Hadassah celebrates 90 years

By Mary Manning

Monday, Feb. 11, 2002 | 8:52 a.m.

Pianist Henry Shead played "God Bless America" as members of the Southern Nevada branch of Hadassah sang the song's simple words.

The song began a celebration of the Jewish women's group's 90th anniversary Sunday, a celebration that served to unite new members with original ones.

Hadassah was started in 1912 after Henrietta Szold visited Palestine, where she witnessed poverty and disease in the Turkish-ruled Jerusalem. She returned to New York City and told Jewish women there of the conditions. The women responded by organizing the group and funding a medical aid trip in 1913 by two nurses.

The local chapter of Hadassah began in 1964, President Pearl Savitt said before a luncheon at the Las Vegas Country Club. Local members of Hadassah helped build Las Vegas as shopkeepers, judges and entertainers, she said. Members' husbands are associates.

There are now 300,000 Hadassah members nationwide. About 90 local members attended the Las Vegas luncheon, according to Barbara Figler, who chaired the event.

Las Vegas Jewish residents have been involved throughout Hadassah's 38-year existence in Southern Nevada.

District Judge Michael Cherry recognized the volunteer work of his mother, Naomi Cherry, an early member of the Southern Nevada chapter. In addition to the volunteer work, she helped publicize Herb Kaufman's Wonderworld, a variety store/supermarket.

Kaufman stood and listed names of new, old and founding members of the local Hadassah as nine candles, each representing 10 years, were lit to celebrate the 90th birthday of the national group.

Alice Goldberg, sister of late Sun publisher Hank Greenspun, was recognized for her long service. Goldberg, 93, was one of three members 90 years or older who were honored. The others were Mildred Klein, 92, and Arthur Cohen, 90.

Goldberg, Rolene Reisner and Anne Walker were honored as original members of the local Hadassah chapter.

Cohen and his wife, Anne, came to Las Vegas in 1954 and opened two grocery stores, one at Rancho Road and Vegas Drive, the other at Lake Mead and Lamb boulevards.

"We grew up with Las Vegas," Anne Cohen said. The couple has been married for 70 years.

She recalled the annual Helldorado event, which began in the 50s as a tribute to early pioneers and cowboys. Men grew beards and everyone wore jeans in May, Anne Cohen said.

"The town was about 36,000 then," Cohen said. "It was a little, ordinary, Western town."

Alberta Stern came to Las Vegas with husband William in 1962. He went to work at Area 51, the secret Air Force test range.

William died in 1999, and Alberta said her volunteer work with Hadassah has kept her occupied since.