illustration of President Barack Obama at a White House Seder
See full image

E.B. Lewis, Artwork for Next Year in the White House: Barack Obama’s First Presidential Seder by Richard Michelson (Crown Books for Young Readers). © 2025 E.B. Lewis

Special Storytime: Richard Michelson

Artists & Authors
For Families
-
Reading Library

Free with Museum admission

Join local award-winning author Richard Michelson at the launch storytime event for Next Year in the White House: Barack Obama’s First Presidential Seder. This new picture book tells 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.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make the event? You may reserve signed books online.

Who You'll Meet
Author Rich Michelson

Richard Michelson

Richard Michelson is a poet, children’s book author, curator, speaker, and owner of R. Michelson Galleries located in Northampton, MA. His work has earned a Syd­ney Tay­lor Gold Medal and Nation­al Jew­ish Book Award recog­ni­tion.
Author website
Caucasian man in a business suit, smiling

Eric Lesser

Eric Lesser is an attorney and former Massachusetts state senator from Longmeadow, and was a traveling aide on Obama’s first campaign and at the White House. Eric organized the Obama seders along with two friends, and his memories form the basis for this book.

Visit the shop

In the Bookshop

illustration of a boy climbing a ladder

More Than Enough

illustration of President Barack Obama at a White House Seder

Next Year in the White House

illustration showing a blond girl in a red dress

One of a Kind: The Life of Sydney Taylor