Ashkenazi Herbalism with Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel
Jewish History, Ancestry, History, Deep Dive, Culture, Diaspora, Jewish Texts, Feel Good, Yiddish, Jewish Women Clarissa Marks Jewish History, Ancestry, History, Deep Dive, Culture, Diaspora, Jewish Texts, Feel Good, Yiddish, Jewish Women Clarissa Marks

Ashkenazi Herbalism with Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel

Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel have explored the world of Jewish medicinal plant healers within the communities of the Pale of Settlement in Eastern Europe, and written a book to share their findings. As trained librarians and linguists, Deatra and Adam were uniquely suited to uncover these practices that lasted from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era, hidden by language barriers and obscure documents. The book is eye-opening and includes the first materia medica of 26 plants and herbs essential to Ashkenazi folk medicine. In this interview, Deatra and Adam discuss their research process, the legacy of Ashkenazi herbalism, and how their experiences as Jews interacted with their work.

Read More
Judaism without Patriarchy, #metoo, and Welcoming Jews of all Genders, with Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg
Deep Dive, Culture, Personal Stories, Activism, Jewish Texts, Feminism, Jewish Women, Queer Jews Clarissa Marks Deep Dive, Culture, Personal Stories, Activism, Jewish Texts, Feminism, Jewish Women, Queer Jews Clarissa Marks

Judaism without Patriarchy, #metoo, and Welcoming Jews of all Genders, with Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg

Clarissa talks with Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg about the influence of the patriarchy on Judaism and how it impacts gender roles in Jewish spaces today. In the early 2000s, Rabbi Kinberg had to act as a whistleblower in a sexual abuse case involving a clergy member. Clarissa asks Rabbi Kinberg about that experience, and her approach to leading tough conversations on gender equality and justice within the larger Jewish community.

Read More