Donald H. Harrison

Short Story: The Fly

Once upon a time there was a fly – by all outward appearances an ordinary and inconspicuous housefly. But this fly was quite unlike its fellows, unlike any fly that has ever been or is ever likely to be again. For this fly was in love, and not with another fly let me hasten to add. This fly was in love – in love, I say – with a man. [Sam Ben-Meir, Ph.D]

Short Story: The Fly Read More »

Jewish Fiction, Sam Ben-Meir

Jacob Kamaras joins San Diego Jewish World as Managing Editor

Jacob Kamaras, a public relations professional who previously served as the first editor in chief of the national Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), has accepted a position as managing editor of San Diego Jewish World, it was announced by Donald H. Harrison, publisher and editor in chief of the daily online news publication. [SDJW staff report]

Jacob Kamaras joins San Diego Jewish World as Managing Editor Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, USA

Israel and Hamas agree Gaza truce, to be monitored by Egypt

Published by Reuters By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel and Hamas will cease fire across the Gaza Strip border as of 2 a.m. on Friday (2300 GMT on Thursday), the Palestinian Islamist faction and Egyptian state TV said, bringing a potentially tenuous halt to the fiercest fighting in decades. Israeli Prime Minister

Israel and Hamas agree Gaza truce, to be monitored by Egypt Read More »

Middle East

Making San Diego a Yiddish Destination

During the pandemic, YAAANA, the Yiddish Arts and Academics Association of North America, a tiny non-profit organization I founded four years ago, saw significant growth, and is about to move into a new physical space in La Jolla. In June 2021, we plan to open a mini-Yiddishland California in the Village of La Jolla. Among the activities planned for that space are Yiddish music concerts, theater performances, activities for children, Yiddish classes, and festive Yiddish-style dinners. And, just like our previous pop-up and Zoom events, all YAAANA activities will be accessible to all regardless of Yiddish-speaking abilities. Additionally, childcare will be available to visiting parents. [Jana Mazurkiewicz Meisarosh]

Making San Diego a Yiddish Destination Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Mobs attack pro-al-Assad voters in Lebanon as overseas polling begins

Published by DPA Angry Lebanese crowds attacked buses and smashed the windows of cars carrying supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Beirut on Thursday, decrying what they call a sham as international voting in Syria’s presidential election began. Vehicles loaded with Syrians, holding pictures of al-Assad and waving the Syrian flag, were seen heading

Mobs attack pro-al-Assad voters in Lebanon as overseas polling begins Read More »

Middle East

At U.N., U.S. defends its efforts to broker Mideast ceasefire

Published by Reuters By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United States on Thursday defended its efforts to broker a ceasefire in renewed fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants after Washington found itself isolated at the United Nations over its opposition to any Security Council action. “We have not been silent,” U.S. Ambassador to

At U.N., U.S. defends its efforts to broker Mideast ceasefire Read More »

Middle East

Children’s Literature: The Candy Man Mystery

Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, author of The Candy Man Mystery, is primarily known as a Jewish educator having served as a dean at the Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion and as a vice president of the Wexner Heritage Foundation.  Perhaps, however, he was remembering his 15 years at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Connecticut, when he wrote The Candy Man Mystery, a book likely to intrigue elementary school-aged children about synagogue Judaism. [Donald H. Harrison]

Children’s Literature: The Candy Man Mystery Read More »

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

‘River to the Sea’? That Means ‘Eradicate Israel’

The catchy slogan that is chanted so ardently by supposedly well-intentioned human beings in demonstrations being held around the world, ‘Palestine shall be free, from the river to the sea,’ is in effect a call for the destruction of Israel. And that, of course, is what the terrorist organization of Hamas wants to achieve. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

‘River to the Sea’? That Means ‘Eradicate Israel’ Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Middle East

The Story Behind The Matzo Project

I dreamt up the idea to make artisanal matzo way back in 1995, for Brett Kelly, my next door neighbor in my rent-stabilized, West Village apartment building. Her parents were closing their pizza shop on City Island and I was trying to convince her to take it over and turn it into the City Island Matzo Factory. She didn’t take the unleavened bait and the concept laid dormant in the back of my messy mind for over two decades. [Ashley Albert]

The Story Behind The Matzo Project Read More »

Travel and Food, USA