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.
Oral history interview with Roberta Kane conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 6, 2017 and May 22, 2018 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Kane explains how she was the first born Jewish baby in Las Vegas, Nevada and her parents’ deep involvement with the Jewish community of the 1930s. She then talks about the formalization that occurred in the Jewish community with the building of Temple Beth Sholom. In a second session, Kane recalls the Wildcat Lair, a gathering spot of students from Las Vegas High School in the 1950s.
The reception was hosted by Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood in the Ruby Kolod Center. Seated (L-R): Iris and David Torjman. Standing (L-R): Avrum Schwartz (Temple Beth Sholom principal), Cantor Joseph Cohen, Rabbi Aaron Gold, and Joe Moss.
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 Pauline "Polly" and Jack Weinstein conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 12, 2018 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Jack talks about his upbringing in Detroit, Michigan and getting into the jewelry business. He talks about owning a wholesale jewelry business, relocating to Los Angeles, California, and forming a partnership with Tower of Jewels in Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1950s. Jack recalls becoming the sole proprietor of Tower of Jewels in Las Vegas and describes his clientele. Jack and and his daughter Polly discuss operating up to ten locations at one time, advertising on the Howard Stern radio show, and their more well-known customers. Lastly, Jack and Polly talk about joining Temple Beth Sholom, Polly’s interests in the jewelry industry, and creating her own line of jewelry.