SELECTING YOUR PASSOVER HAGGADAH

A Bibliography Prepared by Carla Cohen


Haggadot are used to conduct a Seder, an ancient ritual that incorporates 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 & Prose has selected Haggadot that represent major liberal traditions in Judaism. All of them are gender-neutral ("ancestors" instead of "forefathers", "four children" instead of "four sons"). We encourage you to experiment with several Haggadot, especially if you are just starting to hold Seders. Then you will be able to make an informed choice when investing in eight, ten or twelve of the same Haggadah. 

Four questions to ask when choosing among Haggadot:

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?

If you are purchasing 5 or more of the same Haggadah, you will receive a 10% discount. If you purchase 10 or more, you receive a 20% discount.

A Passover Haggadah (Paperback)

$14.95
ISBN-13: 9780916694050
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 12/1975

A PASSOVER HAGGADAH, prepared by the Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform Movement), edited by Herbert Bronstein, illustrations by Leonard Baskin ($14.95). This Haggadah is a favorite because of its lovely illustrations. The text contains introductory material and contemporary language 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."


Passover Haggadah: The Feast of Freedom
$14.95
Model: 9780870687822

By Rachel Rabinowicz
ISBN-13:
9780870687822
Availability:
On Our Shelves Now
Published:
Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative Movement

THE PASSOVER HAGGADAH: THE FEAST OF FREEDOM, edited by Rachel Rabinowicz, 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: A Passover Haggadah
$19.95
Model: 9780881230789

By Sue Levi Elwell
ISBN-13: 9780881230789
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2000

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
$24.00
Model: 9780935457490

A NIGHT OF QUESTIONS, edited by Joy Levitt and Michael Strassfeld ($24). 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.


$10.95
ISBN-13: 9780874416626
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Behrman House Publishing, 1/1999
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
$15.00
Model: 9780966710748

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES: The Ma’yan Passover Haggadah ($15) 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.


$6.95
ISBN-13: 9780966474039
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Shalom Hartman Institute, 1/2008
A DIFFERENT NIGHT: THE FAMILY PARTICIPATION HAGGADAH by Noam Zion and David Dishon ($6.95), published by the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem is an addition to the Passover literature. 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.

A Different Night (Paperback)

$12.95
ISBN-13: 9780966474008
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Shalom Hartman Institute, 1/2008

$8.95
ISBN-13: 9780874416855
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Behrman House Publishing, 1/1999
FAMILY HAGGADAH: A Seder for All Generations by Elie Gindi ($8.95) is a simple family Haggadah with a pared-down service – essentials only, but beautifully illustrated in a way that will engage children. There are no additional readings and little commentary, but the pictures will spark comments.

$4.95
ISBN-13: 9780761352112
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Kar-Ben Publishing, 1/2010

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 Haggadot have many suggestions for conducting services with families.

How are they different?

This original Family Haggadah (with the purple and green cover) includes words to several favorite children's songs and commentary and questions geared to young children. The Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) is abbreviated.

The Family Haggadah II (with the multi-colored cover) has no children's songs, and the commentary is geared towards teens and adults. The service includes a full Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals).

 

 
If you are including children in your seder, you may want to browse in the Children’s Department as well where there are some Haggadot for children and stories about Passover. Below you can see more options of books and toys that we have in stock:

 


$12.95
ISBN-13: 9780881230598
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2/1994

Walking Matzoh Ball
$5.00
Model: 042234980802

Ten Plagues Masks
$8.00
Model: 089824045862

$22.95
ISBN-13: 9780805242423
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Schocken, 2/2007

People of the Book (Paperback)

$16.00
ISBN-13: 9780143115007
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Penguin (Non-Classics), 1/2009

$18.99
ISBN-13: 9781580233996
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Jewish Lights Publishing, 1/2009

All Other Nights (Paperback)

$14.95
ISBN-13: 9780393338324
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: W. W. Norton & Company, 3/2010

Passover Coloring Placemat
$7.00
Model: 089824044353

$25.00
ISBN-13: 9780688155902
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: William Morrow Cookbooks, 3/1999

$19.99
ISBN-13: 9781580232319
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Jewish Lights Publishing, 1/2006

$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780671799960
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Simon & Schuster, 3/1993

$17.95
ISBN-13: 9780764563232
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Wiley, 2/2001

$16.00
ISBN-13: 9780060675530
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperOne, 2/1995

The Four Questions Finger Puppets
$5.99
Model: 9780000012883

$24.99
ISBN-13: 9781580231848
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2/2004

$7.95
ISBN-13: 9780929371825
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Kar-Ben Publishing, 3/1995

$39.95
ISBN-13: 9780674051171
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Belknap Press, 4/2011

$19.99
ISBN-13: 9780062018106
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harper, 3/2011

The Szyk Haggadah (Paperback)

$16.95
ISBN-13: 9780810997530
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harry N. Abrams, 3/2011