Oral history interview with Carolyn G. and Oscar B. Goodman conducted by Claytee D. White on October 18, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Carolyn G. and Oscar B. Goodman discuss their early childhoods and education. They tell the story of their marriage, family life, and careers. The Goodmans go into further detail on the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as a community as well as a tourist destination.
Oral history interview with Robert Fisher conducted by Barbara Tabach on January 08, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Fisher discusses his childhood in Minnesota, and the large role Judaism played in his upbringing. He speaks at length about his involvement with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism over the years, including as regional director of the United Synagogue Youth Far West Region, which took him from Minnesota to California. He talks about his time in Los Angeles, California, and later, about his life in Las Vegas, Nevada, including his broadcasting career as well as involvement with Midbar Kodesh Temple.
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 the Sperling Kronberg and Mack Holocaust Resource Center conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 4, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Myra Berkovits, Susan Dubin, and Doug Unger discuss the history of the Sperling Kronberg Mack Holocaust Resource Center and how it serves to provide holocaust educational materials to the Southern Nevada community. The interviewees discuss the Holocaust Resource Center's priority of education and awareness as well as the history of its funding.
Oral history interview with Midbar Kodesh Temple members conducted by Bradley Tecktiel on April 19, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Two groups of early members of Midbar Kodesh Temple in Henderson, Nevada discuss the founding of the congregation and how it serves the Jewish community. They also discuss other aspects of being Jewish in Southern Nevada.
Oral history interview with Bernard and Barbara Kaufman conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 27, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, the Kaufmans reflect upon their upbringing in St. Louis, Missouri, where they met and married, and making the decision to move to Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss the experience of running their stores and the impact on business as the retail environment changed over the years. The Kaufmans also talk about their involvement with the Jewish community, including B’nai B’rith and Sisterhood, and how it has grown over the years. They also discuss the impact of the Jewish community members in gaming as well as other sectors, and the increase of congregations over the decades.
Oral history interview with Doug Unger conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 26, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Unger discusses his upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio, working at a family-owned mattress factory, and attending boarding school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He recalls joining Jewish youth groups in Cleveland, his employment with Sealy Corporation, and buying his own mattress factory in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unger then talks about being invited to a Jewish Federation meeting, attending Temple Beth Sholom and Congregation Ner Tamid, and becoming more involved with the Jewish Federation (currently known as Jewish Nevada). Lastly, Unger discusses being co-chair of the Holocaust Library committee, fundraising for the Jewish Federation, and obtaining funding from Governor Brian Sandoval for the Jewish Federation.
Oral history interview with Kathleen Kahn Mahon conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 03, 2018 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Mahon discusses her family’s upbringing in New Mexico and talks about her Jewish education as a child. Mahon describes her family’s role in the founding of Congregation Albert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She then talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980, taking on a pediatric ophthalmologist position, and being involved in the pediatric community. Mahon recalls becoming the first female president of the Nevada Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and her involvement with the Junior League of Las Vegas. Lastly, Mahon discusses the Ronald McDonald House, the Pediatric Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and being a founding member of the Children's Discovery Museum.
Oral history interviews with Frieda 'Faye' Steinberg conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 10, 2014, November 10, 2014, and August 15, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In these interviews, Steinberg discusses her upbringing in New York City, New York and moving to San Antonio, Texas because of her father’s health. She recalls attending the University of Texas and becoming an elementary school teacher. Steinberg describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband in 1958, her husband’s career in radiology, and joining Temple Beth Sholom. Later, Steinberg discusses the increase of the Jewish population in Las Vegas, how she celebrates the Sabbath, and the importance of Jewish education. Lastly, Steinberg talks about being honored by Jewish Nevada for her work in Women’s Philanthropy.
Barbara Tabach, coordinator for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Libraries, Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project photographed in her Lied Library office.