Jews--Kentucky--Louisville

Leonard Abraham discusses the history of his family in Kentucky, the neighborhoods he grew up in around Louisville and some of the Jewish-owned businesses in town.

Mrs. Abramson talks about growing up in Louisville. She discusses where they lived when she was growing up and those who lived around them, including neighbors as well as her extended family members. Mrs. Abramson talks about the friends that she had growing up, the schools that she went to, and her memories of those times. Mrs. Abramson discusses some of the historical events that she's lived through as well, including Pearl Harbor. She also talks about her father's work at the bank and her memories of the stock market crash that came from her father's work friends. Mrs. Abramson also discusses her memories of the flood, when her and her family were living with her family in the Highlands.

Baer talks about her childhood, her memories of the shul at 529 South Seventh Street, businesses in the Jewish neighborhood where she lived, and memories of Sunday school.

Benovitz discusses her grandparents, Lithuanian immigrants, and her grandfather's work as a peddler; her father's dry goods business and the family's life in Carrollton, Mississippi, where they lived for twenty years before returning to Louisville in 1923; her husband's business in New Albany, which operated from 1941 until 1966; the Depression of the 1930s, World War II, and recent changes in the local Jewish community.

William Benovitz shares his memories of the Jewish community in Louisville.

Harold Berg grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended elementary and secondary school. His parents had come to the US from Russia. Berg's father attended trade school and worked as a plumber in New York. Harold came to Louisville to attend the University of Louisville for his pre-medical and medical education. Berg received his MD and completed his internship before being drafted in the US Army during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater as a surgeon and after the war returned to the US to complete his residency in surgery. Since 1951 he has practiced in Louisville. Berg is also known for his work in mosaics, examples of which were on display at the Jewish Community Center and the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville at the time of the interview.

Alex Berman, a Louisville native, recalls family immigration, reasons for immigration, and European conditions. His parents were Meyer Berman of Covna and Esther Spindler of Grodna, Poland. He discusses associated families such as Goldsmith, Fink, Schuster, Sher Askenaz, Frehling, Mandel, Banshek (St. Louis), Goldberg, Bornstein, Goc, Arthur Kling, Israel and Zehavi Naamani. He describes Louisville merchants in 1912; family life; traditions; the University of Louisville in 1929; Market Street; 4th and Hill Streets; neighborhood stables; Ali Bornstein, builder; Ohio River's importance; Young Men's Hebrew Association; Jewish Hospital; Louis Hebrew School; Jewish Professionals; the Haymarket; Demolay for Boys; Congregations. Tape 2: Discusses Rabbi Zarchy; Rabbi Madlebaum 1940 - as president Kennesseth; World War II; B'nai B'rith; the 1937 flood; shabbat; Four Courts.

Berman discusses how and why his parents came to the United States from Poland; his father's work as a peddler and in other businesses; the early Orthodox Jewish community in Louisville; the effects of the Depression on this father's business; his decision to attend the University of Louisville School of Law, from which he graduated in 1928; his early law practice; and activities in Keneseth Israel congregation. Berman concludes with reflections on changes in the local Jewish community during his memory.

Alex Berman talks about Jewish young people joining professions, the effect of the Great Depression on small businesses, investing in real estate in the early 20th century, his generation choosing to enter the professions rather than going into business, working as a lawyer defending bootleggers for a brief period, his opinion about the Masons not doing enough to resist nazism, his reflections on a recent reports of swastikas posted in Louisville and the Constitutional right to free speech. He also reflects on the changes in the Jewish community over time, his involvement in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

Betty Berman talks about her father, Nat Levy, from Lexington, KY, originally from Covna Guberniya. He met Erma Wolff from Louisville when she was in college at UK. They married in1921. Berman's grandparents: Harry J. and Hermine Wolff. Hermine from Essinge, Germany, came to Louisville on visit, at 19, met H.H. and stayed to marry. Paternal grandparents: Udel (Vershovovsky) Levy, and Esther Desnet Levy - story of immigration 1917, the 1937 Flood, YMHA.