Sallie Gordon

Sallie Julia Gordon (1907-1997) was a pioneer of the Las Vegas, Nevada Jewish community and one of the founders of its first congregation, Temple Beth Sholom. Gordon was born December 14, 1907, and passed away November 30, 1997 at the age of 89. In 1932, she moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Las Vegas to join family members including her father, A.J. Schur, her aunt, Kitty Weiner, and her cousin, local attorney Louis Weiner, Jr. In the 1930s, only about twenty Jewish families lived in Las Vegas; Gordon hosted Sunday school classes in her home, and after Temple Beth Sholom was founded, she served as the second president of the Temple Sisterhood, and also as president of the B’nai B’rith Ladies Organization. Her only child, Roberta "Bobbie" Gordon Kane, is thought to be the first Jewish baby born in Las Vegas.

Sallie Gordon owned several businesses, including Sallie's Liquors, which she sold in the 1970s, and a grocery store in North Las Vegas. She co-owned Mike's Liquors on Fremont Street with her husband Mike Gordon during the 1940s and 1950s. Before opening Mike's Liquors, Sallie Gordon worked at Ethel's Liquors on Fremont Street. During her 70s she worked at resort gift shops including the Sahara and the Hacienda.

Sources:

“Obituaries for December 1, 1997.” Las Vegas Sun. December 1, 1997. http://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/dec/01/obituaries-for-december-1-1997/

“Pioneer Jewish Leader Gordon Dies at 89.” Las Vegas Sun. December 3, 1997. http://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/dec/03/pioneer-jewish-leader-gordon-dies-at-89/