Ruth Urban was born November 16, 1948 in Los Angeles, California. At the age of ten, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada with her mother and older sister. Urban spent most of her childhood in the Huntridge area and was always involved with Temple Beth Sholom. After graduating from Las Vegas High School, Urban attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she received a bachelor’s degree in social work, and later, a master’s degree in counseling.

Barbara Kirsh was born in 1957 and grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was involved in the Jewish community, attending Hebrew School and teaching at the United Synagogue Youth as a teenager. Kirsch went to college in Colorado and Boston and after her education moved back to Las Vegas to get involved with the family business, Ideal Office Equipment. When she moved back to Las Vegas she got involved with the Jewish Federation and was in the Young Leadership group. She has been an active member of Midbar Kodesh since its founding.

Elaine Galatz was born September 1, 1939 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and studied English at the University of Wisconsin. In 1961, she married Neil Galatz and moved to Arizona. After attending the University of Arizona and Arizona State University for graduate studies and her teaching certificate, Galatz moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and taught at J.E. Manch Elementary. When her husband opened his own law firm in the mid-1960s, she served as the office manager and bookkeeper.