In his lifetime, Eleazar Martinez has climbed both literal and figurative mountains as an avid outdoorsman and social justice advocate for Latinx issues. Born in Sweetwater, Texas, Eleazar (Al for short) grew up connected to the land and his family. Al comes from a large family with strong ties in Texas and Mexico. His mother worked the fields and his father was a construction worker who instilled in their children the importance of a strong work ethic and the pursuit of an education. Al shares about growing up during a time when Spanish was banned from schools and children would get punished if they were caught using their home languages. His experiences developed his aspiration to serve his community and fight for people’s rights. After a short stint in the Navy, Al followed his instincts and sought out a college education and majored in sociology. His interest in social issues lead him to serve in a range of roles from psychiatric support, community education outreach, and counseling. At one point, Al even helped mediate tensions between gangs and law enforcement in order to prevent violence from erupting. Since arriving in Las Vegas in 1998, Al has been working alongside diverse communities to build solidarity. Today, he works as a supervisor for the Whitney Recreation Center and leader in Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO). As Al would describe himself, he is “a proud Mexican Latino American, a Tejano with a Chicano attitude”.

In this essay, Jerry Countess provides narrative context for a demographic study of the Jewish population in Las Vegas, and addresses the services and community needs revealed by the study and the growing Jewish population.

Long-range planning study conducted and prepared by the Levenberg Consulting Group regarding the Jewish community of Las Vegas with particular attention to Jewish elderly, the economically disadvantaged, young adults, and Jewish education at all ages.

This study was conducted in 1995 when an "estimated 55,600 Jews live[d] in 29,100 Jewish households in the Las Vegas area. An additional 11,200 plus non-Jewish persons live[d] in these households, for a total of 66,900 people living in Jewish Las Vegas households."

Ahavat's Nu? newsletters from Ahavat Torah Synagogue, 2000. The newsletters feature columns from the Rabbi and President, as well as Bar and Bat Mitzvah announcements, yahrzeits, and advertisements.