Jeannette Segal
In 1904, shortly after the death of her husband Israel, Fannie Hodes Segal admitted her two sons, Barney and Eugene, to the Home from Jefferson, Texas. When baby daughter Jeanette reached 18 months, Fannie placed her in the Home with her brothers. In 1916, all three children returned to their mother who had moved to New Orleans. After her discharge, Jeanette continued at Newman School, from which she graduated in 1920.
In the Home, Barney and Eugene held elected positions in the Golden City Brotherhood. While Eugene served as secretary, Barney carried out the duties of vice-president and “shoe officer.” By 1929, Barney continued serving the Home as vice-president of the alumni association. Jean, as she was later known, also retained close ties to the Home. In 1922, when she married Lawrence Avegno, fellow Home alumna Mildred Moskowitz attended as maid of honor, as Rabbi Mendel Silber of Congregation Gates of Prayer, an honorary Home board member, officiated.
Alumna Annie Schneider Pilsk preserved this photo of Jeannette Segal, c. 1920. Courtesy of Marilyn Hirschhorn, Pilsks’ daughter.
After her marriage, in addition to her voluntary role as alumni association secretary, Jean worked as secretary to Superintendent Harry L. Ginsburg for nearly twenty years, endearing herself to many Home children. After the Home closed in 1946, Jean continued to volunteer for her alma mater, keeping in close touch with alumni and organizing reunions. Jean died in 1981.
Despite water damage from a flood, Home alumna Goldie Berger Knobler preserved this photo of Jean Segal Avegno. Courtesy of Betty Freedman, Knobler’s daughter.
In this 1942 photo, Superintendent Harry L. Ginsburg reads to Home children (from left) Ethel Miron, Herbert Freedman, and Sylvia Spillman, as alumna and Ginsburg’s secretary Jean Segal Avegno listens. Courtesy JCRS.