How to Choose the Best Haggadah for Your Seder

Posted: February 28, 2024

Categories: Holidays

Planning a seder? You'll need a haggadah.

Which haggadah you use makes a big difference in how participants experience the seder.

Consider who's on your guest list. Of course it also matters how long you want your seder to last and what tone you want (solemn, inquisitive, or with a touch of whimsy).

Here's a guide to point you in the right direction.

The Heroes Haggadah: Lead the Way to Freedom

By Rabbi Kerry Olitzky and Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen

Perfect for:

Intergenerational seders
Those seeking a contemporary connection to the Exodus story

Description:

88 color pages
30-45 minute seder
Sidebar questions to spark discussion
Transliterated songs and blessings
Multi-ethnic seder recipes

Seder in Motion: A Haggadah to Move Body and Soul

By Rabbi Ron and Dr. Leora Isaacs

Perfect for:

Multi-generational seders
Those looking for an 'active' seder
Guests eager to try new things
Those who want to go a little beyond the text

Description:

48 color pages
45-60 minute seder
English text with blessings in Hebrew, transliteration and translation
All key elements of the seder included
Sidebar instructions for adding mindfulness moments, incorporating motion, and increasing a sense of inclusion
Full text of several popular seder songs

The Essential Seder: A Contemporary Haggadah

by Deborah Gross-Zuchman

Perfect for:

People hosting a seder for the first time
Families with children of all ages
Guests from a variety of backgrounds
Guests who have never attended a seder before

Description:

40 color pages, paperback
30-45-minute seder
English text with blessings in Hebrew and transliteration
A traditional seder that covers all the essentials

Special features:

Seder checklist
Clear directions for leaders and participants
Concise descriptions of the Passover story
Vibrant collage art
A sensitive portrayal of the Four Children

The Promise of the Land: A Passover Haggadah

by Rabbi Ellen Bernstein

Perfect for:

Seders with an ecological focus
Intergenerational seders
Teens, young adults, adults

Description:

96 color pages, paperback
60-90 minute seder
English text with blessings in Hebrew and transliteration

Special features:

Environmental themes throughout the text
Collage art that captures the beauty of nature
Questions for discussion
Reflective passages from rabbis, academics, environmental advocates, and more

Welcome to the Seder by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky Perfect for: An inclusive, welcoming seder Guests from a variety of backgrounds and experiences Guests who have never attended a seder before Description: 64 color pages in a paperback edition 60-minute seder English text with blessings in Hebrew and transliteration Special features: Seder checklist Explanations of unusual additions to the seder plate Clear directions for leaders and participants Vibrant, inspirational, and mindful artwork Multicultural connections throughout the text A sensitive portrayal of The Four Children Questions for discussion Reflective passages by a variety of different contributors
The Family (and Frog!) Haggadah by Karen Rostoker-Gruber and Rabbi Ron Isaacs Perfect for: Families with young children Multigenerational families People hosting a seder for the first time Description: 64 color pages in a paperback edition 30-45 minute seder English text with blessings in Hebrew and transliteration Special Features: A traditional seder, with a new injection of fun to keep children engaged Large format for easy reading Beautiful Passover artwork Gender-sensitive language Lively retelling of the Passover story Oh, and Frog
Simply Seder by Dena Neusner Perfect for: Families with children of all ages Intergenerational seders Those new to hosting Passover Description: 48 color pages 30-60 minute seder Special Features: Quick and easy to follow Planning guide included Links to additional resources and recipes online Seder transliterated Hebrew encourages participation Hebrew provided for all blessings
The Gateways Haggadah: A Seder for the Whole Family by Rebecca Redner Perfect for: Families with children of varying abilities and disabilities Families with children of all ages Description: More than 70 vibrant photographs of children of all abilities and disabilities participating in seder Presents over 150 picture communication symbols developed by Mayer-Johnson™ 30-minute seder Special Features: Easy to hold Respectful to all participants Mayer-Johnson™ is the leading creator of symbol-adapted special education materials to assist individuals in overcoming their speech, language, and learning challenges
Family Haggadah: A Seder for All Generations by Elie Gindi Perfect for: Families with young children Congregational seders Description: 40 color pages 30-45 minute seder Special Features: Large format, open layout Quick and easy to follow Plagues illustrated in a light-hearted, child-friendly way Includes The Frog Song and Bang, Bang, Bang Transliteration of all blessings and songs encourages participation Some Hebrew provided
Season of Renewal A Family Haggadah by Rabbi Dr. John Levy and Naomi Tippett Perfect for: Families with elementary school children Model seders Congregational seders Description: 64 color pages Flexible time commitment --Vary the length of your seder from 30 minutes to 2 hours Special Features: Illustrated with beautiful collages and flowers created by schoolchildren Annotations explain the rituals to foster understanding Optional discussion questions Hebrew provided throughout Blessings transliterated Ten pages of songs, with Hebrew, English, and transliteration Companion website lets you hear the songs
The New American Haggadah by Mordecai Kaplan, Eugene Kohn, and Ira Eisenstein Perfect for: Teens, young adults, adults Youth group, college group seders Interfaith seders Those who prefer a gender-neutral haggadah that includes some modern rituals Description: 112 black and white pages 90-minute seder Special Features: Revised and updated version of reconstructionist classic The New Haggadah Broad themes of slavery and freedom in modern as well as biblical times Unique American view of the Passover liberation theme Vignettes of Jews during the Civil War, the Civil Rights movement, and Operation Exodus 20 pages of songs, including Who Knows One Hebrew throughout Some blessings and songs transliterated
Gates of Freedom Haggadah by Chaim Stern Perfect for: Adults Those who prefer a traditional seder Description: 128 black and white pages 90+ minute seder Special Features: Traditional seder Over 130 commentaries, quotes, and anecdotes--with their sources--to foster discussion Clearly marked sections help you shorten the service Music for 16 blessings and songs allow musical accompaniment Hebrew throughout, often matched line-by-line with English translation Songs and selected blessings transliterated