CLEARWATER, Florida — Donald H. Harrison’s 77 Miles Of Jewish Stories, a journey along the Kumeyaay Highway (better known as Interstate 8) from the Pacific Ocean to San Diego County’s eastern border, is a wonderful companion to his earlier work, Schlepping Through The American West, vividly revealing often little-known nuggets of the region’s history as well as present-day people and places that deserve our attention.
There are the fascinating tales of the Mount Helix Cross (yes, a cross) in La Mesa. And the Jewish roots of Costco, Home Depot, and the Westfield malls that dot the San Diego (and American) landscape. And the Lipinsky Institute for Judaic Studies and the Fred J. Hansen Institute for World Peace at San Diego State University. And the history of the “Buffalo Soldiers” who patrolled the Mexican border during World War II. And so many more.
And kudos to Harrison, who once joked to this sports writer that he didn’t care one whit about sports, for unearthing the Jewish history of Qualcomm Stadium (where baseball’s San Diego Padres used to play) and three dogs named Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And for introducing us to gold medalist Saul Snyder at his base, the Lake Murray Tennis Club. And for reintroducing us to Pro Football Hall of Famers Ron Mix and fellow Jew, the late coach Sid Gillman, at Rough Acres Ranch, where the American Football League champion San Diego Chargers were molded, long before they joined the NFL in 1970 and moved last year to Los Angeles.
Harrison’s motto, as publisher of the online San Diego Jewish World, is “There’s a Jewish Story Everywhere” and he has proved it once again. Sit back, open 77 Miles at Exit 0 (that’s Point Loma) and enjoy the ride. It’s a smooth and rewarding one.
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Lowitt, formerly of the Associated Press and the St. Petersburg Times, is the author of The Game Isn’t Everything; The Reality Beyond the Arena