Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Federation presents Champions of Freedom dinner

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, March 9, 2005 | 8:17 a.m.

Jewish Federation of Las Vegas presented its annual Champions of Freedom dinner gala Saturday at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino. The event was held in honor of citizens of distinction, and was also a time to celebrate the Jewish community of Southern Nevada.

Gathering in support were nearly 500 attendees, among them Dr. Noah Kohn with his father-in-law, former Rep. Jim Bilbray; Dr. Leon and Faye Steinberg; Andy Katz with his mother, Beatrice Katz; Elizabeth Ackerman; Michael and Sonya Saltman; Emily Novick; Artie and Natalie Berger; Stuart and Flora Mason; former Judge Fran Fine; Lynn and Arne Rosencrantz; Gerald and Yvonne Gordon; Diane and Kenny Epstein; Jerry Matz; and Akke and Ari Levin.

District Judge Michael Cherry and his sweetheart, Sheryl Kogan, hosted a table of friends: Dr. Marvin Glovinsky, Gini Kiley, Dr. Jeff Roth, Dr. Traci Grossman, attorney Kim Weston and her husband, Mike Leslie; and Councilman Steve Wolfson and his wife, District Judge Jackie Glass.

Judge Cherry later assisted in Jewish Federation's pledge drive to fund local, national and international efforts to feed and shelter, educate and nurture those in need. Among the federation's programs operating in Southern Nevada is Las Vegas Senior Lifeline, a supportive resource agency with services provided to citizens of every faith and heritage.

Dinner, served at a leisurely pace, added to the congenial mood of the evening. Table-hopping between the courses was common, with guests mingling in the elegant ballroom and seen offering best wishes to Judge Gil and Edythe Yarchever, who were the 2005 David L. Simon Bridge Builder for Peace award recipients for their lifelong community and humanitarian achievements.

Their award, announced by Jewish Federation of Las Vegas Chairman of the Board Michael J. Novick, was followed by Las Vegas Sun President and Editor Brian Greenspun's presentation of the Hank Greenspun Founders Award to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Also in the limelight were Rachel Kanter and Michael Rosenblum, both recognized with the David L. Simon Emerging Leadership Award, as announced by Sun Vice President Danny Greenspun. The award is in honor of the philanthropic legacy of the late David L. Simon.

Speaking in tribute to the evening's honorees were Rep. Shelley Berkley, Jewish Federation of Las Vegas President and Chief Executive Meyer Bodoff, Scott Seligman, and Art Marshall with Neil Galatz.

Alan Dershowitz, author, Harvard Law School professor and noted defense attorney, was keynote speaker for the dinner. Listening attentively to the speech were state Sen. Dina Titus; Dr. Barry Katz; Neil Miller with wife Beth Miller, who serves as Jewish Federation of Las Vegas's chief operating officer; former Nevada legislator Merle Berman; Cynthia Luria; Carol and Michael Harter; and Abe Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Bowl for Kids

The law firm of Snell & Wilmer recently hosted an astonishingly profitable event, Bowl for Kids' Sake. The event raised a little more than $19,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada.

Held Feb. 10 inside Jillian's at Fremont Street's Neonopolis, the fundraiser drew nearly 100 participants from the local legal community. Proceeds will support Big Brothers Big Sisters' mission to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships.

Taking a lead role in this second annual event for their firm were Snell & Wilmer founders Frank Snell and Mark Wilmer with partners Pat Byrne, Pat Curtis, Steve Yoken, James Mace, Rob Kinas and Kelly Evans.

Their associate, Corey Eschweiler, who serves on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters, chaired the event. He recruited colleagues to participate, among them Mark Nicoletti, Jeff Barr, Jay Schuttert, Andy Rankin, David Tanner, James Bowen, Alex Fugazzi, Richard Gordon, Heather Harris, Jennifer Lustig, Meridith Strand, Cami Perkins, Brad Kerby and Mandy Shavinsky.

Sending teams for the bowling event were Jolley Urga, Wirth & Woodbury, Brenske & Christensen, Nevada Title, Fidelity Title, Chicago Title and Lawyers Title.

Opera tea

Opera Las Vegas will present an afternoon Irish tea on St. Patrick's Day from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Palm Room at the Four Seasons.

Hosted by the Impresario Circle of Opera Las Vegas, the occasion will also serve to introduce new and potential members to the fine arts organization. Opera Las Vegas seeks to provide further enhancement of the cultural atmosphere of Southern Nevada.

Presentations in the planning include fully staged, costumed productions, among them "Cavalleria Rusticana," conducted by Michael Canales, on May 20 at Summerlin Library. For details on the March 17 St. Patrick's Day Tea or membership, call 655-9953.

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