Interview with Jerry Abramson, April 6, 2017

Interview Summary

This interview with the former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, Jerry Abramson, discusses his life and the effect Judaism had on it. The interview goes in chronological order, starting with his family coming to America and his childhood in Louisville. He describes both sides of his family and the experiences they had upon arriving to America from Poland and Lithuania. Abramson offers a unique perspective of growing up in the Jewish community in Louisville in the 1950s. He discusses the Jewish community he grew up in and the interactions his family had with the synagogues, Keneseth Israel and Temple Shalom. Abramson continues the discussion by talking about his college experiences at Indiana University and serving in the military during the Vietnam War. The former mayor also discusses his extensive career in law and the law firm he worked for, along with his political career and frequent trips to the nation's capital. Abramson served as the mayor of Louisville Metro from 2003-2011 and Lieutenant Governor of the state of Kentucky from 2011-2014.

Interview Keyword

Genealogy Family histories. Fasts and feasts--Judaism. Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Indiana University Mayors Holidays.

Interview LC Subject

Louisville (Ky.) Childhood Jewish children Jewish families Judaism Worship (Judaism) Religion Jews--Identity Education--Kentucky Louisville (Ky.)--Social conditions College environment Georgetown University Washington (D.C.) College students--Political activity Kentucky--Politics and government Lawyers Politicians--Kentucky Universities and colleges

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.