SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — The motto of San Diego Jewish World, a daily news website edited and published by Donald H. Harrison, is that “There is a Jewish Story Everywhere.” To demonstrate the concept, Harrison decided to follow the Interstate 8 east from its origin at the Pacific coastline to the Imperial County border 77 miles away. He got off at every exit to successfully search for a Jewish story in the vicinity. In all, he told 70 such stories in his new book, 77 Miles of Jewish Stories: History, Anecdotes and Tales of Travel Along I-8.
“I was really surprised by the variety of stories I encountered,” said Harrison, who has been a journalist in San Diego County since 1972. “They not only dealt with the various Jewish institutions one finds along the way, but also with the achievements of doctors, lawyers, engineers, merchants, athletes, alpaca ranchers, Congressional staff members, and highway patrol officers, among others.”
Harrison reconnoitered the route several times before deciding which stories to research. At some exits, he found only a single story, but at others he found multiple tales that were ripe for the telling. The book is 314 pages of text followed by an extensive index listing people and places.
Among San Diegans who have read and commented on the book are Rabbi Laurie Coskey, who is president and CEO of United Way of San Diego County. She wrote: “Don Harrison will take you on a delightful, fact-filled, entertaining, and touching tour of the Jewish influences and influencers in San Diego County, from west to east, driving straight on Highway 8. Put on your seatbelt; it’s a great ride.”
William Lawrence, executive director of the San Diego History Center, also was impressed: “Don Harrison’s 77 Miles of Jewish Stories is not just a history of Jewish San Diego, but an invaluable treatise on our entire region’s history. Passionate and poignant, these stories are born out of a Harrison’s personal interests and history…. You’ll be entertained, you’ll be educated, and best of all you will have a new appreciation for the history of our region without leaving your favorite easy chair.”
San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts put it this way: “Don Harrison steers us on a journey along a historic highway through time, weaving it all together with big and small stories about how Jews have influenced the growth and development of San Diego County. Breaking up the tales by highway exits is both novel and creative, helping to make for an entertaining and educational read as we travel with him from the beach to the border of Imperial County.”
The book, priced at $19.95 is available on Amazon, and also may be purchased at local outlets.
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San Diego Jewish World staff