Donald H. Harrison

Donald H. Harrison

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.

Children’s Literature: A Job for an Out-of-Work Monster

Do you remember Puff, the Magic Dragon, about whom Peter, Paul & Mary sang?  Eventually, “painted wings and giant things” gave “way to other toys.” And so it was too with the monster that used to live in Sophie’s closet; Sophie just outgrows him in this tale written for 4-to-8-year-olds by Sandy Asher and illustrated by Alexandra Colombo. [Donald H. Harrison]

Children’s Literature: A Job for an Out-of-Work Monster Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Children’s Story Tells of the Animals Who Helped Noah

This fictional story for children between the ages of three and seven imagines that such animals as beavers, woodpeckers, and alligators helped Noah to build the Ark.  Furthermore, two hedgehogs who were marvelous event planners had matters well in hand, although Noah did not recognize their talents. [Donald H. Harrison]

Children’s Story Tells of the Animals Who Helped Noah Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Natalie Shapiro’s Tikkun Olam: Protecting Water Habitats

“In the 1970s, a weir – a small dam – was built across the mouth and at that time it was for flood control. But after a while the water quality got really bad because it trapped all the river runoff in the lagoon, rather than having tides come in and flushing it out. By virtue of being fresh water – because the weir blocked the salt of the ocean from coming in – it became a great place for cattails to flourish and take over. “[Donald H. Harrison]

Natalie Shapiro’s Tikkun Olam: Protecting Water Habitats Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Murder Victim Described by Rabbis as “Sweet,” and “Extremely Spiritual”

In Sacramento, where the family lived for many years before settling in San Diego, they supported three congregations –one Conservative, another modern Orthodox, and the third Chabad.  Benjamin attended the community’s  Shalom School, which served Jewish children of various denominations from kindergarten through 5th grade. [Donald H. Harrison]

Murder Victim Described by Rabbis as “Sweet,” and “Extremely Spiritual” Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

UCSD Faculty Members, Fearing Danger to Jewish Students, Appeal for SJP Event Cancellation

Rachel Millstone, Ed.D, a lecturer in Education Studies at UC San Diego, has called for the cancellation of a planned anti-Israel protest rally  at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, “to prevent hateful, violent acts on the UCSD campus.” [Donald H. Harrison]

UCSD Faculty Members, Fearing Danger to Jewish Students, Appeal for SJP Event Cancellation Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parent Company of Kay Jewelers, Zales Once Suffered from CEO ‘Doing a Ratner’

At the Shoppes at Carlsbad, Kay Jewelers is located on one floor and Zales on another – a physical manifestation of multilevel marketing. Both are owned by Signet Jewelers which changed its name from Ratners after its CEO, Gerald Ratner, made an unfortunate speech that gave rise to the expression, “Doing a Ratner.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Parent Company of Kay Jewelers, Zales Once Suffered from CEO ‘Doing a Ratner’ Read More »

Ben Dishman, Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

JNF San Diego Luncheon Hears of War in Gaza, Reconstruction in Southern Israel

“If they impose a ceasefire on us, guess what, Hamas wins!” he said. “Hamas gets away with mass murder. Those 200,000 Israelis (who have been relocated from towns and communities near the Lebanese and Gaza borders) will not be able to come back to their homes. Our enemies in the region will internalize that they can hit us with impunity and…we will not be able to strike back because we will be slapped with a ceasefire.” [Donald H. Harrison]

JNF San Diego Luncheon Hears of War in Gaza, Reconstruction in Southern Israel Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Schiff, Garvey Prove to Be the Pro-Israel Candidates in California’s Race for U.S. Senate

Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican candidate Steve Garvey proved themselves the most pro-Israel candidates of the four who debated on NBC and Telemundo television stations Tuesday evening, Feb. 20.  Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee was the most pro-Palestinian, and Democratic Rep. Katie Porter occupied middle ground. [Donald H. Harrison]

Schiff, Garvey Prove to Be the Pro-Israel Candidates in California’s Race for U.S. Senate Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Temple Etz Rimon Shares in Interfaith Projects with Pilgrim Church; Both Congregations are Committed to Social Justice, Inclusiveness

Every synagogue has its own personality. Farber said that Temple Etz Rimon’s is that “it is very, very friendly. Warm. You come into the building and you are greeted. You are welcomed at the oneg. They grab you; they love you. People will say, ‘Oh my God, you are so friendly!’ We are. There is no snobbishness in the group. It’s really a nice congregation. Unfortunately, it is getting smaller and smaller.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Temple Etz Rimon Shares in Interfaith Projects with Pilgrim Church; Both Congregations are Committed to Social Justice, Inclusiveness Read More »

Ben Dishman, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

What Should Come First, Hamas Ouster or Ceasefire in Gaza? U.S. Senate Candidates Disagree

Lee wants an immediate, permanent ceasefire which would leave Hamas in power, and negotiations toward a two-state solution. Porter and Schiff also favor a two-state solution but not while Hamas is in power. Garvey says a two-state solution is naïve, because a Palestinian state would remain in favor of Israel’s destruction. [Donald H. Harrison]

What Should Come First, Hamas Ouster or Ceasefire in Gaza? U.S. Senate Candidates Disagree Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Alex Grass: Rite Aid’s Success Led to His Many Philanthropies

Editor’s Note: This is the 21st chapter in Volume 3 of Publisher and Editor Donald H. Harrison’s 2022 trilogy, “Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5.” All three books as well as others written by Harrison may be purchased from Amazon.com. Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5, Volume 3, Exit 49 (Tamarack Avenue): Rite

Alex Grass: Rite Aid’s Success Led to His Many Philanthropies Read More »

Ben Dishman, Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Supervisor Lawson-Remer Regrets Vote to Place Taha Hassane on Human Relations Commission

I was very concerned however, so after the meeting, I searched for and found a full video of the remarks that were referred to during the public testimony, and found the Imam’s remarks to be truly awful, and I immediately regretted the vote I made.  I do not support Imam Taha Hassane being on the County’s Human Relations Commission. [Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer]

Supervisor Lawson-Remer Regrets Vote to Place Taha Hassane on Human Relations Commission Read More »

Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Videos

Commentary: Two Local Jewish Elected Officials Vote Against Israel

At the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Imam Mohamed Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego was reappointed to the Leon L. Williams County’s Human Relations Commission over the objections of an ad hoc group called Stand With Israel whose members decried the local Muslim leader’s defense of the October 7th massacre of Israeli civilians by Hamas. [Donald H. Harrison]

Commentary: Two Local Jewish Elected Officials Vote Against Israel Read More »

Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA