JULY 20 • 2023 | 23
his tallit saving a full row of seats
for the family at Adat Shalom. We
feel lucky to have this artifact that
was so core to how we remember
him, built into our chuppah.”
Don’t pack that prayer shawl
up just yet. The Kraft family tallit
tally has a shot at reaching six
in five years because Helayne’s
engaged daughter Carly and fian-
cé, Josh Sternberg, are pondering
their future wedding plans. Plus,
a seventh wedding is in the not-
too-distant future. Valerie’s son
Chad is now engaged to Amanda
Bogue. Mazel tov!
KETUBAH CONNECTION
The Kraft family weddings have
also been on the receiving end of a more
recent tradition. Valerie has been an
accomplished artist for over 30 years and
has designed all of her children’s and
nephews’ and nieces’ ketubahs.
The bride and groom provide the text
and Valerie takes brush to canvas. “It’s
been really nice to work with all the kids
and bring a piece of art to fruition with
their desires behind it all,” Valerie said.
Valerie’s other works have been shown
in galleries and local art shows, and she’s
also brought them to seniors in
the community for them to enjoy.
Her website, valerieartwork.com,
showcases an amazing array of
unique abstract designs.
LEGACY OF LOVE
“My father’s love for my mom,
all of us four kids, grandkids
and extended family was such a
delight and pleasure to see and be
around,” Valerie said.
“His happiness stemmed from
all of us. He appreciated life, and
shared that with all of us, even
down to the tiniest of details.”
Like the details of a beautifully
woven tallit.
For now, the Kraft family
awaits the next grandchild’s wedding to
once again honor the patriarch of the
family. Most assuredly, when the chuppah
gets designed, the bride and groom will
have the joy of knowing that Grandpa
Aaron has “got them covered.”
Aaron and Esther Kraft’s children: Bryan Kraft,
Helayne Kaplan, Valerie Ross and Risa Brickman.
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