Donald H. Harrison is the publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.
Harrison began his journalism career in 1962 on the UCLA Daily Bruin. Following graduation he joined the staff of the Associated Press, and later became politics writer for The San Diego Union. Afterwards he pursued a career in tourism, helping to establish San Diego’s Cruise Ship Program as well as Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego. He also wrote for such Jewish publications as the San Diego Jewish Press Heritage and San Diego Jewish Times before starting San Diego Jewish World in 2007.
Don’s latest work is the three-volume Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5.
He is the author of six previous books. Those with links may be obtained on Amazon.
Northbound Interstate 5’s last exit in San Diego County is Cristianitos Road, Spanish for ‘the Little Christians.” How did it get such a name, and what might Jewish history have to do with such a place? [Donald H. Harrison]
Her Uncle Abe, the younger brother of her father, played the trombone in the NBC Symphony Orchestra, so a family tradition was to sit quietly around the radio listening to the broadcast of the concerts conducted by Arturo Toscanini, whether or not Uncle Abe had an important solo. Her Bubbie told Abe that he should invite the maestro over to sample her blintzes, but somehow the conductor never realized that pleasure. [Donald H. Harrison]
Nostalgic Memoir Paints Word Portrait of an Era Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
The movie explores the concepts of “freedom to” and “freedom from;” Passover customs; unplugging on Shabbat; why Orthodox Jewish men refrain from touching women who are not part of their families; Torah attitudes towards homosexuality; why Orthodox women cover their hair; and sexual practices within an Orthodox Jewish marriage. [Donald H. Harrison]
Contest Will Provide Input for Jewish Movie’s Sequel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
This past Sunday, Tifereth Israel Synagogue hosted its First Annual Artists’ Showcase. Many talented artists came out to proudly display their creations which ranged from art, books, music, photography, woodworking, other crafts and Israeli stamp collecting. The event was jointly sponsored by the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men’s Club and Sisterhood. [Mimi Pollack]
Artists’ and Artisans’ Show Lures Her to a Synagogue Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Israel, Jewish Religion, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA
Author Blanca Sissa, a certified yoga instructor for children, says sometimes the thoughts in their heads resemble little monkeys jumping from tree to tree, never stopping anywhere in particular. Mindfulness, otherwise known as focusing thoughts on the here and now, is a remedy. In Hebrew mindfulness is called Yishuv Hada’at. [Donald H. Harrison]
Elementary Jewish Yoga in Colorful Primer Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Sunday, April 7th, provides an example of the diversity and richness of Jewish offerings. Once upon a time, they all would have been scheduled on different days. [Donald H. Harrison]
Sunday, April 7th, A Diverse Schedule of Jewish Events Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
This novel for late elementary and junior high school students adds some special things to what otherwise might have been a familiar plot of a girl wanting too much to be part of her school’s in-crowd. [Donald H. Harrison]
Novel: All That Shimmers is Not … Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined ContributorsA non-Jewish friend who attended the service expressed admiration for how the new daughter of the commandments had, in fact, taken exception to a part of the Bible. The friend thought that was very brave. [Donald H. Harrison]
Volunteering in Lieu of Sacrificing Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA
One of the units with the I-MEF is the Marine Logistics Group (MLG), which then-Major Brian T. Grana was a member of from 2006 to 2009. Later in his career, as a lieutenant colonel, Grana commanded a Squadron at MCAS Miramar. [Donald H. Harrison]
Not far inside the main entrance of the 125,000-acre Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the Camp Del Mar headquarters for the storied I Marine Expeditionary Force. There, from 2012 through 2014, Navy Capt. Irv Elson worked as a Force Chaplain on the way to his ultimate assignment in uniform as the Deputy Chaplain of the Marine Corps, the first Jew to achieve that rank. [Donald H. Harrison]
Approximately 30,000 evacuees from San Diego’s sister city of Sha’ar Hanegev and the neighboring municipality of Eshkol, both within a close distance of Israel’s border with Gaza, are returning to their homes, where they will find that volunteers from Jewish National Fund-USA have rebuilt, refurbished, and repainted some of the structures that were damaged or destroyed during the Oct. 7 Hamas-led massacre. New facilities are also being planned. [Donald H. Harrison]
JNF-USA Helping to Rebuild San Diego’s Sister City in Israel, Sha’ar Hanegev Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sol Lizerbram, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Four areas of interest have shaped the life of Cantor Larry Kornit of Congregation Beth Tikvah: Religion, music, politics, and sports. In addition to serving as a spiritual leader of what he described as his Conservative/ Reform/ Eclectic congregation, he also has volunteered as a member of the City of Oceanside’s nine-member Housing Commission. The commission meets in the City Council chambers the fourth Tuesday of each month. [Donald H. Harrison]
Larry Kornit: Cantor in Shul, Social Justice Advocate Outside Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Stories of the “wise people of Chelm” abound in Jewish literature. Chelmites always jump to the wrong conclusions and their attempts to solve perceived problems often compete in silliness. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chelmites, as Usual, are Foolish, But in This Tale, Their Children are Smarter Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
He had become an expert on the use of a Louma crane, which can twist and turn its long arm and get shots from angles otherwise unavailable to movie producers. Steven Spielberg utilized the Louma in the movie 1941, but as production was coming to an end, Spielberg learned that Romanoff was nicknamed “Captain Gas” because he liked to party with nitrous oxide. After a night of excess with similarly inclined crew and cast members, a wasted Romanoff nursed a hangover inside the Louma control booth. [Donald H. Harrison]
Anecdotes from an Unthoughtful Life Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA