Putting the 'Ha' in Haggadah
Traditional or parody, the Haggadah reminds us that the Exodus is more than history—it’s about shaping Jewish identity, recognizing G-d’s role in redemption, and valuing freedom and justice.
Not to sound threatening, but… Passover is coming.
Get out your aluminum foil! Get out your ten breadcrumbs to scatter around only to pick them up again (isn’t Judaism adorably kooky?)! But most importantly, get out your Haggadahs.
The Haggadah is the most widely published book in Judaism. Throughout history, thousands of Haggadahs have recounted the story of how G-d freed the Israelite slaves and brought them out of Egypt. You know, with the frogs and the boils and the parting of the Red Sea?
They also have reminded parents of the mitzvah to retell the Exodus to their children, no matter if their child is wise, wicked, simple, or doesn’t know to ask questions. Designed to spark discussion around the table, the Haggadah reminds us that the Exodus is about more than history—it’s about shaping Jewish identity, recognizing G-d’s role in redemption, and ensuring that freedom and justice remain core values. In today’s world, we apply it to our own lives, discovering our personal Egypts, and how we can apply the theme of liberation to bring justice to the world.
Last year, I started accumulating my own Haggadahs. I love those Seders when everyone reads a passage from a different kind of Haggadah. It’s such a fun way to switch up a Seder! So far, I have traditional from the ArtScroll collection (thanks, Karen and Joe!), a NYC-themed “Fuhaggadahboudit” Haggadah by my girl Danielle, and a feminist one (recently acquired by our friends at the Krakow JCC).
…but do I have one based on the hit show The Office?! Or Curb Your Enthusiasm?
Now look, I know silly Seders might not be everyone’s thing. But we do this every year—twice I might add—so we might as well make it fun.
Last year, the first Passover after October 7th, felt like it needed solemnity and a reminder of our connection to the land of Israel. As if we don’t get that on every other Jewish holiday.
This year, the global Jewish community is still heartbroken as almost 60 hostages (some presumed to be dead) are still in Gaza and the war persists. But how do Jews cope with pain while they’re stuck with family for hours on end? We joke. And laugh. And break bread- I mean, matzah.
So I say bring on the laughs. I support anything that helps you better connect with your Judaism. Which is why I want to introduce you to Dave Cowen’s parody Haggadahs.
LA-based comedian Dave Cowen began writing parody Haggadahs for his friends and family. He published his first, a Trump parody Haggadah, in 2018. He’s written seven since then, including Haggadot on Seinfeld (“The Yada Yada Haggadah”) which was featured in The New York Times, a Biden-Harris Haggadah, a Curb Your Enthusiasm Haggadah, and his latest, The Office Haggadah.
“When I was growing up, I never understood why we would do two nights of the Seder and basically read the same story in the same way. It felt so boring and deadening. It made me tune out and not pay attention. I feel like what modern storytelling and comedy does is keep everyone alert, active, and engaged at the table. It keep us all in the moment, laughing and connected, learning the traditions in a new way that appeals to the modern and fun in us. That sounds quite pretentious for an Office or Seinfeld or a Curb Haggadah, but maybe we have two nights in America so that the first night stays traditional like it is in Israel. And the second night is for us to blend our American culture with our Judaism. And as an American Jew, I personally can’t think of anything more Jewish American than sitcoms.” -Dave
👋 Miranda here, again. Dave inspired me: I personally don’t have two Seders, but I LOVE the idea of doing two where the first is traditional and the second is silly/modern. I could be persuaded, maybe if, let’s say, Michael Scott made an appearance…
Good thing Dave teamed up with fellow comedian Dan Lerman to create The Office Haggadah! To save his people from downsizing and destruction, Michael has the team—the cast of characters we all know and love—host a Scranton Seder to pitch Dunder Mifflin as the exclusive paper supplier for Maxwell House and their Haggadahs.
In this Exodus retelling that reads just like an script, Michael Scott receives a sign from G-d in a burning coffee machine. The characters participate in my favorite ice breaker: when was the last time you cried?
But who finds the Afikomen? And which character represents each of the four children? All will be revealed in this Haggadah. A sample to whet your chametz-loving appetite:
From Dave’s point of view (which is an experienced one, considering he studied screenwriting at USC and was a story analyst at William Morris Endeavor), episodic television gets you to identify with characters to learn a story. There is a traditional narrative structure to the Seder; it literally means “order.” And there is also a traditional narrative order to sitcoms like The Office and Seinfeld. What Dave has done is meld the two together. You get the modern American storytelling structure and the ancient Hebrew one. It’s both fun and educational, whether it’s read aloud at your table or by yourself.
Buy them here (only $9 a pop) and try it for yourself!
A portion of the proceeds go to Jewish organizations which have varied over the years. Some have gone to Dave’s temple in Rochester growing up, Temple Beth El. Some have gone to a progressive spiritual group in LA called Nefesh. Some have gone to the IDF. This year, some proceeds will be donated to Dan’s synagogue, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, in LA.
Not a fan of The Office? Like I said, Dave’s written a Curb Your Enthusiasm Haggadah!! And no, I will not curb my enthusiasm one bit.
In this special Pesach edition, Larry discovers that all his friends have become unmiserable after discovering Kabbalah. Because miserable people can’t be friends with unmiserable people, Larry endeavors to make all his friends miserable again at a Seder led by the charismatic female Rabbi of LA’s suddenly in-vogue Kabbalah Center.
Here’s a sample containing that painfully awkward Larry-Cheryl-Ted Danson dialogue we all know and love:
Don’t they sound just like the characters?
I’m waiting for The White Lotus Haggadah: “And then there was a tsu-naw-mi… oh no wait, that was the sea parting.” “I don’t even have my chametz… I’m going to have to drink myself to sleep.” “You want to live in Egypt?! Piper, nooo.”
Shabbat Shalom. Don’t take it so seriously,
Omg. The Office!