Telling the Story: A Passover Haggadah Explained

Book Description

Authentic and simple, this retelling of the Passover story in the Haggadah is designed to guide Passover participants through the Seder while educating them about the practice. Detailing the meaning of the ceremony in the past and present, the book also discusses the authenticity of the ceremony and the story, allowing those with little or no experience conducting a Seder to do so with confidence. A phonetic version of the Hebrew text is also included to aid those unfamiliar with Hebrew pronunciation.

Customer Reviews:

New Haggadah for Passover.......2007-03-27

"Award-winning children's author Barry Louis Polisar distills the Seder into easy-to-follow steps and gives historical background so we can understand why we do what we do each year and help reconnect with the original spiritual reasons that gave birth to our traditions."
Hadassah Magazine

"Polisar's name may be familiar to readers; he is the author of Don't Do That, Peculiar Zoo, The Haunted House Party, and other books beloved by generations of children. His retelling of the Passover story for use as a Haggadah, however, is not aimed narrowly at children. Polisar's narrative is clear and simple without being in any way patronizing to the broad age range likely to read or hear this Haggadah; the illustrations, supplied by Polisar's daughter, are vivid and exciting without distracting needlessly from the story being told. Reccomended for most collections."
Library Journal

"Award-winning children's author Barry Louis Polisar is known for writing hilariously anarchic books and songs for children. With 'Telling The Story--A Passover Haggadah Explained' however, he plays it straight. He turns his talents to creating a basic Haggadah that will help reconnect families with the spiritual reasons behind the practices. He does a superb job at presenting the Seder's concepts behnd the practices in a clear and meaningful way, while still keeping his Haggadah relatively brief. Attractive and nicely designed, "Telling The Story' features sensitive illustrations by Polisar's daughter."
Jewish Woman Magazine

"Explains each step in the Seder in simple language to provide a deeper understanding of the spiritual reason behind each practice and the origins of the Passover traditions....Simple enough for older children to read and understand, it even comes with pre-stained wine drops on the pages about the ten plagues!"
Rockland New Jersey Jewish Media Group's Top Choices

"Creatively illustrated in full color by the author's daughter, "Telling The Story" is a new retelling of the Passover story for use as a Haggadah for families. Polisar's narrative is clear and simple in a way that is accessible to everyone."
New Mexico Jewish Link

"Authentic and simple, this retelling of the Passover story in the Haggadah is designed to guide Passover participants through the Seder while educating them about the practice. Detailing the meaning of the ceremony in the past and present, the book also discusses the authenticity of the ceremony and the story, allowing those with little or no experience conducting a Seder to do so with confidence. A phonetic version of the Hebrew text is also included to aid those unfamiliar with Hebrew pronunciation."
Judaism.com

"Passover is synonymous with awe-inspiring miracles, horrific plagues and, of course, the infamous fifth question: When do we eat? How can the centerpiece of the holiday, the seder, be transformed into an experience that is meaningful to almost anyone, instead of a boring and seemingly interminable impediment to dinner? Polisar's Haggadah, 'Telling the Story: A Passover Haggadah Explained,' draws on Haggadot from many denominations, features straightforward explanations and illustrations, ample but concise Exodus narrative, and a smattering of Hebrew accompanied by translations and transliterations. 'I emphasize the Torah commandment to 're-tell the story' every year,' Polisar explained. 'The actual re-telling of the story sometimes gets obscured by later customs and writings. I think that becoming aware of the origins of the Passover rituals - and how those rituals have evolved over time - can enrich the meaning of the holiday for people.'"
Washington Jewish Week

"Beautifully done! A lot of families will be grateful for making the Seder experience more accessible."
Rabbi David Shneyer, AmKolel

Four Special Questions: A Passover Story (Festival Time)

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A Very Nice Series

Four Special Questions: A Passover Story (Festival Time)
Jonny Zucker
Manufacturer: Barron''s Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764122673

Book Description

A mother, father, and three young children in a typical Jewish family celebrate their most important holidays in the attractively illustrated Festival Time books, which speak not only to Jewish children but to boys and girls of all faiths. This simple and delightful introduction to the Jewish holiday of Passover describes a family as they celebrate their festival of freedom. They prepare the six different types of food on the Seder plate, ask the four traditional questions, and hunt for the Afikoman. (Ages 3Â-7)

Customer Reviews:

A Very Nice Series.......2005-03-11

This series (Festival Time!) is very good. I enjoyed this book as much as others in the series. It allows me to teach about holidays in a simple manner to young students or emergent readers. Many books are too difficult or confusing. Four Special Questions is a good Passover book.

