About the Artist
Mickie Klugman-Caspi is an Israeli-American artist and calligrapher who has been
specializing in Judaica since 1980. Her hundreds of original designs are reproduced on
ketubot, greeting cards, Judaic art prints, calendars and more. Among the many sources
that inspire Mickie's delicate watercolor designs are traditional Jewish motifs, Persian
and Arabic illumination, contemporary graphics, as well as art nouveau and art deco. Being
an avid gardener, she loves to incorporate the beauty of nature into much of her artwork.Mickie studied art at Columbia College in Chicago where she
discovered a love for the simple elegance of calligraphy. She spent seven years as a
freelance artist and calligrapher in Israel. She currently resides in Newton,
Massachusetts with her husband and business partner, Eran, and their children.
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About Caspi Cards & Art
After years of creating original artwork for individual clients, Mickie decided to bring her creations to a larger audience. Together with her husband Eran, Mickie established Caspi Cards & Art in 1990. To better enable her to concentrate on the creative process, Eran took over the daily management of the business. Over the last decade, Caspi Cards & Art has innovated the ketubah business by offering dozens of ketubah designs in a variety of texts. We introduced the first pre-printed Interfaith text as well as a gender neutral text that could be used by same-sex couples. New for 2003, we wrote an all English Humanist text to be used by secular couples, as well as couples searching for a more modern interpretation of the ketubah text. Mickie and Eran also pride themselves on being able to meet any deadline ("Can you help me, I'm getting married tomorrow!"). Since 2000, Caspi Cards & Art has produced the Jewish Art Calendar, available at Jewish galleries & bookstores throughout the United States. In addition to ketubot and calendars, Caspi Cards & Art offers Mickie's beautiful designs as framed prints, greeting cards, and two Seder plates introduced in 2002. All of Mickie's artwork is available through your local Judaica bookstore or gallery.
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Ketubah History
THE KETUBAH - the marriage contract - was introduced into
the Jewish wedding ceremony approximately 2,500 years ago. It was written in Aramaic, the
spoken language of the Jews of the time, so that everyone would understand the contract.
To this day Aramaic has remained the language of the traditional Ketubah . In the
contract, the husband undertakes to honor, support and maintain his wife, and to live with
her in affection and amity. He also states what she will receive in the event of divorce
or of his death. The ketubah was developed to protect the Jewish wife and to ensure her
future.
Although the traditional text has undergone little change through
the centuries, couples today often prefer that the text portray their own spirituality.
Mickie's ketubot are available with a variety of texts from the traditional to the modern,
to allow you to choose both a design and a text that best reflects your ideas and beliefs.
The ketubah document has attracted artistic adornment through the
centuries and has become a significant expression of Jewish art. With the use of
calligraphy to ornament the text itself and a vast host of designs to enhance and
beautify the border, the ketubah has evolved into a unique document expressing a couple's
life together.
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How do we choose a text?
Choosing a text can be as difficult as choosing a design. Mickie offers 8 different text
choices ranging from the Traditional to the Modern. You should read through all of the
texts and choose the one that best reflects your own beliefs and worldview. It would be
wise to get your rabbi's or officiant's approval before ordering your ketubah (some rabbis might desire
a particular text).
Please note, the texts of different ketubot come in different sizes and shapes. We usually show
only one shape of our texts on the website so that you can read the actual text. Any traditional quote that appears
on the text shown, might or might NOT appear on your actual ketubah. Even if you see a particular quote on the text
that you choose, it might not appear on your actual ketubah. If you would like to know if a specific quote appears,
please call us to confirm.
The Traditional Aramaic
(Orthodox) text is a prenuptial agreement between the groom and the
bride wherein the husband undertakes to honor, support and maintain his wife. In the
document he states that she will receive a certain sum of money in the event of divorce or
of his death. (In Israel today, the specific sum is sometimes even tied to the dollar
because of its greater stability than the Israeli Shekel.) It is a very formal contract
written in Aramaic over 2000 years ago and originally was a valuable document that
protected the bride. There is no English on this text.
The Traditional
Aramaic with Contemporary English (Orthodox) text is the same Aramaic document as above. The
English portion is NOT a translation of the Aramaic, but rather a contemporary text
written by Mickie & Eran.
The Lieberman
Clause with Contemporary English (Conservative) text is almost the same
text as the Traditional Aramaic. A new clause is added essentially stating that in the
case of a civil divorce, either the husband or wife can appear before the Bet Din
(rabbinic court) to request a "Get" (a Jewish divorce document). According to
Jewish law, without this document, a woman is still legally married to her husband. If she
wants to remarry and she doesn't have a "Get", any children that she would have
with the second husband would be considered illegitimate. Conservative Rabbis often prefer
the Lieberman Clause text to protect the woman in the unlikely event that a man refuses to
grant her a "Get", so please check with your rabbi first. Orthodox Rabbis do not
accept the Lieberman Clause, so in fact it only relates to a Conservative Bet Din. The
English portion is NOT a translation of the Aramaic, but rather a contemporary text
written by Mickie & Eran.
