Passover Books

This year we had 25 to Sedar, so I ordered extra copies.
If you are looking for a liberal hagaddah, it has tremendous breadth and depth.

I have somewhere between 20 and 30 different Haggadot. A Night of Questions is not only one of the richest and most thought-provoking in my collection... it is also the most user-friendly. It's the only one that has a table of contents that breaks down the Maggid section into its familiar parts (4 Children, Dayenu, etc.) The outlines of 4 different types of seders in the back of the book are very helpful. There's something here for every one. The commentaries address the hard questions that are likely to arise in the minds of those who are really thinking about what we are saying, such as: "Would it really have been 'enough for us' had we come out of Egypt and not been given the Torah and not come into the Land of Israel?" IMPORTANT NOTE: I see that Amazon is showing this as 4-6 weeks delivery. I know that they are available from the publisher and you'll have them in time for Passover. Check out www.jrf.org."

This Haggadah has wonderful, contemporary discussions and presentations. The illustrations are beautiful.

I have conducted sedorim (seders) for over 30 years and have used five different haggadot. This is the BEST! It explains, offers excellent commentary, provides choices in the kind of seder one might have, as well as providing frameworks for designing your own. I have used it for 2 years now and get rave reviews from the people who attend my sedorim.

The cd of the music of Pesach which is available, is a favorite as we prepare our home for the holiday.

It sure beats "Manishewitz".

Seders too often fall into a routine, with everyone slogging through the Hagaddah by rote. This is a lively, thought-provoking Hagaddah that will broaden and deepen your appreciation of Passover. It certainly has for my family.

I was introduced to this cookbook several years ago at a Seder. In the years since, I have collected a shelf full of cookbooks with a few favorite recipes in each book. "Spice and Spirit," however, never fails to provide an easy, excellent meal. For awhile the book seemed to be out of print. I decided to check Amazon one more time to find one for my summer home. I was delighted to find it available again. You do not need to keep Kosher to love this cookbook!

Hand it to the good ladies at Chabad for whipping up a great cookbook full of useful recipes and valuable Jewish lessons. Ever wondered how much flour you need to use in order to say the blessing over "taking challah"? Well, now it's all at your fingertips.
One of the nice aspects of this book is that many of the recipes are for large crowds - so get ready to set the Shabbat table, and nourish your fellow Jews with some hearty fare from what has become one of the alltime classic Jewish cookbooks.

This book is very useful and it contains a wealth of information on not just the recipies but also the Mitzvot that apply to the recipies, like separating Challah. However, I give it a point off because it doesn't have any photographs. I know, it's silly, but I like to have photographs of the food so that I can try and see if what I make looks anything like the photos. All in all, a good book though.

I love cookbooks, to read and look through. This one is the best. It has all the basic recipes and loads of information abouth jewish life and general cooking. When I am looking for a good basic recipe I know it will be here. I have given this as a shower gift many times. There are many cookbooks out there with more updated recipes and pictures (this book has no pictures) but when I need something to come out right, not be too difficult, and taste good I go for this book. The brownie and Basic (fruit)filled cakes I have made hundreds of times and they keep asking for them.

This book is awesome! Although indispensable for those who keep kosher, it is wonderful for anyone with tastebuds. (I'm a Christian.) The recipes are much-loved, tried-and-true favorites, which are very clearly written to virtually ensure success (e.g., even telling what size saucepan to use -- which you'll appreciate if you ever had to switch to a larger pan halfway through the recipe, thereby leaving two to scrub). Everything in it is wonderful; these are the recipes folks swear by, so you can try them with complete confidence. Awesome book! It sounds expensive only until you see it.

Wonderful readable useful bnook with private personal thought on the travels each of must take and interesting questions to add to the seder discussion A must for the Passover library

Passover is the ultimate home holiday. But Passover is so much richer than family, friends and food--it is an opportunity to delve into Jewish heritage and find its relevance to so many of today's pressing concerns.David Arnow gives Seder leaders the tools to create spectacular Seders for years to come. Just as the meal takes preparation, the Seder takes preparation beyond using the Haggadah. For all ages, for all levels of knowledge of Jewish history and tradition, David Arnow provides dynamic materials, ideas, questions and methods that are relevant to the present and respectful of the past. No matter how many years you have been conducting Seders, this book will amaze you and enrich your experience.

This book is fascinating. We are sure we will use it as a resource for enhancing our Seder nights for years to come.

The timing couldn't be better for this book to be available -- the idea of preparing to conduct a seder for my unruly family usually fills me with dread. I am now confident that I will be able to capture their imaginations and provide a meaningful, memorable Passover experience. Thank you!

