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 SAN DIEGO – For a moment, my daughter and grandson looked at me as if I were Dan Brown revealing not the secrets of the Da Vinci Code, but the hidden messages in the Harry Potter code. I had told them that author J.K. Rowling had put herself into the Harry […]
Is ‘Hermione’ part of J.K. Rowling’s secret code in the Harry Potter series? Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO— It has taken awhile to read the books presented to me by family members for Chanukah, but as it turned out, my grandson Shor’s selection of Feingold: A New Democratic Party couldn’t have been more timely. As I finished reading the biography written by Sanford D. Horwitt, I
Feingold biography a timely resource Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USABy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Okoronkwo Umeham and his wife, Gail Feurzeig Umeham, have heard rumors that the Mexican government may apologize for his wrongful incarceration in a Tijuana Federal Detention Center earlier this month, but so far that is all that the reports have turned out to be – rumors. To my
Schmooze and News for all us Jews Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA
Broken Birds: The Story of My Momila by Jeanette Katzir, www.brokenbirds.com , 2009, ISBN-10: 978-0-615-27483-6, 375 pages, $17.95 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – I once had a friend who seemed to take sustenance from hearing about other people’s troubles. She had a bundle of her own problems, and seemed to light up learning,
Family squabbles detract from Holocaust memoir Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—One thing is clear about the operation of U.S. consulates along the U.S.-Mexico border: There needs to be a full-scale review of how well equipped they are to protect the interests of American citizens and their own employees. This is the clear lesson of two incidents occurring within a few
Congressional hearings into role of border consulates needed Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
Once A Marine by Nick Popaditch (with Mike Steere), Savas Beatie LLC, 2008, ISBN 13 978-1-932713-47-0; 293 pages, $25. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—This book has what might be considered an elliptical title: “Once A Marine…. (Always A Marine.)” And even were this book solely a glimpse into the proud Marine Corps and its
Congressional candidate’s ode to Marine Corps reveals his core values Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Okoronkwo Umeham, 73, has led a distinguished life in his native Nigeria; in the United Kingdom where he worked as a social worker; and finally in the United States, his country of citizenship, where he counsels troubled juveniles. Residents from the Eastern Nigerian village of Arochukwu,
Nigerian-American shackled in Mexico in mistaken drug arrest at border Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, USABy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Most people dread going to a funeral or to the dentist. Whenever I go to either, I have to give myself a pep talk. I repeat to myself the sage observation of Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal of Tifereth Israel Synagogue that helping to bury a person is one of the kindest
Even at funerals and dentists’ offices, there are positives to savor Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—My grandson Sky Masori, recently celebrated his third birthday with his first haircut—a Jewish tradition called an “upsherin” that is being revived across the denominational spectrum. The tradition is based on Leviticus 19:23 in which we are enjoined when coming into a new land not to partake of the
Enjoying third birthday and third grade field trip for grandsons Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Sandi Masori, Shor M. Masori
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – The Japanese community of San Diego held a cherry blossom festival last weekend at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. It was an event for all the senses. The colorful costumes of the children and the koi in the pond pleased the eye. Japanese music gratified
Japanese-style books make reading to children even more fun Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar, USA
Last in a series By Donald H. Harrison MANTA, Ecuador—There’s a San Diego feel about this city near the equator. The same tuna companies – Van Camp, Bumblebee—that once made San Diego their homes now have canneries here. Although it recently closed, a U.S. Air Force base here that monitored possible drug traffickers in nearby
Boom times in Manta reminiscent of San Diego last century Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
Seventh in a series By Donald H. Harrison ABOARD MS ROTTERDAM – Not really conscious that I was doing so, I turned this Holland America cruise ship into a digital Noah’s Ark while voyaging from Lima, Peru, to San Diego, USA. In port after port, I photographed whatever seemed interesting that crossed in front of
Compiling a digital menagerie on Holland America cruise Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar
Sixth in a Series By Donald H. Harrison ABOARD MS ROTTERDAM—From the earliest days of the conquest of Latin America to the years of liberation, our cruise ship sped us through some of the most dramatic moments in Spanish colonial history. For us, a recent voyage aboard MS Rotterdam began in Callao, the port serving
Cruising through Latin American history Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar, USA
Fifth in a series By Donald H. Harrison ABOARD MS ROTTERDAM—The first cruise ship joke I ever heard was about the captain of the famous large ocean liner who had the unusual custom of retreating to his cabin at exactly 12 noon every day, opening his desk drawer, looking at something therein, mumbling to