Illustrated by E.B. Lewis
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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.

Reviews:

“This elegantly told, behind-the-scenes peek at a momentous historical occasion is simultaneously intimate and solemn, balancing a vision for a more inclusive America with an authentic portrayal of the meaning and rituals of Passover…Essential reading for all children—and adults—who hope for freedom for all.”
—Kirkus Review  Starred review

“Michelson goes back to 2008 …for a Passover seder….that brought descendants of two enslaved peoples together to share a meal and celebrate their historical liberation. …At its heart…’it’s about the family you have and the family you make.'”
—Booklist, Starred review

“Next Year in the White House” offers an intimate glimpse of a significant moment of interfaith dialogue.”—Washington Post

“Richard Michelson’s writing is thought provoking, lively and packed with themes of hope and resilience…”
—Celebrate Picture Books

“Michelson seamlessly weaves together the story of the first White House Seder, the messages behind the holiday of Passover, and its parallels to the civil rights movement. This is a book with broad appeal. .. its many themes will spark thought-provoking discussion.” —Sydney Taylor Shmooze

“The obser­vance of this fes­ti­val in the White House, under the lead­er­ship of the nation’s first Black pres­i­dent, holds con­tin­ued mean­ing both for Jew­ish Amer­i­cans and for our whole coun­try. Ded­i­ca­tion to the prin­ci­ples of the Exo­dus sto­ry can­not be revoked; this high­ly rec­om­mend­ed pic­ture book for fam­i­lies reminds us why.” —Jewish Book Council

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The Story behind the Story – Richard Michelson takes you behind the scenes of Next Year in the White House.

TV/Radio Interviews:

Next Year in the White House gets a close up on MSNBC’s The Sunday Show with Johnathan Capeheart, featuring Eric Lesser and Herbie Ziskend. April 6, 2025.

 

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New children’s book tells behind-the-scenes story of the first presidential Passover Seder on WGBH Boston Public Radio with Callie Crossley. April 11, 2025.

 

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Rich Michelson and Eric Lesser with Monte Belmonte on New England Public Media, discussing Last Year in the White House. April 1, 2025.

 

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Rich Michelson and Eric Lesser on WHMP’s Talk the Talk, discussing Last Year in the White House with Bill Newman and Buz Eisenberg. March 6, 2025.

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In was April, 2008. A small group of tired, homesick campaign staffers are quickly trying to put together a small Passover Seder. And who walks in…then-Senator Barack Obama.

This remarkable story is re-told in the just released children’s book, Next Year in the White House by Richard Michelson and this week Rabbi Pont got to catch up with Richard and Eric for a fascinating conversation. A perfect pre-Passover listen!

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Print Interviews:

The White House Seder started in a Pennsylvania basement. Its legacy lives on. A new children’s book tells the story of how three Jewish staffers brought Passover to the White House. Forward, March 31, 2025

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‘Next Year in the White House’: Children’s book tells story of Obama’s 2008 Passover Seder Mass Live – March 30, 2025

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“The fact that the descendants of two groups who experienced slavery can be sharing a meal in the most important house in the country is an incredible, amazing thing of hope,” Michelson said.

PJ Library Brings Presidential Passover to Young Readers, by Benjamin Raziel for Jewish Journal. April 11, 2025

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Interview with Richard Michelson, author of Next Year in the White House: Barack Obama’s First Presidential Seder – from Jewish Books for Kids.

 

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“There’s not a children’s book or adults’ book in the world that can’t be improved by adding a dog on the first page.” —Jewish Journal of Greater Boston, April 10, 2025

 

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