The Exodus Haggadah

About the Cover

February 24, 2009 10 Adar 5770

For years, author Seth Ben-Mordecai searched for a haggadah that respected tradition but was accessible to the average North American Jew. In other words, a haggadah that told the story of our ancestors' exodus from Egypt in plain language, and explained the cultural, linguistic, and religious context in which that story is set. Giving up on ever finding such a haggadah, Ben-Mordecai applied his academic training in Semitic linguistics and The Exodus Haggadah (www.exodushaggadah.com/) was born.

Unlike all other haggadot, The Exodus Haggadah includes the full story of our ancestors' journey from slavery to freedom. That story, newly translated directly from the Book of Exodus, is interleaved among the prayers, rituals and commentary of the standard haggadah. The traditional rabbinic commentary and anecdotes from the standard haggadah are set as margin notes to elucidate the Exodus narrative, not supplant it. Margin notes on language, word origins, the Egyptian deities whom the plagues discredited, and even Egyptian bread-making practices add interest and understanding to the haggadah.The result is refreshing and moving, yet very traditional.

About the Artist

This drawing appeared in The Exodus Haggadah. It was designed and illustrated for The Rachel Klein Studio by Liza Gewurtz-Lacoua in Tel Aviv, Israel. Gewurtz-Lacoua lives in Givat Am with her husband, Eiran, and their son, Itai. She graduated from Avni Institute 10-1/2 years ago in the communicationdesign department. She studied with Creative Director Rachel Klein for 2 years. Klein recognized the unique style of Gewurtz-Lacoua and hired her upon graduation to work in the Rachel Klein studio (www.klein-design.co.il).

Ms. Klein is a graduate of The Parsons School of Design in New York and Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem.

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