In this interview, the Straus? discuss the joys of growing up in Las Vegas during the 1960s and 1970s, and the changes within the community over time, especially in educational opportunities. Both talk about Joyce Straus? career as artist and art educator, and the influence she had on their lives. They also remember Heidi?s father, Jay Sarno, and the impact he had on the local gaming industry. There is also discussion of the founding of Congregation Ner Tamid, the role of Jewish women?s philanthropy within the community, as well as the establishment of The Meadows School.
Interview with Myra Berkovits by Barbara Tabach on August 21, 2014. In this interview, Berkovits talks about growing up and starting her teaching career in Chicago. When she moves to Las Vegas, Berkovits eventually purchases a dining concierge business, but returned to teaching, and is now involved with the Sperling Kronberg Mack Holocaust Resource Center.
Myra Berkovits was born Myra Mosse in 1944 in Chicago, Illinois. She became an elementary school teacher in Chicago before moving to Las Vegas in 1980. Myra has made contributions to Las Vegas in the public and private sectors. She owned several businesses then returned to teaching, heading to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to renew her teaching license and later received her master's degree. After a year of teaching in multicultural education, Myra was then in charge of the school district's homeless program, seeing its growth from serving 1,200 to 6,000 students. Myra's other passion was for Holocaust education and she became one of six interviewers in the city for the Shoah Foundation, documenting survivors' stories. One interviewee, David Berkovits, would later become her husband of fifteen years. Myra's own Holocaust education was aided by powerful trips to Israel and Poland. She used these experiences to develop and lead student-teacher conferences and classroom curriculum for the whole state. Myra still serves at the Education Specialist at the Holocaust Resource Center.
Martin Wilner was born March 14, 1946 in Los Angeles, California to Leo Wilner, an Executive Director at Temple Beth Sholom. He was raised in California, but earned his doctorate in psychology at the University of Houston, Texas. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963 and became a counselor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Soon after moving to Las Vegas, Wilner met Linda at a Jewish Singles event. They were married on December 22, 1974 and they adopted a son, Robert, to raise with Linda’s two other kids from a previous marriage.
In this audio clip from an interview with Ricki Barlow by Claytee White on April 10, 2013, Barlow describes the developments taking place downtown in Ward 5, for which he is the city council representative.
Part of an interview with D. D. Cotton by Claytee White on February 14, 1997. Cotton discusses challenges faced by women dealers and her work as a dancer and dealer in a number of casinos.
Part of an interview with Jackie Brantley by Claytee White on October 27, 1996. Brantley explains how she became a public relations specialist for Desert Inn.
History of Nursing in Southern Nevada Oral History Project Records
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: MS-00784 Collection Name: History of Nursing in Southern Nevada Oral History Project Records Box/Folder: Box 01 (Restrictions apply)
History of Nursing in Southern Nevada Oral History Project Records
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: MS-00784 Collection Name: History of Nursing in Southern Nevada Oral History Project Records Box/Folder: Box 01 (Restrictions apply)