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Complete and accurate

The Story of Passover
Francis Barry Silberg
Manufacturer: Candy Cane Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0824941462

Book Description

For thousands of years, Jews have gathered during Passover to celebrate God's love and protection. This boardbook explains this ancient event in a manner so simple that even the youngest child will understand its historical significance.

Customer Reviews:

Complete and accurate.......2002-02-27

This excellent board book is a simple, historical account of Passover as found in the book of Exodus. It's wordy enough to be enjoyed by older children. The colorful pictures still capture the attention of younger children. Candy Cane Press has a whole series of board books covering all sorts of holidays, and I've liked every one of them. The perspective is religious, but not preachy. I appreciate the simplified but accurate stories

Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover

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Perfect for tikes
Hilarious Book about Seder
A great story in rhyme for the younger set (ages 3-8)

Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover
Deborah Uchill Miller
Manufacturer: Kar-Ben Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 093049413X

Book Description

A seder for 19 with seating for 9
Will some have to stand while the others recline?

A rhyming tale for young and old presents a new solution to an old dilemma -- the overcrowded seder. A Passover classic.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for tikes.......2002-03-30

This darling 37-page book offers even the smallest of children--babies and toddlers too--a funny Passover feast.

The poem has barely more than 200 words, but hilariously recounts the arrival of guests--while counting their 19 noses, 38 thumbs, freckles and the hosts' insufficient chairs. It wanders through places they might find seats, including "in the attic,/ Or on bookshelves in pairs,"... "in the sink/ Soaking suds with the pans," camped out "in the carport" or in "empty trash cans."

For the Kiddush (blessing the wine) the family will stand, so that's no problem, but the child narrator knows that sitting down for the meal will land "half on the floor." He thinks of stacking everyone in one chair, and reading "the Haggadah/ Sing songs filled with hope,/ With one book at the bottom/And a long periscope."

I won't spoil any of the glorious special effects. Suffice it to say, readers will delight in the book's dipping of greens, funny hiding of matzah and hysterical asking of four questions. (Even Elijah brings a laugh.) Children also love the simple pen and ink drawings that bring this light-heartedness to life. Alyssa A. Lappen

Hilarious Book about Seder.......2000-03-22

What I like most about this book is that it is so differentfrom the average Jewish children's book. Instead of going through theseder and what each thing symbolizes, it tells a humorous story about a girl worried that there will not be sufficient seating at her family's seder table. Its a funny book, that just happens to occur during Pesach. A real treat.

A great story in rhyme for the younger set (ages 3-8).......1999-01-02

A very clever poem about celelbrating the Seder when there is not enough room. Especially nice for non-orthodox families because the characters could be us and the traditions referenced in the book are probably familiar to most readers even if not orthodox. And the last line of the book makes me smile time and time again. I think I may it enjoy it more than my children. Get it. You can't go wrong.

Leading The Passover Journey: The Seder's Meaning Revealed, The Haggadah's Story Retold

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Leading the Passover Journey
Wonderful and Insightful
Brings the fifteen pieces of the traditional Seder into plain-terms, contemporary rendition of the Passover story
Excellent Resource for Anyone Leading or Attending a Seder
One of the best in years

Leading The Passover Journey: The Seder's Meaning Revealed, The Haggadah's Story Retold
Nathan Laufer
Manufacturer: Jewish Lights Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1580232116

Book Description

Enrich Your Passover Seder with Renewed Meaning and Significance

Whether you are planning to participate in, contribute to, or lead a Passover Seder, Leading the Passover Journey will help you relive the Jewish People's legacy of survival, hope, and redemption, and reconnect with the rich heritage celebrated in this special event.

Reclaim the hidden meaning of the Passover Seder. Connect the pieces of the Haggadah narrative into one meaningful, cohesive story. From preparing for Passover to understanding the order of the Seder, from eating the meal of freedom in the house of slavery to reenacting the saga at the sea, this fascinating exploration of the texts and traditions surrounding the most celebrated event in the Jewish calendar will awaken latent knowledge and provide new understanding. It will empower you to fully understand and identify with the complete story of the Jewish People's journey of liberation.

