April 2024 Edition

Nobody’s Alone for a
Vegas Passover
By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places
Later this month, Jews around the world will
celebrate Passover with a ritual feast, the Seder,
in remembrance of their liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt.
Last year, Beth Harpaz of New York’s Jewish newspaper, Forward, wrote,
“Inviting ‘strangers’ to Seders - individuals who have nowhere to go, and
individuals who may never have experienced a Seder before is part of
Jewish tradition.“ That tradition has long been embraced by our Vegas
Voice entertainment columnist Dianne and husband Burt.
Since arriving in Las Vegas 19 years ago, Davis’ has shared a
microphone and printer’s ink with an extensive list of the town’s high
profile celebrities and behind the scenes people who keep the gears
oiled. As “The Entertainment Capital of the World” Las Vegas attracts
hopefuls…both on-stage and behind-the-scenes…from around the
world. Holidays, Davis said, can be lonely for those people.
In 1970, with a 14-month old child and six months pregnant, a job
transfer found Dianne and Burt headed to Little Rock, Arkansas, knowing
no one in the area, “I felt someone’s warm arms wrap around me,” she
Love Will Always Win
By: Bruce Ewing / Having Faith
pring this year holds many of the holiest of
Sdays for so many faiths. The Islamic holiday of
Ramadan, the Christian observance of Lent into
the holidays of Holy Week and Easter, and the Jewish Remembrance of
the Passover all take place in March & April.
Thinking about these holidays has led me to reflect daily on the current
and often hateful state of our society - especially the rising tensions of
bigotry toward African-Americans, Jews, Asians and Women. I wonder,
“What could I do about any of these current day happenings?”
said of a Sedar invitation. “She gathered the ‘orphans.’”
As future job transfers took Dianne and Burt to Houston, Raleigh,
and other cities, the couple continued the tradition. In each city, “I kept
adding chairs to the table.”
The Davis’ eclectic group of guests takes turns reading passages from
the Haggadah, a booklet retelling the Egyptian exodus. “It isn’t a party,”
Davis said, but the blending of faiths and diverse personalities creates a
unique atmosphere of instant camaraderie.
In 1999, celebrity impersonator, John DiDomenico delighted Davis’
guests by reading the traditional Four Questions as a non-political
Donald Trump.
Rented tables and chairs fill what becomes a spacious dining hall and
guests arrive toting casseroles and salads to share. “Everyone is invited to
contribute.”
This year, the Davis’ expect as many as 60 for the Sedar. “Everyone is
welcome,” she said. “We’ll find a seat for them.”
And she plans to continue the tradition. “The holidays keep you
grounded.”
12
Dianne & Burt Davis 60 Years Together
April 2024
When I hear people speaking in hateful, bigoted ways, being complacent
is never the answer. But confronting in an aggressive manner will only
invite more of the same behavior.
In the past few years, I have witnessed and overheard horrible things
said about these groups. At times I felt speechless.
At times, I wanted to scream in confronting and exposing the
ignorance. However, what good could be accomplished with such an
extreme response?
As a Jesus-follower, I am often in awe of how He confronted tensions
with gentle questions. I’ve tried to do the same.
What has happened to our society that has allowed this sort of speech
and behavior to seem acceptable? What can we gently say to stand up
against it?
Bigotry comes from darkness. We must shine light, remembering that
even the smallest spark of light dispels such darkness.
In a recent class I am taking on Judaism (Secrets Of The Bible at OLLI),
I was encouraged by this thought: When being loving and inclusive
feels like an uphill battle, look to this Scripture: “Great waters cannot
extinguish the love, nor can rivers wash it away.” (Song Of Songs 8:7)
No matter what floods of hatred, bigotry or ignorance come toward us,
none can extinguish LOVE. LOVE will never be washed away.
This time of year is a time to look at all that is going on - all that feels
so antithetical to God’s purpose for us and know that LOVE will always
win.
Let’s do our best to answer all hatred with LOVE.
Bruce Ewing - a singer/actor since the age of 12, has appeared in
“Forever Plaid, Phantom, and The Phat Pack. He still sings where/
when asked as well as teaching at OLLI/UNLV