From Publishers Weekly
This brief primer is directed toward the thousands of North American Christians who will sit down to a seder meal this year-some on Passover, some on Maundy Thursday-"to explore and honor the Jewishness of Jesus and the Jewish roots of Christianity." It is the result of a unique collaboration between Smith, a Baptist minister in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Shapiro, a rabbi in the same community. Following some introductory tips on how to set the table and a short discussion of the role of Passover in Jesus' life as recorded in the New Testament, the authors offer a script for a sample seder, encouraging participants to adapt it to their own needs. Some of the script's questions are informational ("What is the meaning of the roasted shank bone? Why do we use three pieces of matzah?") while others are more provocative and spiritual ("Can one who is a Christian be enslaved? How do we pursue peace?"). The book concludes with a helpful reading list of suggested books. Christians who are curious about Passover and would like to host or participate in a seder will not find a better guide that is written just for them.

Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University; executive editor of Christianity Today
"Smith and Shapiro have given us a model of interfaith cooperation, based on their evident respect for one another."

Jan Turrentine, Baptist Center for Ethics
"If Christian churches choose to observe Passover, this is the resource they should use."

Book Description
A Passover Seder Haggadah Created Especially for Christians Jews have been celebrating the Passover through a special meal, called a seder, for millenia. Jesus himself celebrated the Passover feast with his disciples in what we refer to as The Last Supper. In this special book, co-authored by a rabbi and a pastor, we have the unique opportunity to experience an authentic Jewish Passover seder, from a distinctively Christian perspective. There are many haggadot used in Jewish homes and synagogues, but this one offers meaningful insights on how Christians can both learn from Judaism as a means of deepening their Christian faith, and better understand the Jewishness of Jesus. Always respectful of the differences between Judaism and Christianity, this Passover guide provides: *a complete guide (plan and script) to a meaningful seder experience *a deeper knowledge of the great themes of the Exodus story, in combination with Christian insights *rich opportunities for a better understanding of Lent and Holy Week *a fuller knowledge of why Jesus placed such importance on the universal themes of slavery, freedom, and community around the seder table

About the Author
Pastor Michael A. Smith is a pastor, editor, and writer. He serves as pastor of First Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Tennessee and is a graduate of Belmont University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Ph.D.). Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award-winning poet and essayist whose liturgical writings are used in prayer services throughout North America. He is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College¬Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a doctoral degree in religious studies from Union Graduate School. center for the study of the world’s religions. His most recent books are Open Secrets and Hasidic Tales Annotated and Explained.

FROM THE PUBLISHER