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What’s in Two Names?

Huppah Dreams

by
Marc Tracy
April 02, 2012
Shushannah Walshe and Ari Yasgur.(Sara Hiltzik/NYT)
Shushannah Walshe and Ari Yasgur.(Sara Hiltzik/NYT)

After each weekend, we choose the most interestingly Jewish announcement from that Sunday’s New York Times Weddings/Celebrations section. This week, it’s that of Shushannah Walshe and Ari Yasgur. Upon seeing the announcement, one wonders if the groom is related to Max Yasgur, who famously and generously donated his farm for three days of peace and music in 1969. Maybe, but not directly: This Yasgur hails from the Five Towns, graduated from Yeshiva University, and is the son of a rabbi, who officiated last night. In fact, the more intriguing name is the bride’s: Her parents own the Historical Research Center (in Boynton Beach; they live in Delray; the wedding was in Lauderdale), which performs research on, yes, family names. A bit of cursory Googling reveals that Walshe derives, unsurprisingly, from “Welsh,” but denotes less specifically that one is from Wales and more that one is a “foreigner.” Leave it to the English to lump the Celts and the Jews together. Mazel tov to the happy couple!

Marc Tracy is a staff writer at The New Republic, and was previously a staff writer at Tablet. He tweets @marcatracy.