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Jewish Theological Seminary exhibition explores history of marriage, ‘ketubahs’

“To Build a New Home: Celebrating the Jewish Wedding” introduces visitors to Jewish marriages from Talmudic times to the present.

“To Build a New Home: Celebrating the Jewish Wedding” is on display through August at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, June 2022. Credit: Ellen Dubin Photography.
“To Build a New Home: Celebrating the Jewish Wedding” is on display through August at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, June 2022. Credit: Ellen Dubin Photography.

The Jewish Theological Seminary on New York’s Upper West Side opened its first exhibition in its newly constructed library.

“To Build a New Home: Celebrating the Jewish Wedding” introduces visitors to Jewish marriages from Talmudic times to the present, including recent innovations as Jewish sensibilities have developed in the context of the world at large.

A selection of rare ketubahs (Jewish marriage contracts) is on display as part of the exhibit, which runs until Aug. 14.

Each one depicts the brief but intimate details of Jewish relationships at the time—ideals of marriage, intrafamilial dynamics and how couples advanced with prenuptial agreements in the 12th century.

The new JTS space will present exhibits of its holdings year-round.

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