Sefardi Herbalism for Birth and End-of-Life

In this three-session course, Naomi will teach about the earth, water and plant-based Sefardi folk traditions explored in her book, Sefardi Herbalism. In part three, Sefardi Herbalism for Birth and End-of-Life, we will learn about earth-based Sefardi amulets and folk customs that were practiced to support community members through the transitions of birth and death.

Sefardi Herbalism: An Introduction to Earth, Water and Plant-Based Folk Traditions of the Sefardim by Naomi Spector explores the earth-based folk culture and healing tradition of the Jews of Spain and Portugal. Weaving together diverse sources, such as Judeo-Spanish medical texts, memoirs, interviews, testimony from inquisition records, poetry, songs, and tales, Sefardi Herbalism brings us a taste of everyday life in the homes and kitchens of Sefardi Jews, who journeyed into various diasporas following the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. Written for those new to plants and herbalists alike, this book explores Sefardi relationships to the ocean, folk beliefs about the evil eye and the practice of crafting amulets for spiritual protection, herbs and ingredients that were common to the Sefardi kitchen and medicine cabinet, herbalism and amulets for birth, and finally, Sefardi end-of-life herbalism.

This is part 3 in a 3-part series that started on January 8. Get tickets to part 2 here.

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Naomi is a writer, educator, and herbalist. She is the author of Sefardi Herbalism: An Introduction to Earth, Water and Plant-Based Folk Traditions of the Sefardim and The Jewish Book of Flowers. Naomi is a co-founder of bibi + ni and has led courses and workshops through this platform as well as in partnership with various synagogues and other organizations, on topics ranging from Jewish kitchen herbalism and amulets to end-of-life herbalism and more. She holds a Masters of Arts in Education from Tufts University.