Wedding Blog
Well, I was going to wait to tell you guys about this until I was finished. Finishing, however, is looking to be less and less likely (!). It will probably get done, but I’m not entirely sure when. So I thought I’d share my ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) with you guys now.
First, here is the painting I did for our ketubah, minus the Hebrew and English wording:
The Tree of Life is a common theme in ketubahs. I love the symbolism of the tree: The trunk and leaves represent the relationship that the world sees, but that the roots are the most important part. Mr. Cream Puff and I came up with a bunch of words to describe our relationship and the things about it that make it strong. I wrote these words along the roots of the tree as a reminder to always make them a priority. Here’s what we came up with: commitment, patience, acceptance, support, balance, growth, humor, trust, adventure, affection, love, learning, appreciation, understanding, empathy, silliness, passion, communication, honesty, respect, cooperation and commitment. Here’s a close-up:
The next step is the Hebrew & English wording, which makes up the contract. This has turned into a problem. My friend Mandie shared her brother’s ketubah wording with me and I loved it–I only wanted to change it a teensy bit. The problem, however, is this: I don’t speak, read or write Hebrew. I really need someone’s help with the translation so that the Hebrew is correct. Sadly, the rabbi at my parents’ temple left his job, the orthodox rabbi that FSIL Puff works for can’t help us because we’re interfaith, and the various rabbis I have contacted in this area haven’t gotten back to me. SIGH. I love the wording and would rather not dumb it down (as in, go with one of the ready-made, fill-in ones on the internet, which I would likely STILL mess up). Once I have the wording, this is what it will look like:
I am hoping that v2 of this post will come soon, because magically someone who can read & write Hebrew will fall in my lap. Can anyone out there in Beeland help a poor, pathetic puff?
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Share this post: The Home-Made Ketubah, v1
Does Berkeley or one of the other local colleges have a language department that might have a student or professor who would be willing to help you translate?
eep, I couldn’t figure out how to use PMs so I’m just posting a reply. I work at a Jewish nonprofit and could probably find someone to do the translation for you. My boss has done some Hebrew translations for me before (though he may be hesitant to do it since he too is Orthodox) but if not him I have a few other resources around me that might also be helpful.
That is provided that some even more helpful folks don’t pop up that just speak fluent Hebrew, since that would probably be easier 
Oh, it’s beautiful! I love that you included “humor” and “silliness” in the roots of your tree. I wish I could help you with the translation - it makes me sad that the orthodox rabbi can’t do anything for you because you’re interfaith - but it looks like other readers already have some good suggestions. Yay for the Hive!
it’s so beautiful. I always wait to see more postings of any kind of drawings you post up, you’re so talented.
Check with your local Chabad. They helped me with the Hebrew wording for my invitation.
Send me your wording in a PM, I can translate it for you! (okay I can’t but I work with 4 Israelis and a Hebrew teacher!)
If none of these other leads work out, PM me.
The only thing is … is it in Hebrew or Aramaic? I’ve seen some more liberal ketubot in Hebrew instead of Aramaic. I’m probably less able to help if it’s Aramaic. If you don’t know, send it to me and I can tell you.
SO gorgeous. I love it. I was going to lament that I can read and write Hebrew but not translate it - thanks, 6 years of Hebrew school!
The Orthodox refusal is so infuriating to me. My brother and SIL had to get “permission” to come to our wedding… until they found out that they’re due the day after the wedding and can’t come anyway! I logically understand the mentality behind decisions like that (like the one about your ketubah), but I just get really worked up about them.
I only have English on my interfaith ketubah! I thought it was a little strange to transliterate my FI’s name into hebrew, so we just decided to nix the Hebrew. Just a thought!
PS — isn’t it really disheartening about orthodox (and even some conservative) rabbis? They wanted my mom to sit shivah for me! It’s been really sad for my family. =(
Great job CP. In the various bio’s I have viewed, I have seen many of these but never understood the meaning of the tree. Thanks for explaining!
It’s really common to transliterate non-Hebrew names into ketubot, btw. In Sephardic ketubot, last names are often in the ketubah and outside of Israel, they are rarely even related to Hebrew. 
I’ve never actually heard of someone sitting shiva (or getting the suggestion that they should) for a child that intermarried–I don’t disbelieve you, rebecca….I guess I thought it was a myth. It really goes against Jewish values, IMO.
I wish I could help - BUT I did want to say that it’s a really beautiful ketubah!
If your rabbi doesn’t work out let me know. My best friend lives in Mountain View now but she lived in Israel until she was 12 so she’s pretty darn fluent.
My best friend’s mom is a Jewish cantor(?) who is somehow invloved in marriage ceremonies or the preparation for the marriage ceremony itself. I’d be happy to ask her to help with the translation; I know she can do! She’s in Arizona, though. 
And the painting is absolutely gorgeous!
hey,
I speak Hebrew fluently, and I could help you out if you wish..
my email is inkush@gmail.com. email me the text and i’ll see what I can do…
Good luck with the text, I applaud ur creativity….
My FIL is a professor of Hebrew. If none of the above work out, let me know and I’ll see if he could do it: hornschmary at gmaildotcom.
Homemade Ketubah! How deliciously beautiful. You rock CP! Mad skilllllz!
Actually, most english written on Ketubahs is actually just and artists interpertation of the Hebrew, not a translation. If you compare most ketubahs the hebrew is the same (well there are actually three different versions; reformed, conservative and orthodox) but each artists interpretation is the same for all three. So, you can most likely leave the hebrew as is and change the english as you see fit. The only person who really needs to approve what is written on the ketubah is your officiant, so as long as the wording (english and hebrew) is ok with them, it should be ok. Hope this helps and the ketubah is beautiful. You can double check all of this at a judaica store that sells ketubah’s but I think you should be fine
OMGah Alyson, I had no idea!! That is really helpful!
Thank you so much you guys! I am going to email a couple of you right now!!
[...] recent DIY projects have been major headaches, and the ketubah is no different. As you may recall, I finished the artwork ages ago, but I couldn’t find anyone to do the Hebrew. It was really hard to find someone to do it, and I [...]
to question #9 - Rebecca
I am engaged to a non-Jewish long time live in man.
My mom would do the stupid shiva thing. So its not a myth.
I just wish that we all Jewish of all backgrounds in all parts of the world must have coexist attitude.
Anyway - I love the idea of creating your own Ketubah.
Only if I can do it.
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Mrs. Cream Puff, San Francisco Bay Area
Age and Occupation: 25, Illustrator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Merchandise Planner
Engagement Date: May 27, 2007
Wedding Date: August, 2008
Blogging Since: February 7, 2008
Venue: Ceremony at Crissy Field and Reception at the Green Room
About Me: I never dreamed about my wedding as a little girl because I was too busy playing in the mud or pretending to be Martha Stewart–but now that it's here, I'm having a fabulous time DIYing everything in sight! We’re planning a very fun multicultural wedding (I'm Jewish and Mr. Cream Puff is Chinese), filled with as many personal details as I can muster.
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