Interview with Benjamin Baker, May 13, 2016

Interview Summary

Ben Baker describes his family's history, primarily focusing on his mother's side. His maternal grandfather, who was originally from New York, owned a clothing store in Lexington on the corner of N. Mill Street and E. Main Street, which remained open until sometime in the 1950s. Baker's paternal grandparents practiced Orthodox Judaism before immigrating from Poland. After arriving in the United States, however, Morris Baker helped found Ohavay Zion Synagogue in 1912. After his death in 1946, Baker's maternal grandmother attended Temple Adath Israel with her children, in part because it was difficult to maintain a more strict Jewish practice in a small Southern town.

Baker describes working in the family business, Baker Iron & Metal, from customer service and clerical work during the summer as a child in 1964 to helping run the business full-time after graduating college in 1972. Holidays were a highlight for Baker during his childhood because they always involved large family gatherings. In recent years, however, Baker has had to start inviting friends over for holidays because many members of his family are unable to attend due to location or disability. He also discusses his Jewish education and identity and how it affected his childhood experiences, from missing school during the High Holidays and being unable to attend events on Friday nights.

He became a member of Temple Adath Israel when he returned to Lexington in 1972 and quickly took on a leadership role. Although the role of Judaism in Baker's life was initially to meet other Jewish contemporaries, it has evolved into a spiritual force in his life. He describes the changes in Reform Judaism as a reaction to assimilation and intermarriage, trends in Temple attendance throughout the decades, and the relationship between Temple Adath Israel and Ohavay Zion Synagogue.

Interview Keyword

Families. Family histories. Jewish children Jewish leadership--Kentucky--Lexington

Interview LC Subject

Entrepreneurship Jewish businesspeople Small business--Kentucky Small business--Ownership Jewish families. Jews--Identity. Jews--Kentucky--Lexington. Judaism. Lexington (Ky.) Religion Worship (Judaism)

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