Oral history interview with David Dahan conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 26, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Dahan tells the story of his family escaping from Casablanca, Morocco and settling in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dahan also discusses establishing the Yaffa Dahan Nursing Foundation in honor of his late wife who was a Las Vegas nurse.
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Group photograph of the Dahan family. From left to right: Yaffa, Shana, David Dahan, and Michelle Dahan.
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David Dahan, chief executive officer of Orgill Singer Insurance at his office at 9360 W. Sahara Avenue.
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The fascinating life of David Dahan began in Casablanca, Morocco where he was born to Mathilde and Isaac Dahan in 1957. After a hasty departure in 1970 the family came to America and to Las Vegas. Isaac became an administrator for Yellow Cab and Mathilde was a server at the Stardust Hotel/Casino. David evokes a tale of growing up a teenager in a strange culture and then heading out on a solo adventure to learn about the world. By 1977, he fell in love and married an engaging Israeli nurse named Yaffa (1954-2007). Her legacy is the Yaffa Dahan Nursing Education Fund established to assist outstanding PhD nursing students in their dissertation research. Leadership and the energy to always say yes are among David?s many characteristics. He has served on numerous local boards, such as: Nevada Restaurant Association, North Vista Hospital, Touro University, Las Ventanas, Henderson Chamber of Commerce, and the Nevada Law Foundation. He has been the recipient of many awards and acknowledgments for his tireless efforts throughout Las Vegas. Among those is being named the 2005 Person of Influence by In Business Las Vegas. From 1997 ? 1999, he served as President of the Jewish Federation during which time he led a trip to Russia. He is past chair of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs) Committee. In 2007, David was honored as Mensch of the Year at Congregation Ner Tamid. In this interview he recalls his family?s escape from Morocco, learning to adjust to life in Las Vegas and his early jobs in the restaurant business. With his roots firmly planted in Las Vegas, David has built strong relationships within the Jewish and general Las Vegas communities. David is the Chief Executive Officer of Orgill/Singer Insurance. His life experiences have fueled passions for his faith, cooking, photography, poetry and his daughters, Shana and Michelle.
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Groundbreaking ceremony for Congregation Or Bamidbar. (Post-it on back: Left of center Sam Ventura, rt of Rachel Ventura. Left of sam: Yaffa Dahan and David Dahan, JFLV Federation President
Note on reverse: L-R Jay and Roni Epstein, executive director; co-chairs Fran Fine, Paul & Ellen Bodner; Ed Asner, guest speaker; co-chairs Sandy & Marv Snyder; David Dahan, President and Yaffa Dahan
Part of an interview with Elaine Galatz on April 23, 2015. In this clip, Galatz describes how she became involved with the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas as president.
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David Dahan was born January 23, 1957 in Casablanca, Morocco. After a hasty departure in 1970, the family came to America and to Las Vegas, Nevada. By 1977, he married an Israeli nurse named Yaffa, who died in 2007. Her legacy is the Yaffa Dahan Nursing Education Fund, which Dahan established to assist outstanding nursing students in their dissertation research.
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