Irwin Kishner

Irwin Kishner (1933 – 2017) was a successful attorney, philanthropist, real estate developer, and community leader. He was born in Brighton Beach, New York and lived there until he was 13 years old, when the family relocated to Florida. Irwin earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Miami.

In 1960, he moved to Las Vegas to work with his uncle, Herman Kishner. An early development project for them was a motel across the street from the Frontier. Soon, Irwin was building the Somerset Apartments on Kishner Drive, near the Riviera, just north of Convention Center Drive.

Between 1962 and 1966, Kishner developed the remainder of the short street with the opening of the Somerset House motel, Somerset Gardens apartment complex, and the Somerset Shopping Center. In the 1970s, it was Kishner’s leadership of Temple Beth Sholom’s Building and Planning Committee that completed the Ruby Kolod Recreation Center. 

Kishner’s philanthropy and leadership extended to many community organizations, some of which were: Las Vegas Rotary, Boys and Girls Clubs, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority, United Way, Opportunity Village, Child Haven, March of Dimes, National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Irwin was father to two daughters: Joanna Kishner and Sharon Kishner.

Sources:

Temple Beth Sholom history. https://www.bethsholomlv.org/mission-history

Millward, Wade. “Long-time Las Vegas developer Irwin Kishner dies.” Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 5, 2017. https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/long-time-las-vegas-developer-irwin-kishner-dies/

Irwin Kishner Las Vegas Review-Journal obituary.  September 2017. http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=irwin-kishner&pid=186578297&fhid=12209