Seven Gates Papercut – Opalescent Blue Ketubah
by Ruth Stern Warzecha
Ketubah Description
Seven Gates is a rendering of the seven gates and neighborhoods of the Old City of Jerusalem. Cut out of metallic paper, it is also related to golden Jerusalem-shaped tiaras given by Jewish husbands of old to their wives. Along the bottom of the arch are the 6 traditional gates through the wall (Damascus, Jaffa, Zion, Dung, Lion’s, Herod’s). At the keystone position in the arch is the sealed Golden Gate. On either side of this gate are the hills and suburbs that radiate out from the city. The rest of the arch depicts the neighborhoods and meandering alleyways of the Old City. The quote along the sides is a blessing to peace lovers from Psalm 122, verses 6 and 7 which translates as “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper who love thee. Peace within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces.”
Ketubah Artist Bio
Ruth Stern Warzecha comes from a family of religious scribes and has worked as a Judaica artist for over 30 years. She specializes in calligraphy, papercutting, custom ketubot, and glass and needlepoint design.