Heidi Straus was born in 1966 in Las Vegas, Nevada to Jay and Joyce Sarno, and spent much of her childhood in the gaming establishments founded by her father: Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Early in her career, Straus followed in her father’s footsteps into hotel management. However, she soon switched gears, first owning and operating Las Vegas Flowers, and later becoming a gemologist, her current profession. Straus and her husband, David, have two children named Jaye and Sander.
Temple Sinai is a Jewish Reform congregation in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was founded in 2007 when Temple Beth Am and Congregation Adat Ari El merged. Temple Sinai has over 300 member families and its sub-groups include a Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Chavurah, Youth Group, and committees. Kenneth Segel was the first rabbi of Temple Sinai and was succeeded by Rabbi Malcolm Cohen in 2009.
Interview with Gertrude Greenblatt by Dario Gratini on March 1, 1981. In this interview Greenblatt talks about arriving in Las Vegas in the 1940s, and the changes that took place place such as population growth, price increases, employment requirements, and recreation. She also talks about the changes in utilities and environmental issues.
Oral history interview with Rabbi Shea Harlig conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 05, 2014 for West Charleston Neighborhoods: An Oral History Project of Ward 1. In his interview Rabbi Harlig discusses creating a Chabad movement in Southern Nevada. Rabbi Harlig also discusses the story of the moving to Las Vegas, founding the Chabad school, and the current Chabad expansion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Deanna E. DeArkland conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 5, 2020 for The Great Pause: Las Vegas Chronicles of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Deanna discusses her personal history moving from Southern California to Las Vegas to become an elementary school teacher. She talks about her family, her religious activities, and how COVID-19 has impacted her personally and professionally with regard to remote instruction.