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.

JOIN IN THE EXCITEMENT 

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