The Egalitarian
Hebrew and English (Reform) text is suitable for reform weddings. Mickie
and Eran wrote the English text and carefully translated it into modern, poetic Hebrew. It
was modeled on the traditional text, yet reflects a more egalitarian view of Judaism and
the equal roles of a husband and wife in our contemporary Jewish society.
The Modern
English with Hebrew heading (Interfaith) text, was specifically written
for couples of different heritages, although it has been used by Jewish couples who were
raised in different traditions. It has a short Hebrew heading (a translation of the first
English paragraph) where the bride and groom's personal information is inscribed. This
text was written by Mickie & Eran.
The Anniversary with
Hebrew heading text is designed for couples celebrating an anniversary
from 2 years to 70 or more years. It records the bride and groom's original wedding and
does not need to be signed. Since the tradition of using an illuminated ketubah has been
re-introduced into the ceremony only 10 to 15 years ago, many couples who have been
married for more than 10 years never had a beautiful ketubah. They are now either deciding
to purchase a ketubah for themselves in order to renew their vows, or they can receive one
as a gift (often from their children). This text was written by Mickie & Eran.
The Alternative Egalitarian
(Gender Neutral) text is suitable for reform, humanist, and interfaith weddings, but it is also the only ketubah specifically written with same sex couples in mind. The Hebrew is a direct translation of the English. The signature lines have been left off because we fill in this portion of the ketubah when we personalize it according to the specifications of the couple. Some couples opt for the standard signature lines (2 Witnesses, Bride, Groom, and Rabbi), but some people want the word "beloved" instead of bride and groom, or the word "Officiant" or "Cantor" instead of Rabbi. If not specified, we will enter lines for 2 Witnesses, Bride, Groom and Officiant. This text was written by Mickie & Eran.
The Humanist English only text was written for couples who prefer not to have any Hebrew on the ketubah. It is suitable for humanist or secular ceremonies, as well as for interfaith couples. This text was written by Mickie & Eran
All of the texts were carefully composed to meet the
different needs of couples expressing the many various forms of Judaism today. Please note
that all of our texts are copyrighted and registered with the Library of Congress and may
not be reproduced without our express written permission.
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Can we write our own text?
All of Mickie's ketubot are available blank (except for the Feather
Crescent Ketubah) so that we can individually calligraph your own custom
text into the design of your choice. You will need to type the English
portion of your text exactly as you wish it to appear on the ketubah. If
you want Hebrew on your custom text, you will have to have the Hebrew
portion translated and either typed in Hebrew, or written out very
neatly by hand.
Please allow 4 to 6 weeks to complete. The cost of custom texts is $1.25
per word. Since custom texts are so much work, we do have rush charges
- within 3 weeks, add 20% & within 10 days, add 40%. For more
information regarding custom texts, please call 1-800-KETUBOT
(1-800-538-8268).
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How do we enter our Hebrew
names on the information form?
When you are filling out the information
form to order a ketubah, you will notice that when we ask for Hebrew names, you
can only type in English. Here you have three options:
- Transliterate the name from Hebrew to English and type in
English letters. Example: Mordechai. We will then write Mordechai in Hebrew on the ketubah
where it is called for. There is only one proper spelling for many Hebrew names. If you
have a specific spelling for a name in Hebrew that is different from the commonly accepted
spelling please let us know! You can write us a note at the bottom of the information form
in the space reserved for extra comments or questions or you can call us at 1-800-KETUBOT
(1-800-538-8268)
- If you don't know the name in Hebrew or if someone does
not have a Hebrew name, we can transliterate the English name into Hebrew. Write
"transliterate" in the box that asks for the Hebrew name. Example: If the name
is Richard, we will write Richard in Hebrew letters. A person reading the Hebrew will read
the Hebrew letters as Richard.
- You can print out the information form and write the
Hebrew names in the proper places (clearly and legibly) -or- you can call us at
1-800-KETUBOT (1-800-538-8268) and we will fax or send you an information form that you
can fill out in pen and return to us.
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What if I don't have a Hebrew name?
There is a space on all of our ketubot for Hebrew names. If you don't have a
Hebrew name, please write "transliterate" in the appropriate box and we will
write your English name in Hebrew letters. Please do not leave the box blank, or write
"none" or "N/A" as this will lead to a phone call from us asking for
your Hebrew name.
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Will my ketubah look exactly as I see it
on my computer screen?
Although the ketubah will look very similar, it will not be exactly as you are viewing it.
Different monitors and display settings will affect the color, as well as the fact that
the computer screen is a very different medium than ink on paper. The actual ketubah also
has a finer, more delicate feel to it. And finally, the gold foil that appears on many of
the ketubot cannot be produced accurately ( if at all ) on your computer screen.
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Why is the time of the wedding significant?
