AAA-Writers and photographers

Below are the names of writers who are currently active.  For others, living and deceased, please type their name into the search box above the masthead on our home page, www.sdjewishworld.com

Tonight Show veteran gives afternoon concert some Pop

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—The late Ed McMahon, a former colleague on NBC’s “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” might have introduced Shelly Cohen on Sunday afternoon, July 25,  at the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra’s pop concert, with a drawn out  “Heeeeeere’s Shelly!”   Such an introduction would have been in keeping with the show business […]

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Donald H. Harrison

At Comic-Con, toys don’t wait for humans to leave before coming alive

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – In the Toy Story series of movies, toys wait for people to leave the room before they transform themselves into living, talking beings.  But at the Comic-Con convention at the San Diego Convention Center, all such formalities are dispensed with.  Toys become alive whether humans are present or

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Donald H. Harrison

Shen Yun a musical, terpsichorean and visual feast

 By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO–With creative inspiration drawn from traditional Chinese culture, Shen Yun Performances presented a remarkable spectacle at the Civic Theatre last Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The final show will be tonight. The gorgeous handmade costumes and the breathtaking digital animated backdrops enhanced the sumptuous visual feast. Silken sleeves, cloud-like fans, archers’ bows

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Eileen Wingard, Middle East

Wiesel book on Rashi should have been more thorough

Rashi by Elie Wiesel. Translated from the French by Catherine Temerson, Nextbook ISBN 978-0-8052-4254-6, ©2009, $22.00, p. 90 plus chronology, glossary, and bibliography. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — One would be hard pressed to find a greater Jewish authority than Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzhak, known to the world as Rashi. Many religious questions

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Fred Reiss, EdD

Israelis Matathias and Stanislavsky perform beautifully together at local recital

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO –Violinist Asi Matathias and pianist Victor Stanislavsky presented an exciting recital on June 17 at the Dove Library in Carlsbad. This concert was part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s Music Series and was underwritten by the Leichtag Foundation. The two young Israeli artists shared their formidable talents

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Eileen Wingard, Middle East

Re-opening of Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town to recall various religious denominations of 19th century San Diego

SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– The grand opening of the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will be commemorated with a free public festival on Saturday, July 10, featuring an open-air night-time circus. The day-long event will begin at 1 p.m. with live entertainment including strolling actors, musicians on stage, and

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History

A July 4th flashback on a 100th anniversary

By Donald H. Harrison POWAY, California—As the 4th of July pinwheels, sparklers, cloud bursts and other pyrotechnics lit up the Poway-Rancho Bernardo area, the 9-year-old boys behind me kept up a running commentary:  “That’s the biggest one yet… That’s the loudest! …. That’s the coolest! … That’s the highest! … Oh, that’s so awesome.”   Occasionally,

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Donald H. Harrison

Israeli Arab diplomat sees Gazans unfulfilled under Hamas rule

  By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Israel’s first Bedouin Arab diplomat, Ishmael Khaldi, said on Thursday that the granting of American asylum to Mosab Hassan Yousef points up that Palestinians in Gaza are far from universally favorable to Hamas, the terrorist organization that has ruled the territory since 2006. Yousef, 32, son of

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Donald H. Harrison

Book Review: 'Kiss Every Step'

Kiss Every Step by Doris Martin with Ralph S. Martin, Booksurge Publishing, ISBN 978-1-4392-5606-0, ©2009, $14.95, 222 pages By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — The year is 1939. Hitler tells the Reichstag that if war erupts, the Jews will be exterminated. Eichmann is placed in charge of the Prague branch of the Jewish Emigration

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Fred Reiss, EdD

Tessie Sonnabaum, lady of big hats, smile and heart, laid to rest

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—At gravesite services for Tessie Sonnabaum at the Home of Peace Cemetery on Thursday, June 24 , I couldn’t help but observe that she was known for her big hat, big smile, big laugh…. “And her big heart,” added Leah Fradkin, the rebbetzin of Chabad of Scripps Ranch. How true. Sonnabaum

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History