Wow!

And for a bit of behind-the-scenes action, here is a peek at Jason’s initial sketch:

Catherine and Gabe loved the sketch, but Catherine thought the design within the text box looked too much like fallopian tubes (ha!), so Jason amended them to what you see above.

Read on for an exit interview with Jason about his process.

The post Stunning Quilt-Patterned Custom Ketubah appeared first on Ketuv.

As you may or may not have noticed, Ketuv is in the process of receiving a bit of a facelift, so it may be a little while before we’re able to add this ketubah to our website, along with more information about Yael. However, in the meantime, you can view and purchase the Roots Ketubah on Etsy. We’ll let you know when it’s added to the main site, and when our site renovation is complete!

UPDATE: Now you can find this ketubah on our website. You can also learn more about Yael Margalit on her artist page.

The post NEW! Roots Ketubah by Yael Margalit appeared first on Ketuv.

Chairs #3 is now available in our shop for all you lovebirds! And don’t miss Giliah’s Chairs #2 ketubah, featured prominently in last week’s Washington Jewish Week, pages 55-56!

The post NEW ketubah, Chairs #3 (Two Brides) appeared first on Ketuv.

The first is the Geometric Ketubah. According to Rachelle, this ketubah is inspired by the symbol of the chuppah, a transcendental entranceway to a new phase in the life of a couple, where the transformative act of marriage occurs.

The second is Growing Together, about ”planting the seeds for your life together, as you journey side by side, growing and supporting one another.”

We just love how both of these ketubot make use of symbols that center on the idea of “home” — the chuppah, a lovely pair of house plants. What a wonderful way to signal the transition into wedded bliss!

The post NEW Ketubot by Rachelle Tolwin! appeared first on Ketuv.

Píccolo was born this past summer in excited voices at various coffee shops in Baltimore, Maryland. My classmate Sara Barnes and I were about to begin the final year in our graduate program in Illustration Practice at the Maryland Institute College of Art. We knew we wanted to embark on some kind of collaborative project that was the logical extension of both of our personal thesis projects (Sara created the innovative online illustration gallery Eyra and I was creating my own line of illustrated products at www.madebyperrin.com).

How did you choose the artists for the first line of Piccolo Prints? What holds these together aesthetically? Why illustrators?

We decided to make the unifying thread in our idea the theme of “small things.” In Italian Píccolo means “small.” For our first project we asked four illustrators that we admired to create a piece inspired by our name. Ultimately we would like to start a small business selling illustrated objects that are accessible, affordable, and fun!

We are illustrators ourselves who want to support and promote other illustrators and their work.

You mentioned to us that your thesis work is about “creative people taking control of their careers through entrepreneurship and the internet.” Obviously, this is something that excites us at Ketuv as well. Can you tell us a little more about this?

Absolutely! This is just one of many reasons that I was initially drawn to Ketuv. I believe that the Internet and social media have leveled the playing field for creative people. We no longer have to wait for fate or an art director to call us with an assignment. Now we have the freedom to create the projects we want to, put them out into the world, and let people come to us. It is truly an exciting time to be a maker and entrepreneur.

How do you balance “being an artist” and “being a businessperson”?

In many ways I am still figuring this part out! I opened an Etsy shop in 2008 selling paper dolls and learned a great deal from that experience. I love selling my work, hearing feedback from buyers, and seeing my pieces out the real world. It is very gratifying for me. I try to consider the business element throughout my creative process. Most of my illustrations are made with a goal or final product in mind.

Since you are currently finishing your MFA how has the experience changed/affected your process/work? Have you received any advice about “life after the MFA” that has influenced this thesis?

I was really challenged in graduate school. My work has become more sophisticated and I am excited about the direction that it is taking. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn new techniques that have since been incorporated into my work. For example, we used stop motion animation in our Kickstarter video.  I am hoping that the projects and businesses I start now will grow and be sustainable in that mythical, scary post-MFA world.

You’ve started this venture with another female artist. Anything to say about working in a two-woman team?

I feel very lucky to have found such a great collaborator in Sara! We truly bring different skill sets and insights to this collaboration.  We often joke that we are very different people, but share a lot of common goals and opinions about the future of Illustration.

What’s new in your artwork?

My thesis work is inspired by Eastern European Jewish culture, language, and folk tales. I am hoping to reflect this old world in a modern way that anyone can connect to and appreciate. I am creating a lot of very detailed gouache and digital illustrations, as well as incorporating a good deal of patterning and hand lettering. I also plan to apply my images to various products including textiles and ceramics.

The post The Píccolo Print Project – Creative and Entrepreneurial appeared first on Ketuv.

