100 books like Simply Seder

By Behrman House,

Here are 100 books that Simply Seder fans have personally recommended if you like Simply Seder. Shepherd is a community of 11,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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

Book cover of A Different Night, The Family Participation Haggadah

Ron Isaacs Author Of Seder in Motion: A Haggadah to Move Body and Soul

From my list on Haggadahs for a meaningful 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.

Ron's book list on Haggadahs for a meaningful Passover Seder

Ron Isaacs Why did Ron 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 Author Of Seder in Motion: A Haggadah to Move Body and Soul

From my list on Haggadahs for a meaningful 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.

Ron's book list on Haggadahs for a meaningful Passover Seder

Ron Isaacs Why did Ron 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 Author Of Seder in Motion: A Haggadah to Move Body and Soul

From my list on Haggadahs for a meaningful 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.

Ron's book list on Haggadahs for a meaningful Passover Seder

Ron Isaacs Why did Ron 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 Author Of Seder in Motion: A Haggadah to Move Body and Soul

From my list on Haggadahs for a meaningful 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.

Ron's book list on Haggadahs for a meaningful Passover Seder

Ron Isaacs Why did Ron 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 Passover Haggadah

Stuart Leven Author Of The Passover Story Haggadah: A New Narrative for a Modern Seder

From my list on Passover Haggadahs.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have led many seders using a traditional Haggadah. We would just recite the Haggadah at the seder and put the books away until Passover of the following year. And then one year, after Passover, I read the Haggadah in earnest. I realized that the traditional Haggadah didn’t tell the Passover story very well, that big chunks of the story were missing, that much of the time we had no understanding of what we were reading, and that, for literally decades, we had been doing a rote recitation with little meaning. It was because of that realization that I decided to write my Haggadah.

Stuart's book list on Passover Haggadahs

Stuart Leven Why did Stuart love this book?

The venerable Goldberg Haggadah is a wonderful example of a traditional Haggadah. I led seders using it for many years. The translation is very accessible, easy for all participants to read. The book has a great cover, both front and back, which normally wouldn’t be important in a book recommendation, but there is something almost magical about this cover – it just gives the feeling that you’re going to have a wonderful seder. The interior is nicely designed, with clear delineation of paragraphs, lots of white space, attractive fonts in Hebrew and English, and simple but expressive illustrations, all of which are important for a book that will be recited out loud.

By Rabbi Nathan Goldberg,

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?

Passover Haggadah: A New English Translation and Instructions for the Seder, New Revised Edition It includes the full text and translation, plus instructions, notes and an introduction. Convenient and ideal for groups.


Book cover of Passover Haggada

Stuart Leven Author Of The Passover Story Haggadah: A New Narrative for a Modern Seder

From my list on Passover Haggadahs.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have led many seders using a traditional Haggadah. We would just recite the Haggadah at the seder and put the books away until Passover of the following year. And then one year, after Passover, I read the Haggadah in earnest. I realized that the traditional Haggadah didn’t tell the Passover story very well, that big chunks of the story were missing, that much of the time we had no understanding of what we were reading, and that, for literally decades, we had been doing a rote recitation with little meaning. It was because of that realization that I decided to write my Haggadah.

Stuart's book list on Passover Haggadahs

Stuart Leven Why did Stuart love this book?

The Steinsaltz Haggadah is a traditional Haggadah with a traditional translation, but what makes it shine are the explanations. The traditional Haggadah is in many respects a difficult book – much of it is hard to understand as is. Rabbi Steinsaltz provides explanations that bring some degree of clarity to these difficult passages. In addition, Rabbi Steinsaltz provides marvelous explanations of the Psalms of Praise recited at the seder and on Jewish holidays. I’ve recited these psalms many times over many years, and Rabbi Steinsaltz explains them in a way that I’ve never seen. When I study Talmud, I use the Steinsaltz translation, because in both the Talmud and the Haggadah, the explanations are spectacularly clear.

By Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

In this user-friendly Haggada, Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz employs his renowned pedagogical skill and insight to explain the texts and rituals of the Seder night, their background and inner meaning. Divided into a clear, concise commentary and thought-provoking expansions, this is a Seder user's manual you have been waiting for.


Book cover of The Union Haggadah: Home Service for the Passover

Stuart Leven Author Of The Passover Story Haggadah: A New Narrative for a Modern Seder

From my list on Passover Haggadahs.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have led many seders using a traditional Haggadah. We would just recite the Haggadah at the seder and put the books away until Passover of the following year. And then one year, after Passover, I read the Haggadah in earnest. I realized that the traditional Haggadah didn’t tell the Passover story very well, that big chunks of the story were missing, that much of the time we had no understanding of what we were reading, and that, for literally decades, we had been doing a rote recitation with little meaning. It was because of that realization that I decided to write my Haggadah.

Stuart's book list on Passover Haggadahs

Stuart Leven Why did Stuart love this book?

The Union Haggadah of 1923 was the Haggadah of the American Reform movement. It’s non-traditional. Traditional Haggadahs tell the Passover story by analyzing Deuteronomy 26:5-8 homiletically, word by word or phrase by phrase, which makes for a choppy presentation. And some of the analysis is obscure. The Union Haggadah just quotes the bible in a narrative format, similar to what I have done in my book. In addition, there is an informative discussion of the origins of the Passover holiday that would be considered heresy among Jews who are not in the Reform movement. Since I was not raised Reform, I didn’t know of this important idea until late in my life, and when I did learn it, it made total sense.   

