Donald H. Harrison

‘Thorn & Petal’: An Interactive Play About San Diego’s First Jewish Settler Louis Rose

In a telephone interview, Redman shared that he felt compelled to share Louis Rose’s story in the wake of October 7th.  He saw value in bringing forth a positive Jewish story as negativity and antisemitism are on the rise. Through some networking with Sean Boyd, first-time playwright, Redman, garnered the support he needed to pen Thorn and Petal. [Eva Trieger]

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Donald H. Harrison, Eva Trieger, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

OpEd: Global Roundup of Recent Displays of Antisemitism

The end of the summer was dominated by allegations of ‘genocide’ and ‘famine’ thrown against Israel and its supporters. These collapse under even causal examination, but have been coupled with relentless campaigns, particular on the far right, to legitimize antisemitism. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: New Orleans

In ‍New ‍Orleans, ‍Touro ‍funded ‍what ‍became ‍Touro ‍Infirmary ‍as ‍well ‍as ‍the ‍Reform ‍congregation ‍Touro ‍Synagogue. ‍While ‍it’s ‍not ‍certain, ‍what ‍is ‍the ‍common ‍belief ‍as ‍to ‍why ‍Judah ‍Touro ‍left ‍Boston ‍and ‍moved ‍to ‍New ‍Orleans? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jewish Biography: Waldemar Haffkine, Discoverer of the Cholera and Plague Vaccines

The main focus of his work was the protection of the human body from infectious diseases using serums and vaccines. By 1892, Haffkine had created the first effective vaccine against cholera, proving its safety for humans on himself. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Energy of Dave Koz & Friends Fills Humphreys with Good Vibrations

“Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns 2026” was not just a concert. It became a multidimensional experience where music served as the architecture of joy, where every horn, every note, and every harmonic convergence connected the audience to the infinite. [Michael Adam Cohen]

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Michael Adam Cohen, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Mixed-Media Artist Rose Mizrahi Featured at Point Loma Branch Library

When asked which one of her paintings is her favorite, Mizrahi pointed out one of mountains titled “Summit.”  She was on vacation at Mammoth Mountain and got the inspiration to paint when she got home. Mizrahi doesn’t focus on just one genre; if she feels like painting a landscape, then she does, if she feels like painting something in space or cosmos, then she does, which makes her art unique in spanning different genres. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food

What the Documentary Thesis for Studying the Torah Misconstrues

The “Documentary Hypothesis” originated when Jean Astruc (1684–1766) claimed he could identify the sources of the Bible by examining its use of divine names. His approach was later expanded by Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918), who identified four primary sources (J, E, D, and P) that he believed were combined to form the Pentateuch, also known as the Five Books of Moses. He based his theory in part on the consistent use of the names Elohim and Y-h-v-h in what he considered four writings by four different authors or groups. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Meaning and Customs of the Month of Elul Elucidated

“Elul is the 12th and final month in the Jewish calendar, the sixth month counting from Nisan. Leading up to the High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, it is a month that connects the past year with the coming year – a time when we reflect on where we stand and where we should be going,” said Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier to the Jewish Women’s Circle’s “Torah and Tea” on Thursday, August 28. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Leon Lewis Fought American Nazis in Los Angeles

Lewis secretly created a spy network with sympathetic disabled German American World War 1 veterans he knew.  The veterans were horrified by Nazism and how it could turn German Americans into dangerous pariahs in their own country.  They volunteered to penetrate the Bund. [Jerry Klinger]

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Antisemitism, California, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews are Engaging More and Deepening Involvement in Jewish Life

Here in San Diego, home to one of the largest Jewish communities in North America, this notion of belonging is especially relevant. And yet, despite our size and vibrancy, only 11% of local Jews report feeling a strong sense of belonging to the San Diego Jewish community. This is both a sobering reality and a call to action. [Darren Schwartz]

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Antisemitism, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Sounding the Shofar During the Hebrew Month of Elul

Yesterday, I attended Chabad of East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle “Torah and Tea.” At the end of the lesson, Rabbi Rafi Andrusier emerged from his office and blew the shofar. When I hear its sound, I always close my eyes and imagine myself transported to Israel, joining my ancestors and the generations before me in the shared act of listening, praying, and setting intentions. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘The Boomer Archaeologist’ is UCSD Prof. Thomas Levy’s Very Readable Personal Memoir and Scientific Findings

Illustrated by Lily Almeida, this paperback chronicles Levy’s remarkable five-decade career as a Levantine archaeologist, weaving a rich narrative that blends autobiography with groundbreaking discoveries in the ancient Near East. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food, USA

Approximately 300 Students Attend Hillel’s ‘Welcome Back’ Party

Watching nearly 300 students schmooze, eat, laugh, and celebrate the beginning of the school year at Hillel of San Diego’s Welcome Back BBQ was pretty much on brand for how we do things. Big! Bold! Fun! Connected! [Karen Parry]

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Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors