Passover is just around the corner and with it comes the ancient tradition of the seder and accompanying Haggadah.
The Haggadah guides the ritual meal and commemorates the Jewish exodus from slavery in Egypt. On each of the first two nights of Passover, people gather around the seder table for the 15-step meal and the recitation of the Haggadah.
The Haggadah can take many forms. "The word Haggadah means telling," Rabbi Bradley Hirschfield told The Huffington Post, "and as with all great stories, including the Exodus from Egypt, there are lots of ways to tell the story. So it's not surprising that there are many kinds of Haggadahs out there."
'New' or 'alternative' Haggadahs can run the gamut from the activist to the humorous to the artistic. "Historically, the Haggadah is a kind of loose script for the Passover seder, which goes back to the time of Jesus," explains Rabbi Hirshfield. "It has been a work in progress ever since."
If there is such thing as a traditional Haggadah, then these would certainly constitute the alternative. Here are 25 uncommon Haggadahs you might want to check out for this year's seder:
25 Alternative Haggadot
Haggadah for Jews and Buddhists(01 of26)
This Haggadah situates the Passover ritual within the values and traditions of Buddhism, offering a multi-faith celebration for a mixed family. (credit:Eric Herchaft/Getty Images)
Hip Hop Haggadah(02 of26)
The So Called Seder: A Hip Hop Haggadah takes observers on a musical, remixed journey of Passover. The ceremonial songs of Passover take on new life in this Haggadah, and even non-Jews can enjoy the beats. (credit:Frank Gaglione/Getty Images)
Gender-Inclusive Haggadah(03 of26)
The Traditional Egalitarian Passover Haggadah features gender-inclusive text as well as a section on Miriam's cup, making it an excellent choice for a feminist Passover. (credit:Prakash Mathema/Getty Images)
Interfaith Haggadah(04 of26)
This Modern, Interfaith Family Passover Haggadah is written with interfaith, humanist and atheist inclusivity for the modern family. What's more, it is feminist and vegetarian-friendly. (credit:Wikimedia Commons)
"Haggadah Good Feeling About This"(05 of26)
If you like puns, then this is the Haggadah for you. With the promise of livening up the Passover story, "Haggadah Good Feeling About This" is suitable for adults and children alike. (credit:Amazon)
Vegetarian Haggadah(06 of26)
While many Haggadahs are vegetarian-friendly, the Haggadah for the Liberated Lamb is distinctly focused on vegetarianism and animal rights. Meat is never mentioned, and in its place are traditional veggie dishes your ancient ancestors might have eaten. (credit:Steve Clancy Photography/Getty Images)
Immigrant Justice Haggadah(07 of26)
The Immigrant Roots, Immigrant Rights Haggadah celebrates the efforts of immigrants with a special focus on labor justice and reform. As its authors write, "We gather here to retell each of our immigration stories, both ancient and modern." (credit:AP)
Earth Justice Haggadah(08 of26)
The Freedom Seder for the Earth Haggadah takes a sustainable approach to the Passover story, relating the plagues and pharaohs of old to the environmental woes that confront a modern audience. (credit:Hiroshi Watanabe/Getty Images)
LGBT Haggadah(09 of26)
The Pride Freedom Seder Haggadah is an LGBT-friendly Haggadah dedicated to gender and sexuality equality. It is also a sober affair, substituting wine for water in solidarity with those in recovery. (credit:AP)
Hunger Activism Haggadah(10 of26)
The Hunger Seder is a Haggadah that highlights food justice and awareness, particularly for seniors. The Haggadah emphasizes that while most Jews today live in free societies, too many are still oppressed by the challenge of hunger. (credit:hadynyah/Getty Images)
Black-Jewish Haggadah(11 of26)
The Common Road to Freedom Haggadah tells the Passover story from the parallel perspectives of the Jewish and black communities. Both, it says, have walked a long from oppression to freedom and can learn from one another's stories. (credit:Village Square/Flickr)
Modern Slavery Haggadah(12 of26)
Invisible: The Story of Modern Day Slavery is a "social justice Haggadah" that aims to shed light on those still oppressed in the modern world. On its front cover: "Can you, unshackled, set someone else free?" (credit:Donovan Reese/Getty Images)
Bob Marley Haggadah(13 of26)
