It closed in 1941, after pedagogical research concluded that children thrive better in foster care or small group homes, rather than in large institutions.

At the dinner, conflict broke out between Reform and Orthodox attendees over the wearing of yarmulkes and caused a "Tammany-style brawl."

[2] The practice of holding annual dinners ceased, but the Hebrew Benevolent Society did establish an orphanage, which opened in a rented three story brickhouse on Lamartine Place (now West 29th Street) in Chelsea in 1860 with several dozen boys and girls.

[3] During the Draft Riots, the mobs came to the very street where the orphanage was, but did not attack it,[4] unlike the Colored Children's Orphan Asylum.

[8] In 1884 the Hebrew Benevolent Society constructed a large building at Amsterdam Avenue, between 136th and 138th Streets, in the Modern Renaissance style, designed by William H. Hume.

[10] After the Asylum closed in 1941, the building was used by City College to house members of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP).

It was called "Army Hall" until it was demolished in 1955 and 1956 by the New York City Department of Parks, who replaced it with the Jacob H. Schiff Playground.

[11] The California and New York artist Henry Alexander's painting of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum was his favorite work and was found in his studio after his suicide.

The protagonist hates the poor food, strict rules, and the bullying, and nicknames the place the "Hopeless House of Beggars" and the "Hell Hole for Brats."