If sheltering in place has you holding your own Seder this year, you probably don’t have your usual tools on hand. That’s okay! A serving platter makes for a perfectly good Seder plate, and a wineglass seamlessly subs in for Elijah’s cup. However, there’s one thing your Seder absolutely needs, and that’s a haggadah: a book to guide you through the structure and order (seder) of your Seder.
Fortunately, there are many wonderful free downloadable haggdot available to choose from; we’ve included a wide variety below, plus meaningful inserts that help address this COVID-19 moment. Though you’ll no doubt miss your traditional family haggadah (Maxwell House, anyone?), take this as an opportunity to explore the holiday from a different angle, in a way that will be personal for you and your quarantined crew.
American Jewish World Service’s Haggadah, “Next Year in a Just World,” brings social justice to your Seder table, along with downloadable Seder table place cards meant to spark conversation and action.
Chabad’s Hebrew/English Haggadah is straightforward and no-frills, with Hebrew, English, and English transliteration of the Hebrew.
HIAS’s “In Every Generation, See Yourself As Though You Left Egypt” looks at Passover through the lens of what it means to be a refugee.
JewBelong’s Haggadah, “So Compelling, Elijah Might Stay for Dessert!” covers the basics while also scoring high on the fun factor with song parodies and humor.
PJ Library’s “In Every Generation: A Family Haggadah” is a beautifully illustrated book for children ages six and up.
“A Different Night: The Family Participation Haggadah,” by Noam Zion and David Dishon includes storytelling, essays, activities for children and Haggadah shortcuts.
Sephardic Heritage Foundation’s Hebrew/English “Haggadah Shelom Yerushalayim,” holds with Sephardic tradition. At 128 pages it will also require a lot of ink from your home printer.
BONUS! Worthy (& Timely!) Inserts to Supplement Your Haggadah:
“The Four Children and COVID-19,”by Jordan Namerow, presents a guide for how to discuss the virus pandemic with our children in a Jewish context.
Repair the World’s Four Questions insert, “Making a Difference From a Distance,” explores questions relevant to these pandemic times.
“Stand Up Like Moses” is a beautiful, kid-friendly storybook from our very own Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, with a Seder discussion guide.
Chag Sameach!
For more Jewish Federation resources for Passover 2020, click here. For more Jewish Federations for COVID-19 click here.