World War, 1939-1945

Born in 1931, Mary Jane grew up in Madison, Indiana, moving between there and Corydon due to her father's job as a manager of various grocery stores. She recalls her childhood as innocent and normal, despite the war. Her family listened to the radio for news about the war and her father predicted the U.S. would join the war. When the U.S. did enter the war, Mary Jane's five male cousins and her brother-in-law enlisted. Her father also took a job at the Charleston powder plant, which manufactured ammunition powder. Mary Jane recalls the community of Madison becoming closer during the war and the town being considered a typical American town. She also mentions her uncle's involvement in the Manhattan Project, which he believed was for peaceful purposes until the atomic bomb was dropped.

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.

Berg was reared 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 recieved 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 retuened 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.

Rosemary Block speaks about her experiences during World War II. Block was a child living in Louisville, Kentucky when the war began. She discusses her family's life during the war, including the drafting of her two older brothers and the death of her father in 1945. Block also talks about the impact of the war on her community, including rationing, collecting materials for the war effort, and changes in her neighborhood. She also reflects on the war's impact on race relations in her community.

A University of Louisville employee discusses World War II and his U of L experiences.

Brennan grew up in Jefferson County and lived in various parts of Louisville throughout her life. She attended Holy Cross School from first to fourth grade and then St. Benedict's from fifth to eighth grade. She later attended Loretta High School. Marian had two older brothers, Louis Bertran Brennan Jr. and Charles Matthew Brennan, who both served in World War II. Her parents were both born and raised in Louisville, and her mother worked as a sewing machine operator during the war. Marian recalls her family's experiences during the war, including air raid drills, ration books, and her brothers' military service. She also discusses her family's religious practices as Catholics and their political views as Democrats.

Trudy Briner discusses her life in Austria during the 1920s and 1930s until her departure after Kristallnacht, November 1938. There are numerous descriptions of family life, Vienna society after World War I, and a self-portrait. Information relating to the change in political climate from 1933 to 1938 with the rise of Hitler in Germany and its impact on her and her family is detailed. Subsequently, she discusses her circuitous route to America and ultimately to Louisville. Early occupations in Louisvlle and first impressions of America and Louisville are noted. Finally she mentions her feelings upon returning to Vienna for the first time since 1938. Partial transcript available.

The Diamonds discuss their parents who came to the United States from Latvia; Mrs. Diamond's education at the Louisville Normal School, a two-year teacher's college run by the city; Dr. Diamond's education at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville School of Medicine; recollections of World War II and its impact on the local Jewish community; anti-Semitism in Louisville; and impressions of the nation of Israel, Zionism, and involvement in the local Zionist movement.

The narrator discusses local Jewish organizations, individuals, and neighborhoods. Topics include the Jewish Hospital, the Byck family, Adath Israel congregation, the Young Men's Hebrew Association, recollections of World Wars I and II, the Standard Club, the Council of Jewish Women, anti Semitism, Jewish assimilation, and the Jewish Debutante's Ball.