A Night of Questions: A Passover Haggadah [Paperback]

Rabbi Joy Levitt (Editor), Rabbi Michael Strassfeld (Editor), Jeffrey Schrier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999

A Night of Questions is a unique four-in-one Haggadah that includes outlines for customizing a Seder for the people present at the table. The four menus include a Seder for young children, a Seder for older children with adults, a Seder for groups of diverse backgrounds (including those who are not Jewish), and a Seder focusing on the role of women.

The Haggadah also features special color-coded graphic icons that highlight the different types of readings such as kavanot, which are introductions to the text that set the tone for the text, and readings for children. Readings and songs are drawn from a wide variety of sources, representing the diversity of the Jewish community and the world in which we live. Accompanying the text is compelling new artwork by Jeffrey Schrier, which itself serves as a commentary on the Haggadah liturgy. This 10th Anniversary Hardcover edition is a great gift for a special seder. Give this as a gift to a host or a long-time congregational supporter, or just a friend who wants a beautiful and durable copy of this Passover classic. 'This publication of the 10th anniversary edition is a celebration of the impact of A Night of Questions and a tribue to its continuing and special role in enabling Jews to gather to enact an ancient ritual and create new Jewish meaning' - Carl Sheingold, EVP of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Night of Questions offers everything found in the traditional Haggadah plus a cornucopia of marvelous marginalia, provocative readings and commentaries, suggestions for embellished rituals, song lyrics, incisive interpretations, historical notesall of it rendered in language that manages to be inclusive and nonsexist without sacrificing lyricism and grace Retire your old Haggadot to the attic; Levitts and Strassfelds Haggadah is a gift to Passover 2000 that may well last through the ages. -- Letty Cottin Pogrebin

A Night of Questions offers everything found in the traditional Haggadah plus a cornucopia of marvelous marginalia, provocative readings and commentaries, suggestions for embellished rituals, song lyrics, incisive interpretations, historical notesall of it rendered in language that manages to be inclusive and nonsexist without sacrificing lyricism and grace Retire your old Haggadot to the attic; Levitts and Strassfelds Haggadah is a gift to Passover 2000 that may well last through the ages. -- Letty Cottin Pogrebin

The older child, and the child in all of us, will be drawn into lively, thoughtful discussion evoked by this Haggadah. By featuring stimulating questions from the Four Children throughout the evening and insightful commentary, including some especially for younger readers, theres plenty of food for thoughtA real contribution to the celebration of Passover! --Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

The older child, and the child in all of us, will be drawn into lively, thoughtful discussion evoked by this Haggadah. By featuring stimulating questions from the Four Children throughout the evening and insightful commentary, including some especially for younger readers, theres plenty of food for thoughtA real contribution to the celebration of Passover! --Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

About the Author

Joy Levitt is the Senior Program Director of the Jewish Community Center on the Upper West Side in Manhattan and was formerly a rabbi at the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore. She is the editor of From Darkness to Light: A Passover Haggadah, published by Ma'yan, the Jewish Women's Project of the Jewish Community Center on the Upper West Side and co-editor of A Guide to Everything Jewish in New York. Michael Strassfeld is the co-editor of the Jewish Catalog (Volumes I, II, and III) and the author of The Jewish Holidays: A Guide and Commentary. His is the editor of A Passover Haggadah (The Rabbinical Assembly).

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Reconstructionist Press (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935457496
• ISBN-13: 978-0935457490
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #478,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Movements

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent updated, gender neutral Haggadah, May 26, 2000

By 

Larry Mark "editor of MyJewishBooks.com" (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Night of Questions: A Passover Haggadah (Paperback)

Rabbis Joy Levitt and Michael Strassfeld have spent several years updating the Haggadah of the Reconstructionist movement, which was last revised in 1941. This Haggadah, which sold out of its first printing of 15,000 copies, in just a few weeks, offers more of a narrative story for the Passover seder (more of a story than the rabbinical commentary format that is found in more traditional haggadot). It also offers the family gender neutral language, does not refer to the Hebrews as a "chosen people", has the story of the four children instead of the four sons, and includes new traditions, such as "Miriam's cup."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This will get you out of a rut, February 12, 2003

By 

Judy (Bennington, VT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Night of Questions: A Passover Haggadah (Paperback)

Seders too often fall into a routine, with everyone slogging through the Hagaddah by rote. This is a lively, thought-provoking Hagaddah that will broaden and deepen your appreciation of Passover. It certainly has for my family.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best to Date, March 2, 2003

By 

Sam (Cleveland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Night of Questions: A Passover Haggadah (Paperback)

I have conducted sedorim (seders) for over 30 years and have used five different haggadot. This is the BEST! It explains, offers excellent commentary, provides choices in the kind of seder one might have, as well as providing frameworks for designing your own. I have used it for 2 years now and get rave reviews from the people who attend my sedorim.

The cd of the music of Pesach which is available, is a favorite as we prepare our home for the holiday.

It sure beats "Manishewitz".