In the Hebrew calendar, the day begins and ends at sunset. Although Shabbat is on
Saturday, we actually begin observing with the setting of the sun on Friday evening.
Holiday celebrations also begin at sundown of the previous day. If your wedding takes
place after sunset, the Hebrew date for the wedding is actually the following Hebrew day.
When filling out the form, enter the English date and whether the wedding takes place
before or after sundown, and we will look up the Hebrew date for you.
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How long does it take to
complete a Ketubah?
From the day we receive your completed form, please allow two weeks for us to personalize
and ship your ketubah. If you need it sooner, just let us know. We can usually complete
your ketubah within a day if necessary (without any rush charges, although you will be
responsible for the extra cost of express shipping). If it is a rush ketubah, please call
1-800 KETUBOT (1-800-538-8268) and make sure that we have received your e-mail or fax! For
a custom text (a text that you have written and want us to calligraph into one of our
designs), please allow 4 to 6 weeks to complete.
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What happens if there is a
mistake on our ketubah?
Please fill in your form carefully and have the rabbi or officiant approve it. We cannot
be responsible for any mistakes you make in filling out the form. Please make sure we can
reach you during the day by phone for any questions we might have. If we make a mistake
(it is very rare, but it does happen) we will redo your ketubah immediately at no charge
to you. If, however, the mistake is yours, you will be responsible to pay for a new
ketubah.
Helpful Hint: Check again that everything is correct,
especially the spelling of the name of your mother-in-law to be.
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Can we see a proof of the ketubah?
With new inkjet printer technology, many artists are printing out proofs prior to printing an actual ketubah. We continue to
fill in each ketubah by hand with beautiful calligraphy. We never use inkjet printers and therefore cannot print out an
individual proof. If you or your rabbi requires a proof, we can fax a blank text that your rabbi can fill in exactly to his
or her specifications. We will then hand-calligraph your ketubah exactly as on this 'proof' provided by your rabbi. Please
call us to discuss this option further (617-964-8888).
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How should we handle the
ketubah during the ceremony?
Since the ketubah is actually read during the ceremony, many couples like to display it on
an easel. We recommend that you bring the ketubah (you will receive it rolled in a tube)
to a framer and ask them to mat it for you. Ask the framer to place a sheet of acetate
over the ketubah to protect it from dirty hands and flying bits of spit. The matted
ketubah can be placed on an easel during the ceremony and reception to add a splash of
color and tradition. You can complete the framing process after the ceremony.
Helpful Hint: Appoint someone reliable at the wedding (a
position of honor for someone?) to be in charge of the ketubah. This way you will be sure
that it is not accidentally left behind at the end of the celebration, or worse, trampled
or lost.
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What type of pen should be used to
sign the ketubah?
You can use any pen with indelible ink. We strongly discourage the use of fancy fountain
or ink pens since these tend to leak, especially when people are not used to writing with
them. We have seen horrible ink accidents. Choose a trusty medium ball point pen (any
color, although many couples prefer black) to give the ketubah the look of a signed
document, which is what it is.
Helpful Hint: Practice signing your Hebrew names on a
different piece of paper before you sit down to sign the actual ketubah (English names
also if you need to).
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How do we fill in a ketubah by ourselves?
If you would like one of the calligraphers at Caspi Cards & Art to fill in your ketubah, please call us or fill in our form online by clicking
the personalization link on the left. If your rabbi, cantor or officiant is filling in your ketubah as a contract, we recommend using
a black, medium ball point pen. If you are using your own calligrapher to fill in the ketubah, please note that your calligrapher
must take full responsibility for any damage done to the ketubah.
To the calligrapher: Among other pens, we have used a Rotring Art Pen
with Black Ink Cartridge and a matching nib (depending on the text, we use 1 of 5 different size nibs). If you pencil in guidelines
first, please note that erasing pencil marks will remove the coating on the paper and can damage the pre-printed text and art. Erasing is
very, very tricky - try not to erase on the pre-printed text at all, as little as possible in general, and as lightly as possible when
necessary. We use Hi-Polymer erasers such as Pentel or Staedtler-Mars. You can experiment on the edges of the paper in order to get a feel
for how your ink and pen work on the paper.
We strongly recommend that you have us complete the ketubah personalization for you.
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How should we display the ketubah in our home?
After framing the ketubah with acid-free matting and backing, as well as UV protection or archival quality glass, you can hang your ketubah
in your home. Please do not subject the ketubah to direct sunlight or bright indoor lights, as these can damage the ketubah and lead
to fading.
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Can I get a catalogue?
You can receive a full color catalogue by mail by calling us at 1-800-KETUBOT
(1-800-538-8268) or by e-mail.
©1991-2008 Mickie Caspi and Caspi Cards & Art, All
Rights Reserved. No part of this website, any artwork ( including ketubot & prints )
represented herein, nor any text listed herein ( excepting public domain traditional texts
and quotes), may be reproduced in any manner without the prior and express written
permission of Mickie Caspi and Caspi Cards & Art. |
