Jonathan Safran Foer's and Nathan Englander's spectacular Haggadah-now in paperback. Upon hardcover publication, NEW AMERICAN HAGGADAH was praised as a momentous re-envisioning through prayer, song, and ritual of one of our oldest, most timeless, and sacred stories-Moses leading the ancient Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to wander the desert for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land. Featuring a new translation of the traditional text by Nathan Englander and provocative essays by a collection of major Jewish writers and thinkers, it was received not only as a religious document but a magnificent literary and artistic achievement. Now, after two years of patience, those readers who asked for a paperback edition have gotten their wish.
UPDATED: Now with Hebrew characters and gender-neutral phrasing! A Haggadah you can read from cover to cover. No decisions! No skipping! No guilt! A Haggadah long enough to cover everything, yet short enough to conquer boredom. A Haggadah that's easy to follow, even for those who have never led or attended a Seder before. A Haggadah that encourages everyone to participate, without any confusion as to who says what. A Haggadah that celebrates freedom. A Haggadah that highlights traditional Jewish values alongside modern American ideals. A Haggadah that explains everything! _____ This e-book version is for those participants who prefer to read on their ereaders, smartphones, or tablets. Printed paperback copies and other digital formats are also available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo. _____ PRAISE FROM REVIEWERS… “My family and guests loved it. First time we went back to Haggadah to finish the Seder after the meal.” “Thank you for a wonderful Haggadah. It honors our traditions and makes them relevant for today. Even my 13 and 15 year olds were inspired to participate!” “My family and I used this for our first Passover Seder tonight. We had a beautiful experience together. Everything was easy to follow and understand.” “The subtitle—a "simple" version—is not really true. We all felt the text was clear and thorough. This group of long-time Passover observers all learned things.” “We went through the whole Haggadah, the story was told nicely with both English and some Hebrew (and transliterations). We loved it!” “…a clear path to a lovely Passover dinner. Sharing this with newcomers puts them at ease to share in this beautiful tradition.” “Easy to follow, covered everything in a clear way for people unfamiliar with Passover. Appreciate the modern, liberal, inclusive tone. Highly recommended!” “I'm very glad we used "The New American Haggadah" last night and we'll continue to use it in years to come.” “Easy to use. Covers all the basics and tells a great story.” “Fantastic Haggadah. It is the perfect length. Tells the story without being too redundant. I highly recommend this to every family.” “Just right! It captured the traditional story—and not too long nor too short.” “We had a very "mixed" group at our Passover seder this year, ranging from extremely religious to extremely nonreligious, together with devout guests from other religions, and I feel like this book made for an enjoyable and accessible Seder experience for everybody involved.” “This combines all the favorite and traditional aspects of your grandpa's Haggadah while serving the needs of Jews in America today who want a modern explanation. Everyone contributes and there is no confusion at all about what the order is, what part is next, no frantic turning pages back and forth, stage whispering of "what page are we on?" and it has finally quashed the heckling from the Seder table crowd. You'll love this as our family did.” “I was pleased that the updates on concern for minorities was handled well, and the broader philosophies were not "preachy" but rather are thought-provoking and appropriate. The traditional Hebrew prayers are in there, and a comprehensive story of the Exodus is most informative to even those who go through it every year.” “Just finished a Seder guided by the New American Haggadah. We had a group of 23 participants. Everyone got involved in a story that is a cornerstone of the Jewish faith. It is a great read for today's insightful and intelligent Jewish family who has a rational understanding of Jewish history.” _____ You might enjoy this Haggadah if you like: short, simple, and fun Passover dinners; easy Seder meals; events with children and family; or Reform Jewish holidays.
"A groundbreaking haggadah that presents the Exodus narrative in its entirety and highlights the actions of its female characters. Falk's ... commentaries invite us to bring personal reflections to the story; her revolutionary blessings, in Hebrew and English, offer a nonpatriarchal vision of the divine; and her kavanot--meditative directions for prayer--introduce a new genre to the seder ritual"--Page 4 of cover.
The Passover haggadah enjoys an unrivaled place in Jewish culture, both religious and secular. And of all the classic Jewish books, the haggadah is the one most "alive" today. Jews continue to rewrite, revise, and add to its text, recasting it so that it remains relevant to their lives. In this new volume in the JPS Commentary collection, Joseph Tabory, one of the world's leading authorities on the history of the haggadah, traces the development of the seder and the haggadah through the ages. The book features an extended introduction by Tabory, the classic Hebrew haggadah text side by side with its English translation, and Tabory's clear and insightful critical-historical commentary.