By Central Conference of American Rabbis,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Excerpt from The Union Haggadah: Home Service for the Passover

The assignment to the child Of a prominent part in the Seder service is in consonance with the biblical ordinance: And thou shalt tell thy son in that day (ex. 'xiii: The visible symbols, the living word Of instruction, and the ceremonial acts, are sure to stimulate religious feeling. Parent and child are thus brought into a union of warm religious sympathy, which is all the more indissoluble because strengthened by the ties of natural affection. Their souls are fired with the love of liberty, and their hearts are roused…


Book cover of Passover Haggadah

Stuart Leven Author Of The Passover Story Haggadah: A New Narrative for a Modern Seder

From my list on Passover Haggadahs.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have led many seders using a traditional Haggadah. We would just recite the Haggadah at the seder and put the books away until Passover of the following year. And then one year, after Passover, I read the Haggadah in earnest. I realized that the traditional Haggadah didn’t tell the Passover story very well, that big chunks of the story were missing, that much of the time we had no understanding of what we were reading, and that, for literally decades, we had been doing a rote recitation with little meaning. It was because of that realization that I decided to write my Haggadah.

Stuart's book list on Passover Haggadahs

Stuart Leven Why did Stuart love this book?

One huge reason to recommend the Maxwell House Haggadah is that you can get it at your grocery store for free. It’s small, easy to handle, in a pamphlet binding. The interior layout is beautifully simple, with paragraph blocks of text, uniformly spaced, all in the same font, with no flourishes, not even indentation.  The translation is crisp and clean, notable that it’s non-gendered. But for me the major appeal is that it reminds me of my childhood, when my brother, my cousins, and I found it hilarious that our Haggadah had the Maxwell House logo, “Good To The Last Drop,” the image of the coffee cup with the last drop, and ads for Maxwell House. This was even better because our parents and grandparents saw nothing weird about this.

By Maxwell House,

Why should I read it?

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


Book cover of The Scholar's Haggadah: Ashkenazic, Sephardic, and Oriental Versions

Stuart Leven Author Of The Passover Story Haggadah: A New Narrative for a Modern Seder

From my list on Passover Haggadahs.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have led many seders using a traditional Haggadah. We would just recite the Haggadah at the seder and put the books away until Passover of the following year. And then one year, after Passover, I read the Haggadah in earnest. I realized that the traditional Haggadah didn’t tell the Passover story very well, that big chunks of the story were missing, that much of the time we had no understanding of what we were reading, and that, for literally decades, we had been doing a rote recitation with little meaning. It was because of that realization that I decided to write my Haggadah.

Stuart's book list on Passover Haggadahs

Stuart Leven Why did Stuart love this book?

The Scholar’s Haggadah provides Ashkenazik, Sephardic, and Yemenite versions of the Haggadah. The versions for the three groups are shown together for easy comparison. And then more than half of the book is devoted to the examination of these differences. This is a complete Haggadah, but it’s not really suitable for a seder. It is, primarily, an academic work. But it’s fascinating. I did not know, until I read The Scholar’s Haggadah, that the rituals and texts for seders are different between these groups. I used this in my book by including beautiful and highly relevant Yemenite Haggadah text that none of my readers will have ever seen. 

By Heinrich Guggenheimer,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

In this unprecedented masterwork, The Scholar's Haggadah: Ashkenazic, Sephardic, and Oriental Versions, Heinrich Guggenheimer presents the first Haggadah to treat the texts of all Jewish groups on an equal footing and to use their divergences and concurrences as a key to the history of the text and an understanding of its development. The Seder (the ceremony of the Passover night) is one of the most universally celebrated rituals among Jewish families, for what it commemorates-Jewish freedom from bondage-is the glue that bonds all Jews together, traditional and modern, Ashkenazic and Sephardic alike. In the Book of Exodus the Jewish people…


Book cover of The Matzah Ball Fairy

Gloria Koster Author Of Dance the Hora, Isadora

From my list on lighthearted picture books with Jewish characters.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a school and public librarian as well as a writer. I also serve as a member of the Children’s Book Committee of the Bank Street College of Education. We review hundreds of books each year for consideration of a place on our list –The Best Children’s Books of the YearI've chosen to recommend some lighthearted picture books with Jewish characters or themes because a number of my own books fit into this category. Mitzi’s Mitzvah, Little Red Ruthie, and Dance the Hora, Isadora! are three of my Jewish themed books. Each of these titles has been selected by PJ Library, an organization that sends a book each month to children.

Gloria's book list on lighthearted picture books with Jewish characters

Gloria Koster Why did Gloria love this book?

When lighter-than-air matzah balls send Passover guests floating on the ceiling, a remedy is needed to bring them down. The author’s solution is brilliant and hilarious for anyone who has experienced cooking mishaps. There are so many Passover books that dwell on the story of the Jewish people’s escape from tyranny in Egypt and this is undoubtedly an important story to tell. But there’s also a need for holiday books that are just plain fun. This is definitely one of those. 

By Carla Heymsfeld,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Matzah Ball Fairy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

When Frieda Pinsky uses some magic powder to help make the matzah balls for her Passover seder light and fluffy, it works too well


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in passover, Haggadah, and Jewish history?

Passover 16 books
Haggadah 10 books
Jewish History 478 books