Yvonne Fried, M.D., and Joan “Joni” Fried are the daughters of Milton and Esther Fried, the founders of Freed’s Bakery—the standard to which all other Las Vegas bakeries are held. When the Fried family moved to Las Vegas in 1955, Joni was born here, the fifth child, of the entrepreneurial Milton, a musician by night, and his industrious wife Esther, who guided the family business. As Esther’s 2006 obituary reads: in 1959 the couple opened “a snack bar, selling donuts and Danish, at the Panorama Market on West Charleston, while Milt played in the show band at the Sahara Hotel in the evenings.” For Yvonne and Joni, this made for a rather busy and interesting household to grow up in. Their Jewish upbringing was at Temple Beth Sholom. Photo above honors the multi-generations of the Freed’s Bakery tradition: (L-R) Joni Fried, Anthony & Sarah Fusco (Joni’s daughter) Max Jacobson Fried (Yvonne’s son) holding his son Lucas, and (far right) is his wife Emilia.

Rabbi Bradley Tecktiel was born June 28, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to New York City to attend university, where he received two Bachelor of Arts degrees: one from List College and one from Columbia University. He went on to achieve a Master?s degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Soon after graduating in 1996, Rabbi Tecktiel accepted his first clergy position in New Rochelle, New York. From there he went on to lead a congregation in Louisville, Kentucky, before eventually moving to Las Vegas to become the spiritual leader of Midbar Kodesh Temple in 2008. In this interview, Rabbi Tecktiel discusses the path that eventually brought him, his wife, Susan, and their three children to Las Vegas. He talks about his passion for developing Jewish community engagement and programming, and specifically about Midbar Kodesh Temple initiatives, including Yom HaShoah and educational programming. In addition, Rabbi Tecktiel reflects upon the growth of the Jewish community, both those affiliated and unaffiliated, and the impact of Jews on Las Vegas?, as well as Nevada?s, development.

Group of swimmers at the Lake Vegas Ranch with the ruins of the Mormon Fort in the background. Information provided by Special Collections included a photocopy of the photograph identifying three of the individual in the photograph. The second person from the top, on the left, is Robert Griffith. The fourth person down (standing) is Otto "Kelly" Westlake. The man sitting directly in front of Westlake is Jay Warren Woodard.

Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Group at the old ranch - just north of the present Elks club. Group was mainly railroad employees, the picture was taken in 1916. [Identified are] Robert Griffith - (his dad, T. W. Griffith, developed the Mt. Charleston resort area.) Robert was chairman of the Colorado River Commission.; Otto "Kelly" Westlake (Kelly is a nickname); Jay Warren Woodward had the first Chevrolet agency."

Architectural plans for the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1972. Printed on mylar. The MGM Grand Hotel was sold to Bally's Corporation to become Bally's Las Vegas in 1985. Berton Charles Severson, architect; Brian Walter Webb, architect; C. Jameson, delineator; Taylor Construction Co.
Site Name: MGM Grand Hotel
Address: 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV

Architectural plans for the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1972. Printed on mylar. The MGM Grand Hotel was sold to Bally's Corporation to become Bally's Las Vegas in 1985. Berton Charles Severson, architect; Brian Walter Webb, architect; C. Jameson, delineator; Taylor Construction Co.
Site Name: MGM Grand Hotel
Address: 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV