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Transcript of interview with Janellen Radoff by Barbara Tabach, September 26, 2016

Date
2016-09-26
Description

Jane Radoff?s sophisticated eye and creative energy follow her wherever she goes. Her interior designs have anonymously touched most all who have walked through many of the Strip casinos and hotels. Her working partnership with interior designer Roger Thomas for Steve Wynn properties are among the most iconic of recent era. Born 1940 in Pittsburgh, PA, to Adelaide and Meyer Sachs, Jane was destined to lead a colorful life. Her mother was a local radio/TV personality with her own show and her father was successful real estate entrepreneur. Jane attended the University of Michigan where she honed her design skills. Before moving to Nevada, Jane?s career path included Restaurant Associates, a short stint as a girl Friday for Johnny Carson, and freelance product design while starting a family. Then in 1978, her husband William ?Bill? Radoff accepted a purchasing director position from Billy Weinberger and Neil Smythe at Caesars. With her signature wry humor, she reflects on her early observations of Las Vegas, and eventually working with Roger Thomas. In time, the duo worked together to bring groundbreaking interiors to the Strip, primarily with Steve Wynn. As most Jewish transplants, the Radoffs first belonged to Temple Beth Sholom. Later she was the interior inspiration for Congregation Ner Tamid where Jon Sparer did the architectural design. She is a quiet icon of Las Vegas?s turn to elegance and warmth in design of public spaces.

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Transcript of interview with Jonathan Sparer by Stefani Evans and Claytee White, August 29, 2016

Date
2016-08-29
Description

Jonathan “Jon” Sparer of Las Vegas, Nevada, is a retired architect who is active in the local Jewish and LGBTQ communities. He grew up on Long Island, New York, in the hamlet of Woodmere, where his father was an importer. After graduating in Architecture from Ohio State University in 1977 Jon moved to Los Angeles, California, where he worked first with architect Jack Chernoff, then with architect Bob Barnett until 1981, when he accompanied his future wife and college classmate who worked for Martin Stern to Las Vegas. Stern sent her to open a field office to supervise the reconstruction of the MGM Grand after it burned in November 1980. Once in Las Vegas, Jon began working for architect Homer Rissman on Steve Wynn’s future project, The Mirage. Although Jon switched firms, he continued working on The Mirage and other Wynn projects with Marnell Corrao, where he would stay until 2001. Ironically, Jon’s original supervisor at Marnell Corrao was his future husband, architect John R. Klai II; Klai’s subordinate in turn was Jon’s Spring Valley neighbor. After Jon left Marnell in 2001, he became a founding principal architect at YWS Design & Architecture. Although he has retired from full-time architecture, Jon has since designed the Temple for Congregation Ner Tamid (pictured above) and The Center (Las Vegas's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer community center). Jon remains active in the AIA Las Vegas Chapter as the incoming president as well as serving as a board member for Jewish Family Services Agency and The Center.

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Pamphlet from the 8th annual Jewish Family Service Agency Tsedakah event, 2015

Date
2015
Description

This pamphlet contains statistics about Jewish Family Service Agency services provided to the community, and sponsorship advertisements from local businesses.

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Klai, John, II, 1952-2023

John Reynolds Klai II was born and raised in Osnabrock, North Dakota. After spending a few years as an accounting major at the University of North Dakota’s College of Business in Grand Forks, an engineering class inspired him to pursue a career in architecture. He returned to Osnabrock, where he worked for his father’s construction company and saved to attend the architecture program at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies in 1977 and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1978.

Person

John R. Klai II, FAIA Papers

Identifier
MS-01204
Abstract

The John R. Klai II, FAIA Papers (1983-2024) are comprised of the personal papers of American architect, John R. Klai II, FAIA. Materials include commendations presented to Klai for his achievements in the architecture and interior design profession from organizations like AIA Las Vegas; the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB); and the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design. The collection also includes digital images of plaques and trophies presented to Klai for his philanthropic work in the Las Vegas community. The professional files in this collection include publications featuring the work of Klai Juba Wald architecture + interiors, Klai's 2015 AIA Fellowship submission portfolio, magazine features about Klai, and a commemorative photo book of Klai Hall at North Dakota State University. Also included are a small number of Klai's personal sports memorabilia, including tickets for NCAA men's basketball tournaments in 1987 and 1989.

Archival Collection

Annual report from Congregation Ner Tamid, 2008-2009

Date
2008 to 2009
Description

Annual report from Congregation Ner Tamid, 2008-2009

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Annual report from Congregation Ner Tamid, 2010-2011

Date
2010 to 2011
Description

Annual report from Congregation Ner Tamid, 2010-2011

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