Creating Lively Passover Seders: A Sourcebook Of Engaging Tales, Texts & Activities encourages fresh perspectives and engaging dialogue with regard to reading the Haggadah and celebrating Passover. Written to promote familiarity with the Exodus story, offer insight into the historical background, and bring about increased understanding and enjoyment of the Passover celebration, Creating Lively Passover Seders is both a superb personal reference and a quality companion to planning an unforgettable yearly tradition.

This haggadah made our seder very enjoyable. It is excellent for families with young children, as well as those with both Jews and non-Jews celebrating.

We've been using this haggadah for 5+ years, and just love it. I see there is a new version, so I will be checking that out, but might just buy up a few of the old ones that are left. It is great with the kids, and good for long time jews, new jews, and non-jews... my kids love hopping around the floor during the frog song. And of course, racing through "Who knows one?".

This is the 3rd year we've used this haggadah--we decided to invest in enough for the whole table. It's great because it's got clearly written Hebrew, English and transliteration. It's simple, with good questions and comments in the sidebars to spark some additional conversation. Your seder can be simple and straightforward, or more thought-provoking using this haggadah. I also like the CD of Passover songs that is available to go with this. We had fun singing along while preparing our Pesach meal! If the illustrations were better, I'd give it 5 stars.

This Haggadah has been used in our family for over 10 years and is appropriate for the traditional members, the less indoctrinated, and the children. There are activities to include the youngest members and questions to involve the sophisticated participants. The participation in a Seder is for everyone, and this Haggadah is inclusive of all!

We used A Family Haggadah at the last Passover Seder. The children found it easy to follow and understand. The adults liked the special commentaries and additional information. Everyone said it helped make the Seder special.

We used this Haggadah for the first time this year for a multi-generational seder, and everyone loved it. It gave a more modern twist to the Passover story and each of us learned something new that we did not know, even my 84 year old mother! I would recommend this highly.

This haggadah is very family friendly. The service covers all of the importaint parts of the service, but in a way that everyone at the seder can understand. Also, it doen't take all night to get to dinner, so you're not totally starving by the time the meal comes. We have been using this book for years and are very happy with it.

I loved this Haggadah - simple, traditional and everyone loved it. We had several inquiries as to where we got it. The best Haggadah for reformt through conservative, kids to adults.

I've used this haggadah for several years now. Everyone who has come to my seder has enjoyed it (both Passover newbies and those growing up with it). It is quick, easy to understand, and has a great retelling of the story.

An easy to use Haggadah which should please just about everybody: people who like Hebrew, those who don't and those who need explanation.

I bought this to hold Seder in my student home. It was my first Seder, as well as the first for all present. This book made it very easy to accomplish, as well as a lot of fun. Just remember, it goes from back to front :)

Eson's Haggadah is an excellent addition to this literary and religious tradition. He brings new insights and new explanations to this venerable literature. It is worth reading and using.

The Passover Haggadah For All generations is truly designed for all participants,young and old, attending the family Seder. With chldren in mind, Dr.Eson has clarified and developed through extensive research answers to questions that the probing young mind might have. It is truly a different Haggadah and is sure to make the family Seder an exciting experience.

We have a new contribution to Passover this year from Morris Eson, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the State University of New York at Albany and long-time member of Temple Israel in Albany. Together with Devora Heckelman, a member of the United Synagogue Commission on Education and con to several Solomon Schecter Day Schools, and Fay Silton, Education Director at Temple Israel, Morris Eson has produced a valuable pedagogical tool designed not only to enliven th Passover seder but to serve as a supplementary text for middle school and secondary school students in their study of the Book of Exodus.
The Haggadah contains all the basic elements of the traditional Passover service plus valuable commentary and historical information based on the writings of Judaic scholars and Eson's own reflections. According to the author, many of the segments are designed to be read aloud by participants, serving to maintain a high level of interest. He notes also that the commentary draws from a wide variety of sources - historical, scientific, literary, as well as from his own imagination.
Besides offering helpful explanations of the origins of Passover rituals, the new Haggadah provides many opportunities for children and youth to participate. Notes throughout the text are drawn from both ancient and modern sources, serving as a bridge between the different generations at the Seder table as well as a bride from the present to the past. The author also includes suggestions of discussion topics to enhance conversions during the meal (e.g. "Our people's Fascination, with Language.). Mixing the traditional with the innovative, this Haggadah will appeal to those looking for a Passover study experience.

Despite trying new haggadahs, it's always been difficult to have two seders every year be continually interesting and a new learning experience for our children, ourselves, and our guests. It also becomes expensive to buy new sets of haggadahs. So it was a wonderful find to discover A PASSOVER HAGGADAH FOR ALL GENERATIONS - A MODERN MIDRASH. It keeps the traditional Hebrew while it brings new insights and commentaries for lively discussion. Dividing the commentaries into a four year cycle helps us viscerally understand that we continue to learn from the tradition, though our family has to be self-disciplined not to use all the commentaries in any given year. We also like the format, lots of white space and easy to read. This is a hagaddah to use and to keep using.

