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Detail - Shamayim Chuppah
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At left, is the "Shamayim Chuppah." At center, it features a mystical representation of heaven,
with the names of the Jewish patriarchs and matriarchs, surrounded by Hebrew names of the grandparents and parents. Surrounding
the center are six tree limbs, each with the Hebrew names of the immediate family members. Intertwined throughout the leaves
are verses from the Bible relevant to these names. At the bottom of the chuppah are lions of Judah guarding Menorahs modeled
after Temple Menorahs but constructed with pomegranates and roses. Also, within the chuppah are the Sheva Brachot, hand-written
and contained within seven circles representing the seven spheres of heaven which the couple enters into upon their marriage.
The entire chuppah is elaborately bordered with flowers reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. The flowers and birds continue
onto the inside valances. The outside valances are also entirely hand rendered and are based on Eastern designs and motifs.
Super-imposed are peacocks which represent love and fidelity. Verses are painted on each valance as well. The chuppah measures
7' X 7' and is made of 100% dupioni silk and trimmed with gold and light blue French embroidered jacquard ribbon and gold
lace. Please note that the chuppahs photograph beautifully. They actually seem to glow when lit properly and make a tremendous
impact on the room. For more information or a design consultation, please contact Marlena Schwartzman at marlena@silkhuppah.com.
Please visit my blog to discuss the oldest and newest ideas for Jewish weddings www.silkhuppahsjewishweddings.blogspot.com.
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Kol Na'arim Tallit/Chuppah This is an
artistic way to use a tallit as a chuppah. Commissioned in memory of parents and grandparents, this work shows a family
tree, birds (including a dove), flowers and pomogranates. It is painted on 50" x 50" habotai silk, trimmed
with gold pyramid trim and attached to a large kol na'arim tallit to be used annually at Simchat Torah and potentially
as a family chuppah. For more information, contact marlena@silkhuppah.com. Please visit my blog to discuss the oldest and newest ideas for Jewish weddings
www.silkhuppahsjewishweddings.blogspot.com .
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Family Tree Chuppah Above, is the "Family Tree Chuppah." This was commissioned with an expressed desire
to bring the "presence" of five generations of ancestors under the chuppah. It served the symbolic purpose of "inviting"
the entire family to witness the wedding. A tree is at center. The names of the parents are on the trunk, the roots contain
the names of the family's ancestors and they, in turn, are connected to the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish people
whose names appear at the bottom of the chuppah. The foliage contains the names of the children. Leaves with each child's
name, the name of the spouse and the date of the wedding are sewn on. Hopefully, their children will add their names as well
in years to come. Behind the tree is a figurative representation of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The Sheva Brachot (the
seven blessings recited under the chuppah) are written within seven circles, representing the seven spheres of heaven which
the couple enter upon their marriage. Heaven is also represented in the mystical sky and stars. At the bottom are flowers
and birds appear above representing the Garden of Eden mentioned in the Sheva Brachot. Each valance contains a different verse
quoted from Tanach (the Bible) which had also appeared on the parent's ketubah. This chuppah measures 6' X 6' and is made
of 100% dupioni silk. It is trimmed with light blue and gold embroidered French jaqcuard ribbon and gold braid. For more information
or a design consultation, please contact Marlena Schwartzman at marlena@silkhuppah.com. Please visit
my blog to discuss the oldest and newest ideas for Jewish weddings www.silkhuppahsjewishweddings.blogspot.com.
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Detail - Family Tree Chuppah
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Tu B’Shevat Chuppah Commissioned
for a garden wedding in the U.K., this chuppah reflects a Tu B’Shevat engagement and summer wedding in its blooming
almond tree and summer green tree. While seeming to be transparant, the sky is actually painted on the canopy.
