Interview with Irvine Grossman, June 19, 1977

Partial Transcript: Interview sponsored by the University of Louisville Archives and the Jewish Community Federation.

Segment Synopsis: Interviewer Myra Garon (Grossman's daughter) briefly states the purpose of the oral history project, the interview date, and the name of the interviewee.

Partial Transcript: Can you tell me your name, birth date, and birthplace?

Segment Synopsis: Born on November 5, 1896, in Louisville, to parents who had immigrated from Kovno (Kaunas), Lithuania. Summarizes his residence, education (including Hebrew school), and first job selling newspapers. Comments on the togetherness of the Jewish community.

Keywords: Lithuanian Jews; Louisville Male High School; Phoenix Hill; Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA)

Subjects: Jews--Migrations; Louisville (Ky.)--Social life and customs; United States--Emigration and immigration

Partial Transcript: What was your family life like?

Segment Synopsis: Describes his family life and childhood home, as well as how his parents helped bring over young Jewish women from Lithuania. Tells a humorous anecdote from his youth.

Keywords: B'nai Jacob; Lithuanian Jews; Yom Kippur

Subjects: Jewish peddlers; Jews--Migrations; Orthodox Judaism--United States; United States--Emigration and immigration

Partial Transcript: Can you remember any physical settings or buildings? How does Louisville look different? How different is it today than it was when you were growing up?

Segment Synopsis: Notes that both industry and the Jewish population have declined since the 1920s. Recalls his uncle's activities on behalf of Zionism and the American Jewish community. Comments on the divisions and interactions between the Reform and Orthodox communities.

Keywords: American Jewish Congress; Moses Ades

Subjects: American Zionism; Orthodox Judaism--Relations--Nontraditional Jews

Partial Transcript: Other than the YMHA, where did you go for recreation?

Segment Synopsis: Describes participating in Sunday school and church picnics as a child, as well as attending the YMHA summer camp. Recalls some of the fine restaurants, bakeries, and confectioneries that operated during his youth, many located on Fourth Street.

Keywords: Benedict's; Klein's; Seelbach Hotel; Senning's Park; Shawnee Park; Solger's Confectionery; Sullivan and Brach; Vienna Bakery and Restaurant; Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA)

Subjects: Jewish camps; Louisville (Ky.)--Social life and customs; Outdoor recreation; Parks--Kentucky--Louisville; Restaurants

Partial Transcript: Your father, how did he happen to come to this country? How did he happen to settle in Louisville?

Segment Synopsis: Recounts his family's immigration to Louisville from Kovno (Kaunas), Lithuania, in the 1880s. Explains why his father changed his surname from "Ades" to "Grossman."

Keywords: Hinda Goodman; Israel Ades; Jacob Ades; Lithuanian Jews; Louis Ades; Louis Grossman; Meyer Ades; Moses Ades

Subjects: Jewish peddlers; Jews--Migrations; United States--Emigration and immigration

Partial Transcript: Do you remember the first job you had? Not peddling papers... not selling papers but after that?

Segment Synopsis: Describes his employment history, including his financial independence starting at age thirteen, his earliest jobs, his entry into the family wholesale dry-goods business, and his later business ventures in sundries and toys.

Keywords: Grossman Sales Company; Israel Ades; Jacob Isaacs; Louis Grossman; Myer Berman

Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises; Jewish businesspeople; Jews--Commerce; Louisville (Ky.)--Commerce

Partial Transcript: Are there any noticeable differences between Louisville today... people today and people then, as far as what they do?

Segment Synopsis: Recounts life before automobiles and television, when he would walk to from Preston Street to Cherokee Park, play baseball and football, and attend social clubs and dances.

Keywords: Federation of Jewish Charities; Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA)

Subjects: Childhood and youth; Jewish community centers; Recreation; Sports