The Santa Cruz Haggadah

The Santa Cruz Haggadah was written and 1st published in 1991, named after the town in which I then lived and where its birth took place. It is now considered a classic.In addition to acknowledging the historical Exodus as do traditional haggadot, it is grounded on the ideas that it is up to us to heal the planet (Tikkun Olam) and also to free ourselves from whatever holds us back from being the best people we can be. In essence, it nurtures a very interactive seder that encourages...
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The Santa Cruz Haggadah was written and 1st published in 1991, named after the town in which I then lived and where its birth took place. It is now considered a classic.In addition to acknowledging the historical Exodus as do traditional haggadot, it is grounded on the ideas that it is up to us to heal the planet (Tikkun Olam) and also to free ourselves from whatever holds us back from being the best people we can be. In essence, it nurtures a very interactive seder that encourages personal liberation. It was the first (and may still be the only) haggadah to receive rabbinic support (haskamot) from prominent rabbis across the Judaic denominational landscape, from the late Chassidic leader, the Bostonner Rebbe, Reb Levi Yitzchak Horowitz z"l all the way to Reb Zalman Schachter Shalomi shlita, founder or the Jewish Renewal Movement. The Leader's Edition (this version) of The Santa Cruz Haggadah was originally the only version of the haggadah available. It is what I considered to be "The Santa Cruz Haggadah." Early on though, it became clear that people needed to buy 6-8-10 or more copies for their seders and the cost became prohibitive. Thus, I created an abbreviated version, the Participant's version, that only contains the text of The Santa Cruz Haggadah. The year after it came out there were more than 70 newspaper articles on it and the press labelled this version "The Leader's version," so I followed their "suggestion" and started calling it that as well. So.....the Leader's version contains this complete text of The Santa Cruz Haggadah and more. It has 36 additional pages of questions and information that give the leader strength, knowledge and wisdom from the Chassidic and Kabbalistic traditions. The leader can then raise and answer questions that arise from a place of heart and not just head. The material on these pages are what get even the most estranged and/or recalcitrant participants to actually talk to each other, laugh with each other, which is why people usually describe seders that have used this haggadah as the most meaningful ones they've ever been to. This version also contains a 20-page Leader's Guide that provides everything you need to know to put on a seder and many ways to use this haggadah to do it. Finally, there is a complete Hebrew haggadah included which makes this version "Kosher!" for any Orthodox attendees you may have.For 20 years I have recommended that people buy at least one copy of the Leader's version, especially if they have not led a seder before.The Santa Cruz Haggadah has sold well over 50,000 copies and is used by people from all the major faiths and at traditional, non-traditional, mixed faith and even at Christian seders. In the past few years we have become aware that kids who grew up with it are now ordering them for their own seders ....we are in our second generation!Using The Santa Cruz Haggadah as the text at seders, ensures that they will be deep, high and fun; meaningful, joyous and memorable for all who participate.It has been the greatest honor of my life to have my name attached to it. I never expected it to keep on keeping on and am delighted that at last, it can be solidly available without me having to be a slave to shipping, shlepping and wondering if i billed people.Enjoy and have a great Pesach!Karen Roekard