News, Reviews, Programs

News   We've received accolades from many folks who loved the book and used it at their seders.   We're actively scheduling these highly recommended Passover programs.

Bookings   Contact Sara Ruderman
                  Tel: 212-877-3273 Cell: 585-233-2050
                  Email: sara4music@yahoo.com

Reviews
"Would one or two languages have permitted us to say Dayenu? Obviously not! The linguist in me takes great delight in this book. How is this night different? We feast upon the Word." — Theodore Bikel, star of screen and stage
 "Amazing! 300 Ways to Ask The Four Questions dramatically demonstrates a global reach for this most-observed ritual of the Jewish people."
— Dr Ron Wolfson, Professor and ex-President, American Jewish University
 "This is a volume to be savored! A unique and joyous collection. 'The People of the Book' are shown to be 'The People of the Four Questions.'"
— Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD, Past President, Int'l Rabbinic Assembly
 "300 Ways to Ask The Four Questions makes for a multi-cultural Seder like none before in the history of Passover."
— Noam Zion, Scholar/Author of two widely used Haggadot

Read the simply amazing customer reviews ...

Programs   Here are some of the exciting programs we present.

    300 Ways to Enhance Your Seder: How to Make an Unforgettable Seder  A lavishly illustrated talk, featuring the fascinating and humorous account of a 30-year project involving hundreds of people around the globe; seder history; cultural elements from people around the world; how you can create great fun and scholarship at your seder; connecting children to your family's genealogy; puzzles and games. With audio examples of languages around the world (including every language of Jewish heritage), authentic chants from native speakers around the world and lots more. Widely acclaimed by all audiences. Duration: 1 hour. Laptop projector and screen preferred.
            References for Adult programs

    Childrens Programs:  A combination of topics, keyed to school children (optionally with parents). This multimedia program includes interactive activities ("signing" the Ma Nistana in the Semaphore used by the Israeli Navy, learning Hebrew Morse Code), plus these topics: the role of the Four Questions in the seder, the history of the Four Questions, knowing people who speak other languages, how Jews around the world chant the Ma Nishtana, dialects versus languages, your family's ancestry, dying languages and the revival of Modern Hebrew. Includes copious examples of the sounds of languages around the world.   (If a longer program is scheduled, we teach the actual Ma Nishtana melodies used by Jews from Iraq and Libya.)   Program best for 3rd-to-7th grades.   [The adult talk, 300 Ways to Enhance Your Seder, is best for older teens.]

Duration: Typically 1 hr (or more for the melody instruction); with prior arrangement, will fit duration into your class schedule. Required: Laptop projector and screen. Childrens programs can be scheduled at any time during the week, with the exception of Sunday mornings in the weeks before Passover.
            References for Childrens programs

One Day School's Project:  A Hebrew Day School developed a school-wide project based on our book.   Each class learned a language, and performed it while dressed in costumes for that country.   Inspire your school to do something similar!     See 2 minute video.

    How to SuperCharge Your Seder:  Ideas to enliven your Seder, from decorations, themes and songs to games and puzzles, based on the author's 35-plus-years of creating novel Seder experiences, these are outlined on Murray's Seders for You website. After seeing the illustrations, you'll understand why Murray's seders were featured on PBS and both authors were written up in The New York Times.

    Jews Around the World:  Their customs, music and chants – and the unusual locations where Jews were found in the course of this translation project. Includes the history of the Questions, and how they developed over time. Program covers customs and traditions for the rest of the seder as well.

    Chants and Music of the Four Questions:  Chants and melodies used by Jewish communities around the world, from Bukharan, Libya, Turkey and Yemen, and those used in other languages as well: Aramaic and Judeo-Iraqi. Different pronunciations, different orders, different texts too.

    Special Themes:  Talks tailored to specific age groups, interests and themes can be developed. Discussions welcomed! (click Contact Us at very bottom of page).

Passover begins Friday evening, April 6, 2012

Upcoming Schedule    Our schedule of talks. Come hear us!

We're now booking dates for next year. Contact us!

Sun Mar 4 2012 - 10:30 am
IL Peretz     Info: Susan London
Somerset, NJ

Sat Mar 10 2012 - Shabbat morning and Shabbat Shira
Beth Shalom     Info: Stefi Kirschner
Pittsburgh, PA

Sun Mar 11 2012 - 12:30 pm
Beth El     Info: Janet Mostow
Pittsburgh (South Hills), PA

Mon Mar 12 2012
Community Day School     Info: Tzippy Mazer
Pittsburgh, PA

Tues Mar 13 2012 - 4:30 pm
Beth El Religious School     Info: Rabbi Amy Greenbaum
Pittsburgh, PA

Wed Mar 14 2012 - TBD pm
Tree of Life*Or L'Simcha Congregation
                        Info: Corey Gross and Rabbi Chuck Diamond
Pittsburgh, PA

Sun Mar 18 2012 - 9 am & 10:30 am
Temple Emanuel     Info: Terri Swartz Russell
Newton, MA

Sun Mar 18 2012 - 4 pm
Brown University Hillel     Info: Lex Rofes
Providence, RI

Fri Mar 23 2012 - 5 pm
Drew University Hillel (President's house)     Info: Jonathan Golden
Madison, NJ

Sun Mar 25 2012 - ~9 am & ~11 am
Temple Israel Center     Info: Erin Beser
White Plains, NY

Thur Mar 29 2012 - 5 pm & 8:15 pm
Oceanside Jewish Center     Info: Rabbi Mark Greenspan
Oceanside, Long Island

Sun Apr 1 2012 - 8:30 am & 11 am
Temple Beth-El     Info: Sarah Gluck
Hillsborough, NJ

Sun Apr 1 2012 - 10 am
Congregation Beth Israel     Info: Gary Goldner
Scotch Plains, NJ