GOT CHAI? GET CONNECTIONS…

Whether you’re new to town or you’ve been here for years, finding what you want and knowing who you need to know is always a challenge in a community growing as fast as the Las Vegas Valley.

America’s fastest growing megalopolis is moving toward two million residents, still encouraging expansive growth and adding several thousand new locals every month. Many of those new arrivals, who were right at home here as visitors,find themselves feeling disconnected once the warm embrace of their real estate agent and favorite hotel fades into memory.

No surprise, new Las Vegans — lacking local roots, friends or family — quickly seek out social and community connections to make life in their new hometown more manageable. They’re looking for everything from their favorite food and a decent dry cleaner, to quality medical care, religious affiliation and a comfortable social circle… things they took for granted back in Boca, Baltimore or Buffalo.

Finding people who share your sensibilities can be daunting in this diaspora.

For many newcomers, the same ‘Vegas that was welcoming when they were tourists shifts to being just another big city once they call the Valley their home. You’re on your own… a million disconnected families, separated by seven-footcinderblock walls.

Many longtime locals are just as uncomfortable. What used to be a fifteen minute crosstown drive has turned into a perpetual traffic jam. Things they took for granted are all different. Their unique small town sprouted Summerlin, Green Valley and millions of people they’ve never met, all asking for “the best bagels.” They’re not even sure, anymore.

Finding ways to bring this burgeoning community into sync is a task as daunting asour city’s future is bright.

North America’s fastest growing big city is also home to America’s fastest growing Jewish population. Not surprisingly, circumstances in Jewish Las Vegas mirror the larger community.

With the Jewish population in metro Las Vegas pushing well past 100,000, research reveals less than 10,000 are formally affiliated with religious institutions or connected with the organized Jewish community. After a couple of tries — attending social events or buying tickets to High Holiday services — many new locals find Jewish Las Vegas sufficiently different fro Chicago, Detroit or Dallas to rule out being Jewish as their entree to the community.

Chai Connections™ solves that problem. The Jewish Las Vegas Card from UJC/the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, makes it easy for Las Vegas locals to connect with people, places, merchants and service providers they’ll find friendly, familiar and welcoming. What’s more, they’ll benefit from savings, benefits and advantages that only their Chai Connections™ Card can provide.

Starting this summer, Las Vegas merchants, service providers, synagogues andJewish organizations begin offering Chai Connections™ cardholders preferred pricing, special deals and VIP access. It’s their way to reach out and introduce Las Vegans to great restaurants, retail stores, service providers and affiliations they’ll love… places they’ll love and people they’ll connect with. Chai Connections™ is a whole new way to make Las Vegas feel like home.

Imagine trying a new restaurant… being treated like family your first time there, along with saving a few bucks off the tab, every time. Think about shopping at retail stores where Chai Connections™ Card makes you an important customer, and saves extra money. What about getting a priority appointment with a new doctor, or going right to the VIP line, while others wait? Those advantages, and more, are all part of the Chai Connections™ program.

Even more, Chai Connections™ cardholders can connect with others they "runinta" at restaurants, meet dealing with local merchants and see in the VIP line; helping them connect and bring unity to our community.

Chai Connections™ Cards will be available from UJC/Jewish Federation of Las Vegas (702.732.0556), from local synagogues and Jewish organizations, and participating merchants across the Las Vegas Valley.

Chai Connections™ helps new Las Vegas residents feel as comfortable here as they were in Chicago, Dallas or Detroit. It gives longtime Las Vegans a new edge in the community. And, It saves everyone money and time… along with making the kind of connections that will help cultivate our Las Vegas community into all it can be.

Merchants interested in reaching out to the Las Vegas Jewish market to be part of the Chai Connections network can call Barbara Kenig for more information at 702.498.9808.

United Jewish Community/Jewish Federation of Las Vegas is an established non-profit humanitarian organization that has served the Las Vegas Jewish community for three decades and continues to feed starving populations, provide rescue and relief, and build Jewish community in Las Vegas, in Israel and around the world.

For more details, a preview of the Chai Connections™ Card, and the opportunity to talk with UJC / Jewish Federation of Las Vegas CEO Meyer L. Bodoff about the card and its importance in helping grow our Las Vegas community, contact Barbara Kenig, 702.498.9808.