Louis Wiener, Jr., sitting for his official Nevada State Bar photo, was the only person who took (and passed) the State Bar examination in Clark County in 1941.
Dave Stearns was a gambler and entrepreneur who owned and operated several casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1935 he bought the Meadows Club on Boulder Highway with his brother Sam Stearns and Larry Potter. By 1941, the Stearns brothers also operated the Northern Club in downtown Las Vegas, which Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel invested $18,000 in.
Gragg, Larry D. Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel: The Gangster, the Flamingo, and the Making of Modern Las Vegas. Santa Barbara: Praeger, 2015.
Todd S. Polikoff was born on September 8, 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2015, he was named president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas (Jewish Nevada).
Todd S. Polikoff served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Nevada (formerly Jewish Federation of Las Vegas) from 2015 to 2018. Todd is a graduate of Stockton University and earned his MBA at Cleveland State University. He has three children: Samuel, Shira and Jordan.
Description from donor: "ORIGINAL TEMPLE BETH SHALOM PHOTO: Little Boy in suspenders, front row is David Rudiak, boy in middle row with "cowboy?" shirt on is Andrew Rudiak. Behind Andrew (on his left) in the back row, is Geri Rudiak-Renchler. Tall boy in back row I believe is Brian Greenspun."
Archival Collection
Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project Community Collection
In 1939, Wilma (Frank) Bass was born in New York City, where she began her involvement in theater at the age of ten. Almost twenty years later, she met Burt Bass (1932- ) when both worked for a photography studio, one of Burt first post-high school jobs. Burt opened his first professional photography studio in 1962, shortly after he married Wilma in 1960. The couple soon had two daughters – Jill and Wendy – and moved to Las Vegas in 1974. Burt initially worked for his brother-in-law Ed Frank's check cashing businesses and later opened his own photography business, Burton Studio. He later added services such as fingerprinting, background checks, and photographs for identification cards. Wilma worked as a jewelry salesperson, first at the Gold Factory then at Nieman Marcus. Socially, she was very involved with Temple Beth Sholom’s Sisterhood, using her theater talents to write, direct and produce various shows for the Sisterhood, ORT as well as B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. In this interview, Burt discusses his photography business, the migration of its storefront around town, and his colorful landlords, including individuals like Moe Dalitz and Art Marshall. Wilma talks about her sales career in the local jewelry industry, and more extensively, she shares memories of her involvement in the Jewish community with theater productions. Much of the discussion revolved around related news articles and personal photos from their relationships and activities within the Jewish community. The couple also shares stories of friendships with local entertainers, including Jerry Lewis and Neil Sedaka.
Jared Shafer is a former board member of Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas, Nevada. He served as president of the congregation from 1984 to 1986 and also managed the temple's preschool. He moved to Las Vegas in 1944.
Roundtable Interview with Members of Temple Beth Sholom, 2015 January 14. OH-02459. Transcript. Oral History Research Center, Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Richard Rudiak (1952-) was born and raised Las Vegas, Nevada. He is the son of Gertrude and George Rudiak. He graduated from Clark High School, Pomona College, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Before retiring to provide care for his mother, Richard worked in investments including Valley Hospital and Tam O’Shanter Motel.