Is Lara Yunaska Jewish?
Eric Trump’s wife, Lara Yunaska, has been the subject of a debate as to whether or not she was jewish. I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that I believed she was in fact jewish based on the fact that she got married to Eric Trump under a Chuppah – the traditional jewish wedding canopy – (1) and as a resulting a variety of jewish publications printed claims that Lara was jewish. (2)
However ‘EthnicCelebs’ did some digging on the subject of Lara’s ethnic origins and came up trumps (pun intended).
I quote:
‘An article in the New York Post said:
The couple [Eric and Lara Trump], who have been together for six years, wed under a crystal-embellished chuppa in a ceremony officiated by Ivanka Trump’s husband, Jared Kushner.
This was interpreted by some, including the Jewish magazine Tablet, as meaning that the wedding was Jewish, and other sources therefore reported that Lara is Jewish. This is not accurate (Lara is not Jewish).
Lara’s paternal grandfather was Luke Max Yunaska (the son of Jozef/Joseph Yunaska/Junaska and Suzanna/Susan Hanko). Jozef was Slovak. Suzanna was reportedly born in Czechoslovakia and spoke Slovak, so was thus likely also of Slovak descent. Suzanna’s second husband, John Milan, was also Slovak.
Lara’s paternal grandmother Marion Jean Shealer (the daughter of Edgar George Shealer and Marion R. Plank). Edgar was the son of George Washington Shealer and Eleanora “Ella” Lucinda Kelly. Marion was the daughter of Henry Edwin Plank and Annie May Kitzmiller.
Lara’s maternal grandfather was Herman Leroy Sykes (the son of James Mordicae Sykes and Minnie Clewis/Clewes). James was the son of Chas Sikes and Margarett Emirs. Minnie was the daughter of Richard L. Clewis/Clewes and Martha Jane Oliver.
Lara’s maternal grandmother was named Dorothy Page Moore.’ (3)
I have checked ‘EthnicCelebs’ claims based upon the links they provide and their research – while not absolutely conclusive – goes a long way to making a solid evidence-based case that Lara Yunaska is not jewish.
References
(1) http://heavy.com/news/2016/02/eric-trump-wife-lara-yunaska-photos-pictures-age-bio-married-cbs-inside-edition-injury-wiki-facts-daughter-in-law-charity/
(2) http://jpupdates.com/2014/11/11/donald-trump-marries-son-jewish-celeb-crystal-chuppah/; http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/186935/another-jewish-trump-wedding-for-the-books
(3) http://ethnicelebs.com/lara-trump