Group of interviews and montage including community members and leaders for the Champions of Freedom gala held by the the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas.
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Interview with Max Goot by Charles Collins, March 22, 1976. In this interview, Goot talks about how he came to Las Vegas in 1945 and purchased Stoney's Jewelry, which he sold in 1951, and then bought Tinch Furniture Store. He was friends with Hank Greenspun and active in local politics and community affairs, including Temple Beth Sholom. He talks about selling the former Beth Sholom building at 13th and Carson Streets to the Greek church, and other fund raising activities. He speaks briefly about atomic tests, and the growth of the city.
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Gift shop at Midbar Kodesh Temple.
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L-R: Micky and Leo Wilner (Director of Temple Beth Sholom), Elaine Pink and Avrum Schwartz
Jim Mason's Preschool graduation at Temple Beth Sholom (located on Oakey) with teacher, Miss Berry.
Born in 1939, Sharon Maurer-Schwartz’s life experiences have traversed a groundbreaking era: she’s a female, Jewish and a married to a Protestant lesbian. This oral history reveals what it has been like for her as she explored her Judaism and recognized her personal identity. Her Judaic foundation began in the Reconstructionist movement in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has never wavered from her religious identity, though she has belonged to various types of synagogues. She and Ande (Edna) Rice, who also participates in this interview, were legally married in California in 2008, but have been together since the 1980s. They raised Sharon’s daughter Julie, pursued careers and moved to Las Vegas in 1999. Ande is a Protestant and the topic of blended religious couples is discussed. Sharon is devoted to her life coaching business – Growth Unlimited – and to helping others.
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Congregation P’nai Tikvah, formerly known as Valley Outreach Synagogue, is the only congregation in Nevada affiliated with the Reconstruction and Renewal movements of Judaism. Located in Las Vegas, Valley Outreach Synagogue was founded by Rabbi Richard Schachet in 1993. In 2005 he retired and Rabbi Yocheved Mintz became spiritual leader of the congregation. Reconstructionism views Judaism not just as a religion, but as an entire culture, which evolves over time and continues to be shaped by tradition.
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The Sefer Torah in the Sanctuary at Midbar Kodesh Temple.
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