It’s customers like Monika– an artist herself who had trouble finding a ketubah she could relate to before coming across the work of Ketuv artist Paola Andrea Ochoa– who make it worthwhile for us!

All photos by Gordon Nash.

The post Monika and Jonathan’s Intimate Maui Wedding appeared first on Ketuv.

I won’t spoil any of the details of this gem of a wedding–you’ll be seeing them on one of your favorite wedding blogs real soon!

All photos by Robby Campbell.

The post Ketubah Signing at Lovely Mountain Nuptials appeared first on Ketuv.

Big news! Two of our artists have been selected to exhibit (alongside the likes of Judy Chicago and Joan Snyder!) in the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion Exhibition, Sexuality Spectrum, exploring LGBTQI themes in the Jewish world. The three works selected were Love Nest, It’s a Tight and Mighty Embrace and Chair #2, the first two by Paola Andrea Ochoa and the last one by Giliah Litwack. We’re also proud to announce that all three ketubot have been outfitted with our new text, the Rabbinical Assembly’s Brit Ahuvim text for same-sex couples.

We’re including the official press release below, but you can also access this information on the HUC-JIR pressroom. We hope you can make it to the opening.

THE SEXUALITY SPECTRUM

October 10, 2012 – June 28, 2013

Opening Reception: Wednesday, October 10 at 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Program at 6:30 pm

The Sexuality Spectrum offers a groundbreaking exploration of sexual orientation through the creativity of over fifty international contemporary artists. Artists including Judy Chicago, Joan Snyder, Arthur Tress, Archie Rand, Albert Winn, Trix Rosen, Joan Roth, and Mark Podwal explore a broad range of subjects:the evolving social and religious attitudes toward sexuality; issues of alienation, marginalization, and inclusion; the impact on the family, child-rearing, and life stages; violence and persecution; AIDS/HIV; and the influence of the LGBTQI community on the Jewish and larger world.

Rabbi David Ellenson, HUC-JIR President, states, “The common thread that unites these works is a principled intent on the part of these artists to employ art as a tool to create a messianic world of justice for all regardless of sexual orientation, family status, gender, or age.  It is the self-evident ethical aspiration that marks this exhibition as so powerful, inspirational, and unique.”

Judy Chicago and Estelle Yarinsky reference Nazi persecution of gay victims during the Holocaust, as documented in Richard Grune’s rare wartime lithograph.  Josh Lehrer captures haunting portraits of transgender youths in New York City. Helene Aylon, Susan Kaplow and Trix Rosen expose and refute the biblical quotes in Leviticus that have engendered discrimination and intolerance, while Archie Rand looks to the biblical David and Jonathan and prophet and warrior Deborah for other perspectives, as does Benton Spruance’s evocation of Jacob wrestling with the angel and David Wander’s “Song of Songs.”  Heddy Abramowitz and Dorit Jordan Dotan capture public conflict over gay rights in Israel, while Kobi Israel offers poignant images of military personnel as commentary. Photographer Joan Roth’s archive of “pride parade” images reflects two decades of activism, also depicted in John Dugdale’s and Joyce Ellen Weinstein’s works. Andi Arnovitz expresses the anguished consequence of unborn children and stunted families.  Carol Hamoy tackles issues of anonymity and invisibility, while Leonard Meiselman expresses masked identity. Female sexuality is expressed in depictions of Lilith by Siona Benjamin, Mark Podwal, and Iris Levinson. The impact of AIDS/HIV is found in Linda Soberman’s sober installation of empty chairs, Albert Winn’s powerful “Akedah,” and in two panels of the NAMES Project Memorial Quilt, created by John Hirsch, which demonstrate the Reform Movement’s longstanding concern and commitment. Physical and emotional longing are found in works by Joan Snyder, Martin Wong, Penny Wolin, and Arthur Tress. Cartoonist William Haefeli and graphic novelist Alison Bechdalecapture the pivots of change.

Laura Kruger, Curator, explained, “The HUC-JIR Museum staff held numerous focus groups ofartists, asking them to share their intimate feelings concerningtheir lives as LGBTQI in the community, includingtheir faith-based experiences. We frequently heard incidentsof marginalization, isolation, and exclusion. They sharedtheir long years of concealment as well as the wrenching experienceof ‘coming out;’ their relationships with familymembers, employers, and friendships that disintegrated; andthe search for life-long partners.”

Jean Bloch Rosensaft, Director, noted, “This exhibition exemplifies the spirit of the College-Institute’s and the Reform Movement’s commitment to free and open inquiry, inclusivity and outreach, and advocacy on behalf of human rights and the eradication of sexual discrimination.Our museum has a longstanding commitment to explore challenging issues through the visual arts; past exhibitions have included artistic responses to family violence, aging and ageism, and rebirth after the Holocaust.”

