Interview with Sara Levy, August 12, 2015
Project: Jewish Kentucky Oral History Project
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.
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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 ReligionInterview Rights
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Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Levy, Sara Interview by Janice W. Fernheimer. 12 Aug. 2015. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Levy, S. (2015, August 12). Interview by J. W. Fernheimer. Jewish Kentucky Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Levy, Sara, interview by Janice W. Fernheimer. August 12, 2015, Jewish Kentucky Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Persistent Link for this Record: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt77m03xw70f