On Sunday, May 4, 2003 OJM opened "Artistic Unions-Ketubbot in Oregon" featuring a selection of contemporary Jewish marriage contracts from the community, sometimes showing three generations within the same family, along with wedding photographs and related artifacts borrowed from the community. These contracts represent a wide range of history and artistry. Some are simple printed forms; others are decorated and personalized with a wealth of symbolic and narrative motifs. The oldest ketubbah in the exhibit dates to 1888 and was given to Sarah Solomon when she married Sigmund Sichel. The kettubah that belonged to Etta Groa and Kadish Kosky married in London in 1903, typifies the pre- printed, formulaic documents on which the officiating rabbi inserted the necessary details and the witnesses signed. Deborah Budner and Steven Eisenbach, married 89 years later, chose to add their own prose. There are also spectacular artworks by professional scribes and artists, such as Shonna Husband-Henkins, Amy Fagin, Mina Cohen and Fran Sloan who have found a niche by creating pieces of Judaica for new generations to cherish.
All are remarkable documents, testifying to wonderful moments in the lives of Oregon Jewish families. All reveal social, cultural and historical information that sheds light on Jewish life in Oregon.
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