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Transcript of interview with David Wasserman by Barbara Tabach, October 21, 2016
Date
Archival Collection
Description
For nearly two decades between 1950 and 1970, only one dentist of Jewish ancestry was known to be licensed to practice in Nevada. That was Dr. Joe Chenin. Finally, in 1971, the steadfast and easy mannered Dr. David R. Wasserman (1944 - ) broke through the barrier to become the second Jewish dentist serving the Las Vegas community. Over the following years, Dr. Wasserman built a sizeable following and immersed himself in the Jewish community of Las Vegas. Among his achievements is his participation and leadership in the formation of Las Vegas’ first Reform Jewish synagogue, Congregation Ner Tamid. He also would be active in the Jewish Federation. In 1992, as the HIV-AIDS epidemic affected dental offices throughout the nation, Dr. Wasserman saw an opportunity to get ahead of the infection. With the help of his wife Juanita Davis-Wasserman and his father-in-law Warren Davis, he developed, patented, manufactured and distributed a disposable tip for a treatment instrument commonly found in dental offices called a tri-syringe. This disposable tip brought sanitary options and great financial fortune to Dr. Wasserman and his family. In this oral history, Dr. Wasserman reflects on his joy of living in Las Vegas. He is a highly regarded dentist and leader in the Jewish community.
Text
Dr. David R. Wasserman oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with David Wasserman conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 21, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Wasserman discusses inventing, with his father-in-law, the "Sani-Tip" a dental product that revolutionized dentistry infection control at the onset of the AIDS epidemic. He also talks about being involved within the Las Vegas, Nevada Jewish community and the Congregation Ner Tamid.
Archival Collection
Video, Congregation Ner Tamid oral history roundtable, September 21, 2016
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, Gerald Gordon, Bob Unger, David Wasserman, Renee Diamond and Gilbert Shaw discuss the founding of Congregation Ner Tamid in 1974. It became the first Reform synagogue in Las Vegas. The conversation includes discussion about the first meeting, the move into the current location, and the hiring of Rabbi Akselrad.
Moving Image
Brochure for building fund for Congregation Ner Tamid, early 1980s
Date
Archival Collection
Description
This fundraising brochure for the building campaign for Congregation Ner Tamid includes pledge amounts for specific parts of the building, and a proposed floor plan.
Text
Jewish Federation correspondence, meeting minutes, and other records, item 06
Description
Board of Directors meeting minutes for the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Nevada, November 5, 1986.
Shaw, Gilbert "Gil", 1928-
Gilbert Shaw, better known as Gil, was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Los Angeles, California, where he had his bar mitzvah. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Navy and became a combat correspondent. The next twenty-seven years was a military career in both the Navy and Coast Guard and included service in both Korea and Vietnam. His training as a journalist and photographer gave him a trained eye on the history around him. This gave him a keen eye on his experiences as a founding member of Las Vegas' first Reform Judaism synagogue, Congregation Ner Tamid.
Person
Wasserman, David
Person
Jewish Federation correspondence, meeting minutes, and other records, item 04
Description
Board Meeting minutes for the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Nevada, April 2, 1986.
