On a pleasant spring evening at sundown in April 2017, a Pop-Up Shabbat draws a crowd of Jews to the Jackie Gaughan Parkway at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Proudly, and quietly, watching from the sideline is Kenny Epstein, owner of the El Cortez. He seeks no recognition, but is enjoying the gathering for Sabbath services and the music that will fill the air. Kenny Epstein is also a classic enthusiast of Las Vegas history. The nostalgia is evident as one walks through the casino and reinforced by the stories of a man who has experienced the city’s growth since moving here in 1959 at the age of 18. The timeline of Kenny’s teen years begins with his bar mitzvah in Chicago and a story of prizefighter Rocky Marciano giving a brief toast. When he was 15, his parents, Ike and Adele Epstein, took the family to visit Las Vegas. About three years later, his father became an executive at the Stardust. Kenny’s own imprint on Las Vegas history was just beginning. In this brief interview, he mentions an illustrious list of mentors and recalls many historic moments from the history of the Las Vegas Strip. All of which led to his ownership of The El Cortez—advertised as the longest continuously operating hotel/casino.

In this interview, Burton Cohen discusses his involvement in the Las Vegas casino industry, including booking entertainment for various hotels.

Burton Cohen's long casino executive career began in the mid-1960s when he accepted a proposition to become involved with the transformation of the Frontier Hotel. He left his south Florida roots and law practice to become a co-owner/general manager of the Frontier Hotel. Thus, began his highly regarded Las Vegas presence. For nearly four decades he served in the management of some of the Strip's most famous casinos: Flamingo, Dunes, Circus Circus, Caesar Palace, Thunderbird and the Desert Inn, which remains his favorite. In this interview, Burt reflects on the positions he held, the celebrities he hired and befriended, and offers a unique look at the behind the scenes marketing and entertainment strategies that he helmed. He shares stories of becoming entrenched in casino operations, his reflections of union experiences, and even anecdotes about moving his mother to Las Vegas.

Only God - and you... poster from the Las Vegas United Jewish Appeal asking for contributions to aid Jewish refugees. Text on front reads: "Only GOD - and you... When, in the course of human events, a child suffers from the stupidity and intolerance of some men, to whom else can he turn to but GOD -- and a few rare, compassionate human beings? YOU can be one of the few... one of the rare, compassionate human beings... Help the Emergency Rescue Fund of the United Jewish Appeal TODAY... nearly $100,000,000 is needed to rescue 80,000 persecuted Jewish refugees from Poland and Moslem countries -- and relocate them in Israel from their "second chance" in life. Let it bring you peace... that "he who saves one life, it may be accounted to him as though he has saved the whole world." GIVE TODAY -- and a child will LIVE TODAY! Attend the emergency rescue dinner for the UJA. Sunday, July 13 at 7:00 P.M. Copa Room, Sands Hotel. Phone DU 2-3144 for information and resvns. Las Vegas United Jewish Appeal Post Office Box 1981 Las Vegas, Nevada. Carl Cohen, chairman; Co-chairmen: Moe Dalitz and Jacob Kozloff; Nevada State Chairman: Edward Levinson"