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Bill and Jim Mason oral history interview
Oral history interview with Bill and Jim Mason conducted by Stefani Evans on March 15, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project and the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Bill and Jim discuss their upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. They talk about their Jewish heritage, attending Kit Carson Sixth Grade Center, and their participation at Temple Beth Sholom. Bill and Jim recall working for their father’s construction company, Taylor Construction, some of the construction projects they were involved in, and taking ownership of the company in 1999. Lastly, Bill and Jim describe the growth of the Jewish community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Commemoration of Kristallnacht with Esther Toporek Finder, Raymonde Fiol, Alexander Kuechel, Philipp Meinecke, and Felipe Goodman oral history roundtable
Oral history roundtable interview with members of the Kristallnacht Commemoration conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 17, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Esther Toporek Finder, Raymonde Fiol, Alexander Kuechel, Philipp Meinecke, and Rabbi Felipe Goodman discuss the importance of remembering the Holocaust, the Kristallnacht event and why they participated in the commemoration event hosted at Temple Beth Sholom.
Archival Collection
Temple Beth Am (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Temple Beth Am was a Jewish Reform congregation founded by Rabbi Mel Hecht in 1984 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1992, some members of the congregation, unhappy with Rabbi Hecht's leadership, broke off to form Congregation Adat Ari El. Construction on Beth Am's campus began in Summerlin in 2001. In 2007 Temple Beth Am and Adat Ari El merged to form Temple Sinai.
Corporate Body
Transcript of interview with Jon Sparer by Barbara Tabach, March 4, 2015
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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