Customer Reviews:

Leading the Passover Journey.......2007-07-19

This is the best book on the Passover Seder feast and all its symbolic meanings that I have ever seen. Author Rabbi Nathan Laufer finds the scriptural and historic roots to the foods and items on the Seder plate. His insights are genious, and very enlightening!

Wonderful and Insightful.......2007-04-30

This book is one of the best I've read. You can tell by the complete detail of the amazing information unfolded in this book that the author not only took great care in researching the topic but that he is also passionate about the profound meaning found in Passover. I have been touched greatly by this book. I thank the author greatly for writting this book and forever changing the meaning of Passover for me and my family and many families alike. You have to buy this book!

Brings the fifteen pieces of the traditional Seder into plain-terms, contemporary rendition of the Passover story.......2005-07-04

Rabbi Nathan Laufer presents Leading The Passover Journey: The Seder's Meaning Revealed, The Haggadah's Story Retold, brings the fifteen pieces of the traditional Seder into plain-terms, contemporary rendition of the Passover story. Combining scholarly insight with an uplifting conviction in the power and meaning of the Passover journey to reinforce one's Jewish identity and relationship with God, Leading The Passover Journey transforms the experience and the history behind it into a message readily accessible to readers of all backgrounds and levels of familiarity with Jewish tradition. Highly recommended particularly as an introductory to lay readers and novice scholars striving to better understand the Seder and the Haggadah's story.

Excellent Resource for Anyone Leading or Attending a Seder.......2005-04-21

I found this book so fascinating that I couldn't put it down! I will incorporate the book's teachings into my family's Seders this year. Rabbi Laufer takes the reader step-by-step through the Seder and offers many interesting insights along the way. A must read!

One of the best in years.......2005-04-12

Put an end to boring Seders. This is a great Haggadah, the best in years, perfect for anyone who wants to have intelligent comments to make at their Seder. Even for those who are familiar with the text of the Haggadah, there are many, many original thoughts that seem so obvious that you wonder why you didn't think of them yourself. The layout of the book makes it easy for those who use a non-traditional text at their Seder to find the texts relevant to their Seder and to use them.

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The Matzah Man: A Passover Story
Naomi Howland
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0618117504

Book Description

In this lively adaptation of "The Gingerbread Boy," a bold little man made of matzah jumps out of the baker's oven and leads him and everyone in the neighborhoodall of whom are preparing for Passoveron a merry chase. With colossal chutzpah, the Matzah Man taunts Cousin Tillie as she is cooking brisket, Auntie Bertha trying on her new spring shoes, and Grandpapa Solly making gefilte fish. He at last arrives on the doorstep of clever Mendel Fox, who offers him a hiding place under the Passover matzah coverand when the seder meal begins, that's the end of the Matzah Man! As she did in Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat, Naomi Howland has created a humorous tale, charmingly illustrated, that overflows with holiday festivity. Glossary.

Average customer rating:

Great Book for Passover

Matzah Ball Soup: A Passover Story
Joan Rothenberg
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786802022

Customer Reviews:

Great Book for Passover.......2000-04-05

I bought this book for my 3 year old daughter, and she just loves it. The illustrations are great, really bright and catchy. The story is easy to follow and is a little more general than a lot of the Jewish holiday books. It does not emphasize the religious as much as the family tradition. Focuses on family bonding through the generations.

Pearl's Passover: A Family Celebration through Stories, Recipes, Crafts, and Songs

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Pearl's Passover: A Family Celebration through Stories, Recipes, Crafts, and Songs
Jane Breskin Zalben
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0689814879

Book Description

It's time for Passover and Pearl and her brother, Avi, are helping to prepare the house for company. Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Rachel, Uncle Solly, and "the two terrors from Teaneck," cousins Harry and Sophie, are coming to spend the holiday at Pearl's house. Pearl frets about getting along with her cousins. Her brother, Avi, is anxious about reciting the Four Questions at the Seder. But as soon as the guests arrive, Pearl and her cousins are too busy baking matzoh, making Passover place cards, matzoh covers, and preparing the Seder plate to worry about anything. As Pearl's family comes together for Passover, she learns the importance of family and faith and finds out that the real meaning of the holiday only grows stronger when it is shared with loved ones.