HUC-JIR’s Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation & Gender Equality and Blaustein Center for Pastoral Counseling have guided the development of this collaborative project. Faculty and students have contributed essays reflective of their academic disciplines for the catalog.

Artists in The Sexuality Spectrum:

Above, clockwise from top left:
Alfred J. Winn, Akedah, black-and-white silver gelatin print, 1995
Archie Rand, David’s Sorrow, Acrylic on canvas, 2002
Dorit Jordan Dotan, Ruth & Naomi, photograph, 2012
Linda Soberman, Empty Chairs, mixed media installation, 2012
David Wander, Come My Beloved, acrylic and ink on paper, 2010

Presented by the Irma L. and Abram S. Croll Center for Jewish Learning and Culture, with the support of George, z’’l, and Mildred Weissman.

Location: One West Fourth Street (between Broadway and Mercer Street), New York City
Subway: N/R/W to 8th Street (NYU); 6 to Astor Place; A/C/E/B/D/F/M to West 4th Street
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 am – 5 pm; Friday, 9 am – 3 pm
Admission: FREE.  Government-issued photo ID required.
Group Tours and Information: 212-824-2298 or hucjirmuseum@huc.edu
www.huc.edu/museums/ny

The post Ketuv Artists Exhibit at the Hebrew Union College Museum appeared first on Ketuv.

When Jacki and Ido asked me to create their ketubah, I was thrilled. The bride has been one of my best friends since age four, and I wanted to contribute to their special day in any way that I could.

The colors of their wedding were black and “Tiffany blue,” and they used a damask pattern on their invitations, seating cards and table numbers. I took this damask pattern, drew and hand-painted it, arranged the pattern facing in several different orientations, and created a 3-D mosaic by overlaying paper “grout” in the bride and groom’s signature Tiffany blue. The grout also encompassed the first letter of the Hebrew and English text.

I had the opportunity of being in the room when the bride and groom signed the ketubah and did a small beddekin ceremony. I thought doing the beddekin in private was a nice, intimate alternative to doing it in front of all the wedding guests (and check out that picture…Yowza!).

Another noteworthy detail was the timing of the wedding– it took place on Biscayne Bay at sunset, under a breezy bamboo chuppah.

Enjoy!

The Ketubah Signing:

Abba: Hey, Ido, smell my finger!

Ido: Not now, Abba.

The Beddekin:

This “Beddekin” picture: I’m kvelling.

Reading the ketubah under the Chuppah:

The bride receiving the ketubah.

Check out Jacki and Ido’s simple, elegant bamboo chuppah.

Mazel Tov Jacki and Ido! Thanks for letting me, and Ketuv, be a part of your special day!

Venue: Trios on the Bay, North Bay Village, Florida

Photography: Marisa Matluck

Bride’s Dress: Vera Wang

The post Patterned Ketubah for a Miami Wedding appeared first on Ketuv.

The traditional ketubah text, as well as the traditional Jewish marriage ceremony (called kiddushin) is very problematic from an egalitarian perspective, as it is essentially a one-way agreement. Through a process called kinyan, the bride is “acquired” by the groom, creating a situation where, technically, the bride belongs exclusively to the groom, but not vice versa. There are many interpretations as to what this means spiritually (take this one, for example, from Chabad), and many reasons why most of the observant Jewish world still uses this model. But it is not right for all couples, and in response, rabbis like Rabbi Tucker and Dr. Rachel Adler have come up with distinctly Jewish egalitarian models of marriage.

Rabbi Tucker is a rabbi ordained in the Conservative movement. Though his egalitarian text has no “official status” (i.e. it is not universally accepted by any one movement), it is a thoroughly Jewish text. It has been created with respect to halacha (Jewish law) and takes its precedent, in part, from ancient ketubot called the Palestinian ketubot with more mutuality in their structure (again, see Rabbi Tucker’s notes on RitualWell). This is why rabbis of many different denominational affiliations may suggest this text, or a text like it, to marrying couples within their communities. In fact, the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly just released their Brit Ahuvim ketubah text for same-sex couples with acknowledgement of Rabbi Tucker’s work to create an egalitarian model for Jewish marriage.

As always, consult with your rabbi before purchasing your ketubah as to whether an “egalitarian” ketubah text is right for you.

Here is Rabbi Tucker’s Egalitarian ketubah text:

The post New Text: Rabbi Gordon Tucker’s Egalitarian Ketubah Text appeared first on Ketuv.