The Bob Marley Passover Haggadah is exactly as it sounds: Bob Marley and Passover, all in one! Although it might not be a traditional Haggadah, New York Rabbi Dan Ain is joining with the Haggadah's creator Nathan Phillips to host a Bob Marley-themed seder in his community. (credit:AP)
Humanist Haggadah(14 of26)
This Humanist Haggadah invites Jews and non-Jews alike to participate in the Passover festivities. It highlights Passover as a celebration of life and uses the rebirth of nature in springtime as a parallel story of liberation. (credit:Marser/Getty Images)
Children's Haggadah(15 of26)
Why We Celebrate Passover is a simple and entertaining Haggadah for the youngest members of the family. It's colorful, fun and reads like a picture book. (credit:Kathryn Scott Osler/Getty Images)
Hyper-Modern Haggadah(16 of26)
The Hyper-Modern Ancient With-It Traditional Haggadah may be a mouthful, but on the pages it's as plain as a recipe book (ie. "Here's where the betza goes.") Complete with illustrations and step by step instructions. (credit:AP)
DIY Haggadah App for iPad(17 of26)
Here's a Haggadah designed just for you, by you. The DIY Seder Haggadah allows celebrants to customize their seder experience. Would you like a bit of current events thrown in to the mix? How about some parody songs? (credit:Bernhard Lang/Getty Images)
Literary Haggadah(18 of26)
Edited by author Jonathan Safran Foer, the New American Haggadah is a great option for the literature fans out there. The Haggadah includes commentary from writers and thinkers like Jeffrey Goldberg, Lemony Snicket, Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, and Nathaniel Deutsch, and illustrations by Israeli artist and calligrapher Oded Ezer. (credit:Ulf Andersen/Getty Images)
Haggadah for a Chocolate Seder(19 of26)
There's no seder like a chocolate seder. A Haggadah for a Chocolate Seder is more than just a delicious seder alternative; it's also a statement on how organic and fair trade products continue the values of liberation highlighted by Passover. (credit:eszter/Flickr)
Musical Haggadah(20 of26)
Crossing Over: A Musical Haggadah is the joint creation of composer Michael Allen Harrison and Rabbi Alan Berg. Set to beautiful classical music, this Haggadah is a good option for anyone wishing to be carried musically through the story of Passover. (credit:Mike Kemp/Getty Images)
Economic Justice Haggadah(21 of26)
This human rights Haggadah commemorates those who remain victims of oppression in the modern world, including foreign workers, trafficked women, sweatshop laborers and more. By focusing on economic justice, this Haggadah offers a supplement to the traditional seder, ensuring that the values of Passover continue "in every generation." (credit:Nikolai Ignatiev/Getty Images)
Unitarian Universalist Haggadah(22 of26)
A Passover Haggadah for a Unitarian Universalist Seder is a Haggadah for anyone wishing to participate in the seder, whether Jewish or "Jew in spirit." As the Haggadah expresses, "Seders have a universal appeal because of the values being celebrated:freedom, striving against oppression, and the enhancing of liberty for all." (credit:cometstarmoon/Flickr)
Love and Justice Haggadah(23 of26)
Written by two LGBT Jewish activists, the Love and Justice Haggadah draws on the fact that many still feel marginalized even after 'liberation.' It offers space and acceptance for all visitors to the Passover table, with personal stories and anecdotes included to illustrate the holiday's lessons. (credit:AP)
Santa Cruz Haggadah(24 of26)
The Santa Cruz Haggadah is named after the beloved hippie town of its birth and emphasizes the need to "free ourselves from whatever holds us back from being the best people we can be." As creator Karen Roekard told HuffPost, "I didn't realize that the generation who grew up with it would go on to create families of their own who would keep choosing my Haggadah to be their new families' Haggadah."
Pop Haggadah(25 of26)
The Pop Haggadah literally pops off the page. With exciting graphics and playful explanations the Pop Haggadah has a modern aesthetic that promises for a "lively & enjoyable" seder. (credit:bulentgultek via Getty Images)
Theatrical Haggadah(26 of26)
Backstage Pass(over) is a musical and theatrical performance that tells the Haggadah's Passover story from the perspective of four musicians. The Passover story comes alive through this creative retelling with music and cross-cultural themes to boot! (credit:Backstage Pass(over))
Support HuffPost
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.