In 2008, Sarah Elizabeth Ralston went on a trip with Birthright Israel, a program that sends Jewish Americans to Israel to connect with their heritage. Emil Gasanov was an Israeli assigned to her group as the medic and security guard. It was love at first sight. A year later, Emil proposed to Sarah on New Year’s Day in Haifa, Israel, and she said yes.
Rabbi Frank Tamburello officiated at the ceremony held at the Tarry Lodge in Port Chester, and a reception followed there. Sarah and Emil were married ninety-nine years after the marriage of Sarah’s paternal grandmother, Sarah, who also married an Emil.
The bride, daughter of Douglas and Caren Brutten Ralston of Greenwich, graduated from Greenwich High School and Clark University. She received a M.A.T. in secondary education from Sacred Heart University. Sarah teaches English and social studies at Eastern Middle School.
The groom is the son of Sadih and Stella Gasanov of Haifa, Israel. He is a student at Norwalk Community College.
The Greenwich newlyweds spent their honeymoon in Nantucket.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEBORAH K. O’BRIEN