Oral history interview with Richard and Gertrude Rudiak with Dani Ramage conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 30, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Richard talks about his father, who was an early Nevada Assemblyman and a civil rights activist. Gertrude discusses her hobby of playing the pipe organ, teaching in both secular and Jewish education, and being on many community boards.
Oral history interview with Deanna E. DeArkland conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 5, 2020 for The Great Pause: Las Vegas Chronicles of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Deanna discusses her personal history moving from Southern California to Las Vegas to become an elementary school teacher. She talks about her family, her religious activities, and how COVID-19 has impacted her personally and professionally with regard to remote instruction.
Oral history interview with Marta Sorkin conducted by Claytee D. White on March 02, 2009 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Marta Sorkin discusses her family and her experience moving to California, and then to Las Vegas, Nevada. Sorkin talks about working at the James R. Dickinson Library at University of Nevada, Las Vegas and later in Lied Library, and helping to implement and update various databases. She briefly discusses her involvement with Hillel and the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Hannah Brown conducted by Claytee White on September 27, 2012 and May 09, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Brown talks about the Westside, growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, the creation of the Economic Opportunity Board, and her direct involvement in the welfare rights marches and movement.
Oral history interview with Patricia and Lamar Marchese conducted by Claytee D. White on January 16, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Patricia Marchese discusses her work as a budget analyst and a chief lobbyist for Clark County, as well as creating numerous art and cultural programs in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lamar Marchese discusses creating public library programs for southern Nevada and the first public broadcast radio station in Nevada.
The documentation of the Holocaust of World War II reveals the desperation of Jewish families to protect their loved ones from doom. In this oral history, Sonja (neé Niekerk) Walter recalls the story of being an infant handed off to a family friend for safety and nurturing. Next to Sonja is Wilma, her “sister” and the biological daughter of that friend. Sonja and Wilma are tethered together by history and love for Cor Vandenberg, mother and protector. Sonja was born in 1943 Holland to Simon and Rose Niekerk. At thirteen days of age she was given sanctuary by Cor, who raise her as her own for the next two and half years. She and Wilma reminisce about the circumstances that brought them together, their love of Cor, and the impact of being a child survivor of the Holocaust. Sonja also shares her family’s journey to the United States and to Las Vegas.
In this interview, Schwartz talks at length about her passion for compassionate hospice care, and her broad involvement with the Nathan Adelson Hospice, from volunteering to serving on the board to philanthropy, which included opening the Walter Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care. Schwartz also talks about other philanthropic giving which includes establishing scholarships at George Washington University and University of Michigan as well as support to Temple Beth Sholom gift shop.
The Albert Cahlan Family with William Norton Schuyler and Emma (Peggy) Marie (Schaefle) Schuyler. Possibly a gathering to celebrate birth of Susan (Suzie) Elaine Henderson, the Cahlans' first grandchild. Susan's mother is Ruth Marion (Cahlan) Henderson and her father is Milton McMichael Henderson. Top row, L-R; William Norton Schuyler, Ruth Marion Cahlan Henderson, Albert Edmunds Cahlan. Middle row and seated, L-R; Emma (Peggy) Marie (Schaefle) Schuyler, Ruth Estella (Schuyler) Cahlan with granddaughter Susan (Suzie) Henderson on her lap, and Marion Cahlan (Al's mother). Forest Cahlan is seated on the floor.