Frank & Barbara Weisberg Family Fund for Jewish Oral History Project
Preserving Voices. Honoring Legacy. Strengthening Community.
Every life holds a story worth preserving.
At Jewish Family & Career Services (JFCS), we believe our stories are the threads that weave together identity, memory, and community. Through the Jewish Oral History Project, we capture and preserve the lived experiences of Jewish individuals in Louisville—ensuring that their voices, wisdom, and journeys endure for generations to come.
Why This Project Matters
Stories do more than document the past—they shape how we understand ourselves and one another. When individuals share their experiences, they create a lasting legacy that strengthens both family history and the broader Jewish community.
The JFCS Oral History Project began in 2001 with a simple but powerful goal:
to preserve Jewish voices and experiences in Louisville.
From 2001–2017, the project:
- Collected 207 oral history interviews
- Engaged dedicated community volunteers
- Documented diverse Jewish experiences across Louisville
- Preserved recordings at the Filson Historical Society
These interviews now serve as an enduring community archive and educational resource.
Relaunching for the Next Generation
JFCS is proud to relaunch the Jewish Oral History Project in Fall 2024, building on this strong foundation while expanding the project’s reach and impact.
Through a partnership with the University of Louisville, the refreshed program will explore:
- Jewish identity in Louisville
- Family and immigration stories
- Career journeys and leadership
- Jewish rituals and traditions
- Experiences with antisemitism
- Community involvement and belonging
All interviews are professionally recorded on video and preserved. They take about 60 to 90 minutes and are done by a trained volunteer at JFCS.
Supporting Older Adults Through Storytelling
This initiative is closely aligned with the Klein Older Adult Program, recognizing that storytelling is not only historical work, it is wellness work.
Research and experience show that when older adults share their life stories, they often experience:
- Greater sense of purpose
- Increased social connection
- Enhanced emotional well-being
- Stronger feelings of belonging
By inviting seniors to reflect on and share their journeys, we help keep older adults meaningfully connected to the community while preserving invaluable history.
Volunteer With Us
Volunteers are the heart of this project.
In Fall 2025, JFCS launched a volunteer training program using a newly developed training manual. Trained volunteers will conduct video interviews and help steward this important community archive.
Our 2025 goals:
- 1 hour training that can be done in person, virtually, or on your own through a recording.
- Optional additional one-on-one session with JFCS staff member to practice or review details.
- Commitment of at least one interview a month. Flexibility for travel and other situations is possible.
To sign up to volunteer for this program, email volunteer@jfcslouisville.org.
Explore the Archive
We invite you to learn from the powerful stories already collected.
NEW! Frank & Barbara Weisberg Family Fund for Jewish Oral History Interviews
Filson Historical Society