Oral history interview with the Congregation Ner Tamid roundtable conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 21, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Rabbi Sanford Akselrad and five members of the congregation discuss the founding of Congregation Ner Tamid, the first reform synagogue in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1974. They go into detail on how the synagogue was formed, the building-hopping they did until they built their current structure, and the funding it took to get to that point. The interviewees reveal a few donors, such as Morris Dalitz and Frank Sinatra, who helped to build their synagogue and school. The interview ends with meaningful stories and memories the members have relating to Congregation Ner Tamid.
Archival Collection
Founded in 1981, Congregation Shaarei Tefilla was the first Orthodox Synagogue in Nevada with the main purpose of providing Jewish education and services to all Jews regardless of their background or level of observance - without any judgments.
Congregation Shaarei Tefilla operates within the framework of an Orthodox Congregation and under the auspices of the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America. As of 2017, the Canor for this congregation is Lola Rivera.
