Interview with Katherine "Kathy" Grossman, November 8, 2017

Interview Summary

In this interview, Kathy Grossman identifies herself as a woman who was not born Jewish but married into a Jewish family when she married her husband, Michael Grossman. Though she describes her husband as not very traditional, she explains they still incorporated certain elements of Jewish traditions into their daily lives while raising a family. Born in California, Kathy met her husband Mike at the University of California in Santa Monica. After they graduated, they moved to Indiana.

Kathy explains that she was always interested in religion because it helped answer the general question of “Why do certain things happen in the world?” which helped her respond to the formative events surrounding her brother’s hearing loss as a child due to his contracting meningitis. Kathy recounts how she sought a spiritual connection to seek answers and acceptance of her brother’s condition. After moving to Lexington, Kentucky, Kathy became very involved with Hadassah, a women’s Zionist organization, eventually becoming president of the Lexington chapter. The interview also recounts the travels she and her husband did before having children.

Interview Keyword

College students--Religious life Universities and colleges. Politics and government Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994 Religious conversion Mikvah Hadassah Ohavay Zion Synagogue

Interview LC Subject

Religion Childhood Jewish children Jewish families. Jews--Identity. Judaism. Worship (Judaism) Jewish leadership Israel. Families

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.