Interview with Sandy Levy, April 11, 2016

Interview Summary

Sanford (Sandy) Elliot Levy was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His grandparents, Joe and Jennie Levy were part of a wave of Jewish immigration from a shtetl in present-day Lithuania named Pushelat that was a result of the Bolshevik Revolution. Levy's grandfather, Herman Levy, partially owned a retail clothing store on Upper Street, in Lexington, Kentucky, He also owned farmland in the southern Lexington area where they grew tobacco, raised cattle, and did various other agricultural ventures. Levy's father began the shoe department at Meyers' store in downtown Lexington, Kentucky and eventually became one of the founders of the Welgo Traders in 1951, one of the largest retail clothing stores in Lexington, Kentucky. Levy himself had numerous business ventures throughout his life.

Levy's father was very religious and would oftentimes substitute and lead Jewish services for the rabbi in Lexington, Kentucky at Ohavay Zion Synagogue. He reflects on sitting in religious services at the synagogue as a child, attending Sunday school at the Temple, and dealing with anti-Semitism while in elementary school. He wasn't involved in any student organizations while he was a student and his Judaism had little impact on his college life.

Interview Keyword

Jews--Identity. Jewish children Worship (Judaism) Religion Discrimination.

Interview LC Subject

Entrepreneurship Jewish businesspeople Small business--Kentucky Small business--Ownership Jewish families. Lexington (Ky.) Traditional farming Family farms. Livestock. Family histories.

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Interview Usage

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