Adelson to face courtroom cameras despite safety concerns

Published on April 4, 2013

Sheldon Adelson, a major benefactor of Jewish and Israeli causes, will face courtroom cameras in an upcoming trial despite safety concerns based on his views on Israel.

The future as seen at CES in Vegas

By Tom Teicholz
Published on February 13, 2013

When I was a young kid, my dad used to take me to the auto show at the old New York Coliseum, where together we looked, agog, at the cars of the future — experimental vehicles that would never see the light of day. I remember feeling bone-tired after walking the floor and being overwhelmed by all there was to see. I would clutch my dad’s hand ever tighter, afraid of getting lost in the disorienting vortex of people pitching products. These memories came flooding back in early January, as I stood amid the chaos of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Leonora and Herbert Kolischer, Holocaust survivors and entrepreneurs, 88

Published on December 5, 2012

Leonora Kolischer died in her home in Malibu on October 31, followed soon by her husband Herbert Kolischer on November 4. They were both 88.

Jewish communities grapple with baby boomer retirement boom

Published on October 11, 2012

Every Jewish community wants more Raymonde Fiols among its active retirees. The question is whether those communities are prepared to meet the needs she and hundreds of thousands of "younger seniors" and older ones will have in the near future.

Jewish Dems’ call on GOP to cut off Adelson’s giving revives civility talk

Published on July 10, 2012

Sheldon Adelson, whose cash and rhetoric has hit candidates hard this election cycle, just got swiped himself.

Adelson and Romney meet

Published on May 30, 2012

Mitt Romney met with Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino magnate who took aim at Romney's presidential campaign by substantially backing challenger Newt Gingrich.

Adelson donates $5 million to Republican Super PAC

Published on April 17, 2012

Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, a major giver to the Newt Gingrich presidential bid, has donated $5 million to a Super PAC supporting Republican candidates.

Q&A with pastry chef Chris Hanmer

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on March 29, 2012

Award-winning pastry chef Chris Hanmer doesn’t let a little matzah meal scare him. Hanmer, who, in 2011, came in first in the second season of “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” has been pastry chef at catered Passover programs at Ritz-Carlton hotels in Lake Las Vegas, Nev., and Naples, Fla.

From Valley to Vegas, Phillip Wells is remembered

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on March 21, 2012

It was Patrick Hoffman’s first time in a gay bar, and he was terrified. Until he met Phillip Wells. Wells was tending bar at the Rainbow Club West in Knoxville, Tenn., that night some 10 years ago, and he flashed Hoffman his signature oversized smile.

Shahs of Sunset – Why So Much Hate?

By Ilana Angel
Published on March 19, 2012

Adelson reportedly gives ‘substantial’ new donation to Gingrich PAC

Published on February 28, 2012

Casino and hotel magnate Sheldon Adelson reportedly has given a “substantial” new donation to a group supporting Newt Gingrich for the Republican presidential nomination.

Best bet: Super Bowl winner donating long-shot’s payoff to charity

Published on February 8, 2012

The Jewish owner of a real estate company in New York is donating his $50,000 winnings from a Super Bowl bet to charity.

Tel Aviv named a top party spot

Published on May 5, 2011

Tel Aviv is one of the world's top 10 summer party destinations, according to a popular travel website. HotelsCombined.com, one of the world’s largest online travel sites, named Tel Aviv to its 2011 list of cities where the summer fun never lets up.

Tribefest survey: Many attendees were federation first-timers [VIDEO]

Published on March 15, 2011

New data shows that Tribefest met its goal of drawing many federation first-timers to the recent Young Leadership conference in Las Vegas, federation officials said. “We’re not only satisfied, we’re thrilled,” said Joe Berkofsky, spokesman for the Jewish Federations of North America, which organized last week’s gathering. Nearly 1,300 Jews, mostly in their 20s to early 40s, showed up for three days of lectures, workshops and performances devoted to Jewish politics, religion and culture.

TribeFest: Las Vegas 2011 [VIDEO]

By Jay Firestone
Published on March 9, 2011

It's been a while since this many Jews partied in the desert. Last time it happened, I believe the earth opened up and swallowed them alive.

TribeFest: Las Vegas 2011 - A VideoJew special report [VIDEO]

By Jay Firestone
Published on March 9, 2011

Rehabbed Foreman returning to ring

Published on January 19, 2011

Former champion Yuri Foreman will return to the ring March 12 after rehabilitating from knee surgery. Foreman will meet Top 10 contender Pawel Wolak at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev., according to a news release by the bout's promoters, Don King and Bob Arum.

