Ketubah Graphia

This handwritten Book of Esther called the Megillah (“scroll”), for the holiday of Purim, belonged to my maternal grandfather. I never knew my grandfather, but I cherish having something that I know was his, was touched by his hands, and that connects us. Unfortunately, not much else is known about where the scroll came from and how my grandfather acquired it, but I can feel history—mine and that of the Jewish people—when I hold it, and I try to imagine the answers to those unknown questions.

There are other kinds of megillahs, but only Esther, the story of Purim, is read from a handwritten scroll—traditionally written with a goose quill.

There had been water damage to some of the lettering on this scroll, but the ink still glistens on the leather.

Scroll to see the whole Megillah...and don’t forget to make some noise if you catch the name of the badman of the story, Haman המן, ….it’s written 54 times in the Megillah! Happy Purim!!!

One of my ketubot was recently included in a new publication, and it’s an honor to see this work reproduced alongside artists I deeply admire—among them Ben Shahn, as well as colleagues working locally and internationally.

For clarity about the piece shown here:

It was created especially for this publication in 2022 (not 2012) with hand-cut watercolor paper and acrylic ink, the calligraphy done with pen and nibs on watercolor paper, and with all materials chosen for their longevity and beauty.

The interlinear text alternates Hebrew and English, framed by papercut lines referencing the chuppah or wedding canopy.

Along the border is a well-known phrase from Shir HaShirim, often translated more poetically as, ‘I have found the one in whom my soul delights.’

The empty spaces you see in the text are where the couples personalization information would be written—their names and the date and location of the wedding.

I’m grateful to the couples who entrust me with their words—and to the ways this work continues to travel beyond the studio!

Mazel Tov and ¡Felicitaciones! to D&M on their wedding today in Spain!

They commissioned a custom handwritten, hand-painted, and cut paper ketubah that included the names of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents and Valencia oranges and orange blossoms surrounding their Spanish and Hebrew ketubah text.

Wishing them many years together full of sweetness and abundance like those oranges, and that they always be surrounded by loved ones!

(Images include details, full ketubah, process, and digital sketch.)

Is it just me or does that stick collection look like it was the muse for this ketubah?

Vignettes of M&D’s framed ketubah and beautiful surrounding objects are eye candy for me today. Here is my favorite. 👁🍬

Shabbat Shalom and a safe peaceful weekend, everyone!

Feedback like this from ketubah customers makes more than just my day. Hearing a couple’s joy at receiving their ketubah and seeing it for the first time reinforces how much I love what I do!

There is no substitute for hearing and learning from the stories of those who bore witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Growing up, Gerda Weissmann Klein’s personal account as a survivor, her book All But My Life: A Memoir, had a significant impact on me—her recounting of humanity and inhumanity, friendship and family, hope, chance, small gifts and sacrifice, and the ultimate arrival of liberation and new love.

I had the great honor and pleasure of sharing a meal and visit with her a few years ago.

I think especially of Gerda and other survivors having to watch the destructive hatred, racism, antisemitism, fascism, and general disregard for the sanctity of all human life that has continued to permeate our society and rear its ugly head.

I think of so, so many people we lose to hatred and inaction, and feel a renewed sense of urgency to listen while we have the opportunity so that “Never Again” does not become an empty promise.

Here are just some of the memorials from around the world (Israel, Berlin, Hungary, Holland, U.S., Italy) that for me best express the immense and profound loss.

Ketubah with Tree, Ketubah and Tree, Ketubah of Tree, Ketubah in Tree.

Happy Tu B'Shevat, aka New Year of the Trees and Jewish Arbor Day, observed on this, the 15th (tu) of the Hebrew month of Shevat!

May this next year be a time of growth, better health, renewal, and greater awareness of our environment and impact.

Images, left to right: Poetic Hebrew phrase with cut paper details, Red Earth text next to vintage paper, Ketubah text written on large piece of sanded and polished wood, circular Ketubah text written for collaboration with artist Ali Dachis of .

Beginning the cutting of the Hebrew poetic phrase, אני לדודי ודודי לי, “Ani L’Dodi v’Dodi Li,” “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,” for the border of a new ketubah.

This phrase from the Song of Songs is one of the most popular phrases incorporated into parts of the wedding ceremony, ceremonial objects, or gifts.

There are also several more beautiful phrases that I incorporate into my designs. These are cut from the same watercolor paper on which the text is written, and customers can choose to have them painted or leave them the natural white of the paper. The collaging of cut paper designs and phrases around the border of the ketubah play with light and shadow while accentuating the colorful and meaningful text within.

These same phrases are also great as gifts on their own, and are a popular anniversary gift.

Visit ketubahgraphia.com/handmade-ketubah-border-designs for all phrase options....or commission a custom phrase that holds special meaning for you or the recipient!

Capiz shell table place cards!

After creating A & A's ketubah, they asked me to hand-letter the place cards for their wedding reception.

Such a beautiful and creative idea they had to use these iridescent shells with Marine Blue ink (which also matched their ketubah) for their wedding on the coast of southern France. 🇫🇷 🐚 ✍🏼