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.
By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON–Early Thursday evenings, the Griffin Center on the Grossmont College campus is transformed from a bustling student center to a venue far more mellow. Linen cloths are whisked onto the tables of a small dining room facing Parking Lot 7. Plates and cutlery are carefully arranged. A stand up […]
Gourmet dinner and jazz at an unbelievably low cost Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–There are times I believe we Jews should begin a Society for New Israel. The objectives for this society would be to find some place on Earth where we Jews can begin a nation anew, a place where our traditions, customs, inventiveness, drive and values would be welcomed, not rejected.
A Society for New Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
Between Friends, a collection of short stories by Amos Oz; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013, 179 pages, ISBN 978-0-547-98558-9, $24. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — In “Eleanor Rigby,” the Beatles’ songwriting duo of John Lennon and Paul McCartney asked “All the lonely people, where do they all come from?” and if you should happen
Loneliness and the kibbutz ideal Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON – A UCSD emergency room doctor who led a medical team from San Diego to Ground Zero in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and treated rescue workers and volunteers at the site, has offered eleven prescriptions for Americans wanting to commemorate the attacks appropriately. Dr.
Grossmont College honors rescue workers at 9-11 commemoration Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — There was a happy coincidence between the “then” and the “now” at the Harrison household on a recent weekend. It started after a Shabbat dinner when our 6-year-old grandson, Sky, clambered onto his father Shahar’s lap to read to him a children’s book that had been found on
Jonah, jokes, and Jewish values Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonA Passionate Journey: From Our Family to Yours directed by Isaac Artenstein, Cinewest Productions, DVD format 45 minutes. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — If the slogan “From Our Family to Yours” has a familiar ring to it, it is because you were watching a lot of television when Arnold and Esther Belinsky used
The families behind Arnold’s Furniture Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Relationships between Roman Catholics and Jews have improved in the past and, with a few possible blips, may continue to improve under Pope Francis, whereas the relationships between Catholicism and militant Islam has been fast deteriorating. So observes Michael Cool in a “journalistic biography” of the Argentine-born
The many challenges facing Pope Francis Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
M. Hirsh Goldberg, It All Started With a Deli: The Attmans of Lombard Street; Baltimore: Apprentice House, 2003, ISBN 978-1-934074-28-2, 194 pages, $26.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO– Here is a book that will make Jewish Marylanders (the term almost seems a contradiction) kvell over the potential of a good corned beef sandwich. Back
The houses corned beef built Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
Paula L. Freedman, My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, New York: Amulet Books, ISBN 978-1-4197-0806-0, 256 pages, $16.95. Ages: 10-14. * Avirama Golan, Little Naomi, Little Chick, illustrated by Raaya Karas, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, ISBN 978-0-8028-5427-8, 34 pages, $17. Ages: Preschooler By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Grandfather that I am,
The globalization of Jewish children’s literature Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonNational News House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) announced their backing for President’s Obama to use military force against Syria in retaliation for using chemical weapons. Cantor said the U.S. should take the action to prevent further use of weapons of mass destruction such as sarin gas. The Senate Foreign
Jewish Citizen: GOP, Jewish organizations line up on Syria Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
EL CAJON–Retiring following a 37-year multiple college career as an English and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) faculty member, Prof. Nancy Herzfeld-Pipkin answered unhesitatingly when asked at her Grossmont College retirement party what quality ESL instructors need most. “Compassion,” she declared. A portion of the ESL students at Grossmont College “are immigrants from all over the world, refugees,
Prof. Herzfeld-Pipkin tells what makes a good ESL teacher Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
National News THE HOUSE DEBATE OVER SYRIA — U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., favors an American strike against Syria in retaliation against its use of chemical weapons on its own citizenry. “I’m a yes,” he was quoted as saying by NBC. Many other Jewish House members were more nuanced. U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) pronounced
The Jewish Citizen: The pending debate on Syria Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
SAN DIEGO – Here is a look at the activities of our fellow Jews who are holding public office or shaping public policy: National News WEDDING — It would be quite an occasion to have a Supreme Court Justice officiate at any wedding, but what made Ruth Bader Ginsburg‘s conducting the ceremony on Saturday, August
The Jewish Citizen: Justice Ginsburg performs a wedding Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
SAN DIEGO– Over the Labor Day 2013 break, here are some statistics to ponder. There are 11 Jews in the 100-member U.S. Senate. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) at age 80, is the oldest member of the Senate Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), half her age at 40, is the second-youngest U.S. Senator. (The very youngest senator is Chris
The Jewish Citizen: Some Jewish statistics from Congress Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History