Among the stories of those who came to Las Vegas in the 1960s to work at the Nevada Test Site is that of Leslie Dunn and his wife Joan. Leslie had been hired by the U.S. Public Health Service to monitor radiation from the explosions. He has tales flying into craters that make you wide-eyed. This assignment would last until his “retirement” in 1983 – one can’t really describe this couple as retired. During these early years, while Les pursued his scientist career, Joan’s chief focus was on raising their three children, Bruce Dunn, Loryn Dunn Arkow, and Sharon Dunn Levin. She also completed her education in accounting at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was involved with Equal Right Amendment efforts and League of Women Voters. The couple were only in their forties when Les left the PHS. As he looked forward to new opportunities, he felt compelled to pursue his longtime dream to become a builder, something he had dabbled at as a youngster with his father, Jack Dunn. Together, he an
Oral history interview with Myra Berkovits conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 21, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Berkovits discusses her upbringing, owning the Las Vegas, Nevada Menu Service, and working at the Holocaust Resource Center as an interviewer and education specialist.
Oral history interview with Jon Sparer conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 04, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Sparer discusses his career as an architect of many major Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos. He also talks about designing the Congregation Ner Tamid and The Center for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) community.
Oral history interview with Elliot B. Karp conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 17, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Karp talks about coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008, the local Jewish community, and being CEO of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Elaine Galatz conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 22, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Galatz discusses her work as a past Jewish Federation president, her marriage to renowned attorney Neil Galatz, and her career as an accomplished horsewoman.
Oral history interview with Margot Mink Colbert conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 11, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Colbert discusses her Jewish heritage and her background in ballet dancing. She also talks about “Transitions Trilogy,” her original story of Jewish immigration into New York and Jewish contributions to mainstream media, all expressed through dance.
Oral history interview with Andy Katz conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 16, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Katz discusses managing the Manpower franchise—an employment placement company—in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his parents who were the original owners. He also talks about growing up in Las Vegas and its Jewish community.
Oral history interview with Jay Poster conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 26, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Poster describes his growth through his career in funeral services and his respect for the Jewish traditions of burial and grieving. He also talks about his participation in the ShabbaTones Band at Congregation Ner Tamid, and Desert Winds, a community based performance organization.
Oral history interview with Ellis Landau conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 28, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Landau discusses his education at Brandeis University, and Columbia Business School. He also talks about his involvement in the Las Vegas, Nevada Jewish community, the Temple Beth Sholom, working for Boyd Gaming, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Nathan Adelson Hospice.
Oral history interview with Natalie Wolf conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 22, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Wolf shares stories of operating the Greyhound bus station, a three-year ownership of Commercial Deli, and her long career working collections for the casino industry. She discusses working for Tropicana Hotel and Casino, and MGM Properties, including the Mirage Hotel.