Oral history interview with Daryl Alterwitz conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 08, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Alterwitz discusses being an attorney and active in the Las Vegas, Nevada Jewish community, including volunteering in organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League. He also talks about his family owning the Walker Furniture business.
Part of an interview with Daryl Alterwitz on November 8, 2014. In this clip, Alterwitz describes moving to Las Vegas as a teenager with his family, and meeting his good friend Robert Engel at Valley High School.
Interview transcript with Daryl Alterwitz by Barbara Tabach on November 8, 2014. In this interview Daryl Alterwitz, son of Deanne and Oscar Alterwitz, recalls moving to Las Vegas from Gary, Indiana, for his parents' pursuits in the furniture business. He speaks about his schooling at Valley High School, his friendship with Robert Engel, and attending University of California Santa Cruz, and taking a leave of absence to travel through Asia. Alterwitz became more involved in Judaism after his bar mitzvah, and has continued his religious affiliation throughout his adult life, and has traveled to Israel twice. He talks about meeting his former wife, his travels through Europe, and coming back to Las Vegas after some time in Reno.
In 1959, Daryl Alterwitz was born in Gary, Indiana, son of Oscar and Deanne Alterwitz. When he was thirteen years old, his family moved to Las Vegas to capitalize on new opportunities in the growing city, and his parents purchased Walker Furniture soon after their arrival. As a high school student, Daryl experienced a powerful trip to Israel, which strengthened his connection to Judaism. After graduation from Valley High School, Daryl attended the University of California - Santa Cruz, and after two years of study, Daryl took time off to travel throughout South Asia, accompanied by close childhood friend Robert Engel. He returned after a year and graduated with an independent major in classical studies. From there, Daryl spent more time in Israel living on a kibbutz. Daryl next went to law school at Santa Clara University, and then supplemented his education with a degree in taxation from New York University School of Law. Between law school and New York, he met his wife, Teri Shoofey; they two had two children, though are now divorced. After New York, he returned to Nevada, first living in Reno. After his father passed away, Daryl moved back to Las Vegas, and took on more responsibility with the family business as well as practicing law. Daryl?s commitment to community service is enduring and visible. He has donated his time and resources to both Jewish organizations, like Jewish Family Services, and non-Jewish groups, like Las Vegas Rescue Mission. He has also served on the boards of the Jewish Federation, Congregation Ner Tamid, and the Anti-Defamation League. Daryl also continues to indulge his passion for international travel, having visited Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Cambodia, and has even biked from Hungary to Poland.
Daryl Alterwitz was born June 17, 1959 in Gary, Indiana to Oscar and Deanne Alterwitz. When he was thirteen years old, his family moved from Gary, Indiana to Las Vegas, Nevada and purchased Walker Furniture. Alterwitz graduated from Valley High School and attended the University of California Santa Cruz. He earned his law degree from Santa Clara University and a degree in taxation from New York University School of Law.