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Haggadahs for the Wise, Wicked, Simple, and Those Who Don’t Know How To Ask

As the owner of ModernTribe, I’m sent many Haggadahs to review and consider. Truly, I have more than two dozen versions scattered on bookshelves throughout my house. Once hopeful that one would show up and be the perfect Haggadah, last Passover I had a changed of heart. Unable to find the "best" Haggadah, we used several at our seder. Both the success of our seder and the traditional Passover story of the Four Sons within it, changed my mind about the need to find The One.

The story of the Four Sons illustrates how the Wise, Wicked, Simple, and Don’t Know How to Ask all "ask" different questions and, therefore, require different answers. One interpretation of this story is that each of these "dispositions" is within all of us, at different times, and to different degrees. A combination of different Haggadot perhaps best reaches these different parts of ourseleves and better answers the diverse ages and religious beliefs that are no doubt gathered at the seder table. From now on, each year we will be blending to create our own perfect-for-us mix of Passover Haggadot.

Here are my picks for Passover Seder 2010. Open-Eyed Heart-Wide Haggadah

For The Wise Within Us:

From the raw foods chef Debra Mazer in collaboration with Cantor Shira Batalion is the new for 2010 Open-Eyed Heart-Wide Haggadah. Beautifully illustrated by Margo Akroyd, this Haggadah is a progressive ritual guide for Passover that is spiritually inclusive, multicultural, and inspirational.

For The Wicked (Funny):

Bangitout.com is once again publishing their Seder Sidekick. Last year, the comedic interludes made the adults laugh out loud. We especially enjoyed the David Letterman style Top 10 lists. Stay tuned for its 2010 release.

For Our Simple Sides:

30 Minute Seder I was not a fan when I first heared of the 30 Minute Seder. Judging a book by its title, it seemed pat, but after reading I admit it’s quite good. It is, well, simple… but complete. We will use this book as our seder outline and then spice it up with the Wise & Wicked picks.

Why We Celebrate Passover

For The One Who Doesn’t Yet Know How To Ask:

Why We Celebrate Passover by Howard Kurtz is a vibrantly colorful simple storybook for children ages two to seven. The story of Passover is told from Joseph to the Exodus in rhyme. I’ve read a lot of children’s Passover books and really like this one.

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