In this year’s roundup of new haggadahs, we’re looking at strident politics, engaging art and texts that take us to moments in history not usually examined by the haggadah.
In this year’s roundup of new haggadahs, we’re looking at strident politics, engaging art and texts that take us to moments in history not usually examined by the haggadah.
For those mentally afflicted by the pandemic
Hakol Bseder Haggadah (Courtesy of Bari Mitzmann/JTA)
Bari Mitzmann, a Jewish blogger with a sizable Instagram following, for the second year has spearheaded a joint Haggadah project she calls “HaKol B’Seder” in Hebrew it can mean either “everything in the Seder” or “it’s all good.”
Her thorough Haggadah and broader guide to the holiday weaves in an array of female voices ranging from chefs to moms to therapists who either talk about how a specific part of the Seder resonates with them or provide tips on how to fruitfully get through the Passover season. It’s aimed at those feeling overwhelmed by the COVID pandemic, all of the preparations that a Seder entails, the pressure to intellectualize the holiday’s themes or all of the above.
This particular Haggadah, different from all others, was bound to raise eyebrows if not create a furor.
We don’t know much about its origins, but here’s what we do: It was written by a Jew in Rabat, Morocco, sometime after the start of Operation Torch, the 1942 Allied invasion that spelled victory against the Axis Powers in French North Africa, and recounts those events. The author was someone called Nissim Ben Shimon (Nissim, the son of Shimon), who is named on the cover in French as Simon Coiffeur (Simon hairdresser). No other texts are attributed to him, nor does the name appear in other documentation, so it’s likely a pseudonym. One thing we do know for sure and it’s enough for some to dismiss the Haggadah outright, and for others to be instantly intrigued is its title.
From 'Seinfeld' to WWII Morocco, these new Haggadah options will spice up your Passover Seder | Local News stljewishlight.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stljewishlight.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.