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.

World War II Novel Glosses over a Tough Moral Decision

A Girl During the War by Anita Abriel; New York: Atria Books © 2022; ISBN 9781982-181185; 317 pages; $17. SAN DIEGO – Many people have asked themselves if they had lived under the Hitler regime, and if they weren’t Jewish, would they have had the courage to protect a Jew, knowing if they were caught […]

World War II Novel Glosses over a Tough Moral Decision Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Cantor’s Archive Led to Book on Philippine Rescue of European Jews

Enthralled by the stories Cysner told, Harris immediately asked the UC Santa Barbara History Department if she could change her dissertation subject so that it could be based upon Cysner’s experiences, both in Poland, where he was a prisoner of the Nazis, and in the Philippines, where he later became a prisoner of the Japanese. The department agreed, even though this meant changing Harris’ academic advisor and the schedule of courses to which she would commute from her home in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]

Cantor’s Archive Led to Book on Philippine Rescue of European Jews Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food

Children’s Literature: Pesach in 1950’s Iran

A Persian Passover by Etan Basseri (Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh); Moosic, Pennsylvania: Kalaniot Books, © 2022; ISBN 9781735-087566; 32 pages including glossary; $19.99. SAN DIEGO – The red-cheeked children on the cover of this charming little story are Ezra, who likes to run, and his little sister, Roza, who adores her big brother.  Unfortunately, Ezra

Children’s Literature: Pesach in 1950’s Iran Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion

Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5: Chapter 9

Even with the major portion of the old saltworks being repurposed, one still can see how salt is processed from sea water. A three-step process occurs within shallow ponds with levees around them. In the first pond, seawater evaporates to the point that it becomes brine. That is moved to a second shallow pond for further evaporation, and finally into a third pond where the salt crystallizes. From here the salt is dredged out of the pond and made into salt mounds, which quickly crust over, protecting the salt inside the mounds. [Donald H. Harrison]

Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5: Chapter 9 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food

Children’s Literature: ‘Matzah Means So Many Things’

The book starts with how our senses perceive matzah. What are its ingredients?  What does it look like?  What color is it?  What is its texture? How does it sound when it is being boiled in matzoh ball soup?  How does it smell when its being baked into an apple matzah kugel?  What kind of yummy foods can you spread on it? [Donald H. Harrison]

Children’s Literature: ‘Matzah Means So Many Things’ Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History

Freedman, Cooney, Morisett Pioneereed Children’s Educational Television

In an interview with the Archive of American Television, Cooney recalled that Freedman talked at that dinner party about the great educational potential of television.  “He was a stunning man, mesmerizing,” she said. “He could have been a revival minister, an Elmer Gantry. He was just stunning. He talked about how the potential had not been tapped for education in television. Well, something clicked in Lloyd’s mind because Carnegie was financing research in the educational development of children—how they learn.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Freedman, Cooney, Morisett Pioneereed Children’s Educational Television Read More »

Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Novelists Paint Complex Portrait of Hitler

Unbeknown to Hitler, Richard has become appalled by der fuehrer’s recklessness, paranoia, racism, and antisemitism.  An urbane man, he secretly meets with German military leaders to plan a coup d’etat, even as Hitler scores dizzying (and terrifying) successes rearming his country in violation of the Versailles Treaty, forcing union (Anschluss) with Austria, and taking over German-speaking portions of Czechoslovakia. [Donald H. Harrison]

Novelists Paint Complex Portrait of Hitler Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International

Morris Casuto, 79, Defender of the Jewish People

Morris Casuto, the Anti-Defamation League regional director who defended San Diego County’s Jewish community against antisemites while forging good relations with other ethnic and religious groups within the county, died from leukemia Friday night, February 11, at the UCSD Jacobs Medical Center.  Graveside funeral services for Casuto, 79, will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, at El Camino Memorial Park. [Donald H. Harrison]

Morris Casuto, 79, Defender of the Jewish People Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County

‘Ripped Away’ Is a Jewish Tale of Time Travel

Here is a short time-travel novel suitable for Young Adults and older readers imagining two high school students who barely acknowledge each other being transported to Whitechapel, London, during the time of the Jack the Ripper murders.  Abe and Mitzi, who are both Jewish Americans, find themselves transformed into the 19th Century Asher and Maya, two Jewish teenage neighbors, born to impoverished immigrant families. [Donald H. Harrison]

‘Ripped Away’ Is a Jewish Tale of Time Travel Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison