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A review by dr_laurie_1968
New American Haggadah by Jonathan Safran Foer
3.0
First, what I like about this new haggadah.
1) The use of different styles of Hebrew letters as illustrations throughout the book and the cover.
2) Daniel Handler's (aka Lemony Snicket) commentaries, especially on the Four Parents and the lechem oni (bread of affliction). Hahaha
3) The historical time line running along the top of the book, although it would be awkward to actually read when you are in the middle of the seder.
4) The translation has some wonderfully poetic turns but this is also the aspect I most disliked. (see below)
What I did not like:
1) This is a haggadah for those who know their Hebrew well. I personally hate transliteration, but there is no middle ground. You have either the whole story and the songs in Hebrew or Nathan Englander's translation, which has its own issues.
2) This haggadah requires a seder leader who knows what they are doing and can explain to others what is going on. If you are unfamiliar with the seder, you don't get a lot a of user friendly explanation. I would only use this at a seder with other Jews who are very comfortable with Hebrew, the seder ritual, and know all the songs.
3) How could two such talented and sensitive Jewish authors who are younger than me not use inclusive language?!? Or even think that it is okay not to give an explanation for why they didn't!!!!?!?
I am always interested in different siddurim and haggadot and even have orthodox ones on my shelf, but I am afraid I will never be able to use this haggadah as a whole for my seder because of the language that excludes me and my daughter and half of my guests! I am frankly puzzled and at a loss as to why they would choose to make the translation/interpretation so exclusive. As a Hebrew teacher, I fully understand that a more literal translation of the text has all the masculine pronouns and the masculine words for god. But that does not mean that we cannot make an informed and compassionate decision to translate in a way that includes daughters as well as sons.
1) The use of different styles of Hebrew letters as illustrations throughout the book and the cover.
2) Daniel Handler's (aka Lemony Snicket) commentaries, especially on the Four Parents and the lechem oni (bread of affliction). Hahaha
3) The historical time line running along the top of the book, although it would be awkward to actually read when you are in the middle of the seder.
4) The translation has some wonderfully poetic turns but this is also the aspect I most disliked. (see below)
What I did not like:
1) This is a haggadah for those who know their Hebrew well. I personally hate transliteration, but there is no middle ground. You have either the whole story and the songs in Hebrew or Nathan Englander's translation, which has its own issues.
2) This haggadah requires a seder leader who knows what they are doing and can explain to others what is going on. If you are unfamiliar with the seder, you don't get a lot a of user friendly explanation. I would only use this at a seder with other Jews who are very comfortable with Hebrew, the seder ritual, and know all the songs.
3) How could two such talented and sensitive Jewish authors who are younger than me not use inclusive language?!? Or even think that it is okay not to give an explanation for why they didn't!!!!?!?
I am always interested in different siddurim and haggadot and even have orthodox ones on my shelf, but I am afraid I will never be able to use this haggadah as a whole for my seder because of the language that excludes me and my daughter and half of my guests! I am frankly puzzled and at a loss as to why they would choose to make the translation/interpretation so exclusive. As a Hebrew teacher, I fully understand that a more literal translation of the text has all the masculine pronouns and the masculine words for god. But that does not mean that we cannot make an informed and compassionate decision to translate in a way that includes daughters as well as sons.