22 | JULY 20 • 2023
“Having my Grandpa Aaron’s tallit
hanging above us was so special,” said
Jeremy. “It also felt like my bubbie and
other relatives who are no longer with us
were watching over us on our special day.
It was like having a piece of our family’s
story woven into our own.”
Helayne took great comfort in the
symbolism that her father’s prayer shawl
represented. “My father’s tallit reminded
me of a long, warm hug around the bride
and groom,” she said.
If a tallit could earn travel points, it
likely could’ve paid for its next trip when
it made its way 1,555 miles due north,
from sunny Florida to Traverse City.
Risa Brickman, youngest daughter of
Aaron Kraft, and her husband, Bruce,
joined their son Sam and daughter-in-law
Becky Tranchell Up North and under the
Grandpa Aaron-bedecked chuppah for
the bride and groom’s August 2022 wed-
ding. “It’s a warm and comforting feeling
knowing that my dad is always there sur-
rounding our children,” Risa said.
“We felt it was important to have a part
of my grandfather with us,” said the new-
lyweds. “He was such a big part of my life,
and it felt very special to have his pres-
ence there with us,” added Sam.
I already have some history with Sam.
I featured his popular Front Street bagel
shop in Traverse City, Bubbie’s Bagels, in
a cover story in the Sept. 3, 2022, edition
of the JN.
Bubbie, of blessed memory is Esther
Kraft, Aaron Kraft’s wife, who passed
away in 2012. The couple were married
for 56 years. Bubbie Esther’s renowned
baking prowess was the inspiration for,
and literally the face of, her grandson’s
business.
While Grandpa’s tallit played a featured
role in Sam and Becky’s wedding, Bubbie’s
Bagels didn’t take second billing. “My son
Sam provided the bagels and my mother’s
beloved rugelach at a brunch,” Risa said.
Valerie and Jay Ross’ son, Shane Ross,
married daughter-in-law Lindsay Johnson
this past February in Winter Park,
Florida. The newlyweds said: “Just know-
ing Grandpa Aaron’s tallit was surround-
ing us, made us feel close to him.”
The Kraft tallit’s most recent stop was
just this past June 10, when Helayne and
Jeff’s daughter Marissa, married Aron
Philips, in Callicoon, New York.
It turned out to be a trifecta of tallitot
affair, with Grandpa Aaron’s prayer shawl
aligned side by side atop the chuppah
with two other of the bride and groom’s
grandfathers.
“It was perfect to have all their talli-
tot as the ceiling of our chuppah,” said
Marissa. “When I picture my Grandpa
Aaron, he’s either in his newsboy hat or in
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OUR COMMUNITY
Shane Ross and
Lindsay Johnson
at their wedding
Marissa Kaplan
and Aron Philips
under the chuppah