Books, Poetry & Short Stories

A Gem of a Holocaust Novel

Rachael, returning to her barracks from work sorting possessions of murdered new arrivals at Auschwitz, found in the mud a diamond and sapphire engagement ring.  Knowing that the ring would be useless to her, even dangerous if it should be discovered, she nevertheless slipped it into her pocket as a small act of defiance.
[Donald H. Harrison]

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

God Gives Writer a Tour of Past, Present and Future in This Novel

However, unlike the movie, this is not a comedy.  It is an exploration of the many myths that impede people’s thinking about the Earth’s fragility as well as their responsibilities to each other. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

New York Visit Inaugurates Children’s International Travel Book Series

Eli has many endearing characteristics. He likes to make people smile. He likes to share, whether that be giving money to people less fortunate than he, or snacking on his favorite treat, mangos, with a new-found friend. He enjoys music and plays the piano admirably. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Jewish Biography: Stanislaw Jerzy Lec, Satirist who Survived the Shoah

Stanisław Jerzy Lec, a prominent Polish satirist of Jewish origin, said: “The tragedy of an epoch is best conveyed by its laughter.” Lec, Yiddish for “jester, clown, mocker,” lived a short life full of suffering, during which he made people laugh. Sholom Aleichem said: “a Jew laughs to keep from crying.” Lec suffered a lot and, in order to endure this suffering with honor, he laughed a lot. He wrote: “When people do not have time to laugh – satire is born.” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Memoir Describes Nasser’s Egypt from a Jewish Boy’s Perspective

Elio’s bitterly divorced parents were among those who lingered notwithstanding the hostile political climate.  His mother was a queen bee of a social circle that included prominent Muslims, Coptic Christians and Jews.  His father, a merchant, delayed his emigration decision and subsequently was unable to secure an exit permit even after paying bribes. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Children’s Literature: Havdalah Made Fun by Great-Grandma

Silas and his Great-Grandmother Faye keep in touch via Internet, always bidding each other goodbye with a silly rhyme. “See you soon, Macaroon,” is one. “See you soon, Tablespoon” is another. One day Faye tells her great-grandson that her favorite part of Shabbat is the Havdalah ceremony, particularly when she sniffs the spice box. She shows Silas the spice box that his great-grandfather made for her. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Four Local Poets/ Musicians to Be Featured at JCC on March 4

The featured presenters will be Poet Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, Song writers Aaron and Milo Wolpoff of Congregation Ohr Shalom, and Poet Rebecca Leeman, student at Torah Hich School. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Nine Who Survived the Holocaust as Children Narrate Their Stories

This is a cross-section of Holocaust stories selected for young readers in cooperation with the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center.  The recollections of juvenile Holocaust survivors who resettled in the United States after World War II are compelling reading.  Youngsters can easily empathize with the nine narrators. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

American-Born German Countess Defied Nazis, Helped Jews, U.S. POWs

Although she was not immune to the antisemitism that was characteristic of socialites at the time, she evolved.  Evidence of her change of heart was recorded by Norman Ebbut, a Berlin correspondent for The Times of London, who quoted a portion of a 1937 conversation with a Nazi party official during a dinner in honor of Tom Watson, chairman of IBM. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors