SELECTING YOUR PASSOVER HAGGADAH  

A BIBLIOGRAPHY PREPARED BY CARLA COHEN

Haggadahs are used to conduct a Seder, both a religious celebration and a joyous meal. The religious celebration commemorates the freeing from bondage of the Israelite slaves in Egypt. Thus, it has great resonance for all peoples, and many other religious groups now conduct Seders.

Politics and Prose has selected Haggadahs that represent the major liberal traditions in Judaism. All of them are gender-neutral (ancestors instead of forefathers, four children instead of sons). We encourage you to experiment with several Haggadahs, especially if you are just starting to hold Seders. That way, you can make an informed choice when investing in eight, ten or twelve of the same Haggadah.

Four questions to ask when choosing among Haggadahs:

Is your Seder to be conducted in both Hebrew and English and does the balance between the two languages reflect the abilities of your guests?

How much commentary is included and does it reflect the issues that you wish to discuss?

Is the Haggadah attractive, and will you enjoy it over the years?

How many do you have to buy and do you expect to be using them for many years to come?

A PASSOVER HAGGADAH, prepared by the Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform Movement), edited by Herbert Bronstein, illustrations by Leonard Baskin ($14.95). This beautiful Haggadah contains introductory material and a modern text that will contribute to any Seder. The interpretation of the ten plagues is particularly compelling. In his introduction, Rabbi Bronstein makes a point all leaders should remember: "It is not our intention that this Haggadah should be read in its entirety… Our aim is to provide a wide latitude and scope for choice."

THE PASSOVER HAGGADAH: THE FEAST OF FREEDOM, edited by Rachel Rabinowitz, prepared by the Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative Movement ($14.95) is a feast of fine material and commentary. It contains as much useful historical information as any Haggadah and neatly solves the problem of how to keep the text a reasonable length by using copious marginal notes. However, the service is actually in Hebrew with only some English. If you wish to conduct a service primarily in English, you will need to choose another Haggadah.

THE OPEN DOOR, edited by Sue Levi Elwell, ($19.95) was published by CCAR in 2002. In keeping with the Reform movement’s increased use of Hebrew and greater incorporation of ritual, the Haggadah follows the order of the Seder with Hebrew and English. This Haggadah strikes a nice balance between tradition and modern customs. It is also terse if you want to move the Seder along at a brisk pace.

A NIGHT OF QUESTIONS, edited by Joy Levitt and Michael Strassfeld ($18). The Reconstructionist Movement in 1999 published this handsome Haggadah, with three objectives: 1) to preserve the ancient language, 2) to wrestle with the questions posed by the story of the Exodus, and 3) inspire us to seek freedom for all peoples. Of particular interest is a discussion of the four children – whom they see as aware, as well as wise or skeptical as well as wicked. This new Haggadah speaks to the modern, more secular Jew and to observers of tradition.

GATES OF FREEDOM HAGGADAH by Chaim Stern ($10.95) is an excellent Haggadah that presents traditional text with modern commentary in a manageable service. The text is particularly good on a list of modern plagues and reworking of Dayenu. A large number of songs with music are included, in Hebrew and transliterated.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES: The Ma’yan Passover Haggadah ($12) was developed by the Jewish Women’s Project of the Jewish Community Center on the Upper West Side of New York. Within the context of a traditional Seder service, the Haggadah speaks specifically to women’s history and makes connections with other movements to redress economic and racial injustice. Among other additions is an excellent interpretation of Ha Lachma Anya, the Bread of Affliction.

A DIFFERENT NIGHT: THE FAMILY PARTICIPATION HAGGADAH by Noam Zion and David Dishon ($12.95), published by the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem is a wonderful addition to Passover. There is a rich discussion of “Should We Feel Joy at the Downfall of Our Enemies?” This Haggadah would be difficult to tackle if one were not experienced, but for those who wish to introduce new readings, A Different Night will add tremendously. We have two editions, one above, for use by Seder participants and a more text-intensive edition at $12.95.

FAMILY HAGGADAH: A Seder for All Generations by Elie Gindi ($7.95) is a simple family Haggadah with a pared-down service – essentials only, but beautifully illustrated in a way that will engage children, as well as the rest of the family. There are no additional readings and little commentary, but the pictures will spark comments.

A FAMILY HAGGADAH by Shoshana Silberman ($4.95) is a quick-reading Haggadah to use with young children. It has all of the elements necessary for the Seder, the symbols and the story (Maggid). A FAMILY HAGGADAH II ($4.95) has more commentary and is appropriate for school-age children. Both Haggadahs have many suggestions for conducting services with families.

THE PASSOVER SEDER: Pathways through the Haggadah by Rabbi Arthur Gilbert ($4.75) is an inexpensive basic Haggadah that can be used for a broad spectrum of Jewish observance. Hebrew and transliteration are included along with English text. The excellent additional readings include a remarkable story about Passover observed in a concentration camp.

THE STORY HAGGADAH by Sol Scharfstein ($7.95) This attractively presented traditional service with a great telling of the Exodus can be used for children who read well (or can be read to them before the seder to prepare them). This Haggadah is perfect for a non-Jew attending a Seder for the first time.