The true story of how a small Seder dinner on the campaign trail inspired Barack Obama to bring the tradition into the White House and host the first ever Presidential Passover celebration.
In 1800, President John Adams held the first formal Christmas dinner at the newly built White House. In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes observed Easter with a public “Egg Roll." But it wasn’t until 2009 that a US president officially celebrated Passover.
A year earlier, on the campaign trail, three staffers had to get creative in order to host a Seder dinner. They gathered in a hotel basement, joined by candidate Barack Obama. They made the most of their surroundings and modest dinner, shared the stories and rituals of the holiday, and found connections between their communities. They made a toast and a promise to a future, grander celebration: next year in the White House.
For the first time, this story is told for picture book readers by award-winning author Richard Michelson and lauded illustrator EB Lewis in this special partnership with PJ Library.
★ "Essential reading for all children—and adults—who hope for freedom for all."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Michelson goes back to 2008, to three lonely presidential campaign workers who gathered in a dingy meeting room in Harrisburg with a package of matzo, two cans of macaroons, and a bottle of Manischewitz for a Passover seder. There came a sudden knock at the door, and in walked not Elijah but Barack Obama. . . . As the original trio writes in a collective closing note, the ‘purpose of Passover is to tell the story of freedom in your own way and in your time."—Booklist, starred review
Richard Michelson is the author of several picture books. He is also an accomplished poet and owns the R. Michelson Gallery in Northampton, Massachusetts, which often features children’s book illustrations. Find out more at rmichelson.com.
View titles by Richard Michelson
The true story of how a small Seder dinner on the campaign trail inspired Barack Obama to bring the tradition into the White House and host the first ever Presidential Passover celebration.
In 1800, President John Adams held the first formal Christmas dinner at the newly built White House. In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes observed Easter with a public “Egg Roll." But it wasn’t until 2009 that a US president officially celebrated Passover.
A year earlier, on the campaign trail, three staffers had to get creative in order to host a Seder dinner. They gathered in a hotel basement, joined by candidate Barack Obama. They made the most of their surroundings and modest dinner, shared the stories and rituals of the holiday, and found connections between their communities. They made a toast and a promise to a future, grander celebration: next year in the White House.
For the first time, this story is told for picture book readers by award-winning author Richard Michelson and lauded illustrator EB Lewis in this special partnership with PJ Library.
Praise
★ "Essential reading for all children—and adults—who hope for freedom for all."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Michelson goes back to 2008, to three lonely presidential campaign workers who gathered in a dingy meeting room in Harrisburg with a package of matzo, two cans of macaroons, and a bottle of Manischewitz for a Passover seder. There came a sudden knock at the door, and in walked not Elijah but Barack Obama. . . . As the original trio writes in a collective closing note, the ‘purpose of Passover is to tell the story of freedom in your own way and in your time."—Booklist, starred review
Author
Richard Michelson is the author of several picture books. He is also an accomplished poet and owns the R. Michelson Gallery in Northampton, Massachusetts, which often features children’s book illustrations. Find out more at rmichelson.com.
View titles by Richard Michelson
