Jewish Herbalism: Our Roots and Rituals

Have you ever wondered about the connections between plants and Jewish rituals?

To kick off spring, join us with Celia Robinovitch for an interactive workshop about Jewish herbalism. A part of our Microgrant Program for Creative or Cultural Exploration, this workshop will look at the plants central to Jewish traditions, culture, and healing methods. This interactive workshop will give participants a chance to play with (and take home!) a colorful variety of dried herbs and spices while learning about their historical uses in Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish communities.

Herbalism grants people the knowledge and tools to utilize natural resources in their local environment to support their health and wellness. Sharing information about Jewish plant rituals and historic herbal traditions is particularly important for Jews in the diaspora because it grants us tools to reclaim ancestral practices and connect with the local environment, thus fostering community resilience and bodily sovereignty for a people who have a long history of exile, persecution and cultural erasure.

Participants will each create besamim pouches, an aromatic container used during the Havdalah service, using herbs that are traditionally significant in Jewish culture, medicine and rituals. This activity is child-friendly, and open to all ages!

Please note that this event is free and capacity is limited. Pre-registration is required for all who wish to attend. Click here to reserve your ticket. 

ABOUT CELIA:

Celia Robinovitch is a Montreal-based social worker, herbalist and DJ. She holds a bachelor’s in social work from McGill and completed the City Herbal Apprenticeship Program at Loyola this past summer. Celia has worked extensively in community outreach, harm reduction, and urban agriculture. She currently works at Santropol Roulant on the Meals on Wheels team, and spends her free time DJing and learning more about Jewish herbalism traditions in hopes of integrating her Jewish heritage with her love for plants and accessible healthcare.

Accessibility: Please note that the upper levels of our building ore only accessible via staircase. This workshop will take place on the ground level.

This is an independent project developed through the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s Microgrants for Creative and Cultural Exploration Program. This program is made possible through the support of the Averbach Family Foundation, the Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation, Federation CJA’s Working Together Grant, The Azrieli Foundation, and CANVAS. We would like to thank the Yiddish Book Center for their partnership.