Combining age-old texts, fresh insights, inspiring poetry, new translations, and breathtaking art, Mishkan HaSeder sets a new standard in Passover Haggadot. Using the beloved format of Mishkan T'filah and Mishkan HaNefesh, this Haggadah offers beautiful new translations by Rabbis Janet and Sheldon Marder in conversation with an extraordinary collection of poetry from a diverse array of poets. The running commentary by Rabbis Oren Hayon, Seth Limmer, and Amy Scheinerman draws out the historic background of the seder rituals, builds on the social justice issues of our day, and offers contemporary connections to Passover. The text is complemented by full-color works from acclaimed artist Tobi Kahn that will enhance any seder experience. Mishkan HaSeder features poetry by Yehuda Amichai, Ellen Bass, Lucille Clifton, Edward Hirsch, Ross Gay, Emma Lazarus, Denise Levertov, Ada Limon, Grace Paley, Dan Pagis, Adrienne Rich, and many more. Equally suited to home and community celebrations, this is a Haggadah for today and tomorrow. Mishkan HaSeder has the depth to stimulate experienced seder leaders while its accessible explanations will make those joining our tables for the first time feel welcome. "In this brilliant new Reform Haggadah, the old is made new in a spiritual depth that is dazzling. The felicitous translation of traditional and modern sources, the insightful commentary and questions, the moving poetry, the aesthetically evocative depth of the art, and the beautiful and accessible layout of the text all combine to make this Haggadah a genuine treasure that will enrich Passover and the experience of the seder for this generation of religious seekers. We are all indebted to the CCAR for making this publication possible." -Rabbi David Ellenson, Chancellor Emeritus, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion "Finally, a Haggadah that is gorgeous, creative, serious, egalitarian, poetic, and inspiring! With so many layers of meaning and beauty, this new liturgy for the seder will nourish the skeptics, the seekers, and the scholars in your midst. This is the Haggadah my family and yours have been waiting for." -Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, Union for Reform Judaism "Mishkan HaSeder is a gorgeous new Haggadah, with powerful feminist commentary that illuminates the moral and ethical underpinnings of the Passover seder and opens new doors of understanding, as well as inspiring poetry that deepens the experience. This is the new gold standard for every seder table." -Sheila Katz, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women "From poetry that lifts the heart to colorful artwork that deepens our vision, from the Talmud's wisdom to the insights of contemporary Jewish teachers, from ancient practice to the urgent call for justice in our own day, Mishkan HaSeder will enrich the Passover seder for experienced participants and newcomers alike. Like the seder itself, this new Haggadah is a gathering, a blessing, a feast." -Rabbi David Stern, Senior Rabbi, Temple Emanu-El Dallas and Past President, Central Conference of American Rabbis "This is the Haggadah you have to own. An amazing weaving together of the service we all know, in Hebrew and English, with astounding works of art--poems from many different sources, exceptional page design, and beautiful, meditative color images by the brilliant Tobi Kahn--and with thoughtful commentary that explicates the tradition and orients us to the work yet to be done. There are many Haggadot with various themes, but this is one for the ages, allowing each user to pull out favorite poems, highlight specific directives, open up thoughtful seder table discussions, and become truly immersed in the holiday." -Ruth Messinger, Global Ambassador and Past President, American Jewish World Service
A magical place, a lost history: Trochenbrod, the setting for Everything is Illuminated, is now rediscovered for a new generation. In the 19th century, nearly five million Jews lived in the Pale of Settlement. Most lived in shtetls—Jewish communities connected to larger towns—images of which are ingrained in popular imagination as the shtetl Anatevka from Fiddler on the Roof. Brimming with life and tradition, family and faith, these shtetls existed in the shadow of their town’s oppressive anti-Jewish laws. Not Trochenbrod. Trochenbrod was the only freestanding, fully realized Jewish town in history. It began with a few Jewish settlers searching for freedom from the Russian Czars' oppressive policies, which included the forced conscriptions of one son from each Jewish family household throughout Russia. At first, Trochenbrod was just a tiny row of houses built on empty marshland in the middle of the Radziwill Forest, yet for the next 130 years it thrived, becoming a bustling marketplace where people from all over the Ukraine and Poland came to do business. But this scene of ethnic harmony was soon shattered, as Trochenbrod vanished in 1941—her residents slaughtered, her homes, buildings, and factories razed to the ground. Yet even the Nazis could not destroy the spirit of Trochenbrod, which has lived on in stories and legends about a little piece of heaven, hidden deep in the forest. Bendavid-Val, himself a descendant of Trochenbrod, masterfully preserves and fosters the memory of this city, celebrating the vibrant lives of her people and her culture, proving true the words of one of Trochenbrod’s greatest poets, Yisrael Beider: I beg you hold fast to these words of mine. After this darkness a light will shine.
Two hundred facsimile plates reproduce representative pages from rare printed haggadot in two of the world's outstanding Judaica collections: the libraries of Harvard University and The Jewish Theological Seminary. This visual history is complemented by Professor Yerushalmi's fascinating historical introduction and richly detailed place descriptions.
If you've ever felt left out at a Passover Seder because your Hebrew skills kept you from participating, this new Haggadah is for you. It offers a transliteration of every single word of the Hebrew text, as well as a fresh, new English translation. If you can read the words, Dayaynoo and Mah nishtanah, then you can read the Haggadah in Hebrew. Now, at the Seder, you'll be able to fully participate, reading along and singing the many joyful songs. The easy-to-read format of this Haggadah includes: A complete transliterationA new English translationThe entire Hebrew textStep-by-step Seder instructionsIlluminating background material and insightful commentaryAn invaluable resource for anyone who has difficulty reading Hebrew!
