Oral history interview with Renee Diamond conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 20, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Renee Diamond discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada via Los Angeles, California with her husband and children in the 1970s and getting involved in politics. She talks about her husband, Leo, and his business selling vinyl records in L.A., and her work in a doctor's office. Once in Las Vegas, the Diamonds joined Temple Beth Sholom and later Congregation Ner Tamid. Diamond also talks about her involvement in the political arena in southern Nevada, including the League of Women Voters.
In this interview, Unger-Wadkins discusses growing up in Las Vegas? close-knit Jewish community in the 1960s and 1970s, and involvement with various Jewish youth organizations and activities. She also describes her career in public relations, reflecting upon the unique challenges faced when interacting with the public, and with politics, in her positions. Unger-Wadkins ends by describing her current work in land development, particularly the history of the Three Kids Mine and the technical and political process of ensuring the land is suitable as a residential area.
Oral history interview with Joni and Yvonne Fried conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 17, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Joni and Yvonne discuss their upbringing and growing up in a family full of musicians. They describe living in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1950s. Joni and Yvonne talk about their parents' bakery business, Freed’s Bakery, and franchising the business throughout the city. Later, Joni and Yvonne discuss being Jewish in Las Vegas and attending Hebrew school at Temple Beth Sholom. Joni recalls working at the bakery and Yvonne talks about becoming a physician. Lastly, Joni and Yvonne describe Freed’s being recognized as one of the best bakeries in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Dorothy Eisenberg conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on March 08, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Eisenberg starts this interview by discussing her personal history and growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She describes living through World War II, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964, and the Jewish community that she was involved with at Temple Beth Sholom. Lastly, Eisenberg talks about being a founding member of the League of Women Voters in Las Vegas and racial integration in Clark County schools. Digital audio and transcript available.
Oral history interview with Rhonda Mushkin conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 23, 2018 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Mushkin discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her parents’ move to Las Vegas in the early 1950s, being original members of Temple Beth Sholom Las Vegas, and their retail clothing store businesses. Mushkin remembers attending Hebrew school, graduating from Clark High School, and going to Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California. Later, Mushkin discusses her work as a divorce lawyer in Las Vegas, and being a founder for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) women's golf team. Lastly, Mushkin talks about the impact that Steve Wynn had on the growth of Las Vegas.
In this essay, Jerry Countess provides narrative context for a demographic study of the Jewish population in Las Vegas, and addresses the services and community needs revealed by the study and the growing Jewish population.