About Ordering a Ketubah as an Interfaith Couple

Interfaith couples are welcome and lovingly supported here. A ketubah should be suitable for both partners and I try to make getting a ketubah a good experience for everyone, including interfaith couples. I am happy to explain traditions and make any modifications to the ketubah texts.

The only texts that are probably not useful for interfaith couples are the Orthodox, Conservative (both), Canadian Reform, and Rabbi Adler’s Brit. 

Texts suitable for Interfaith Couples without modification:

Bliss, Dream, Joy, Just the Facts, Milestone, Stars 
Interfaith secular and Interfaith religious are the same text but the religious text includes references to God and a holy covenant of marriage and the secular one doesn’t. 

Texts suitable for Interfaith Couples with some changes:

Reform 1, Reform 2 
Secular is the Reform 1 text without references to God. 
Hope has a couple of sentences about a Jewish home and Tikkun Olam that can be removed. 
Tree of Life is built around Jewish concepts but can be modified to remove specific commitments to Judaism.

As you’re looking at the options, keep in mind that you can change the wording if it doesn’t suit you. 

You can 
- delete anything 
- combine sentences/parts from different texts
- change words here and there 
- rephrase in English without changing the basic meaning (Oxford comma people - this one is for you. For instance, there are a couple of places with a series of linked qualities in pairs which is lovely in Hebrew and reflected in the English, but may be stylistically irritating to those who are particular about wording).
- add 2-3 new sentences 

For example, starting with the Joy text, you could say that you want to use the Just the Facts opening/dates & Names and remove the names and dates from the closing lines of the Joy text. Or you could use any text and delete or change words or phrases that don’t fit your relationship. 

It is helpful if 
- you put your changes in ALL CAPS so that I can easily find the change and make the corresponding changes in Hebrew. 
- you’re combining texts, please let me know which ones. 

The one thing to keep in mind is that if your text ends up looking like a completely custom text, I may refer you to a translator to make sure the Hebrew is a good translation. I can make minor changes and make the Hebrew match, but if it is mostly new language, having an actual translator is best.

You can send your text to me at any point (as a doc, pasted into email, or in special instructions in the order form).