Remembering the Extraordinary Life of Robin Aronsohn Braka

By: Rachel Khafif

Today we gather to celebrate and honor the life of my mother, Robin Aronsohn Braka, a woman of remarkable grace, boundless love, and an extraordinary knack for tying the perfect bow.

Robin was born on May 14, 1949, in New York City to Marynell and Benjamin Aronsohn Jr.

Marynell was an intelligent and talented interior designer who graduated Bennington College. Benjamin was a heroic lieutenant commander in the US Navy during World War II.

When my mother was very young her parents divorced, and ,both remarried remarkable spouses. Marynell married Dr. Robert Eisenberg, otherwise known as Daddy Bob, and Benjamin married Rhoda Lou Hayden.

From a young age, my mother had an eye for beauty and detail. She always knew how to tie a bow just right. This skill wasn’t just about the ribbons in my hair as a child or the meticulously wrapped Hanukkah presents she would spoil us with- It was symbolic of her approach to life—always making everything more beautiful and special.

My mother grew up in a household where books lined the shelves and where intellectual curiosity was encouraged.  She attended PS 6 on East 81 st Street for elementary school then went to The High school for Music and Art, on West 135th Street. She later studied art at Syracuse University and transferred to NYU, where she earned a Fine Arts degree.

Her love for art was something she passed on to me, and it became a bond that grew stronger over the years. Together, we started an art advisory business in 2018. We explored art exhibitions and art fairs around the world. Our favorite project thus far was traveling to Seattle to meet the artist Dale Chihuly. Our art trips became adventures filled with laughter, learning, and cherished memories.

My mother also enjoyed simple joys—like her morning aquasize class at Porto Vita, playing cards with her friends, and her love for just plain walking. A day was not a day without a good walk! She walked around the Turnberry golf course in Miami, she walked the boardwalks in Long Branch and Asbury Park, she also loved walking the two loops in Central Park. One day, last October she walked all the way over the Manhattan Bridge to Williamsburg! But as we all know her most favorite walk was down Park Avenue to 50th and fifth- Saks fifth Avenue.

As a grandmother, my mother was unparalleled. My children, Gloria, Moise, and Ivor, were blessed to have her in their lives daily. Nana was always there, a pillar of love and support for my family. Our summers together at the Rennaisance, living side by side, allowed us to cherish every day in the summer. After a long day at the beach, or after a long walk on the boardwalk, we would be found in the jacuzzi eating fruit and twizzlers. As the sky turned pink over the ocean, you would always reiterate how grateful and lucky we were to be able to enjoy these beautiful days together. You were so right.

My mother was a woman of many layers, like the intricate bows she crafted. She inherited a strong German Jewish lineage, with roots tracing back to Baden Baden, Germany. The oldest relative we connected to her family tree was Levi Lemle Heinsheimer, dating back to the 18th Century. My mother is the 5th generation of American German Jewish Imigrants, whose sur names include Adler, Auberbach, Bamberger, Katz, Loeb, Strook and Stonehill. Now that she is a “Sephardic honoree,” she leaves behind 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Rachel Robin Cohen, who inherited her beautiful blue eyes. Mom, Gloria and I were so happy you got to meet your first great granddaughter. We promise to continue your Jewish traditions and teach her to keep a kosher home, participate in hesed, and most importantly to have Shabbat dinners filled with love and laughter- and a beautifully set table of course….

Mom, my last incredible memory of you before you were diagnosed with this unforgivable illness, was when you, Gloria and I went to the UJA rally to bring the hostages home on October 10th, 2023. We waved our banners and showed up for our people- aim Israel chai. Together, you, Gloria and I, otherwise known as “The Dream Team” (coined by my son in law Jonny Cohen) came together for such important cause. As Israel went to war, we did not know of the battle that also laid before us. As our family put their boots on in early December of ‘23 to fight my mother’s illness, I realized we and our brothers and sisters in Israel

were both fighting evil and darkness in different forms. As my mother became wounded in the trenches of her illness, Israel was in parallel suffering and wounded. My mother’s cruel illness stole her from us- just like Hamas kidnapped our beautiful people. Today we lost our commander in chief, and “Operation Save Nana” has gone to rest. My mother’s grandchildren are the bravest soldiers I know. They visited her on the darkest days of the battlefield and never left her unit. I am so proud of each and everyone one of you. To David, Ben, Stephanie and Lynn thank you for being Mom’s Elite Air Force Unit, you were always there to deliver medicine, wrap a wound, send challah & say prayers to help heal mom. To Michele, Aunt Isabelle and my daughter Gloria, thank you for being part of Mom’s Mossad, our special Intelligence Force Unit. Your knowledge, love and support for mom helped us fight this battle with strength and wisdom.

To my dad your support for mom has been unwavering. I know her illness hit you the hardest. Your life was altered and nights of fun dinners on Wednesday night at Porta Vita turned into long nights on the phone with doctors. Your doubles partner for life was wounded and not even a “Braka” drop shot could get you a point. Mom was your “Ace,” your “slice,” and your perfect “lob” that would always stay in the line. Your racquet may be a little bit broken right now, but we are here to always get you back in the game.

We are so grateful to our caregivers: Laine, Annie, Danny, Hope & Stephanie from V & A, Caren, and especially Tia & Marquita who gave it their all for mom. All of you made each day a better day. Thank you for giving love and dignity to our mother. Thank you to Violet, Nathan and Shulim, from the incredible Chaim Medical team, your unwavering support during this uphill battle will forever be admired.

Edgard you loved my mother so much, your cappuccinos and tiramisu desserts always put a smile on her face during these hard days. The day your year was over after mourning your father, Moise Khafif,  a”h we learned of my mother’s illness. I knew the road ahead would not be easy and that there would be many days & weeks that I would be absent from our family. You never made me feel guilty, not for one day. You always taught me to put our parents first. I learned so much from your example. Mom, Edgard and I will miss you so much on our walks. Edgard says you must keep it up in heaven….

Mom, thank you for the countless memories and for teaching us to find beauty in every detail. Most of all, thank you for always teaching us the religion of kindness. You always had impeccable morals and values, and you will always be an inspiration; you were the most beautiful woman I knew, you shined bright from the inside out. You were more than just the perfect bow-maker; you were the ribbon that held our family together. I will forever miss your intelligent, warm and graceful presence.

Before we say goodbye, I would love to give you one last “GESHUNDHEIT”

Love you Forever,

Rachel