Finally, a warm and insightful approach to simplifying what is, for some, the overwhelming preparation for the seder. The explanations, stories, and recipes have eased the anxiety usually felt in getting ready for the holiday. This book has me feeling more relaxed about creating a meaningful Passover. I even plan on inviting a few extra people this year! Thank you Kays for this wonderful book.

Wow! Who knew Passover could be so wacky and wonderful! Alan and Jo Kay delight in their first offering. This is clearly the most influential Passover book ever written! Cleverly scribed and wickedly entertaining, the Kays' masterpiece is sure to bring a smile even to Haman's face. The best part, you ask? The cover is made of Matzah! Mazel Tov!

Wow - I was really impressed with this book 'Make Your Own Passover Seder' - really enjoyable and the perfect gift to bring to a Seder for your host or hostess! I am hoping that the author creates more books for other Jewish holidays as well! Pick it up now!

This year we made our own seder, we never had to do anything ever before because we always went to my in-laws for both nights. The in-laws retired to Florida this year and we decided to carry on the tradition in our home. "Make Your Own Passover Seder" was so helpful with every step of the way! An easy to follow how-to book that inspired us to start our own special family traditions and kept us very organized. About a month before Passover we started to go through the book and flag pages with great ideas to add to our very own seder. From choosing a haggadah to making charoset the book taught us how to create a meaningful celebration! We loved the recipes, and so did our guests! Our family couldn't stop talking about our First Passover Seder! Jay & Maryann Lebowitz

The Kays' book is one of those rare creations, a Passover guide that manages to be both entertaining, informative, and as captivating as a great novel. The Kays undertake a bold task, making Passover both spiritually rewarding and fun, and they accomplish their goal spectacularly. They provide the readers with real-life anecdotes, elaborative explanations of traditions, and ample suggestions on how to spice up the Passover Seder. As insightful as their writing is witty, the Kays infuse their wonderful book with modern sensitivies and sensibilities, suggesting alternatives for non-traditional families that are still very much within the spirit of the Holiday. In short, the Kays' is the quintessential Passover guide, enriching every Jewish library with the gift of this important holiday made approachable and fascinating.

I love this cookbook. I have yet to be disappointed in any recipe I have made from it. I gave a copy to my best friend, who cooks all of our passover seders. They always have a large number of people at their seders, and the recipes in this cookbook worked well when doubled or quadrupled.

from Norene Gilletz, author of "The Food Processor Bible" and "MealLeaniYumm! 800 Fast, Fabulous & Healthy Recipes", ...

Joan Kekst truly understands that everyone recalls the aroma and nostalgia of childhood Passovers with their grandparents. Her user-friendly, comprehensive cookbook will help both the new and experienced cook capture and create traditional Passover flavors. It contains a complete "Countdown to Passover" guide to help busy cooks and their families organize holiday preparations into easy steps. Kekst also includes Sephardic and Ashenazic specialties, dishes that can be made in advance, foods that children will love, and low-fat/low-cholesterol and vegetarian recipe suggestions. You'll find delicious recipes for dishes like Passover Grilled Cheese "Sandwiches," Potato Knishes with Caramelized Onions, Boneless Stuffed Breast of Veal, as well as Spinach Moussaka that can be made pareve or dairy. A friend raved about Joan's Chocolate Chip Cookies, giving them the ultimate compliment - "These cookies sure don't taste like Passover!"

Reviewer: Norene Gilletz, Kosher cookbook author of "The Food Processor Bible" and "MealLeaniYumm! 800 Fast, Fabulous & Healthy Recipes"

Joan Kekst truly understands that everyone recalls the aroma, nostalgia and 'taste memories' of childhood Passovers with their grandparents. Her user-friendly, comprehensive cookbook helps both the new and experienced cook capture and create traditional Passover flavors. In addition to wonderful recipes, it also contains a complete ýCountdown to Passoverý guide to help busy cooks and their families organize holiday preparations into easy steps. Kekst includes Sephardic and Ashenazic specialties, dishes that can be made in advance, foods that children will love, and low-fat/low-cholesterol and vegetarian recipe suggestions.

Recipes include Boneless Stuffed Breast of Veal, Potato Knishes with Carmelized Onions, Spinach Moussaka, and Passover Grilled Cheese "Sandwiches." A friend raved about the Chocolate Chip Cookies, giving them the ultimate compliment - "These sure don't taste like Passover!" Passover Cookery is sure to provide many traditional and new food memories.

