Allegra was named for her paternal great-grandfather,
Papa Walter, who was born Yankif Mendel. When he was a young
teenager he came down with pneumonia, which "in dem days" was
very dangerous. After his recovery, according to the tradition
at the time, he went to synagogue and changed his name to
Alter, "older", as in "you should live to
be...". In time Alter became Walter.
Allegra is also named for her maternal great-grandmother
Madeline, with whom she shares both her birthday and her
wonderful joie de vive.
We hope Allegra will have the same spirit, love of family,
dedication to Judaism and her community as Walter and Madeline.
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