Alaskan Ketubah

One of the first commissions I received to create an original ketubah was from a Jewish couple residing in Anchorage, Alaska. We met and imagined a work that would encompass elements of both Alaska and Israel.

The couple and I agreed on an Orthodox text framed within the borders of a map of the 49th state. Surrounding the text are two borders. The inner border is reminiscent of the Florentine style of illuminated manuscripts. Within this frame are depictions of Alaska’s flora and landscapes: pine trees, snowy mountains, lakes, swamps, a moose, and a brown bear—symbols representing the arrival of spring and the state's natural beauty.

The outer area is bordered by poetry from the Song of Solomon. This section of the piece features the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) alongside architectural elements of biblical Jerusalem. Surrounding the lake are the Golan Heights, a golden sun, grapevines heavy with fruit, sabra flowers, and centrally placed red roses.

This ketubah broke from traditional ketubah design and gave me the freedom to be creative and original in my approach.