Welcome to the Seder: A Passover Haggadah for Everyone

by Kerry M. Olitzky

Named one of "the best haggadahs of all time" by the Forward's Jay Michaelson . 
Welcome to a new kind of seder.  Celebrate Passover with traditional seder texts as well as poems, readings, and stories that acknowledge, value, and include the diverse backgrounds of seder participants today.   Evoke the universal message of freedom, inspired by writers and thinkers from around the world. Find new meaning in the Passover story, whether this seder is your first or your one hundred and first. Perfect

Genres: Jewish

64 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2018

About the author

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky is a leader in the development of Jewish education, particularly for adults. He has shaped training programs for clergy of all faiths, especially in the area of pastoral care and counseling in the Jewish community. He is the author of over 75 books and hundreds of articles in a variety of fields. He is known for books that bring the insights of Jewish wisdom into everyday living. His opinion pieces are published in leading publications throughout North America and in Israel. Most of his recent publications are children's picture books, as well as the early reader The Adventures of Leila and Ilana

Reviews

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A HAGGADAH THAT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY

The Jewish people are more diverse than many realize. Plus, since one may honor the mitzvah "Let all who are hungry , come and eat," it is customary to sometimes invite friends of various backgrounds to join the festivities. And what makes this beautiful Haggadah unique is that it is truly a Passover Haggadah for Everyone. Of course it includes the steps of the seder complete with a simple explanation and the prayers. But it includes poetry, quotes and sidebars that bring in various cultures. This Haggadah is perfect for today's modern world. It honors diversity by mentioning various customs that can be included. Rabbi Olitzky has also co-written two other Haggadah's and Families may also be interested in The Discovery Haggadah or The Heroes Haggadah: Lead the Way to Freedom.

[Margaret Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brand new haggadah compiled by the rabbi who ran Big Tent Judaism. It is an inclusive text sensitive to Jews by Choice, multi-racial, multi-ethnic, women, children, people who are not even Jewish. The illustrations help with that message. It includes brief margin notes that range from a Shaker hymn, to a Muslim prayer before eating. It includes all the steps of a seder and makes it accessible to all. The essential Hebrew is there with transliteration. And it includes some of the newer traditions. The orange, the beet, the artichoke, Miriam's Cup. There is even some music (words, not the sheet music) and some recipes. Everything a family preparing its first or its 100th seder would need to prepare without being overwhelming. I would consider using it for a congregational seder or a model seder in a Hebrew School setting.