Deals on December getaways

Published on November 19, 2010

It is so good to be a traveler during December. Whether you want a romantic escape, a girlfriends’ getaway or a family vacation, the deals are abundant as many people choose to stick closer to home through the holiday season. My family and I have traditionally hit the road and enjoyed destinations that are packed with value and are not crowded — great places for a quick winter trip.

Orit: I went to Macao and it’s not Las Vegas!

By The Web Guy
Published on October 3, 2008

Mormon missionary excommunicated for ‘risque’ calendar

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on July 14, 2008

What not to do after you are married

By Mrs. Shoshana F
Published on June 10, 2008

Frank, Dean and Sammy back from the dead and live on stage

By Pat Sierchio
Published on November 29, 2007

The Rat Pack's impromptu shows, an intoxicating hi-ball of songs, dance, jokes and alcohol, are part of Vegas legend. Now, more than 40 years later, Angelenos will have the chance to experience a dead-on recreation of those legendary nights, at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Rat Pack -- Live at the Sands" at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills.

Sin City is a nice place to visit, but not a Jewish oasis—yet

By Ira M. Sheskin
Published on April 12, 2007

Jews were in Las Vegas when it emerged as the gambling capital of the country, and Jews have been coming to Las Vegas ever since.

If it wasn’t for Jews, Las Vegas wouldn’t be the town it is today

By Renata Polt
Published on September 14, 2006

Located nearly 700 miles east of the The Strip, and founded 70 years before Sin City was first established as a railroad town, Las Vegas, N.M., was an early destination for Jewish settlers hoping to stake a claim in the burgeoning West. Today Las Vegas is largely a Latino town of about 16,000, located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, an hour's drive east of Santa Fe.

Chabad Expands in Vegas

Published on July 19, 2006

The new shul is a testament to the Jewish community's growth in the area, which already houses another equally large Chabad campus close to the Las Vegas Strip.

Tying the Knot While Rolling the Dice

By Leah Hochbaum
Published on July 7, 2005

Between the drinking, the gambling and the legalized prostitution, Las Vegas just might be the most romantic spot on the planet for the biggest drunken gamble of them all: marriage. But while making your inebriated way down the aisle in this marriage mecca is as easy as pie for the average citizen, you have to look a little harder for the perfect wedding package if you're one of the tribe.

Because while that bright-light city might set your soul on fire, it sure doesn't make it easy to rustle up a rabbi on a moment's notice. They tend not to cruise the strip. Slowly but surely, however, area hotels and chapels are breaking into the Jewish nuptials game.

Milken Dances Into Bid for Nationals

By Carin Davis
Published on February 26, 2004

Jews can dance a mean hora, but when it comes to hip-hop, they aren't known to hold their own -- until now. The Milken Community High School Dance Team swept the open regional Dance Team Competition in Las Vegas and earned a bid to the 2004 National Dance Team Competition of the High School.

When the Milken team qualified to compete in just one category at last year's nationals, they were the first private Jewish school to earn such an honor. By sweeping last month's regionals in the hip-hop, lyrical, medium dance, jazz and officers categories, Milken enters this year's nationals as one of the teams to beat.

Kramer Wins With a Vegas Loser

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on November 20, 2003

Wayne Kramer identifies with the karmically challenged hero of his sleek new movie, "The Cooler." Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) has bad luck so contagious, a Las Vegas casino employs him to cool down high rollers.

Kramer -- who is hoarse as luck would have it, in an interview -- more than relates.

Gambling Goodman

By Amy Klein
Published on May 16, 2002

Oscar Goodman sure likes his Beefeater. So much so that this Las Vegas mayor had proposed to become a spokesman for the gin company for $100,000. The money, Goodman promised, would go to the city coffers.

Red Like Me

By Teresa Strasser
Published on December 27, 2001

As I write this, I look like James Coburn eating a lemon in a windstorm. Drunk. Not only does my face look red and crackly, it must be covered at all times with a Vaseline-like lotion, thick and greasy, giving me the appearance of someone who has just eaten a pork chop with no hands. And I lack Mr. Coburn's panache.

Jewish Boomtown

By Adam Wills
Published on August 16, 2001

Las Vegas isn't exactly the holiest place on earth. Hotels on the Strip have dumped the family-friendly approach in favor of European-style topless shows, and much of the praying takes place at craps tables and roulette wheels.

Former Synagogue President (and Mob Lawyer) Elected Mayor of Las Vegas

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on June 17, 1999

A flamboyant underworld attorney and former synagogue president was elected mayor of Las Vegas by a landslide, according to the final results from last Tuesday's vote.

Pitch-Black

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on November 19, 1998

Peter Berg's "Very Bad Things," the tale of a Las Vegas bachelor party gone terribly wrong, is the season's most twisted black comedy.