Interview with Jack Miller, August 31, 2015

Interview Summary

Jack Miller was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His family originated from Germany. Miller's family opened a general store on the corner of Main street and Broadway. Starbucks is located there today. The store was a general store opened sometime in the 1870s. Jack also operated a law firm after he graduated in 1962.

Miller discusses how and why his family put up a Christmas tree even though they were heavily involved in Temple life. He also mentions the divide between the Temple and the Synagogue. He was also a part of the first B'nai Mitzvah group, however, this didn't occur until later in life. Miller also discusses his relationship with Rabbi Grafman, one of the seven clergy men to sign the "Letter to Birmingham Jail," to Martin Luther King, which was written on April 16, 1963.

Miller discusses how he attended the University of Kentucky undergraduate and post-graduate programs. Miller talks about being president of his fraternity, as well as its location and what social life was like. He also talks about being involved in Hillel. He graduated in 1962. Miller served in Fort Knox and then Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He took a year off from school because he was required to serve at least six months of active duty. He was a part of the Medical Corp.

Interview Keyword

Holidays. Fasts and feasts--Judaism. Military service, Voluntary--United States. Family histories. Civil rights demonstrations College students--Religious life Jewish businesspeople Small business--Kentucky Small business--Ownership

Interview LC Subject

Childhood Jewish children Jewish families Religion Jews--Identity United States--Race relations African Americans--Relations with Jews Worship (Judaism) Greek letter societies University of Kentucky

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.