Ten Thousand Villages. Should the situation change and I learn that TTV income transfers to other programs of MCC, I would reassess my position. At the moment, however, I feel that I can, in good conscience, support the work of TTV.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a relief, community development, and peace organization with some 1,000 workers serving in 56 countries. MCC is sponsored by Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in Canada and the United States.

MCC seeks to demonstrate God's love by working among people suffering from poverty, conflict, oppression, and natural disasters. MCC serves as a channel of interchange by building relationships that are mutually transformative. MCC strives for peace, justice, and dignity of all people by sharing our experiences, resources, and faith in Jesus Christ. The priorities of MCC -- relief, capacity building, peace, and connecting peoples -- grow out of our mission, mandate, and experience.

MCC has worked alongside Palestinians for nearly six decades and with Israelis for nearly 40 years. After the horrors of the Holocaust, many Jews welcomed the creation of the State of Israel, viewing it as a potential safe haven. The establishment of Israel in 1948, however, went hand in hand with the dispossession and displacement of more than 750,000 Palestinians. In 1949, MCC responded to the refugee crisis with material assistance and other programmatic support. An example was selling needlework made by Palestinian refugee women. This was one of the first products sold by what eventually grew into the alternative trading organization Ten Thousand Villages (see below).

In addition to other partners, over the ensuing years, MCC developed bonds of friendship and partnership with the Palestinian churches, joining them in their ministry. Since 1967, MCC has supported the dedicated work of and partnered with both Palestinians and Israelis committed to non-violence and to a future of peace, justice and reconciliation for both peoples. As has been central to MCC's work in other parts of the world, this has included a commitment to stand with the disenfranchised.

MCC's program and advocacy position is the promotion of justice and peace for all people. MCC makes this commitment in principle alongside the idea that stakeholders in an issue must be allowed and empowered to make their own decisions. So, for instance, MCC does not take a final position on the question of whether the best solution to the conflict is two states side-by-side or one state in which Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal citizenship. Rather, MCC works with both Palestinian and Israeli partners -- Muslims, Jews, and Christians who are committed to non-violence -- whether they believe that peace, justice, and reconciliation are best secured in the context of a two-state solution, or that this will be best achieved in the framework of one bi-national state.

Ten Thousand Villages (http://www.tenthousandvillages.com) is an alternative trading organization, which provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of MCC.

A larger picture of MCC's commitments and work, as well as a variety of MCC's resources regarding the region, can be found at MCC's Web site: http://www.mcc.org.