Half of Nevadans polled were unable to define antisemitism, a new survey released by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust found.

Further, 8 percent of respondents said they believe the numbers of those who died in the Holocaust were exaggerated, with 1 percent of respondents believing the Holocaust is a myth.

Elliot Malin, chairperson of the advisory council, wanted to get a true understanding of the state of Holocaust education throughout Nevada. In order to do so, the council surveyed 1,400 registered voters with the financial support of the Nevada Center for Humanity and Jewish Nevada.

According to the survey’s methodology report, the sample demographics were weighted to “accurately reflect the registered voter population.”

For Malin, staying objective meant excluding high school students from the survey. He feels that high school students are more likely to see things that are “right in front of them, right now” and wanted to see instead how education has served those who are past their high school days.

“Unfortunately, I’m not surprised,” Malin said of the survey’s findings. “There were some glimmers of hope but ultimately we must do better.”

Only 37 percent of Nevadans surveyed were able to accurately state the number of Jews who were killed in the Holocaust. Many who got this wrong gave a number lower than the international best estimate of 6 million.

Though the survey concluded that Holocaust knowledge is low, particularly among younger Nevadans, Malin said that the findings also reveal opportunities to grow.

Part of this growth involves combating an onslaught of misinformation and disinformation. “This isn’t unique to the Holocaust, or to the conflict in the Middle East,” Malin said. His strategy is to welcome conversation.

Malin recalled a day spent protesting in Reno just two weeks after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. He said he held a sign reading “Hamas wants dead Jews.”

“One of the individuals came and talked to me,” Malin said. He remembered responding that he felt the person had valid questions. “We should be asking these questions.”

He then recalled a man yelling at pro-Palestinian protesters, saying bigoted remarks. He said he asked him to stop saying things that were hurtful.

“I recognize the pain that my community is in, but I also have to recognize the pain that their community is in,” he said, emphasizing the importance of centering humanity.

The survey also revealed that 30 percent of respondents had seen or heard of Nazi symbols appearing in their communities. This number neared 40 percent when applied to online communities.

The majority of users reported seeing Holocaust jokes on Telegram, which Malin said he wasn’t necessarily surprised by given the encrypted, often anonymous nature of the platform.

What did surprise him was a large amount of the same content reported on Snapchat. This was “really alarming,” he said. “It’s somebody you know, it’s a friend.”

Moving forward, Malin believes in education through collaboration to try and change some of these statistics.

“Holocaust education is not just history — it’s music, it’s literature. It can be cooking,” he said. “We need to be doing things together.”

Contact Estelle Atkinson at eatkinson@reviewjournal.com.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Two residents from Kingman, Arizona won jackpots at a Nevada casino over Memorial Day weekend.

Within 24 hours of each other, Aquarius Casino Resort saw two jackpots. Saturday, William L. took home $168,569. Then, Rick L. struck a jackpot worth $76,222.

Both were playing Blazing 777′s slot machine.

Congrats to the winners!

Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.

Nevada is home to a fascinating blend of arid deserts, rugged mountains, and deep lakes, making it one of the most unique states to visit in the entire country. Its rich mining and railroad history has left a legacy of flourishing towns, each brimming with art, culture, and recreational adventures. From Virginia City’s historic mines to Minden’s proximity to Lake Tahoe, Nevada’s towns are filled with marvels waiting to be explored. Read on to discover seven of Nevada’s most underrated towns to inspire your next memorable getaway.

Pahrump

Located right between Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park, Pahrump’s perfect location guarantees endless recreational activities. The proximity to the national park is enough of a reason to visit Pahrump, with Death Valley National Park boasting incredible sand dunes, colorful canyons, peaks that rise 11,000 feet above the valley, and all kinds of diverse wildlife species. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is another gorgeous park to visit that is less known and often less crowded, which consists of crystal clear pools, low-lying valleys, and fascinating wildlife, such as the Devils Hole desert pupfish, with Ash Meadows being the only place on earth where visitors can find this species. Within its city limits, Pahrump also has many interesting shops, museums, and restaurants. The Pahrump Valley Museum and the Coffinwood attraction are two memorable cultural activities that visitors must check out!

