In a Jewish marriage, the modern-day ketubah, a prenuptial agreement, is standard and unorthodox.
The traditional ketubah outlined the responsibilities within a couple’s union. It was typically written in Aramaic, signed by two witnesses and geared toward Jewish heterosexual couples.
But the document has evolved, just like the idea of marriage.
“The ketubah in its original text is entirely about what the husband is supposed to provide for the wife,” said David Gerber, a Reform rabbi at Gates of Prayer in Metairie, La. “We simply don’t do marriages the way we used to. In modern era, it’s not an expectation that one provides for the other. Sometimes they provide for each other. Sometimes the wife provides for the husband.”
Rabbi Gerber, who has officiated at 50 weddings, says many couples still use Aramaic text verbatim, accompanied by English words that describe their commitment to one another, rather than a direct translation. But other’s don’t — it’s up to the bride and groom (or one of them) to decide.
Alexis Knapp, 36, and Jonathan Torjman, 37, who married April 3, 2011, have their ketubah, written in Hebrew, hanging in the bedroom wall of their Miami home. Mr. Torjman, who is modern Orthodox, can read and speak the language. Ms. Knapp, who grew up Reform, cannot.
“He told me I got like two goats and a donkey, so we better not get divorced,” she said, jokingly.
The document, created by their rabbi and signed off by Mr. Torjman, is a little larger than a standard piece of paper, according to Ms. Knapp, colored with pinks, gold and turquoise, a border design and a crown up top. “It’s pretty run of the mill, knowing there are better ones,” she said. “I really didn’t know there was anything that could be special about a ketubah at all.”
Less constricted by heritage and archaic social norms, ketubot (plural) now commonly reflect Jewish customs while emphasizing the couple’s vows, interests, tastes and personalities. Given specific requests and intricate details, often they simultaneously function as décor.
Ms. Knapp says her Jewish friends showcase their gold, sparkly, shiny and ornate ketubot in custom frames. “I’ve seen it in their living rooms, or in entryways, sitting areas,” she said.
Given a choice, Ms. Knapp says she would have commissioned a piece with a “more organic feeling,” perhaps on linen paper or leather. “It’s something like a wedding ring that is with you forever and ever and ever — it’s a covenant and something symbolic of that day,” said Ms. Knapp, who didn’t initially understand it’s broader significance.
“I would’ve been a little more involved in the process and not left it up to my husband had I known it’s something that would be framed and up for display,” she added.
Couples today, regardless if they are Orthodox, Conservative, interfaith, LGBTQ, Reform or another religion entirely, have a variety of choices. They can scroll through preset text options on Ketubah.com, the self-proclaimed “largest ketubah gallery on the planet.” The website features 80 artists and more than 750 limited edition artworks, from fancy gold leaf to Japanese washi paper. Prices range from $50 to $1,000-plus, and it takes two to six weeks to create the art piece.
Brides and grooms with larger budgets ($1,500 to $3,500), can opt for three-dimensional, free-standing sculptures by Timeless Ketubah. Some are 25 inches tall, 16 inches wide and 6 inches long.
Couples will also require a more liberal production time frame, of three weeks to five months, for ketubot made of bonded bronze (resin mixed with bronze powder), sometimes with a wood component. “There’s a lot of back and forth with a couple, deciding different aspects in terms of artistic elements, and also which texts you use, which can take quite a bit of time,” said David Master, the owner and artist at Timeless Ketubah, in Brooklyn.
Mr. Master’s custom designs, weighing five to 20 pounds, each utilize one of many preset narratives, including secular humanistic, traditional spiritual and nonreligious sentiments, which are often engraved into wood. Mr. Master has designed ketubot for clients in Miami, Philadelphia and New York. His first creation was for his own wedding in Rockleigh, N.J., on May 18, 2014.
Adriana Saipe, the owner and artist at Ink With Intent, started her ketubah-making business after creating one for her own wedding in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 5, 2013. Ms. Saipe’s illustrations are printed onto paper and canvas; most fit in standard frames. Texts range from traditional to gender neutral, and there are about a dozen design categories, from text only (starting at $163) to paper cut and custom ($500 to $900). Orders usually take three to six weeks.
Over the last five and a half years, Ms. Saipe, who is based in Burlington, Vt., has produced ketubot for couples in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York, featuring mountain ranges, scenes from national parks, flowers, skylines, and even a swamp.
Of course, ketubot graphics aren’t limited to nature or cityscapes. Each year, 1,000 couples commission Ketubah Studio in Denver to digitally design marriage contracts featuring pets, movies, pop art, and more. Prices range from $99 to $400-plus.
Star Wars fanatics can express their love with the “Episode IV: The Wedding” ketubah ($169 to $229). The Manischewitz Chicken Soup ketubah pays tribute to Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans ($179 to $239) on paper or canvas. Production timelines vary from less than a week up to eight weeks. Orders have been filled on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica, said Micah Parker, the owner and artist of Ketubah Studio. His company’s website offers a variety of writing sequences, including traditional words and the opportunity for couples to pen their own passages.
Most couples choose Aramaic and English, or Hebrew and English, Mr. Parker said. “We’ve done them in Italian, Greek, Japanese, Korean and Russian,” he said.
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