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Photograph of Kraft Sussman Funeral Services' Laura Sussman, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 16, 2016

Date

2016-06-16

Description

Laura Sussman, co-owner of Kraft Sussman Funeral Services at the company's 3975 South Durango Drive facility.

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Photograph of Kraft Sussman Funeral Services' Laura Sussman and Wendy Kraft, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 16, 2016

Date

2016-06-16

Description

Kraft Sussman Funeral Services co-owners Laura Sussman, left, and Wendy Kraft at the company's 3975 South Durango Drive facility.

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Transcript of interview with Laura Sussman and Wendy Kraft by Barbara Tabach, February 17, 2016

Date

2016-02-17

Description

They've been referred to as the two Jewish mothers who own a funeral home. At first glance that seems too simple a description. However, it is how they arrived at this description that tells a story of two women who moved here in the late 1990s and whose paths crossed as they became part of the Jewish community of Las Vegas. Laura Sussman arrived first. It was 1997. The Jewish Community Center, a JCC without walls as Laura puts it, hired her as its first executive director. She was from Ohio where there was a robust Jewish tradition. She was director for eight years; then executive director at Temple Beth Sholom. Wendy Kraft moved to the valley in 1999. She was a stay at home mom from Boston, who was accustom to volunteering in the Jewish community. Knowing no one and on the brink of divorce, the Jewish community became her life, a way to build a network of friends and keep her occupied just as it had been in Boston. The two women met through their work with the JCC and love followed. Several years later, in 2009, so did their new business, Kraft-Sussman Funeral and Cremation services. By February 6, 2015, Laura and Wendy had married. They had already formed a family with each other and their three daughters, Leah Sussman, Emma and Elyse Kraft. In this interview they discuss their joint sense of purpose that includes love of family, dedication to the Jewish community, pride in the LGBT identity, and providing caring services to those at the time of funeral services. They talk also of Jewish traditions related to death, the Jewish burial society known as Chevra Kadisha, and challenges of their industry. They share feelings about nonprofits and how they value being actively involved in the community.

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Pamphlet from the 8th annual Jewish Family Service Agency Tsedakah event, 2015

Date

2015

Description

This pamphlet contains statistics about Jewish Family Service Agency services provided to the community, and sponsorship advertisements from local businesses.

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Invitation and program for Temple Beth Sholom building dedication, September 2000

Date

2000

Archival Collection

Description

Temple Beth Sholom invitation and program for the building dedication includes a guide to the Judaic art in the synagogue and a list of past presidents.

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