Naomi Stein is a ethobotanist, educator, and balebuste. She worked for the Lawrence Hall of Science, U.C. Berkeley’s public science center, teaching environmental education, as well as science through theatre, for close to two decades. She led over 1,000 youth through the Sierras and California coast, ultimately becoming the Backcountry Programs Director. Her work there was funded by the National Science Foundation, the State of California and the National Institute of Health, and she’s been published by the University and WestEd. Naomi taught Biblical Ethnobotany at the Berkeley Jewish Community Center with Dr. Jonathan Siedel in the ‘90’s and is co-teaching Jewish Ethnobotany with him in 2023 through the Aquarian Minyan.
She taught Jewish Ethnobotany at Urban Adamah, also in Berkeley, and was a panelist for Kids in Gardens culturally inclusive gardening series. She has led Havdalah hikes for Temple Sinai and Kehilla Synagogue as well as Native plant walks for public and strike schools. Naomi is currently the balebuste for her family of four, maintaining health through eco-kashrut meals and medicines.