It contains the Seven Species, the verse “Ze Dodi, v’ze Re’ee” (“This is my beloved and this
is my friend”) from Song of Songs both on the canopy and on the front valance. Subtly contained within the foliage
and blossoms are clusters of leaves and flowers in the shape of an embracing couple. The chuppah is personalized with
the names of the bride and groom over two peacocks which also appear on the front valance. Both valances contain the
blooming almond, green, birds and flora. The chuppah measures 6' X 6' and is trimmed with gold metallic laces both on
the valances and surrounding the canopy. For more information, please contact marlena@silkhuppah.com.
Please visit my blog to discuss the oldest and newest ideas for Jewish weddings www.silkhuppahsjewishweddings.blogspot.com.
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Detail Tu B'Shevat Chuppah See also, coordinating Tu B'Shevat ketubah and Tu B'Shevat tablecloth. The photographs
of the tablecloth appear on the Challah Cover/Tabletop page.
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Coordinating Tu B'Shevat Ketubah Commissioned to coordinate
with the chuppah at left, this ketubah contains rabbinically-supplied text with the last two lines adjusted and hand-written
to match the computerized font for full margin justification. Art work is hand-done in watercolor and acrylic paint
on archival-quality paper. Ketubah size can be customized and calligraphy can be entirely hand-done. For more
information, please contact marlena@silkhuppah.com. Please visit my blog to discuss the oldest and newest ideas for Jewish weddings www.silkhuppahsjewishweddings.blogspot.com.
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Jerusalem in Gan Aden Above is the chuppah entitled, "Jerusalem in
Gan Aden." This chuppah is 60" X 50," on dupioni silk and trimmed in a braided gold (not shown).
Its size makes it also suitable as a wall hanging. It depicts Jerusalem and is surrounded
by birds and flowers. It contains the Seven Species of Israel. In the foreground are two peacocks under
which is written, "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li." ("I am to my beloved as my beloved is to me.") Above Jerusalem
is the phrase "Od y'shama b'arai Yehuda oovchootzot Yerushalayim, kol sasson v'kol simcha, kol chatan v'kol kallah."
("Let there be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, the sound of joy and the sound of gladness,
the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride.") For more information about the chuppah/wall hanging, please
contact marlena@silkhuppah.com. Please visit my blog
to discuss the oldest and newest ideas for Jewish weddings www.silkhuppahsjewishweddings.blogspot.com.
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Peacock Chuppah/Wallhanging The "Peacock Chuppah" above measures 4' X 4,'
is painted on dupioni silk and is trimmed with purple velvet ribbon. Its size makes it suitable as a wall hanging. It
features two peacocks, symbols of love and friendship, in bright vibrant colors surrounded by small petaled flowers. Above
the peacocks is the phrase "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li." This
work shimmers because of the abundance of gold and copper used throughout. For more information, please contact marlena@silkhuppah.com. Please visit my blog to discuss the oldest and newest ideas for Jewish weddings www.silkhuppahsjewishweddings.blogspot.com. Photograph
courtesy of Studio Nine Photographers www.studionine.com.
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Pirkei Avot Chuppah Commissioned to reflect the couple’s
various levels of relationships from their work in the community and their ideal of Tikun Olam, to their personal connection
to each other, this chuppah has a theme of symmetry and relationships. It has a verse from Pirkei Avot “You are
not Obligated to Complete the Work, Nor are You Free to Abandon It” as well as the verse from Song of Songs, “I
Have found the One in Whom My Soul Delights” in English calligraphy. The chuppah is designed to have
parallel elements which are not exactly the same; they reflect each other while not being identical. There are
couples of trees, peacocks, birds and lions as well as two sets of pomegranates. The birds flying in the sky also contain
the names of loved ones in Hebrew calligraphy, also in couples where appropriate. The chuppah is trimmed in gold metallic
pyramid trim and measures 6’ X 50.” For more information, please contact marlena@silkhuppah.com.
Please visit my blog to discuss the oldest and newest ideas for Jewish weddings www.silkhuppahsjewishweddings.blogspot.com.
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