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.
On August 24th, at the members’ request, she’ll be leading a workshop at a private home on how to paint rocks that can be used to inspire people as they walk along trails, climb a mountain, or simply visit one another in each other’s homes. [Donald H. Harrison]
Cailin Acosta: ‘Rock Star’ of Tifereth Israel Synagogue Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Cooking is Lebovitz’s world. The kitchen from which she has been banished, for that one night only, officially has been named “Grammy’s Kitchen” in honor of Lebovitz, 85, who is called “Grammy Sheila” by the nine children and 15 grandchildren of Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort and Rebbetzin Nehama Eilfort, as well as by other younger members of the congregation. [Donald H. Harrison]
On This Special Day, Caterer is Refused Entry to Chabad of La Costa’s Kitchen Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
I was shocked on Old Town Trolley’s “Ghosts and Gravestones Tour,” not by any ghosts or spirits, but while learning about the callous disregard that San Diego city administrations of the past had for graveyards and the mortal remains of people who had lived, worked, and, in some cases, had built our city. [Donald H. Harrison]
San Diego’s Historic Disregard for the Sanctity of Cemeteries Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Travel and Food
It took over 100 years before the JCC Association of North America chose someone from the U.S. West Coast to serve as its chairman. That person was Gary E. Jacobs of San Diego, a former president of the Lawrence Family JCC, Jacobs Family Campus in La Jolla. As his four-year term was concluding, the JCC Association turned again to a San Diegan, David Wax, a retired executive with the San Diego-based, multistate Waxie Sanitary Supply company. [Donald H. Harrison]
2 National Leaders of the JCC Movement Got Their Starts in San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
In a letter to each youth, Biden wrote: “The American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. I congratulate you on taking it upon yourself to contribute to the public good … Throughout our country’s history, the American story has been strengthened by those who combine an optimism about what can be with the resilience to turn that vision into reality. I know I’m not alone in recognizing that those who are willing to step up and volunteer in service of community and country are essential to the ongoing work of forming our more perfect union.” [Donald H. Harrison]
22 Youths at Congregation Beth Israel Earn Presidential Volunteer Service Awards Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Ruth Mastron, the president of the House of Israel in Balboa Park, has had an active love affair with that nation since 2008, the year she first volunteered to work for three weeks on an Israeli Army base. [Donald H. Harrison]
Ruth Mastron, House of Israel President, Volunteers for Janitorial Work in Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
In an interview, Ganley drew upon two nautical analogies to deliver the message that members of Jewish institutions should continually train themselves to counter threats. “When does the Navy stop painting a ship?” he asks rhetorically. “Never,” he answered. “We have to approach training the same way. Repetition builds muscle memory.” The same might be said about reading the Torah. As soon as we finish reading the concluding fifth book, Deuteronomy, we immediately begin again reading the first book, Genesis, so that the cycle of learning never ends. [Donald H. Harrison]
Secure Community Network’s Bill Ganley Describes Services to Jewish Community Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Troubador Sharon Katz, who won fame in South Africa as the leader of the Peace Train that brought together a 500-member choir representing that country’s many ethnicities, provided a free concert Monday evening, June 26, at the Bunny Chow restaurant, whose owners were instrumental in bringing her to the San Diego/ Tijuana region where again she has been promoting peace through music. [Donald H. Harrison]
Katz Concert Brings Bunny Chow Diners to Their Dancing Feet Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Travel and Food, Videos
For Jewish fans who attended the San Diego Padres game against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, June 25, the Padres’ loss by a score of 8-3 wasn’t a total disaster. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Fans Find Something to Enjoy Despite Padres Loss Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA
Four times a year on a weekday night, Jewish poets and poetry lovers convene in the Samuel & Rebecca Astor Library on the Jacobs Family Campus of the Lawrence Family JCC to recite or hear Jewish poems and songs. {Donald H. Harrison]
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center Showcases Budding and Established Poets Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Travel and Food
He sold his car and his motorcycle and purchased a van in which he could live, instead of a more expensive apartment, while pursuing an associate of arts degree en route to earning certification as a Registered Nurse. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chabad Congregation Helped Former Van Dweller Obtain a Nursing Degree Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
An employee of the San Diego Union-Tribune and its predecessor Evening Tribune for 36 years until his retirement in 2006, author Preston Turegano had been an editorial assistant, general assignment reporter, and arts critic. He once was told by an editorial supervisor that people in the arts community were afraid of him. A colleague reassured him, “People don’t hate you because you’re gay; people hate you because you are you.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Preston Turegano Skewers and Praises San Diego Reporters, Leaders Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County
Jack Cohen, a retired U.S. Forest Service fire research scientist who lives in Missoula, Montana, passionately contends that for centuries the United States has dealt with wildfires all wrong. Instead of spending billions of dollars to put the fires out wherever they may occur, efforts should be prioritized to make homes and other structures as invulnerable as possible to flying embers, he insists. [Donald H. Harrison]
Documentary Challenges America’s Wildfire Strategy Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAWhen the actors were backstage, they were enmeshed in a real-life love triangle featuring the competition of Edmund (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) and Patryk (Mark Ryder) for the affection of Stefcia (Clara Rugaard). Patryk’s on-stage wife Ada (Valentina Belle) was left out of the backstage action. [Donald H. Harrison]
A High-Stakes Love Triangle in the Warsaw Ghetto Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish Fiction, Theatre, Film & Broadcast