Traditional Aramaic (aka Orthodox) - ( click here for literal translation )
This text was written during the Babylonian exile with minor variations that occurred through changes in time and place. It delineates the husband's obligations toward his wife as they enter the marital state and was designed to protect the woman's status and property in marriage and in the event of divorce or the husband's death. It is still used by Orthodox and Conservative rabbis, carrying legal clout in contemporary courts of law as a contractual agreement. If you will be using this text, select the artist and then have your rabbi approve that artist's Aramaic text. There are some variations in spellings and your rabbi will want to be sure it fulfills his or her requirements.

Traditional Aramaic with English
The English text that accompanies a Traditional Aramaic text is not a direct translation. For each ketubah that you like, the English vows can vary so read each one to be sure you like the wording. (For a literal translation, click above on Traditional Aramaic)

Conservative with Lieberman Clause - ( click here for literal translation )
This text is the same as the Traditional Aramaic text with the addition of a paragraph called the Lieberman Clause. This is a legally binding agreement stating that, in the event of a civil divorce, the couple agrees to abide by the decision of the Rabbinic Assembly concerning the Jewish divorce. Many Conservative rabbis insist that couples sign this.The purpose is to prevent the get (Jewish divorce) from becoming a bargaining tool against the spouse, which would prevent them from remarrying. For each artwork that you are considering please have your rabbi review that artist’s text. There are some variations in spellings and your rabbi or cantor will want to be sure it fulfills his or her requirements.

Conservative with Lieberman Clause with English
The English text that accompanies this text is not a direct translation. For each ketubah that you like, the English vows can vary so read each one to be sure you like the wording. Sometimes the English vows on the Conservative texts are shorter than in others because the Aramaic is so long with the extra clause. There is simply not enough space for longer vows. (For a literal translation, click above on Conservative with Lieberman Clause)

Egalitarian with Hebrew and English - (aka Reform)
This text is usually considered the Reform text and varies from artist to artist. You should read the text that accompanies each ketubah that you are considering. They are often beautifully written expressions of love, devotion and commitment. The Hebrew is a direct translation of the English. Be sure your rabbi or cantor approves your text choice.

Interfaith
Interfaith texts are widely available and wording varies from artist to artist. In some instances there is a complete Hebrew translation of the text. In most cases, there is a Hebrew heading containing the Hebrew date, the place of the marriage and your names, followed by the vows in English. Though most rabbis and cantors will allow you free reign to choose what you like, some have specific wording that they will approve. So please check first.

Commitment Vows
Commitment vows are written to be suitable for same gender unions and are usually universally appropriate for any commitment or marriage ceremony as well. The wording varies from artist to artist so be sure to read each one that accompanies the artwork that you are interested in.

Humanist
Humanistic texts vary and may or may not mention Jewish culture and tradition. Some have Hebrew and some are all English. It is a secular text in the omission of any reference to G-d.

All Faith
All Faith texts are for couples of any religious background. There are no references to Judaism.

Anniversary Text
Already-married couples add meaning to their anniversary celebration with a beautiful ketubah commemorating their years together. Many of our artists offer thoughtful texts which reflect on this event. Some couples prefer to choose the same text that was on their original ketubah and to fill in the original information. This is a GREAT gift to present to each other or to anyone having an anniversary.

Blank / Custom Texts
If a ketubah is available in a blank, you can add a custom text. For lithographs this involves hand calligraphy. The price of a hand-written custom text depends on the particular artist and the number of words in your text. On average, this adds to the price of the ketubah print an additional $275 to $500. For giclee prints, this can usually be accomplished with computer calligraphic lettering. Don’t let that deter you - they look terrific and adding your own text is significantly less expensive, about $75 - $150.

