This is part 5 of 6 finding aids for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Creative Services Records and represents 2010 to 2019. Generally, materials are transferred from UNLV Photo Services to UNLV Special Collections and Archives 5 years after they are created. For materials within the last 5 years, contact photo@unlv.edu or call 702-895-3036. This finding aid contains the contact sheets and digital files produced by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 2010 to 2016 as an official record of the institution's development, activities, and community. Clients include UNLV colleges and departments, the University's administration, the UNLV Foundation, athletic departments, and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Images include academic activities, athletic events, faculty and administration, student life, campus life, campus development, architecture, and public relations.
Archival Collection
They've been referred to as the two Jewish mothers who own a funeral home. At first glance that seems too simple a description. However, it is how they arrived at this description that tells a story of two women who moved here in the late 1990s and whose paths crossed as they became part of the Jewish community of Las Vegas. Laura Sussman arrived first. It was 1997. The Jewish Community Center, a JCC without walls as Laura puts it, hired her as its first executive director. She was from Ohio where there was a robust Jewish tradition. She was director for eight years; then executive director at Temple Beth Sholom. Wendy Kraft moved to the valley in 1999. She was a stay at home mom from Boston, who was accustom to volunteering in the Jewish community. Knowing no one and on the brink of divorce, the Jewish community became her life, a way to build a network of friends and keep her occupied just as it had been in Boston. The two women met through their work with the JCC and love followed. Several years later, in 2009, so did their new business, Kraft-Sussman Funeral and Cremation services. By February 6, 2015, Laura and Wendy had married. They had already formed a family with each other and their three daughters, Leah Sussman, Emma and Elyse Kraft. In this interview they discuss their joint sense of purpose that includes love of family, dedication to the Jewish community, pride in the LGBT identity, and providing caring services to those at the time of funeral services. They talk also of Jewish traditions related to death, the Jewish burial society known as Chevra Kadisha, and challenges of their industry. They share feelings about nonprofits and how they value being actively involved in the community.
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From the Nye County, Nevada Photograph Collection (PH-00221) -- Series I. Amargosa Valley, Nevada -- Subseries I.A. Fishel Family (T&T Ranch). The Ford tractor belongs to Gordon Bettles. Glessner was retired from the Marine Corps, lived for many years in Beatty and is buried there. In the distance are mountains of the Funeral Range.
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In 2015, Todd S. Polikoff was named the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas. (The organization is now known as Jewish Nevada). Todd is a graduate of Stockton University and earned his MBA at Cleveland State University. He has three children: Samuel, Shira and Jordan. Born in 1971 to a steelworker and hairdresser, Jack and Judy Polikoff, Todd grew up in Philadelphia, became a bar mitzvah there, and shocked his mother when he explained he was putting college on hold to move to Israel. In addition to stories about these life memories, Todd also traces his career path to decision-making to a meaningful trip to Moscow a where a defining moment helped him understand his own relationship with Judaism. To the time of this interview, Todd has invested over twenty years in leadership of Jewish Federation and AIPAC in states that include New Jersey, Delaware, Texas, Ohio and Nevada.
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Ralph Vandersnick was interviewed on October 18, 1997. Ralph owns Snick's Place, the longest-operating gay bar in Las Vegas and whether he'd agree or not, he's one of the most respected members of the Las Vegas gay community.
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