Joan Kekst is a Cleveland food columnist, lecturer, kosher cooking instructor, and passionate cook who in Passover Cookery has compiled and indispensable guide designed for the novice cook seeking to prepare a memorable Passover dining experience. Every aspect of this Jewish holiday meal is covered including its requirements, customs, unique cooking ingredients, and the symbolic foods of the Seder table. Passover Cookery provides a six week "Countdown to Passover" guide to help busy cooks and families break down their holiday preparations into easy, worry-free steps for each week, resulting in healthy, tantalizing, and meaningful dinners for each of the eight days of this annual celebration. Passover Cookery is a "must" for anyone facing the preparation of their first Passover celebration, and has much of value for even the more experienced Passover kitchen cook.

Judy Bart Kancigor is the author of Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family

"Passover Cookery" by Joan Kekst (Five Star Publications $24.95) is no ordinary matzo masquerade on parade. I'll be serving her Chicken Roulade with Scallion Sauce year round. Ditto her New York Style Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse. Her full page on the proper beating of eggs is alone worth the price of the book! (My aunt's lemon sponge cake swelled from nice try to mile high under her tutelage.) "Passover Cookery" is more than a collection of recipes. It's a Passover primer, with equal appeal to mavens and neophytes. Especially helpful are her Six-Week Countdown to Passover and sample menus. A welcome twist are Kekst's low-fat Passover tips. (Low fat? Passover? Think that's an oxymoron?) "If you over-indulge on a one-day holiday, it's not so bad," says Kekst, "but keep that up for a whole week, and you'll get in trouble," so the book features a variety of fruit desserts and sorbets as well as defatting options throughout. I caught up with Kekst as she was preparing for her family's seder (the festive Passover meal) as she has for the last 20 years since her mother-in-law packed away her Passover dishes, pots and pans, put them in Kekst's car and said, "It's your turn from now on." 37 family members will attend, but with four out of five of her children local, "I never peel a carrot or dice an apple. They all just fall in and out of my house and do their jobs."

I wanted a fun haggadah for a very mixed family passover (ages and religious background) and this one was PERFECT. It had great pictures and some of the wording had been added to or changed to give everyone at the table a chuckle. It was especially entertaining for those of us who have sat through many years with one of the older standard haggadahs.

I bought 5 copies from the author just before Passover and had to order 15 more within 2 days. People were saying that they had been waiting for this book to come along. I will always carry it around Passover time and all I can say is I hope Richard Codor keeps writing books about Jewish holidays.

When my kids were younger, I'd look every year for a Haggadah that we could use at our seders. I never found one that I liked very much--they were either too dry, too long, too abbreviated, etc. Richard Codor's Joyous Haggadah seems perfect to me. The drawings are cute, the story is appropriately abbreviated, and it's not dry. When my 13-year-old daughter and her friend saw the book on our kitchen table, they picked it up immediately, started oohing over the pictures, and then read the whole thing. I have to say that's a first for any Haggadah in this house.

"Richard Codor's Joyous Haggadah" is a 48-page cartoon-style illustrated story of Passover and the Jewish celebration called Haggadah. Richard and Liora Codor created this thoroughly 'child friendly' explanation of the meaning of Haggadah, the games and celebratory elements associated with it, in order to inform and inspire children to join in. The text is organized in traditional order, with the prayers and customs being concise and written in English, transliterated in English, and in Hebrew. There are sing-along-songs, easy to make recipes that will fully engage young celebrants. From the blessing of the wine (Kadesh) and the washing of hands (U-Rechatz), to telling the story (Maggid) and bitter herbs (Maror), to the festive meal (Shulchan Orekh) and the hidden desert (Tzafun), and especially to praising God (Hallel), Featuring Jo Ellingson's graphic design, deftly edited by Zelda Shluker, and featuring Hebrew type by Rachel Fyman, "Richard Codor's Joyous Haggadah" is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library reference collections for children about the annual Jewish celebration of Haggadah.

This is not your standard Haggadah. This one tells the Passover story with wit and is illustrated with humorous drawings that are funny and detailed. You'll recognize your Uncle Hy and Aunt Esther among the depicted celebrants. Jewish history wasn't this funny since Mel Brooks "2000 Year Old Man." Check out the Hebrew man tapping his foot nervously while waiting for the bread to rise in the convection oven while most of his tribe is already on the go. And, the little boy who just before crossing the Red Sea, stops to relieve himself near a cactus bush. And then there are the three Patriarchs (who knows three?) dancing the hora, and the four Matriarchs (who knows four?) doing the "walk like an Egyptian" move. My personal favorite is the Marx Brothers as the Four Sons - Groucho as the wise child and Harpo as the simple child. So why is this night different from all other nights? With this Haggadah on hand this night can be serious fun!