Interview with Sara Levy, August 12, 2015

Interview Summary

Sara Levy talks about growing up in Williamson, West Virginia. She goes on to discuss the Williamson Bargain Store, a clothing store that was owned and operated by her parents. Levy lists off her mother's family from Williamson. She also discusses her father's immigration into the United States from Poland. Levy recounts the story of her father coming to Williamson as a peddler, and founding the Williamson Bargain Store with a Syrian business partner named Mikhel. Levy recounts her parents' religious practices and beliefs. She recounts the role of Jewish tradition during her childhood, and her first time experiencing anti-Semitism.

Levy discusses daily life at University of Kentucky in the 1950s, as well as the student dating scene during this time. Levy discusses Jewish sororities at UK, and other Jewish students at the university. Levy was briefly involved in a sorority that she helped found but left because she did not agree with the group's mission. Levy discusses the Jewish community of Lexington. She reminisces about marrying her husband, Earl.

Interview Keyword

Emigration and immigration. Williamson (W. Va.) Family histories. Worship (Judaism) College students--Religious life Antisemitism Anti-Semitism Discrimination.

Interview LC Subject

Lexington (Ky.)--Social conditions Entrepreneurship Jewish businesspeople Small business--Ownership Jewish families. University of Kentucky Jews--Kentucky--Lexington. Lexington (Ky.) Jews--Identity. College students--Social conditions Greek letter societies. Childhood Jewish children Religion

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.