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that included pictures of animals:
elephants to represent the bride’s
Indian lineage and lions because the
groom’s name was Aryeh (lion in
Hebrew.)
Some couples are particularly
eager to include any and every sym-
bol of blessing that exists on their
ketubah, choosing to decorate it
with pomegranates and peacocks,
which are long associated with
fertility and good deeds. Brides are
more likely to request flowers, and
that’s when Sosne really gets to see
the dynamics of the couple, as most
men will balk, complaining that
flowers are “too girly.” Most couples
will ultimately compromise on more
“macho” vines, which are still flow-
ery enough to appeal to the bride.
As the times have changed, so
have the requests. Though she’s
consistently asked to draw Jewish
symbols like candles and challah,
the seven fruits of Israel and stars
of David, some couples are eager to
create a ketubah that clearly reflects
their beliefs and ideology. Recently,
Sosne finished an unusual organic-
looking ketubah with the text woven
round into itself, so it would look
like a tree trunk.
Nostalgia has a habit of setting
in just as the future looms closer.
Another recent trend is clients
requesting an antique-looking
ketubah in sepia tones.
Sosne was not always an artist.
As a child growing up in France,
she had raw talent she didn’t have
the chance to develop until age 17
when she arrived in New York for
seminary. She worked as an appren-
tice for artist Jay Greenspan, where
she learned many tools of the trade,
and as a favor created ketubot for
a few of her friends. Word got out
and Sosne was in business. By the
time she married her husband,

Gabriel, in 1989, she was able to offi-
cially launch her business, Simcha
Calligraphy.
At first, she was cutting and copy-
ing images by hand, but with the
advance of technology, her work
became significantly easier. These
days, Sosne prepares the calligra-
phy on the computer in advance to
make sure the words will fit into her
design. Hebrew letters are particu-
larly handy as they can be stretched
to fit practically any shape or design,
but she says it’s nice to know in
advance that the Hebrew words will
fit how she intended so she won’t
have to erase and start over.
Beyond ketubot, Sosne also cre-
ates personalized baby naming
certificates that include the baby’s
weight, length and namesake, as
well as the prayer for docto rs, had-
lakat neirot, or certificates for hon-
orees.
Each project can take between
25-100 hours of work, depending
on the complexity of the design.
The text alone can take at least five
working hours. Couples need to
keep this in mind as their wedding
date is fast approaching and their
decisions haven’t yet been finalized.
Sosne says the most difficult part is
working with deadlines, and when
people change their minds or take
their time coming to a decision and
then need the ketubah “tomorrow.”
On the flip side, Sosne loves the
creativity of her work. “I’m always
working on something new and dif-
ferent. It’s always interesting,” she
said.
Best of all, she’s dealing with peo-
ple at the happiest time of their lives,
preparing for their marriage, and she
loves seeing the stars in their eyes. •

Contact Aliza Sosne at Simcha Calligraphy at
(248) 761-9932.

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celebrate! • 2018

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