Review Detail

“Next Year in the White House: Barack Obama’s First Presidential Seder” by Richard Michelson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, tells of the first White House Seder. First, however, it tells of the Seder that took place one year earlier, when Senator Barack Obama was on the campaign trail with his staff. Several of the men working for him were Jewish and wanted to celebrate Passover, so they set themselves up in the only available, empty room in the hotel, two floors underground, just the three of them. Before long, future President Obama and some of his other staffers joined the Seder. They read the story of the Exodus, sharing commonalities about how the story was an inspiration to so many people, including Obama himself, in the civil rights movement.

The story is one of sharing, caring, and learning. If people aren’t willing to learn more about each other, to share in each other’s traditions and understand each other’s backgrounds, it will be hard for change to occur.

The back matter of the book does a nice job explaining more about Passover and the themes of the story, including a note from Herbie Ziskend, Eric Lesser, and Arun Chaudhary who were the three men who had their own impromptu Seder on the campaign trail. There is also a picture of two pages from the Maxwell House Haggadah that the White House used that first time, showing how Malia and Sasha Obama were to read the four questions, as well as other notes. Information about who was at the first White House Seder, along with details about Black History and Passover are included, plus there is a recipe for a flourless golden apricot cake for anyone who wants to end their reading looking forward to trying something tasty. Whether saying “Next year in Jerusalem” or “Next year in the White House,” this book seeks to show the way in which people come together, show their personal and religious pride, and find connection.