Oral history interview with Harry Sax conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 08, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Sax discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968 to open the Arby franchise system with two stores, growing to sixteen stores. Sax also talks about how he became connected with the Jewish community, becoming the president of Congregation Ner Tamid during 2007-2009, and being board member of the Anti-Defamation League.
Archival Collection
The Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project Web Archive contains archived websites that were captured between 2016 to 2018 that are related to UNLV University Libraries community documentation project, the
Archival Collection
In this interview, Jon Sparer discusses his involvement as the architect of Congregation Ner Tamid's synagogue in Green Valley. He explains details of the building including the concrete tilt-up form, glass windows and the incorporation of quotes throughout the building. Sparer also discusses his involvement with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) as a board member.
According to architect Jon Sparer, when he moved to Las Vegas in the early 1980s, the art of the deal was still based on a "handshake." It was just after the infamous MGM fire and Jon went to work for Rissman and Rissman. He later worked for Marnell Corrao Associates until 2001, and then as a principal in his own firm. He is now retired. While honing his design skills with the exciting transformation of the Strip into a world-class destination, Jon also became an active contributor to the Las Vegas community. Among his most notable experiences was being on the search committee for a new location for the fast growing Congregation Ner Tamid and then the architectural design for the synagogue's location in Henderson. It was a unique experience and Jon tells how he approached each aspect of the religious facility and how it would provide a memorable setting for life experiences. Jon has been involved with Jewish Family Services and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In addition, Jon along with his husband John Klai have been instrumental in the LGBTQ community and the opening of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada [The Center]. In this interview, he also talks about the significance of The Center/ and its success in working with the Clark County Health District, as well as providing a user-friendly experience for all who visit The Center and the Bronze Cafe located there.
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Oral history interview with Jonathan S. "Jon" Sparer, FAIA conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on August 29, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Sparer discusses his involvement in the Jewish, and LGBTQ+ communites, and his career as an architect in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about working on projects that included The Mirage Hotel and Casino, the Congregation Ner Tamid, and The Center (The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Ross conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 15, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Ross talks about his Jewish upbringing, and education in Brewster, New York. He also discusses how his interest in hotel catering, conventions and events, has led him to working in the hospitality industry for nearly three decades in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Selected correspondence from Chic Hecht regarding Jewish affairs in 1987, including a letter thanking Senator Hecht for his involvement in securing the land deal between the Bureau of Land Management and Congregation Ner Tamid.
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Marla Letizia discusses how she became president of Congregation Ner Tamid after being part of the board of the Meadows School. She also talks about growing up in Las Vegas and going to the Sahara to see performers.
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