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.

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The Story Behind a San Diego Couple’s Historic Gift to Israel

Documentary filmmaker Matthew Mishory has done a deep dive into the background of a San Diego couple who lived quietly, scrimped to such a point that they even reused their paper towels, and through their daughter made the largest philanthropic donation to Israel in the history of the Jewish state: $500 million. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

B’Shalom: ‘Jacob’s Staff’; TV’s ‘Equalizer,” and Israel in the WBC

The tall ocotillo plant (Fouquieria splendens) that abounds in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has many common names, among them, according to the Britannica website, “coachwhip” and “vine cactus.”  “Ocotillo” translates from Spanish to “little torch” because of the red flowers that grow at the end of its branches. Perhaps its most mysterious nickname is one that may or may not tell a Jewish story, “Jacob’s staff.”[Donald H. Harrison]

B’Shalom: ‘Jacob’s Staff’; TV’s ‘Equalizer,” and Israel in the WBC Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

The Jews of Baja California Sur

Chabad has established vibrant and growing Jewish communities on either side of the southern tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula. The larger one, on the Pacific Ocean side in Cabo San Lucas, has strong connections to San Diego County.  The other in La Paz, along the Sea of Cortez, is smaller yet also quite active. [Donald H. Harrison]

The Jews of Baja California Sur Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County

Jewish Studies Professor Says Ethics Demand More Humane Treatment of Animals

“I think the single most important thing Jews can do if they want to reduce animal suffering, to practice the value of tzaar baalei Chayim, compassion for animals, is to reduce or altogether stop eating animal products,” says Gross, who is vegan.  “Even if one still continues to eat meat when out and about, it makes sense for food to be more deliberate in Jewish communal settings, which I think should be places where we aspire to have our food represent the best of our values.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, The World We Share, USA

B’Shalom: Restaurant Server Shirts, Jewish Political News

At a growing number of restaurants, there’s more to read than the menu.  The backs of the wait staff’s shirts can teach you Yiddish at a Jewish deli, or engage in some punnery at two Italian restaurants in the eastern part of San Diego and in Santee. [Donald H. Harrison]

B’Shalom: Restaurant Server Shirts, Jewish Political News Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

B’Shalom: Schwarzenegger, Jacobs, Leak & Elo-Rivera

Hats off to former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his You Tube video, shown in an article republished on San Diego Jewish World, that urges antisemites to turn away from hate for their own sake.  Haters, he said, never win and end up broken.  [Donald H. Harrison]

B’Shalom: Schwarzenegger, Jacobs, Leak & Elo-Rivera Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

B’Shalom: Mineral Creations and Schmoozing with Bagels

By day, Carleigh Gold is a commercial contracts attorney, a precise occupation in which she must examine every clause to weigh its legal meaning and possible ramifications.  It is exacting work.  After work hours and on weekends, Gold gets to unleash her creativity.  For nearly 13 years now, she has painted in oils and acrylics, and over the past three years she has developed a new specialty: resin art utilizing minerals and gems found in nature. [Donald H. Harrison]

B’Shalom: Mineral Creations and Schmoozing with Bagels Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

B’Shalom: Abortion and the Guarantee of Religious Freedom

Thanks go to Marsha Sutton who drew my attention to Rabbi Barry Silver of Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor (Generation to Generation) of Palm Beach County bringing a federal suit in Florida seeking to overturn that state’s ban on abortions after the 15-week point of a pregnancy.  He was joined by Rabbi Arthur Wascow of the Shalom Center, as well as by the Unitarian Universalist ministers Harris Riordan and Tony Fisher, and by Buddhist minister Maya Malay. [Donald H. Harrison]

B’Shalom: Abortion and the Guarantee of Religious Freedom Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, USA

Temple Emanu-El Celebrates Purim with a Carnival

Chairs were cleared from the sanctuary of Temple Emanu-El on Sunday, March 5, and the space was converted into a carnival to celebrate one day in advance the Jewish dress-up day of Purim. The holiday celebrates Queen Esther’s foiling of the evil Haman’s plot against the Jews of Persia. [SDJW staff report]

Temple Emanu-El Celebrates Purim with a Carnival Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

Hubbs SeaWorld’s Jewish President Seeks Yellowtail Farming Off Coast

In 1995, the Institute began construction of another facility in Carlsbad where white sea bass are now raised.  The hatchery annually releases 100,000 white sea bass into the ocean.  After learning how to grow and manage a species in more than 20 years of operation of that laboratory, the Institute now is embarked upon a far more ambitious and potentially far more impactful project with California yellowtail. [Donald H. Harrison]

Hubbs SeaWorld’s Jewish President Seeks Yellowtail Farming Off Coast Read More »

Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share

‘Hereville’ a New Jewish Musical, Well on Track

Produced and directed by Becky Cherlin Baird, the musical is still in its developmental stage: scenes are being rewritten, songs are being tested, audience reaction is being gauged.  You might say that as a full-fledged stage production, Hereville is not thereville yet. [Donald H. Harrison]

‘Hereville’ a New Jewish Musical, Well on Track Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

B’Shalom: Election 2024 Endorsements and Announcements

Republican Mayor Bill Wells of El Cajon has announced he will oppose Democratic Congresswoman Sara Jacobs for reelection in the 51st Congressional District.  He has served as mayor since 2013, and in a 50th CD primary election in 2018, he placed third behind Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter and Democratic challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar.  Jacobs was elected to Congress in 2020. [Donald H. Harrison]

B’Shalom: Election 2024 Endorsements and Announcements Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA