Guide to filling out the personalizing form - Step by Step
We can't stress enough the importance of filling out this form accurately and LEGIBLY. Double check spellings and dates. But don't be intimidated. We are here to help. We know that sometimes you will need to search for names and we can make suggestions on where to look. We are happy to call your rabbi to ask more questions. This document is a record of your family's Jewish names that may be referred to by future generations.
We will always confirm the final information with you before the artist completes your ketubah.
Date:
We can calculate the Hebrew date for you. Since the Hebrew date changes to the next day at sundown of the previous evening (e.g. Saturday night after sundown is considered to be the first day of the week) we need to know if the ceremony is before or after sundown. If your wedding is at dusk please ask your rabbi how it should be calculated. If your wedding is Saturday evening, though not technically after sundown, it is particularly important that you ask your rabbi or cantor if the date should reflect the seventh day of the week (shabbat) or the first day of the week.
Place:
The 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 preference please find out what it is. (We do not need the name of the synagogue or hall.)
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 asking 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 Jewish marriage contract.
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 confirm the spellings with you and your rabbi/cantor. You may have a name that is uncommon or can have various spellings, especially Yiddish names, so we always check first. If you prefer to provide us with the Hebrew you can spell out the letters on the on-line form (alef, bet, gimmel, etc.) or simply use our printable form and then fax it over.
For a partner or parents that do not have Hebrew names, we transliterate their English names into Hebrew letters. 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.
Sometimes the last names are used in the Hebrew text, though not always, so if you have a particular spelling of your last name in Hebrew please provide it.
Many Orthodox rabbis only use the fathers' names on the ketubah, so if you are having an Orthodox ceremony and you would like to include your mothers' names on the ketubah, you must check with the rabbi 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 all other texts we do use both parents' names.
Brides' Status:
These questions apply only to Traditional Aramaic (Orthodox) & Conservative with Lieberman Clause texts. 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 Hebrew witness signatures under the Aramaic text. Any English vows should be below these signatures. Some rabbis require that these signatures be stacked one above the other. Most Traditional Aramaic texts that do not have English are set up in this way. However, if you choose the Aramaic with English, sometimes the witness signatures are side by side. 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 or Officiant. All other texts most commonly have all of the five signatures at the bottom of the document with none under the Hebrew.
The Jewish marriage contract 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.
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