Two Hasidic Dynasties Become One — In Times Square Of All Places

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By Laura E. Adkins May 16, 2017

Most native New Yorkers go to extreme lengths to avoid Times Square, but for one young Hasidic couple this weekend, the iconic tourist trap became the site of a dream come true.

Both the bride and groom hail from prominent rabbinic dynasties — Hadassa Halperin of Toronto is a 20-year-old relative of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson. The 23 year old groom, J.J. Hecht of Crown Heights, is a member of a prominent rabbinic family. His father, Rabbi Shea Hecht, officiated the wedding.

“Even if I had all the money in the world, the best gift I could give my mother would be to get married,” J.J. Hecht told the New York Post. Officiating a ceremony in Times Square had long been an aspiration of Shea’s, his mother Baila Hecht added.

Baila, for one, was delighted to spend her Mother’s Day at her 10th child’s wedding: “You get more enthusiastic every [wedding] because you’re more relaxed about it,” the 62-year-old explained. “You don’t worry about every detail, every flower. It doesn’t matter so much anymore.”

Laura E. Adkins is the Forward’s contributing network editor. Contact her at adkins@forward.com or on Twitter, @Laura_E_Adkins.

Laura E. Adkins is a senior director at Jewish Women International and the former opinion editor of the Forward. Email her or follow her on X.

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