Michael "Moshe" Noah Bialac

Michael "Moshe" Noah Bialac was born on November 4, 1952 and died on December 12, 2021. He was a Retired Labor Representative, Dislocated Workers Advocate, Disability Activist, Son, Brother, Father, Uncle, Unequivocal Friend and Storyteller.

Moshe was born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Stamford, CT. He was in Boy Scout Troop 15 Explorers and was a member of Congregation Agudath Sholom and the Stamford Jewish Center. In his teens he attended JM Wright Tech where he was first introduced to behind-the-scenes entertainment. He quickly became involved with the creative community, Junior High Stage, Stratford Theater, his own little light show company with friends, Sing Out America, and Up with People.

He frequently traveled with his father visiting and ultimately moving to Las Vegas, NV in 1969. There he finished school at SNVTC and began working in local television at Channel 10. He worked at every local TV station and on the Las Vegas Strip. He became a professional member of IATSE Local 720.

Moshe was injured on the job in the mid-1970s when a studio camera fell on him during a basketball game. It nearly crushed his neck and caused his ensuing disabilities. He could never run camera again. After nearly two years of rehab, he began a series of jobs as a disabled worker. The lessons learned dealing with S.I.I.S and N.I.C. incentivized him to become more involved in Union representation. His Local proved to be the most supportive element in his life. He saw that unrepresented workers were abandoned by the system.

Moshe had a 50-year career as a Union Representative. Starting as a Job Dispatcher with IATSE Local 720 he rose in the Local and the National Union as Special Assistant to the President; Special Projects Director; Executive Board Craft 3 Television Representative; Delegate to IATSE International Conventions and IATSE District Two Conventions; 10 years as Secretary-Treasurer of the IATSE District 2; IATSE Representative to President Clinton's Committee for the Disabled; Southern Nevada Central Labor Council; Southern Nevada Service Trades Council; W.A.C.A.; sat three times on the Governors of Nevada Committees for People with Disabilities; Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Boards Job Corps through 2010s; Grace Carrol Rocky Mountain Labor School, guest and presenter multiple times; and taught a course on “Internal Organizing” for the International.

Most recently Moshe was the Nevada State AFL-CIO Statewide Labor Coordinator for the Dislocated Workers Program. He spent two decades traveling around the state of Nevada and parts of the Southwest assisting workers who had lost their jobs through shutdowns.

Moshe also spent over 35 years volunteering with the Clark County School District, through their partnership office PAYBAC, going to middle schools and high schools across the state. He traveled everywhere in his customized van and wheelchair with his service dog. He always encouraged staying in school because “…you never know what might happen.” Over the years, he received thousands of letters from those kids.

Moshe is notably remembered for his five service dogs. Mojo was one of the first dogs recognized in Nevada under the ADA. He was the first animal ever given the privilege of the floor in the Nevada State Assembly. Mojo was followed by Wakanda, Wakanda 2, Stitch, and Kimber. Everyone loved them and they served him loyally until their deaths.

Moshe is survived by his mother, Stella Bialac, and sister, Laurie Franklin, both of Las Vegas; and brother, Richard Bialac, of Georgia. Preceded in death by sister, Gwen Bialac; daughter, Rochelle Bialac; father, Shelly Bialac; and service dogs Mojo, Wakanda, Wakanda 2, Stitch, and Kimber.

Moshe was always thinking about helping those who are less fortunate or had fallen on hard times. Kollel maintains a free loan fund to help people who need a temporary hand up. Please consider making a gift to this fund in his memory. Please call 702-487-3133 ext. 2 for more details or to make a donation.