The best Haggadahs for a meaningful and participatory Passover Seder

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a Conservative Rabbi who served Temple Sholom in Bridgewater NJ from 1975-2015. I'm currently the Rabbi of Beth Judah Temple in Wildwood New Jersey. I've always been intrigued with the Haggadah and its origins, and for almost 50 years I've hosted the Passover seders at my home. I always wanted to search for just the right Haggadah that I could use to make the experience fun and participatory for all. Because of my passion for wanting to give participants at my seder a positive experience, I decided to write my own Haggadah, I've written several including Seder in Motion: A Haggadah to Move Body and Soul coauthored with my wife Leora Isaacs.


I wrote...

Seder in Motion: A Haggadah to Move Body and Soul

By Ron Isaacs, Leora Isaacs, Martin Wickstrom (illustrator)

Book cover of Seder in Motion: A Haggadah to Move Body and Soul

What is my book about?

Our book allows participants to fully engage themselves—body, mind, and soul—in the miracle of redemption and freedom that is Passover. The Haggadah has activities (including hand signing) to move our bodies, as well as mindfulness exercises to engage our senses and connect with our spirits. It also includes an exploration of Passover traditions from around the world, from the Moroccan custom of passing a platter of matzah overhead to symbolizing the “passing over,” to the Bukharian reenactment of the flight from Egypt. Game and fun facts are also included, and there is ample transliteration so that all can participate. Through active participation and using the traditional seder text, Seder in Motion invites families to connect personally to the story of the flight from slavery to freedom.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of A Different Night, The Family Participation Haggadah

Ron Isaacs Why did I love this book?

I love this Haggadah and have used it for many of my family seders (especially with there are both adults and children. I especially like the offering of stories, readings, as well as commentaries, and activities that have fueled my dynamic seders with storytelling and discussion, dramatics, and singing. The many illustrations drawn from medieval and modern artists serve as visual commentaries that evoke discussion. One example that allows for discussion is an artistic portrayal of the Four Children in a variety of Haggadahs that helps to encourage comparison and debate. This Haggadah is inclusive, pluralistic, and includes transliterations and contemporary translations that make the traditional Hebrew accessible to all. 

By Noam Zion, David Dishon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Different Night, The Family Participation Haggadah as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is the haggadah that has changed the American seder. First published in 1997, it's a full traditional seder, but with large amounts of art and commentaries, and discussion starters -- all in a user-friendly format that makes it easy to customize your seder. The Four Children section (with 20 representations going back to 1526) is already a classic. Easy-to-follow instructions make this book accessible to even a novice seder leader; and the many short commentaries will enrich anyone's Passover. Now in a new edition, with an added 32 pages of Passover stories.


Book cover of A Family Haggadah I

Ron Isaacs Why did I love this book?

A Family Haggadah is a favorite of mine, and we have used it on many occasions when my children were younger. This Haggadah is a sequel to the successful My Very Own Haggadah that was created for kids 3-7. The author has drawn on her experience as a parent, religious school director, and family educator to create just the right blend of text and commentary, tradition and innovation. It includes interesting questions for discussion as well as Passover facts and games to play. The transliteration is also invaluable in making the traditional Hebrew accessible to all. 

By Shoshana Silberman, Katherine Janus Kahn (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Family Haggadah I as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With just the right blend of text and commentary, the popular A Family Haggadah, with new full-color art, is the haggadah of choice for families with young children to use at their Passover seders. Hebrew prayers and songs include English translations and transliterations.


Book cover of Passover Haggadah: The Feast of Freedom

Ron Isaacs Why did I love this book?

This Haggadah is a product of the Rabbinical Assembly of America, the Union of Conservative Rabbis of which I am a proud member. We have used this Haggadah when our participants at our seder included more adults than children. The Haggadah includes a guide to the requisite rituals, detailing how and why each ritual is performed. There is also ample commentary on the text, explaining passages and provoking questions, in order to engage participants, Finally, alternative readings are included to replace or augment the text. 

By Rachel Anne Rabbinowicz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Passover Haggadah as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This bestselling Passover haggadah has been a user-friendly favorite at seders for a generation. Provocative and stimulating commentary, clear instructions, and bold artwork grace the pages of this contemporary American classic. Full-color artwork by Dan Reisinger.


Book cover of We Tell It to Our Children: The Story of Passover

Ron Isaacs Why did I love this book?

This Haggadah is a Haggadah that is ideal when there are younger children at the seder. What makes the Haggadah unique are its puppets (included with the book) which need to be prepared and assembled prior to the seder. Many parts of the seder are set up as a script of a play, where parts can be given out to read. There are also original fun songs to sing. When my children were younger, I used this Haggadah with enormous success, and still have the puppets which I hope to use now with my grandchildren!

By Mary Ann Wark,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked We Tell It to Our Children as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Book by Wark, Mary Ann


Book cover of Simply Seder: A Haggadah and Passover Planner

Ron Isaacs Why did I love this book?

This Haggadah is perfect for families that want to include all of the traditional sections of the seder without spending a lot of time in discussion and study of text. Nicely illustrated and fully transliterated, the Haggadah also includes interesting facts as well as thought questions throughout. For example, the Haggadah explains that in the Ha Lachma anya section (let all who are hungry eat) early in the seder that the language of Aramaic is used. This is a reminder that when we welcome the stranger, we invite our guest in the language he or she will understand  

By Behrman House,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Simply Seder as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Hosting your first seder? This haggadah and planning guide will help you every step of the way. Everything you need for a meaningful yet concise seder perfect for families of all ages.


You might also like...

I Meant to Tell You

By Fran Hawthorne,

Book cover of I Meant to Tell You

Fran Hawthorne Author Of I Meant to Tell You

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Museum guide Foreign language student Runner Community activist Former health-care journalist

Fran's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

When Miranda’s fiancé, Russ, is being vetted for his dream job in the U.S. attorney’s office, the couple joke that Miranda’s parents’ history as antiwar activists in the Sixties might jeopardize Russ’s security clearance. In fact, the real threat emerges when Russ’s future employer discovers that Miranda was arrested for felony kidnapping seven years earlier—an arrest she’d never bothered to tell Russ about.

Miranda tries to explain that she was only helping her best friend, in the midst of a nasty custody battle, take her daughter to visit her parents in Israel. As Miranda struggles to prove that she’s not a criminal, she stumbles into other secrets that will challenge what she thought she knew about her own family, her friend, Russ—and herself.

I Meant to Tell You

By Fran Hawthorne,

What is this book about?

When Miranda’s fiancé, Russ, is being vetted for his dream job in the U.S. attorney’s office, the couple joke that Miranda’s parents’ history as antiwar activists in the Sixties might jeopardize Russ’s security clearance. In fact, the real threat emerges when Russ’s future employer discovers that Miranda was arrested for felony kidnapping seven years earlier—an arrest she’d never bothered to tell Russ about.

Miranda tries to explain that she was only helping her best friend, in the midst of a nasty custody battle, take her daughter to visit her parents in Israel. As Miranda struggles to prove that she’s not…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Haggadah, passover, and Judaism?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Haggadah, passover, and Judaism.

Haggadah Explore 10 books about Haggadah
Passover Explore 15 books about passover
Judaism Explore 88 books about Judaism