Our programs Learn from the experts! Our seders were written up in The New York Times and filmed by PBS. Engaging, Intelligent, Creative Programming for Adult Ed, Sisterhood, Religious School.
Recommendations
"Energetic and sensational"
"Takes the 'ach' out of Pesach"
"Greatly inspiring and uplifting"
"Practical ideas to enliven the seder"
"MUST schedule – program is so good"
"Recommended with great enthusiasm"
"Scholarly, accessible, interesting and engaging"
"Most vibrant, engaging session ever experienced"
Contact info
info@WhyIsThisNight.com
Dr Murray Spiegel 973-228-5966
Appearances Workshops hosted at over 100 venues in NY, NJ, CT, DC, MA, MD, PA, RI, VA and Canada
Schedule List of current workshops appears on wider screens
Program offerings
Scheduling We're actively booking dates for the coming season. Can we speak to your organization?
Program Calendar To see upcoming program schedule and prior venues, view this page on a larger device.
Book us for your congregation / adult group!
Email: info@WhyIsThisNight.com
Book Reviews (Hover your mouse to see full quotes)
"Great delight!" – Theodore Bikel,
star of screen and stage
"Amazing!" – Dr Ron Wolfson, Ex-President, American Jewish Univ.
"Joyous" – Rabbi Alan Silverstein, Ex-President, Int'l Rabbinic Assembly
"Enlivens the Seder" – Noam Zion, Author, A Different Night Haggadah
Reviews, Programs, Workshops
NewsWe're scheduling our engaging Passover Prep programs for upcoming seasons. We have the highest gratitude for accolades from folks who enjoyed our suggestions at their seders.| Bookings | Contact: Dr. Murray Spiegel |
| phone: 973-228-5966 | |
| email: info@WhyIsThisNight.com |
Program Descriptions
Our Programs Learn from the experts! Our seders were covered by the New York Times and filmed by PBS. Our engaging, dynamic and innovative programs come highly recommended.
"Energetic and sensational"
"Takes the 'ach' out of Pesach"
"Greatly inspiring and uplifting"
"Practical ideas to enliven the seder"
"Scholarly, accessible and engaging"
"Recommended with great enthusiasm"
"MUST schedule – program is so good"
"Most vibrant, engaging session ever experienced"
Our most popular program:
300 Ways to Enhance Your Seder: Make
an Unforgettable Seder A lavishly illustrated
workshop covering a wide variety of topics – history of the
seder, the origins of its customs, and novel approaches for your seder.
We focus on creative and educational aspects for seders organized
on different topics and themes. Plus the fascinating account of a
lifetime project involving hundreds of people around the globe; ideas
for interesting seder discussions, activities and cultural elements from
people around the world; how to generate both fun and scholarship at
your seder. Presentation includes samples of exotic languages (many
of Jewish heritage), authentic Jewish chants from around the world
and lots more. Acclaimed by all audiences. Participants receive
multi-page handout of seder resources. Duration: 1+ hour.
Projector (for our laptop) and screen preferred.
References for Adult
programs
Children's Program: A captivating combination of topics, keyed to school children (optionally with parents). In this multimedia program, students learn about the history of the Four Questions, the chants and languages Jews use, the Egyptian language from the time of the Exodus, where Jews still use Aramaic in prayers today, dying Jewish languages and the revival of Modern Hebrew. For interactive activities, they'll "sign" the Questions with Hebrew Semaphore flags, transmit messages in Hebrew Morse Code, and volunteer to read fun parody versions. Copious examples of recitations in languages around the world. (Longer program includes teaching the actual Ma Nishtana melodies used by Jews from Iraq and Libya.) Best for 3rd-to-7th grades. [The adult talk, 300 Ways to Enhance Your Seder, is best for older teens.]
Duration: 50 minutes minimum; 1 hr preferred. Longer program for teaching melodies requires 70 minutes.
Required: Projector (for our laptop) and screen. Children's programs can
be scheduled any time during the week, with the exception of Sunday
mornings in the weeks before Passover.
References for
Children's Programs
One Day-School's Project:
A Hebrew Day School developed a school-wide project based
on our book. Each class learned a Jewish language, performed
while dressed in costumes for that country. Inspire your school
to do something similar!
See quick (and amazing) 2 minute video.
Jews Around the World: Their
customs, music and chants –
and the unusual locations where Jews were found in the course of
this translation project. Includes the history of the Questions,
and how they developed over time. Program covers customs and traditions
for the rest of the seder as well.
How to Supercharge Your Seder:
Ideas to enliven your seder, from decorations, themes and songs to games and
puzzles, based on the authors' many years of creating novel seder
experiences, as outlined on Murray's Seders for You website.
After seeing the illustrations, you'll understand why
Murray's seders were featured on PBS and both
authors were written up in The New York Times.
Chants and Music of the Four
Questions: Chants and melodies used by Jewish communities
around the world,
from Bukharia, Libya, Turkey and Yemen, and those used in other
languages as well: Aramaic and Judeo-Iraqi. Different pronunciations,
different orders, analysis of different texts too. Fascinating diversity
of One People.
Special Topics:
Talks tailored to specific age groups, interests and themes can be
developed. Discussions warmly welcomed.
Contact Us!
Passover begins Sunday evening, April 12, 2025
We're actively booking programs for the coming season. Contact Us!
Past Workshops NY, NJ, CT, DC, MA, MD, PA, RI, VA, Canada
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