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Transcript of interview with Shawn Willis by Barbara Tabach, May 5, 2017
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Archival Collection
Description
Shawn Willis (1972 - ) grew up in a culturally diverse area outside of Detroit, Michigan. She has made Las Vegas her home since 2004. Since moving to Nevada, she ?acknowledged? her Judaism and built a robust network within the Jewish community as an entrepreneur and tireless leader. From 2015 ? 2017, she held the position of Director of the Jewish National Fund of Las Vegas. The Jewish National Fund is a worldwide organization that was founded in 1901 to meet the strategic challenges of building in Israel and developing the infrastructure for ecology, special needs and heritage preservation. Among the local initiatives that Shawn led was a program on water conservation. In this oral history, Shawn candidly speaks of being a convert to Judaism. She also shares how she introduced herself into the Las Vegas community in a vibrant way through her marketing expertise and business. Shawn currently serves on the UNLV Foundation?s President?s Associates Council and is an active person in the Las Vegas community. Shawn is a graduate of University of Detroit Mercy.
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Shawn Willis oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with Shawn Willis conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 05, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Willis shares her journey to "acknowledging" being a Jew, a transformation that occurred after moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2004. She also talks about her role as the Director of the Jewish National Fund.
Archival Collection
Willis, Shawn, 1972-
Shawn Willis grew up outside of Detroit, Michigan and a graduate of University of Detroit Mercy. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2004. Since moving she converted to judaism. She held the position of Director of the Jewish National Fund of Las Vegas from 2015 to 2017. She also has been a member of UNLV Foundation’s President’s Associates Council.
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Rudiak, Gertrude, 1915-
Gertrude Rudiak was born August 2, 1915 in North Dakota to Russian immigrants. She grew up in Wisconsin until 1924. That year, her family drove to California via the Yellowstone Trail. Her father had a chiropractic practice in Los Angeles, California. After Rudiak earned a music degree at the University of California at Berkeley, she attended a business college, and she got a job as a social worker in northern California.
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Ober, Dee, 1932-2008
Bio taken from obituary on Las Vegas Review Journal: "D'VORRE OBER D'Vorre (Dee) Ober, 76, of Las Vegas, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Dee was preceded in death by Harold Ober, her beloved husband of 55 years; and her younger sister, Myrna Supowitz-Walzer. She is survived by her five children, Ron (Gail), Ed (Gail), Jami (Scott), Scott (Barb), and David (Jennifer); 14 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and younger siblings, Lennie (Lennie), and Lynda (David). D'Vorre was born Feb. 17, 1932, in Pittsburgh. Dee had a very wonderful and fulfilling life.
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Transcript of an interview with Gertrude Rudiak, Richard Rudiak, and Dani Ramage by Barbara Tabach, December 30, 2015
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On December 30, 2015, a few months after her 100th birthday celebration, Gertrude Rudiak, with the help of her son Richard Rudiak and granddaughter Dani Ramage, reminisced about living in Las Vegas since 1946, nearly eighty years. They explore the ancestral roots of Gertrude (n?e Rightman) and of her deceased husband George Rudiak. Their courtship and marriage at the brink of World War II and George?s enlistment in the US Army Corps is what brought the couple to Las Vegas and the gunnery school which is now Nellis Air Force Base. After his tour of duty, George settled into a law practice where he specialized in quickie-divorces, but also carved out a reputation supporting civil rights and working for legislation to eliminate working and living discrimination of blacks in Nevada. Gertrude was an active member of Las Vegas. She played the pipe organ, hosted large Seders at Passover and managed the Rudiak household that grew to include five children. Over her long life, Gertrude embraced many positions on community boards, including being Temple Beth Sholom?s first female board member. She was also a teacher in both secular and Jewish education. Her efforts have been recognized by the Jewish National Fund, the United Jewish Appeal, and the Anti-Defamation League. Additionally, Mayor Carolyn Goodman presented Gertrude with the distinguished honor of a key to the city of Las Vegas in 2014. The city declared August 2, Gertrude's birthday, Gertrude Rudiak Day in recognition of her long-standing commitment to Las Vegas.
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