In this roundtable discussion video, members of Temple Beth Sholom discuss the history of the long-established congregation. Interviewees are Sandy Mallin, Oscar Goodman, Jared Shafer, Joel Goot, Arne Rosencrantz, Jerry Blut, Jackie Boiman, Gene Greenberg, and Flora Mason, with Shelley Berkley joining in later in the interview. Most of the interviewees have been involved in the leadership of the congregation. They discuss relationships with various rabbis over the years, and successful fundraising efforts to build the original synagogue. Other early leaders in the congregation were Edythe Katz-Yarchever, the Goot family, Stuart Mason, Herb Kaufman and Leo Wilner. Until the 1980s, Temple Beth Sholom was the only synagogue in Las Vegas, but after a dispute over the burial of a non-Jew, a new synagogue formed (Shareii Tefilla), and at nearly the same time, Temple Beth Sholom began investigating a move from their site on Oakey Boulevard. Most have nostalgia for the former location, but discuss the changes in the neighborhood that necessitated the move to Summerlin. Then they discuss the other initiatives that were borne out of Temple Beth Sholom, such as bond drives for Israel, B'nai B'rith, and the Kolod Center. They share other memories, and discuss the leadership and Sandy Mallin becoming the first female president of the temple. They credit Mallin with keeping the temple going through lean years, and helping to recruit Rabbi Felipe Goodman. The group goes on to mention other influential members of the Jewish community including Jack Entratter and Lloyd Katz, who helped integrate Las Vegas.
On March 18, 1978, collector Bill Hitchcock interviewed Della Coates (b. June 17th, 1919 in Birmingham, Alabama) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the interview, Della Coates discusses her time working for the telephone company. She also speaks about the changes in education and about changes throughout Las Vegas.
Hazel Baker Denton (1887-1962) was a prolific writer, educator, active community member, and elected to serve the Nevada State Assembly in the early 1950s.
The Pat Jones Photograph Collection (approximately 1925-1930) consists of black-and-white photographic prints and slides of Harry Suiter in Rhyolite, Nevada. There are images of Suiter standing in front of abandoned buildings, as well as scenery near Rhyolite. Also included is an image of a wagon transport containing borax in Death Valley, California.
The First Methodist Church Photograph Collection (approximately 1909-1912) contains black-and-white photographic prints and corresponding negatives of the Las Vegas train depot, railroad yards, and the First Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also included are portraits of Reverend Edwin A. Palmer and his family.
The Edward Joseph Deck Photograph Collection (approximately 1870-1920) consists of photographic prints and negatives of Edward Joseph Deck and other miners in Pioche, Nevada and various locations around the townsite. There are also images of ranches, mills, and mill workers both in and outside of the Pioche townsite.
The Nino Maurizi Photograph Collection consists of two black-and-white photographic prints and corresponding negatives of Nino Maurizi at the Mount Charleston Camp for the Las Vegas Army Air Field in 1943. Images depict Maurizi standing at the entrance of Mount Charleston Camp as well as inside the camp.
The Esther Ruth Peaslee Postcard Collection (approximately 1900-1983) consists of postcards and postcard reproductions depicting a Labor Day celebration in Goldfield, Nevada, the Angelus Hotel, and the Goldfield Hotel. The reproductions were made approximately between 1960 and 1983. Also included is a postcard showcasing scenes in Goldfield.
The Stuart A. McCarthy Photograph Collection (approximately 1940-1949) consists of photographic prints and negatives of the Photo Mart storefront on Fremont Street as well as a view of the Golden Nugget, Eldorado Club, Hotel Apache, Boulder Club, and the Pioneer Club on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The David Farnsworth Photograph Collection, approximately 1900 to 1915, contains five black-and-white photographic prints and corresponding negatives of David Farnsworth with groups of people posing outside storefronts in Las Vegas and Caliente, Nevada.