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.

Getting to Know Edna Ferber by Following Her ‘Giant’ Odyssey

This biography of novelist Edna Ferber was written by her grandniece Julie Gilbert, who had access to Ferber’s journals, relatives, friends, and co-workers in addition to archival sources. The result is a splendid recounting of the high points in Ferber’s life, with particular emphasis on the research, production and success of “Giant,” both in its novel and movie forms. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

88 Members of Congress Seek Sanctions Against Smotrich, Ben-Gvir

U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs of San Diego and eight other Jewish members of Congress are among 88 Democratic and Independent lawmakers who have signed a letter urging President Joe Biden to sanction two top officials in the Israeli government, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.   [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Moving to a New Apartment While Retaining Two Cultures

Yeh Yeh surprises her with a present: a new mezuzah, explaining that Zayde had told him that would be a good present for her new home.  When they all sit down for Shabbat dinner inside the new apartment, Zayde gives Miri another gift:  two small guardian lions that she can put on the chest of drawers by her bed. [Donald H. Harrison)

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

The Jewish Citizen: Several National Jewish Groups Oppose Matt Gaetz as Attorney General

Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs all came out against Gaetz becoming the leader of the Justice Department which among its other duties prosecutes hate crimes. [Donald H. Harrison]

The Jewish Citizen: Several National Jewish Groups Oppose Matt Gaetz as Attorney General Read More »

Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Jewish Citizen: Landsman, Maybe Schrier, Seek Leadership Among Battleground House Democrats

Two Jewish members of Congress may be in a projected three-way race on Nov. 19 to serve as a leader among Democrats for House members in swing districts. The position is being vacated by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Virginia), who plans to run in 2025 in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. [Donald H. Harrison]

The Jewish Citizen: Landsman, Maybe Schrier, Seek Leadership Among Battleground House Democrats Read More »

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

‘Gift Shop of Gratitude’ Links Common Souvenir Items to How Readers Experience Life

Playing Cards suggest a gallery of portraits of the people most influential in your life; bobbleheads might immortalize the people you put on a pedestal; scented candles might bring back favorite aromas such as burning leaves in Fall (now outlawed for reasons of air pollution) or perhaps the smell of a relative’s pipe tobacco. [Donald H. Harrison]

‘Gift Shop of Gratitude’ Links Common Souvenir Items to How Readers Experience Life Read More »

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

A Jewish Tale Woven Through Napoleon’s Campaign in Egypt and Eretz Israel

This Jewish love story is woven into an account of Napoleon’s unsuccessful war in Egypt and Ottoman Palestine in the final years of the 18th century. Descriptions of the battles and the wanton cruelty of both sides in the war pitting mainly French Christian troops against indigenous and Turkish Muslim defenders remind current-day readers of the murderous barbarism attendant to Hamas’ invasion of southern Israel on October 7, 2023. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Daughter Pictures Life of Mother Who Died Two Hours After Giving Her Birth

Two hours after Lola Kantor was born, her mother died of complications in childbirth. Lola was given her mother’s first name, but, of course, she had no memory of her. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Violin is the Centerpiece of a Holocaust Story

Nazis pounded on the door and confiscated the treasured violin, throwing it onto a flatbed truck, breaking its string, and then putting it in storage in a cellar, where dust filled its body and extreme weather warped and cracked it.  In the years after the Nazis’ defeat, the cellar was found, and the violin located.  A luthier lovingly repaired it. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Short-Story Collection Provides Tour of Human Situations and Emotions

This collection of short stories by Roberta Silman is similar to a travelogue, but instead of journeys through locales, these trips are through human emotions in given situations, especially, but not exclusively, through loss and dying. [Donald H. Harrison]

Short-Story Collection Provides Tour of Human Situations and Emotions Read More »

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

City Attorney Declines to Bring Charges against 64 Anti-Israel Demonstrators Arrested at UCSD Spurring Protests from Former U.S. Rep. Lynn Schenk, Others

City Attorney Mara W. Elliott’s office has announced that “we do not intend to file criminal charges against the 64 people arrested” at the anti-Israel encampment on the UC San Diego campus last May. According to a statement, the decision was made “after a months-long review” of “substantial body-worn camera footage and all other available evidence.” [Donald H. Harrison]

City Attorney Declines to Bring Charges against 64 Anti-Israel Demonstrators Arrested at UCSD Spurring Protests from Former U.S. Rep. Lynn Schenk, Others Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA