Ketubah Gallery
The Afikomen ketubah gallery has an extensive selection of ketubot for you to view, including lithographs, giclee prints, and laser cut art from over 30 different artists. We also have information and samples for several excellent custom ketubah artists. Each ketubah in our gallery is available with a selection of different texts. Please contact us for more details.
Chuppah Rental
Afikomen offers chuppot for rental (canopy, poles and bases). The canopies rent for $75 to $150 and come with four poles. For a free-standing chuppah, you may rent bases to hold the poles for an additional $50. If you have your own canopy, you may rent the poles ($40) and/or the bases ($50) by themselves.
Rental procedures: Reservations may be made by coming into the shop, by phone (510.655.1977), or by downloading the reservation form and faxing or mailing it to us. For busy weekends, reservations are recommended at least 2 months ahead.
Chuppah Gallery
Chuster Tallis
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$75 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
White Silver Stripe Tallis |
$90 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
Gold Stripe Tallis |
$90 with poles, 5' x 6' |
Detail |
Cream Silver Stripe Tallis |
$90 with poles; 5' x 6'
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Detail |
Airy Leaves |
$120 with poles; 5' x 6.3' |
Detail |
Hand-appliqued Organza |
$120 with poles; 3.7' x 6.2' |
Detail |
Gold Organdy |
$90 with poles; 5' square |
Detail |
Twining leaf |
$120 with poles; 5' x 5.5' |
Detail |
Beaded Cream Organdy |
$90 with poles; 5' square |
Detail |
Shiny White Stripe Tallis
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$75 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
Hand Painted Jerusalem Silk
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$120 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
White Silk |
$120 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
White Floral |
$120 with poles; 5' x 7' |
Detail |
Linen Leaf |
$150 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
White Organdy |
$120 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
Gold Damask |
$90 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
Green Damask |
$90 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
White Damask |
$90 with poles; 5' x 6' |
Detail |
Chuppah Poles and Bases
The poles are smooth stained wood 1 3/8 inch diameter, 8 feet tall with eye hooks on the top to which the canopy can be affixed with ties, loops or through a hole (e.g., the tzizit hole in the corner of a tallis).
The bases are heavy metal, coated black, and consist of a ½ inch thick disc that is 1 foot in diameter to which a pipe 8 inches tall is affixed at the center perpendicular to the disc. They are heavy and provide the “free standing chuppah” option with a low profile. Under very windy, particularly gusty, conditions, a person should stand at each pole to keep a hand on for security, or additional weight should be added to the bases in some way. Under most conditions, the freestanding chuppah is completely stable.
The Tradition of the Chuppah
In ancient Israel, at the end of the betrothal period, a new bride was escorted in a festive procession to the groom's room or tent - the chuppah - where the marriage was consummated. The term "chuppah" referred to the chamber, to the bridal canopy, or to the marriage ceremony itself; today only the latter two meanings survive.
The chuppah symbolizes the couple's first home. It's frailness suggests the fragility of shalom bayit, peace within the household. It also symbolizes the shelter of their new home and an emotional, physical, and spiritual transition in their lives. (From The Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols, by Frankel & Teutsch)