Jane Breskin Zalben's intricately detailed, jewel-like illustrations are a delight to the eye and evoke the warmth and joy of Passover. Easy-to-follow instructions and recipes are included for each activity, making this ideal for families who want to include their children in their holiday festivities.

Book Description

It's Passover at the Pinsky home. Before the seder, Mama tells a very important story to Elijah and Miriam-- how the Jewish people were led out of Egypt by Moses. But this year, Mama includes another part to the story: the part about Miriam, Moses's sister. It was Miriam who watched over her baby brother in the bulrushes, who led the women in song when crossing the Red Sea, and who kept the Israelites alive in the desert with water from her miraculous well. This beautifully illustrated, deeply spiritual book celebrates a beloved prophet and reminds us of the magic of holidays and remembrance.

Customer Reviews:

A Woman's Role in the Bible Revealed!.......2002-06-20

It is wonderful that books are being written that show women's influence in Biblical times, especially for children. Miriam is an inspiring heroine in her care of the Hebrew people, bringing them water even in the driest desert. That's why we drink from Miriam's Cup on Passover and it is her story we read here.

My 7-year-old daughter, who is at the beginning of her religious education enjoyed the story and the illustrations and we now have "Miriam's Cup" at all our Passover seders.

A Wonderful New Tradition.......2002-02-07

This is a wonderful book. My children really enjoyed it, but my daughter just a little bit more than her brother. It was a pleasure to see my daughter realize that there are women that have made their mark on history.

A New Tradition.......1999-04-02

I stumbled on this book by accident and I'm so glad I did! This beautifully illustrated book brings the passover story to life. It introduces a new custom of placing a cup for Miriam the prophet on the seder table to honor her and the women of the passover story. We introduced this new tradition at our seders this year and it was met with great appreciation by all in attendance.

Stresses women's role in Passover and Exodus.......1999-02-10

I am a Lutheran church librarian. This excellent book about Passover stresses the female role in the story. So often Bible stories stress only men's roles. I buy those, but also go out of my way to find those that stress roles of women to inspire our daughters and granddaughters. Women are religious too, and have great roles to play. This story is told from Miriam's point of view. A modern day little girl named Miriam is told the Passover story by her Mom. We thus go back in time, seeing the Passover story from the ancient Miriam's point of view: the fact that she prophesied her brother Moses' birth and that he would be the Israelite leader; the role of Moses' mother, pharoah's wife, and even the two midwives who birthed Moses but refused to kill him as ordered by the pharaoh, the first act of civil disobedience reported in the Bible. As a Lutheran, I enjoy the Midrashic legendary spin in stories such as this. It adds life to worn and dusty stories. Several other important things about this book are: a modern day song about Miriam on the back cover for use at home or in Sunday School, a historical note at the end of the story, a bibliography for those who want to know more, and the fantastic illustrations in blue-violet and burnt orange done in watercolor, by Bob Dacey, chair of the Visual Arts Dept. at Syracuse University. This is an excellent book both for Jewish and Christian children. For those of you who may also be interested in other Biblical storybooks about girls and women, I can suggest A Prayer for the Earth: The story of Naamah, Noah's Wife by Sandy Sasso. In this book Naamah is seen as the preserver of all the plants on the earth, at God's direction. Noah handles the fauna, Naamah handles the flora. A lovely story. Another is Mary's First Christmas by Walter Wangerin, Jr., in which Mary retells the story of Jesus' birth to the young Jesus. Others are Young Mary of Nazareth by Marianne Mayer, Queen Esther Saves Her People by Ruth Golden Gelman, Queen of Sheba (don't know author) and Ruth Sanderson's Tapestries: Stories of Women in the Bible, with illustrations resembling Victorian petit-point. I would like to find an illustrated storybook on Martin Luther, Ruth and Naomi, Martha and Mary and the like done as well as Miriam's Cup.

My first Passover haggadah: A story and activity book

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My first Passover haggadah: A story and activity book
Sol Scharfstein
Manufacturer: KTAV
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 0881251976

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