back to questions

On the ______day of the week, the _________day of the month ______ in the year five thousand seven hundred and ______ since the creation of the world, the era according to which we reckon here in the city of _________________ that ________ son of _________ said to this (virgin) _________daughter of _____.
"Be my wife according to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish, honor, support and maintain you in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who cherish, honor, support and maintain their wives faithfully. And I here present you with the marriage gift of (virgins), (two hundred) silver zuzim, which belongs to you, according the the law of Moses and Israel; and I will also give you your food, clothing and necessities, and live with you as husband and wife according to universal custom." And Miss_____, this (virgin) consented and became his wife. The trousseau that she brought to him from her (father's) house in silver, gold, valuables, clothing, furniture and bedclothes, all this ________, the said bridegroom accepted in the sum of (one hundred ) silver pieces, and ______ the bridegroom, consented to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of (one hundred) silver pieces, making in all (two hundred) silver pieces. And thus said __________, the bridegroom: "The responsibility of this marriage contract, of this trousseau, and of this additional sum, I take upon myself and my heirs after me, so that they shall be paid from the best part of my property and possession that I have beneath the whole heaven, that which I now possess or may hereafter acquire. All my property, real and personal, even the shirt from my back, shall be mortgaged to secure the payment of this marriage contract, of the trousseau, and of the addition made to it, during my lifetime and after my death, from the present day and forever." _______, the bridegroom, has taken upon himself the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the trousseau and the additon made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all marriage contracts and the additons to them made for the daughters of Israel, according to the institution of our sages of blessed memory. It is not to be regarded as a mere forfeiture without consideration or as a mere formula of a document. We have followed the legal formality of symbolic delivery (kinyan) between ______the son of _______, the bridegroom and _______ the daughter of _______ this (virgin), and we have used a garment legally fit for the purpose, to strengthen all that is stated above, and everything is valid and confirmed.
 
Attested to________________________ Witness
Attested to________________________ Witness

Lieberman Clause

This paragraph is added at the end of the above Traditional Aramaic text which is then called Conservative with Lieberman Clause

And both together agreed that if this marriage shall ever be dissolved under civil law, then either husband or wife may invoke the authority of the Beth Din of the Rabbinical Assembly and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America or its duly authorized representatives, to decide what action by either spouse is then appropriate under Jewish matrimonial law; and if either spouse shall fail to honor the demand of the other or to carry out the decision of the Beth Din or its representative, then the other spouse may invoke any and all remedies available in civil law and equity to enforce compliance with the Beth Din's decision and this solemn abligaton.

back to questions

Place:
Ketubah texts require the city and the state of the wedding. If no Hebrew spelling is provided we will transliterate from the English. Transliterating is very subjective so if you think your rabbi will have a spelling prefernce please find out what it is.

Names:
Since the ketubah is a document, it is most common to have your first, middle and last names in the English section. A bride should supply her maiden name or the name that she enters the marriage with. Write the names exactly as you wish them to appear. It is okay to use just a middle initial or no middle name at all if that is your preference. Do not include titles such as Dr., Hon., etc. Most artists do not use the parents names in the English section but a few do so we ask you to provide their names as well.

In Jewish tradition you are identified as being ______ the son or daughter of ______ and ______. Therefore, we ask that you provide your Hebrew name(s) and those of your parents. If it is a challenge to find out the names you can start by asking your parents. From there you can find out if they have their ketubah which will have their Hebrew names on it. They may even have a circumcision or naming certificate with your name on it. You can fax any of these over to us and we can usually solve at least part of the mystery. Then try grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings. We feel it is important to document the Hebrew names as accurately as possible so that if, in the future, anyone is looking for these names they will be able to refer to your ketubah.

Hebrew names can be written in English letters if you are using the on-line form or if you do not know how to write them out in Hebrew. We will write them in Hebrew and check with you and your rabbi, if necessary, if there are names that are uncommon or have variations in spelling. If you prefer to provide us with the Hebrew you can spell out the letters on the on-line form (alef, beit, gimmel, etc.) or simply use our printable form and then fax it over.

For a partner that does not have a Hebrew name we transliterate his or her name into Hebrew letters as well as the parents’ names. On occasion, couples decide to choose Hebrew names that are related in meaning the the English name. It is a good idea to confer with your rabbi or cantor before you decide to do this.

The last names in Hebrew are usually not used in the Traditional Aramaic text. If you have a particular spelling of your last name in Hebrew please provide it since it may be used in other texts. Most Orthodox and some Conservative rabbis only use the fathers’ names in the Aramaic text so if your rabbi is one of the above and you would like to include your mothers’ names please check with him to be sure it is okay. To avoid confusion, do not provide your mother’s Hebrew names if they are not to be included in the text. In most Conservative and all Egalitarian, Interfaith and Commitment texts, we do use the mothers’ names.

