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, California–Near the northwest corner of Gillespie Field is an annex of the San Diego Aerospace Museum, where visitors can hear lore and legends about aircraft from people who, in some cases, made them originally or who are helping to restore them to museum quality. Among the volunteers […]
San Diego’s historic places: Aerospace Museum Annex Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison MIRAMAR MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, California—There are two ways to visit a museum. You can browse the entire collection, getting a little knowledge about a lot of things. Or you can focus on a single exhibit, say, for example, a World War II carrier-based aircraft known as
San Diego’s historic places: Flying Leatherneck Museum Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—The umbrella agency of San Diego’s Jewish community celebrated its 75th anniversary with a new name, new logo, new board chairperson and a newly-defined six-part mission. All this became clear Thursday evening, June 10, when the agency formerly known as the United Jewish Federation announced its board had changed its
At 75 years young, Jewish Federation tacks onto new course Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East
God spoke to Moses on that very day, saying, “Ascend to this mount of Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, which is before Jericho and see the Land of Canaan that I give to the Children of Israel as an inheritance, and die on the mountain where you will ascend, and
San Diego County’s historic places: Mount Nebo Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle EastBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Jewish incumbents on San Diego County ballots won election or renomination to their seats in California’s primaries on Tuesday, but most Jewish candidates running for open seats fell short of the mark, or placed second for runoff spots. San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis won outright reelection in
A good day for Jewish incumbents, but not for other Jewish candidates Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Here it is, the day before the California primary election, and I seriously would like to see a new third party formed, one which would adopt the motto “Let’s lower our voices.” It has been almost impossible to avoid watching on television the primary battles among Republicans for the California
California’s election dominated by loud, nasty voices Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA
The House of David in the Land of Jesus by Robert Lewis Berman, 2007, ISBN 9781589807204, 354 pages By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—When I recently attended 10-year-old Megan Spector’s performance as the title character in the Pickwick Players’ production of Annie, I had no idea that the musical would prove to be a portal
Portrait of a Jewish community in the deep South Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Who was the Admiral Baker for whom Admiral Baker Field with its two golf courses is named? His son, also named Wilder Baker, replied in a telephone interview from Darien, Connecticut, that in the U.S. Navy, Admiral Baker perhaps was best known as the chief of
San Diego’s historic places: Admiral Baker Field, Part 2 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—At Admiral Baker Field, home to two side-by-side golf courses, one anticipates an occasional “birdie” or an “eagle.” However, here you will also encounter herons, egrets, coots and other birds. The golf courses featuring a pair of artificial lakes created from the San Diego River also are frequented by
San Diego’s Historic Places: Admiral Baker Field, Part 1 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Outside the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park stand two large, fanciful sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle, an internationally celebrated sculptor who lived in La Jolla in the final years of her life. One created in 1998 from glass, stones, mirrors and polyester, called “Poet and
San Diego’s Historic Places: Mingei International Museum Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison LA MESA, California—Between La Mesa Boulevard in the heart of this city’s business district and the Allison Avenue Municipal Parking Lot which serves as a venue for Farmers Markets held on Friday afternoons is an innovative walkway in which murals celebrate volunteerism and stars on the sidewalk honor local volunteers. This
San Diego County historic places: La Mesa’s Walkway of the Stars Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Adjacent to the U.S. Grant School in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego is the remnant of a Catholic cemetery containing the headstones of some pioneer San Diegans who knew the American President for whom the school is named. Among those who lie buried in the
San Diego’s Historic Places: Calvary Cemetery at Pioneer Park Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Lately I have been mixing into my reading “YA” fiction – fiction for Young Adults. I have been experimenting with the idea of writing such a story myself, and by reading the works of other authors in this genre, I hope to get a feeling for YA rhythm and
Finding the Jewish tam in modern YA literature Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison MOUNT ISRAEL, California—This foothill in San Diego County has been “partitioned. ” Approaching it from Lake Hodges on its south and east, it still is known as Mount Israel. However, its more-rural northeastern slope overlooking Olivenhain Dam and Reservoir is described today as part of the Elfin Forest Recreational Area.
San Diego County’s Historic Places: Mount Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison