Ida & Jacob Hirsch

Four-year-old Ida (originally Etta) Hirsch and her younger brother, Jacob (2), entered the Home in June 1909 from Nashville, Tennessee. According to the registry, their mother was confined to an “asylum for insanity” and their father’s whereabouts were unknown. Nashville’s Hebrew Relief and Benefit Society had petitioned for their admission to the Home.

While in the Home, Ida and Jacob held leadership positions in the Golden City self-government system as a Big Sister and Big Brother. Ida served as the Garden Officer whose responsibility (according to the Golden City’s constitution) was to supervise the grounds and gardens maintained by the various “Families.” As Shoeroom Officer, Jacob oversaw the inventory and distribution of the children’s footwear.

Ida graduated from Isidore Newman Manual Training School in June 1922. Her senior classmates lauded the twelve goals she scored as a forward in a game against Louise S. McGehee School and noted that her sewing abilities paved the way for her future as a “modiste.”

Ida and Jacob were discharged from the Home in August 1922.