Sefardi Jews, who journeyed into various diasporas since the expulsion of the Jews and Muslims from Spain in 1492, have powerful relationships with plants that they were either able to travel with or that were common enough across different regions to continue to access despite displacement. In this class, we will explore the rich Sefardi folk tradition of crafting amulets for spiritual protection–from Algerian coral necklaces to Turkish rue and almond cakes.

We’ll discover the answers to the questions: Why do Jews make amulets, and how do we use them? How have Sefardim protected themselves from the “evil eye,” and what does this teach us about Sefardi cultures? And finally, we’ll learn how some Sefardi traditions and rituals for protection invoke the power of the ocean and the natural power of water.

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.