Jeffrey and Gayna (Mandelbaum) Bassin of Montgomery are delighted to announce the marriage of their son, Michael Bassin, to Tracy Ogeto of Mombasa, Kenya. The morning wedding took place on January 5, 2024 at Maiden’s Cove in Cape Town, South Africa. Family and friends from Israel, the United States, Germany, South Africa and Kenya attended, and enjoyed a sumptuous reception afterwards.
Michael graduated from George Washington University and also attended the American University of Cairo and the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Following graduation, Michael made aliyah and served in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat Arabic interpreter and sniper. His acclaimed memoir, “I Am Not A Spy: An American Jew Goes Deep in the Arab World & the Israeli Army,” recounts his experiences. Michael has business interests in Israel, the United States and South Africa.
Tracy is the daughter of Kennedy and Jessica Ogeto, who reside in Kenya. Tracy attended college in Kenya, and runs a travel service, Tracy Africa Travel, planning custom trips to Africa. She also produces videos for her YouTube channel, Tracy Ken. The couple met in Mombasa in 2022.
The ceremony was performed by Dr. Azila Talit Reisenberger, who heads the Hebrew Department at the University of Cape Town and is certified to perform weddings in South Africa. Many of the guests remained in Cape Town for several days following the wedding and enjoyed the attractions of the city together.
Afterwards, Michael, Tracy and Michael’s parents traveled the Garden Route along South Africa’s southern coast. Michael and Tracy are currently touring Namibia, and plan to return to Kenya before settling in Israel. Mazel Tov to the young couple!
Michael Bassin weds Tracy Ogeto
Bella Rose Stearns was born January 17. She is the daughter of Kimberly Heldman Stearns, formerly of Blue Ash, and Brian Stearns of Atlanta. Her grandparents are Andrew D. Heldman and Donna Heldman, formerly active members of the Cincinnati community. The paternal grandparents are Rob and Donna Stearns of Marietta, Georgia.
Kimberly Heldman Stearns with Baby Bella
Harriette (Cantor) and Mitchell Lipshultz married on November 6, 1949 at the Cincinnati Club in downtown Cincinnati. Harriette Cantor is the daughter of Samuel Sr. and Marie Cantor. Mitchell Lipshultz is the son of Abraham and Minnie Lipshultz.
Harriette and Mitchell met at the student union at the University of Cincinnati. Mitchell called Harriette over and asked her out on a date. He told his fraternity brothers that he was going to marry her … and he did!!! Mitchell was attending UC on a football scholarship. He came to Cincinnati from Chicago after serving in the US Navy.
Harriet and Mitchell’s daughter Roslyn (Lipshultz) married Gerald (Jerry) O’Hearn on October 6, 1974, at the Reef Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale. The Lipschutz moved their family from Cincinnati to Ft. Lauderdale before Roslyn’s senior year in high school. Jerry O’Hearn is the son of Gerald and Grace O’Hearn. Roslyn’s siblings are Alfie, Matthew, and Harvi Anne, all born in Cincinnati.
Roslyn and Jerry met on St. Patrick’s Day in Ft. Lauderdale on March 17, 1974. They married on October 6, 1974.
“Jerry and I met on a blind date. I knew the minute I saw him that he was the one! We went to the movies that night and Jerry asked for my number. He called three nights in a row until he finally reached me (not really, he reached my sister. She accepted a date on my behalf!) We were engaged three weeks later and married six months after that!”
Roslyn’s parents’ wedding announcement appeared in The American Israelite in the “50 years ago” section printed December 16, 1999. Says Roslyn, “My engagement announcement appeared in the June 27, 1974 issue. The wedding announcement appeared in the October 24, 1974 issue.”
The couple honeymooned in Highlands NC and fell in love with North Carolina. “After seven years in Ft. Lauderdale as husband and wife, we raised our kids in Kernersville/Greensboro NC and then moved back to Florida.”
After Roslyn’s parents passed away, she and Jerry went back to North Carolina to find their “forever home.” They tripped over “Magical Morganton” and settled down.