Caliente

Caliente has historic roots as a railroad town, with much of the history preserved for visitors to appreciate today. The centric, mission-style Caliente Railroad Depot, for example, boasts beautiful architecture. The town also has three calm city parks and a mountain bike trail that takes bikers through the rolling arid hills nearby. Slightly south of Caliente, travelers can spend the day at Rainbow Caynon, one of Nevada’s hidden gems, which consists of steep, 3,000-foot canyon walls rich with iron red rock formations, natural caves, and limestone. Annually, Caliente hosts both a vibrant Fourth of July festival and a mountain biking festival, which draws in visitors from all over the country.

Virginia City

Dating back to 1859, Virginia City has a fascinating and complex past. Today, visitors can step back in time, filling an itinerary by visiting historic locations around the town. To understand the town’s mining history, travelers can tour places such as the Comstock Gold Mill or the Chollar Mine, one of the 19th century’s leading gold and silver producers. Afterward, travelers can hop aboard the Virginia & Truckee Train to embark on a unique, 35-minute ride on the short line. A stroll down Virginia City’s Boardwalk is also a must, with many lining shops and boutiques having operated for more than 150 years. For those in need of a good laugh, The Virginia City Outlaws Comedy Show is a Virginia City classic!

Eureka

Eureka, although small in population with only about 300 inhabitants, is bursting with mining history and old Western charm. Many buildings date back to the 1800s, such as the General Store, Governor’s Mansion, Florio House, and Methodist Church, which visitors can admire on a self-guided walking tour around the city. The Eureka Palisade Train Car is another historic gem, dating back to 1875, and is the only rolling piece remaining from the Eureka & Palisade Railroad. After strolling through the town and appreciating its history, hungry travelers can stop by one of Eureka’s classic restaurants, such as Urban Cowboy Bar and Grill, which serves steaks and Mexican food and is housed in a building dating back to 1880!

Minden

Located in Carson Valley, Minden is a scenic town surrounded by panoramic views of mountains. Outdoor adventurers can pack their bags and spend the day out on the Lake Tahoe Loop, consisting of crystal clear, blue waters with lots of places to fish, boat, hike, bike, or just relax. Those seeking pure adrenaline can even go skydiving with Skydive Lake Tahoe, which caters to both skydiving beginners and regulars. The views above the lake while in the air will be unbeatable! Around the Carson Valley, visitors can also birdwatch for incredible species soaring overhead such as the bald eagle! For those who want to learn about the town’s history, the picturesque Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park offers a glimpse into the town’s origins and dives into the story of H.F. Dangberg, who was fundamental in Carson Valley’s establishment.

Ely

Ely is a remote mountain town in eastern Nevada that has the perfect balance of art, history, and outdoor exploration. In the 1870s, it was established as a stagecoach stop, but it would later become one of the most significant copper mining regions. In this historic district, visitors can appreciate the town’s vibrant culture through its historic architecture, art galleries, murals, and sculpture garden. Just about an hour’s drive from Ely, travelers can also visit Great Basin National Park to see natural marvels such as Lehman Cave or hike on one of the park’s breathtaking trails. Right outside of the park, visitors can stay in Hidden Canyon Retreat, a cozy and rustic inn surrounded by wildlife and nature.

Elko

With a little over 20,000 residents, Elko has a lively town culture brimming with attractions and amenities. The Northeastern Nevada Museum is the perfect museum stop, with history, art, and wildlife exhibits rolled up into one. Curious about what it is like to be a cowboy? The Western Folklife Center has iconic artifacts from midwestern cowboy history. Nature enthusiasts can head out to one of the nearby natural beauties, such as the Ruby Mountains, which feature glaciated peaks towering over 10,000 feet high. The Lamoille Canyon is another natural gem, where travelers can see enormous canyons carved by glaciers millennia ago during the Ice Age.

Final Thoughts

Next time you think about Nevada, consider more than just Las Vegas. The state is bursting with unique experiences, offering a fascinating historical perspective, vibrant art scenes, and lively festivals in many towns. From the scenic beauty of Ely to the rich history of Eureka, each town invites adventurers to the one-in-a-lifetime opportunity of exploring Nevada’s diverse landscape and culture.