Ketu-What?! Reimagining Your Ketubah as a Communications Covenant
The strength of our relationships is measured not by how much we love each other when things are easy, but by how we communicate when things are hard.
Judaism has made use of ketubot, or marriage covenants, for eons. Modern ketubot go beyond tradition and signify the set of promises and commitments partners make to each other as part of their marriage. The wisdom of these covenants is available to all of us, regardless of our identity, or the identity of the people we love!
Join Brent Chaim Spodek, therapist and rabbi, Nicole Wasilus, Director of Lifecycle Connections at 18Doors, Lonnie Kleinman, rabbi and Keshet’s Associate Director of Education and Training, and Michael Shapiro, Founder and CEO of ketubah.com for a conversation about how emotionally intelligent couples can make sure their wedding is not only a party, but the foundation of a mature relationship. Whether you’re Jewish, interfaith, and/or queer, you’re welcome!
This program will conclude with an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, where our panel of experts will answer your questions and leave you feeling prepared to create a personalized ketubah that reflects the love, trust, and understanding at the heart of your partnership.
We’re looking forward to your participation on Zoom and strongly encourage you to have your camera on during this event. Our community/conversation is richer when we can engage in these topics together!
Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek (he/him) is widely recognized as one of the most inspiring rabbis in America. He works extensively with couples preparing for marriage, is a co-designer and leader of the Togethering Retreats and serves as a member of the faculty at Pardes North America. Rabbi Brent is the emeritus rabbi at Beacon Hebrew Alliance and previously served as the Rabbi in Residence at American Jewish World Service and was the Marshall T. Meyer Fellow at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in New York. Rabbi Brent holds rabbinic ordination and a master’s degree in philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary and worked as a daily journalist in Durham, NC before entering the rabbinate.
Rabbi Lonnie Kleinman (she/her and they/them), is Keshet’s Associate Director of Education and Training. Prior to joining Keshet, Lonnie served as a chaplain resident at the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. Lonnie holds a BA in Religious Studies and Art History from Lewis and Clark College and a MA in Hebrew Letters and Ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Lonnie is a trained spiritual director, ritualist, and death educator.
Michael Shapiro (he/him) is the founder and CEO of Ketubah.com, the world’s premier publisher of artistic Jewish wedding contracts. He is also the author of Ketubah Renaissance: The Artful Modern Revival of the Jewish Marriage Contract, set to be published by JPS in August 2025.
Nicole Wasilus (she/her) is the Director of Lifecycle Connections Strategy & Growth at 18Doors. In her role, she oversees the Jewish Clergy Officiation Referral Service which helps connect over 3,000 couples and families annually to interfaith-friendly rabbis and cantors for their upcoming lifecycle event. She was recognized in 2020 as a Jewish change-maker by New York Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36”.
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