We've Got History

The inspiration for our school came from an important San Diegan named Mrs. Mildred Jean Farb. Jean and her husband Harry were important because they cared so much about making their community a better place for everyone. They made substantial donations to support the needs of various San Diego organizations, including the building of Farb Middle School.

Jean was born in Washington, and spent the last 34 years of her life in San Diego where she became known for her efforts on behalf of civic improvement. Hospitals, schools, universities, medical research, and humanitarian aid were areas in which she focused her attention. Her humanitarian efforts made San Diego a better place..

Jean and Harry became active in many organizations, including Mercy Hospital, where the Farbs were major donors. She was an active member of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, and served as chairwoman of the hospital's annual fundraising ball. Jean was also an active supporter of The University of California San Diego (UCSD) Hospital.

Jean Farb
Jean Farb (1912-1974) Believed in education and making a better San Diego.

Jean worked with the world-famous research center, the Salk Institute, as well as with the Salvation Army's Door of Hope campaign. The couple donated to the United Jewish Federation and their support of Israel included investing in its future by building a vocational high school in Tel Aviv. She passed away at age 62, and in her will left major donations to high school and college scholarships.

Her husband, Harry, was an immigrant from the Ukranian city of Kiev. He came to the United States as a teenager and in San Diego became prosperous, politically active, and a well-known philanthropist. After Jean's death, Harry donated the property, where Farb Middle School now stands, to San Diego Unified School District in honor of Jean's dedication to the promise of education. Harry lived long enough to see the school dedicated that had been named in honor of his wife, Jean Farb and he passed away in 1981.

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