Interview with Arthur Salomon, November 22, 2016

Interview Summary

In this interview, Mr. Arthur Salomon provides background about his German Jewish family and his experience growing up Jewish in Brooklyn during the 1950s. Mr. Salomon explains how he ended up in Lexington and attended the University of Kentucky because of its affordability and quality in comparison to other options he was considering. He talks about his university life in the 1960s. Mr. Salomon describes his introduction to and involvement with the Jewish fraternity Zeta Beta Tau. He then recounts his first jobs after college including teaching, his work with insurance, and how he networked professionally. He talks about his family, including his wife Simone and two sons Jonathan and Seth who are now successful businessmen themselves. Mr. Salomon describes an experience with anti-Semitism during his time at UK, along with an instance at a professional club. Mr. Salomon describes his relationship with Judaism and the difference between the distant and non-participatory relationship he had with it when he was in college and his current much more active position with it, which includes having been president of a local synagogue. Salomon explains that he is very proud of his identity as a Jewish person. He explains his positive stance on Zionism and Israel. Mr. Salomon‘s life story features many different themes including that of “rags to riches,” being a strong leader, and standing up to adversity.

Interview Keyword

Brooklyn (N.Y.) Germany University of Kentucky Anti-Semitism Emigration and immigration. Immigrants

Interview LC Subject

Families. Family histories. Genealogy Jewish children Jewish families. Jews--Identity. Judaism. Holidays. Fasts and feasts--Judaism. Worship (Judaism) College students--Religious life Jewish leadership 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 only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.