Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Community honors rabbi, wife for commitment

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 | 8:17 a.m.

Rabbi Felipe Goodman and his wife, Liz, were honored by Temple Beth Sholom on Sunday for signing on for another seven years with the temple.

"Quince De Mayo," held at the Suncoast and themed to celebrate the Goodmans' Mexican heritage, opened to a Mexican appetizer buffet and the sounds of mariachis. Cheryl Fish (MGM-Mirage Events) created the artfully designed silent auction area providing south-of-the-border atmosphere with the use of enormous cacti, chili peppers, serapes and a life-size steer made of fiberglass.

The casual gathering drew supporters including longtime Las Vegas business leader Herb Kaufman and wife Irene, Ruth Goldfarb, Lynn and Arne Rosencrantz, Flora and Stuart Mason, Deanne Staulser, Abigail Schwartz, Hal Ober, Mike and Emily Novick, Beverly and Jim Rogers, Rep. Shelley Berkley, former Sen. Chic Hecht, Edward Seltzer and Jeffrey Zucker (president of Temple Beth Sholom) with his wife, Carol.

Goodman was honored with a gift in his name to his alma mater, the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, by Mel Wolzinger.

Progressing on to the ballroom for dinner were Mauricio and Tali Rabner, Irwin and Edythe Goldberg, Dr. Leon and Faye Steinberg, Heidi Straus, Dr. Anthony and Charlene Carter, Howard and Barbara Kenig, Leora and Robert Blau, and Ron and Judy Mack.

Already onstage and prepared to take charge of the musical evening was the colorfully costumed Chez-Zam troupe.

Sandy Mallin, pausing as she coordinated the festive evening, gave lavish praise to her committee including Audrey Merkin, Marci Murdock, Shirley Chaplain, Audrey Abramow, Sara Cassell, Jessica Pianko, Marci Seltzer, Emily Goodman, Sue Langsner, Randi Matushevitz, Arlene Blut and Bonnie Berkowitz.

David and Abbie Friedman, with their children Allison and Joshua, electrified the crowd with the announcement of their $1 million gift to Temple Beth Sholom for construction of a multigenerational center for sports, theatre and recreation.

Adding their own spark to the evening were high bidders for the live auction, among them David and Lara Stone (British Midland Airways trip to Great Britain), and Mitch and Melissa Ogron (dinner for 10 at their home prepared by Jacque Van Spaden, executive chef of Alize at the Palms).

Ellis Landau and Mitch Ogron were the high bidders on Dali artwork, and presented it as a gift to Rabbi Goodman.

Century of memories

The Centennial & Tourism Luncheon on May 11 included a musical revue of Las Vegas history, featuring local business leaders and a presentation by author-travel expert Peter Greenberg.

Held at the Las Vegas Hilton, the popular affair attended by more than 600 was jointly presented by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Prospectors, an elite group of 30 members who originally served as ambassadors to promote tourism and have expanded their efforts to assist new chamber members.

On exhibit were "Impressions of Las Vegas," a series of colorful pieces from Bluestone Gallery by artist Jerry Blank. Arriving in costume for their part in the musical, which spanned a century of progress in our city, were Prospectors George Togliatti (Nevada Public Safety Department), Jay Kornmayer (Wells Fargo), Jim Marsh (Jim Marsh Chrysler-Jeep), Fafie Moore (Realty Executives), Joanne Blystone (Blystone Family Investments) and Carl Rowe (Clarity), to name just a few.

Business leaders attending the Centennial luncheon included Susie Chenin and John Blink (both of Chenin & Associates), Ruth Urban (The Urban Group), Bonnie Crail (Ritz Carlton, Lake Las Vegas), Harry Ferris and Cindy Fox (both of Nevada Ballet Theatre), Emily Smith (Frontier Girl Scout Council), Bud Cranor (city of Henderson), Gale Day (Lamar Advertising) and Van Heffner (Nevada Hotel & Restaurant Association).

Germaine Thompson, who arranged the luncheon performance of "Forever Plaid," was seen with Sherry Lombardi (Goodfellow Corp.) and Nancy Marcellus (Lawry's), who was recently given a State of Nevada Tourism Award for her efforts on behalf of Southern Nevada.

Mingling with guests prior to her time onstage was Kara Kelley, president of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, seen with Cam Usher, Rob Powers and Rossi Ralenkotter, all of the LVCVA. Present in the crowd was Las Vegas Hilton Chief Executive-President Rudy Prieto, attending with Ken Ciancimino and other key Las Vegas Hilton executives, including Julius Kazen, Rick White, Tom Page, Tony Alves, Kathy Rybar, Ira David Sternberg and Gonzalo De Varona.

Nearby were Jim Seagrave (Stardust), Clair Haycock (Haycock Petroleum), Roger Blazic (Blazic Design), Steve Linder (HSBC Bank Nevada), Realtor Chuck Ruthe, developer Jack Libby, attorney Jeff Silver, Janis Riesberg and Randall Larsen (Barrick Gaming).

Following the musical romp across the century with the Prospectors and songs by Jesse Garon (as Elvis) and Clint Holmes, was an informative presentation on travel and tourism given by keynote speaker Peter Greenberg.

Reel love

Generous hearts and the presence of nearly 700 supporters contributed to the success of Nathan Adelson Hospice night, a preview event at Century Theatre's new Century 16 Santa Fe Station on Thursday.

Attendees paid an admission of $15 and were provided snack bar treats, an appetizer buffet and party favors tucked inside canvas totes. Selected for screening at the preview party in the new state-of-the-art theatre were "Robots" and "Kicking & Screaming."

Proceeds will be used for Nathan Adelson Hospice's pediatric program, one of its many efforts as Southern Nevada's only nonprofit hospice and palliative care service.

Making the charitable evening possible were Richard St. Jean (vice president/general manager of Santa Fe Station), Nancy Klasky (vice president of marketing at Century Theatres), John Dahl (THX) and Brooke Rivard (general manager, Century 16 Santa Fe Station). Others involved with the planning of the family evening were Susan Drongowski (chief executive/president of Nathan Adelson Hospice) and Judith Hantin (vice president of Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation).