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C34 celebrate! • 2017 jn "Having a gift like this is meaningful on its own, being the glass Sruly broke under the chuppah, but the fact that it's my aunt's legacy makes it so much more than just that. It's her memory that I can pass down to my children, and it will always be alive in our house because of this mezuzah." CONNECTING PIECES OF FAMILY HISTORY Through a remarkable work of art, Erika and Andy Bocknek were able to share the gift of time, the gift of combining family history and the unexpectedly useful gift of learn- ing to embroider in preparation for their October 2006 wedding at the Roostertail in Detroit. When their moms, Retta London of Farmington Hills and Cheryl Bocknek of West Bloomfield, suggested they, along with the bride and groom, cre- ate the chuppah under which the couple would be married, six months of work began. The plan, said Andy, was to incor- porate "pieces of each of our mothers' wedding dresses and buttons from a dress my maternal grandmother, Edith Lax, wore when she and my grandfather, Harold Lax, renewed their vows for their 50th anniversary." Erika and Andy's part involved embroidery. "Neither Erika nor I knew how to embroider," said Andy of Farmington Hills. "We were frequently at Rachel's Needlepoint in Southfield for instructions." Each of the moms needlepointed two of the chuppah's panels, and Erika and Andy worked together on one. "Given that the chuppah symbolizes the home we would build together, it was only natural to include our fam- ily, as our families are so important to us," Andy said. "To see the pieces of multiple generations stitched together was beyond moving." Added Erika, "The gift our mothers gave is so generous." Hoping her children continue the tradition of being married under the chuppah created with fabric and accessories of the treasured dresses, she said, "One day I'll add mine and our new machatunim's [parents of child's spouse] if they want." COMPLETE SHABBAT TABLE The plan was for former Detroiters Miriam and Dov Gardin to receive Shabbat candlesticks for their wed- ding. Trouble was, the plan came from both Miriam's aunt and Dov's grandmother. During the time the two were engaged, Miriam's Aunt Chana Leiman of Brooklyn, told her she had planned to give the couple the silver candlesticks of Miriam's late grand- mother, Betty Lewis. "Coincidentally, my husband's grandmother, Tauby Lewis [no rela- tion, but another coincidence] also wanted to give us candlesticks for a wedding gift," said Miriam, who mar- ried Dov in June 2006 in Herzliyah, Israel. "Because I already had candlesticks coming to me, instead she gave us a check to buy Shabbat items. We load- ed up on a challah board, a lovely set of painted shot glasses on a tray that we use for kiddush at Shabbat lunch, a decanter, and a crystal salt and pepper shaker set." The candlesticks are used each Friday evening. "Using them connects me to both of my grandparents: my grandmother who passed away before I was born — and who I only know from pictures and stories and can only imagine lighting them — and my grandfather who often came to visit with spec- tacular gifts — costume jewelry, cut glass bowls, unique trinkets — from his days as a 'junk' shop owner," said Miriam, who lives in West Orange, N.J. "Our eldest daughter is named for both of my grandparents, so lighting the candles with her alongside me and her younger sister in my arms is a moment when we reflect on the week that has passed and connect to the history extending far beyond that week — to my grandparents and to our ancestry further beyond." L'CHAIM! One of Andi Rothenberg's most mean- ingful wedding gifts isn't even one of her own, but rather one that was given to her in-laws, Marilyn and Mel. "We received a beautiful set of cocktail and wine glasses from Bea Vinokour and her former husband, Jerry Swaab, whose parents were best friends with my parents," Marilyn Rothenberg remembered. Added Mel, "To our amazement, some 30 years later, our son Marc brought home the girl he planned to marry — who happened to be Bea and Jerry's daughter, Andi!" Marilyn and Mel's marriage has far-outlasted the 12 monogrammed wine glasses received at their June 1953 wedding at the Holiday Manor in Detroit, but the accompanying dozen cocktail glasses with the initials, 'MRM' across the front of each one have survived and are filled regularly. "My parents never could have imag- ined when they gave those glasses, that more than 60 years later their own daughter and grandchildren would be drinking out of them," said Andi, who lives in West Bloomfield. Added Mel, "When we use them, we always remember who gave them to us — and we think it's amazing." * continued from page 32 n Invitations n Stationery n Accessories n Party Favors n Gifts n Calligraphy 25% off up to Providing personalized service from start to finish 1979730 32802 Franklin Road 248-258-1657 Terri@invitesink.com www.invitesink.com Terri Trepeck Now open for lunch M-F 11:30 %HQVWHLQ5RDG&RPPHUFH7ZS %HWZHHQ0DSOHDQG*OHQJDU\ 248-624-4100 0RQ7KXUVSP)ULSP 6DWDPSP6XQDPSP ZZZEHQVWHLQJULOOHFRP HAPPY HOUR Mon-Fri 4pm-6pm & 9pm-close +DSS\+RXU0XQFKLHV+DQGFUDIWHG&RFNWDLOV 2II$OO'UDIW%HHU2II$OO*ODVVHVRI:LQH ZLWKSXUFKDVHRIHQWUHHV 9DOLG6XQ7KXRQO\'LQHLQRQO\ WKHSXUFKDVHRIOXQFKHQWUHHV )5((DSSHWL]HU (QMR\2II %HQVWHLQ*ULOOH&RPPHUFH7ZS248-624-4100 %HQVWHLQ*ULOOH&RPPHUFH7ZS248-624-4100 With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. One coupon per table. Offer expires 4-30-17 Valid M-F. Not valid with any other offers or promotions. Limit 1 per table. Offer expires 4-30-17