The Berry Pickers: Harvesting and Foraging in the Pale of Settlement

In historic Jewish communities of the Pale of Settlement, the gathering, harvesting and preserving of plants for use as food and medicine each year was a matter of communal survival. Even if they could not access hospitals or formal healthcare, many Jews had their own internal communal systems in place for caring for their sick, keeping them company, and supplying them with food and homemade medicine. Plant remedies in the form of syrups, preserves, cordials, wines, and liqueurs were staples in the folk Ashkenazi medicine cabinet.  In this class we will learn about how Ashkenazi farmers harvested and prepared fruits, vegetables, and herbs for healing.

Naomi Spector is an ethnoherbalist, plant historian, and educator whose practice draws on Sefardi, Ashkenazi, and Mediterranean plant traditions. She is the author of The Jewish Book of Flowers.

Naomi is also a passionate educator, and has led courses and workshops through both bibi and ni and partnerships with other organizations including various synagogues. Topics have included introductory Jewish herbalism, Sefardi herbalism, Jewish end-of-life herbalism, Jewish amulets, Jewish honey elixirs, Jewish flower teachings, and more. She holds a Masters of Arts in Education from Tufts University. She is one of the co-creators of the Jewish Herbalists Network, an affinity group within the Jewish Farmer Network, and was the keynote speaker at LimmudFest Atlanta 2023. Some of her favorite plants include garlic, pomegranate and chamomile.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.