Happy Tu BeAv (15th of Av)

on July 26th, 2010 | Interesting

Today, the 15th of Av is a minor Jewish holiday about which Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamiliel in Mishnah in Taanit says that Israel had no days as festive as Tu BeAv, for on it the girls of Jerusalem would go out dressed in borrowed white dresses so as not to embarrass one who hadn’t (a dress of her own). They would go out and dance in the vineyards…. This gathering of young men and women was a way for them to find a match, speed dating of sorts. Since then, Tu BeAv has become associated with love and with marriage. And although the tradition of maidens in white has not persisted, even today many weddings, traditional and non-traditional, are held on this day. To all those that are tying the knot on this day (or any other day), we wish you a heartfelt Mazel Tov!

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Ketubah Gallery | Paper-Cut Ketubahs

on July 15th, 2010 | Ideas and Inspirations

To explain my fascination with papercuts, I have to get biblical.

‘Tapuchei Zahav B’Maskiot Kesef‘ – golden apples within silver ‘perforated encasements’ [maskiot] (Mishlei 25:11). A description of a jewel artifact where the golden apple on the inside is concealed within a silver net-like container as such that when viewed at the right distance the gold that peeks through the tiny outlets in the silver creates a gold / silver effervescence. Thus the jeweler, the author of this ancient ornament uses the silver, although a metal of lower value, to enhance the gold hidden inside, cloaks it with mystery, and creates an artwork altogether ethereal. (See beginning of Moreh Nevuchim [Guide to the Perplexed] by Maimonides for an explanation of this verse and the meaning of the parable.)

Similarly, by cutting, puncturing the paper, the artist whose medium is the papercut, reveals through the delicate paper-turned-into-lace a depth, another dimension, another layer. A papercut reminds us that a visual artwork is but a window into the ideas and feelings expressed through it; it reminds us to look beneath the paper, to read between the words.

With this introduction, I present you with Ketubahs adorned with the above described method. (Bare in mind that the beauty of papercuts is often difficult to capture with the photograph.)

Enya Keshet

From the artist: A large papercut ketubah of stunning detail, depicting an intricate palace front with an arch stretching over ornate columns. The fantasy peacocks with heart sprinkled tails holding a necklace of diamonds represent a couple cherishing each other equally in love and esteem; the fruit bearing palm tree that stands high calls to mind stability, longevity and confidence; the three pomegranates, full of good qualities, bring the thought of the triple thread that will never break (Ecclesiastes 4:12), testifying for the strength of the bond of marriage.

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Ketubah Gallery | Part 1: Tradition

on July 14th, 2010 | Customs & Traditions, Interesting

Judaic decorative art has many forms and styles. Steeped in the often turbulent but for that rich and multifaceted history of the Jewish people and sometimes combined with a Jewish desire to be more modern than modern, today’s Judaic artworks express themselves with diversity of colors and shapes, of ideas and symbols. To a sensitive eye, Judaic art is a confluence of experiences through time (the long history of our nation) and space (the geographic dispersion throughout the four corners of the earth) expressed through the prism of uniquely personal vision and personal experience of the artist.

Ketubah, although essentially a legal document (and legal papers rarely find themselves a source for artistic inspiration), has been an important outlet for artistic expression for hundreds of years. Before we explore contemporary Ketubah artists, let me post here a few examples of Ketubahs of yesterday. There are a few Ketubah collections on the web; here are just a few excerpts from these that caught our attention:

These are from the New York Public Library collection:

(To see more from this collection of rare, antique ketubahs, click here: NYPL Digital Library)

Another Digital collection can be found at the Jewish National and University Library; here are a few excerpts:

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Gifts by Color: Cool Blues

on July 2nd, 2010 | Buying Guides, Interesting

As the weather gets hot and the sun constantly splashes the atmosphere with the warm hues of deep yellow and orange, colors that just a couple of months ago we would look for in our windows with eager anticipation, we seem to be drawn now to the coolness of the blues, greens, and turquoise, colors that remind us of the refreshing coolness of water. I collected here for you a few items that, if you are like me who likes to color coordinate your gifts, you might appreciate this time of year, and hopefully so will the recipients. (Click on the images for more details.)

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Etsy Excursions: Placecards

on June 29th, 2010 | Ideas and Inspirations

A wedding is full of moments of anticipation and excitement, and one of these for your guests is when they gather around the table that has the seating cards all laid out in neat rows on it to find their name, their place in this labyrinth of place cards. Most halls provide place cards that you can use, but if you want to accentuate and heighten the sense of anticipation in your eager-to-find-their-seat guests, here’s a few custom place-card ideas that caught our eyes on Etsy – the place that’s always teeming with fun and tempting paraphernalia.

Wine-bottle Cork Place Card Holder

Butterfly Seating Cards

Black and White Place Cards

Pearl Place Cards

Custom Place Card Holder and Favor Container

This here is a plastic round box that serves as a place card and a container for a small wedding favor or perhaps a personal message.

Are you planning on doing anything out of the ordinary to seat your guests? Do share with us your ideas and, if possible, pictures too.

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