Published in honor of Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl’s twenty years at Central Synagogue, this striking new Passover Haggadah provides various pathways for people of all backgrounds to connect to the ancient story of liberation, along with colorful art by Siona Benjamin.
New York, NY – March 2026 – CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, in partnership with Central Synagogue, proudly announces the publication of Haggadah Shel Erev Rav: The Mixed Multitude Haggadah, edited by Rabbi Sarah Berman. The Haggadah is published in honor of Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl’s twenty-year anniversary at Central Synagogue.
The Passover story of the Jewish journey from oppression to liberation is told throughout the world, with each seder table bringing its own customs based on countries of origin, family traditions, and contemporary additions. As Rabbi Buchdahl notes in the Haggadah’s preface, “this multiplicity is not a modern invention— it has been with us since the Exodus itself. The Torah tells us that when we fled Egypt, we did so as an erev rav, a “mixed multitude”—a diverse assembly of Israelites and fellow travelers, all swept up in a shared yearning for freedom. From our very beginning, we were not a monolith but a mosaic.” This new Haggadah elevates and celebrates the mosaic that is Judaism today.
Mixing lyrical translations of the Haggadah text by Rabbi Janet Marder and Rabbi Sheldon Marder, vibrant artwork by Indian Jewish artist Siona Benjamin, and original commentary by the clergy of New York City’s Central Synagogue, Haggadah Shel Erev Rav centers the myriad ways Jews engage with this ancient story. Four different choices for the Magid (“Telling”) section allow participants to decide how to engage with the Passover story—through the lens of young people, liberation, feminism, or Divine action. A special section provides suggestions for using the book with children, and a thorough introduction explains the beauty and nuance of the original art.
The theme of the Haggadah is the holiness of the erev rav, the “mixed multitude.” As Rabbi Buchdahl—one of the world’s most prominent rabbinic voices—notes, “this theme is not just embedded in our ancient story; it is a reflection of how we strive to live as a community.” Indeed, this new Haggadah—with its connection to history, its commitment to inclusion, and its vibrancy and aliveness—is itself a beautiful reflection of Jewish community of the past, present, and future.
Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl is the first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi or cantor in North America. She joined Central Synagogue in 2006 and has served as Senior Rabbi since 2014. Her 2025 memoir Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging was an instant New York Times Bestseller.
Rabbi Sarah Berman is Director of Jewish Culture and Programming at Central Synagogue. Prior to her ordination, she worked for more than a decade at the Seattle Art Museum in curatorial and research roles. Both Rabbi Buchdahl and Rabbi Berman are members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Siona Benjamin is a Bene Israel Jewish artist who was raised in Mumbai and now lives in the United States. She holds MFAs in painting and theatrical set design, and was awarded Fulbrights to India and Israel. Her work has been exhibited in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and she has been praised by the New York Times, Boston Globe, Financial Times, and Times of India.
Haggadah Shel Erev Rav: The Mixed Multitude Haggadah is available at erevrav.ccarpress.org.
To request review copies, interview opportunities, or to book author events, please contact: Raquel Fairweather-Gallie, Marketing and Sales Manager, CCAR Press: rfairweather@ccarnet.org.