Bride’s Status
*applicable to Aramaic and Conservative with Lieberman Clause texts only
Depending on whether this is the first marriage for the bride, or if she is a widow, divorcee or convert and if her father is living or deceased, some phrases of the Aramaic text change.

Signatures:
Most Orthodox and Conservative rabbis will require two witness signatures under the Aramaic text and any English vows should be below these signatures. The strictest requirement is for these signatures to be one above the other. Most Traditional Aramaic Only texts are layed out this way. However, if you choose Aramaic with English sometimes the witness signatures are side by side or are on the bottom with no witness signatues separating the Aramic and English texts. Check with your rabbi for his requirements. The signatures under the English vary but most commonly there are five - Bride, Groom, two witnesses and Rabbi. All other texts most commonly have all of the five signatures under both the Hebrew and English with none under the Hebrew.

The ketubah should be signed with a non-smearing pen. Do not use a felt tip or fountain pen. An old fashioned ballpoint works very well. You can also get a micron uniball pen from the art store that is pigment ink, fadeproof and waterproof. These are not expensive and are readily available

back to questions

You will always receive an order confimation via e-mail that you can print out for your records.

back to questions

We offer three shipping priorities for ketubot within the continental United States
which include packaging and insurance.

We will refund or exchange any undamaged, non-custom or non-personalized Ketubah lithograph within 14 days of receipt. Shipping will not be refunded for a return but in some instances may be applied to an exchange. If for any reason you need to return the ketubah, it must be returned in the original packaging.

Giclee ketubot may not be returned since they are printed per order and cannot be resold.

Call for a return authorization.
For your protection, return items using a trackable shipping method and insure for the full value of artwork.

On custom, original or personalized ketubot:
All sales are final and refunds, exchanges and cancellations are not available if work has already begun. Total payment due prior to delivery.

Damages:
In any instance that the ketubah arrives damaged, we will replace it at no cost to you. Please save the damaged original packaging and artwork so we can make the appropriate insurance claims with the shipper.

Please Note - Our artists offer the service of personalizing your ketubah. If your rabbi is filling in your ketubah as a contract, we recommend using a medium ballpoint pen. If you are having your own calligrapher fill in the ketubah, please note that your own calligrapher must take full responsibility if any damage is done to the ketubah.

back to questions

back to questions

The Judaic Connection was conceived of by an artist who has been creating ketubot and Judaica for almost three decades, together with her husband. The twofold mission of this endeavor are as follows and remain inextricably linked:

The first is a commitment to perpetuating the beautiful traditions and rituals of Judaism through the work of gifted artists. It is with great deference and pride that we showcase the work of our artists. The second, is to understand and meet the needs of our customers. We discovered at the outset that we should not limit the selection of the artwork to our personal preferences. Our artists present their artwork to you and you decide what suits your asthetic and budgetary needs.

Many couples looking for a ketubah find that it takes an expansive selection to find the artwork and text that speaks to both partners. There are different sizes and shapes. There are lithographs which are a time-tested and well respected printing method as well as giclee prints, a newer and increasingly popular method of archival fine art reproduction. We have pieces in which details are added by hand. We even have a gallery of originals which contains samples of ketubot artists have made for other couples. These artists will work with you to design a piece that will incorporate your ideas and personal symbols.

We maintain a wonderful relationship with each of our artists. They appreciate the exposure that our website provides for their artwork, allowing them to spend their time on the creative end. They know that our wholehearted commitment to representing their work in a positive light, together with our very warm and personal service is a winning combination that benefits all.

When we enhance the performance of a mitzvah by using a beautiful ritual object for the purpose, it is known as Hiddur Mitzvah. The resurgence of interest in Judaica over the last decades is very exciting as it refelcts the desire of Jews from every style of observance to bring their heritage into their homes. This trend has brought about the most fantastic explosion of creativity by Judaica artists. With new technologies and materials, everyone can afford Judaica from the charming to the elegant. This connection to our roots is evidence of the tenacity of the Jewish people and the survival of our culture and tradition through periods of tragic turbulence and intermittent respite. These objet d'art will be a legacy to future generations and will purpetuate our essence.

Thus, we call ourselves The Judaic Connection. Our hope is that through the works of art that we showcase, your connection to your Jewish heritage will be reinforced and perpetuated by having them in your home and incorporated into your life.

back to questions