Ruth Mastron, the president of the House of Israel in Balboa Park, has had an active love affair with that nation since 2008, the year she first volunteered to work for three weeks on an Israeli Army base. [Donald H. Harrison]
Ruth Mastron, House of Israel President, Volunteers for Janitorial Work in Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
Koufax, a Jewish kid from Brooklyn, an outstanding major-league pitcher, was slated to play a leading role. Specifically, he was scheduled to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Minnesota Twins in the first game of the best-of-seven series for the World Championship. But due to an accident (?) of fate or faith (religious observance), that was also the day on which Yom Kippur fell that year. [Joel H. Cohen]
Guilt-Edged Good Deeds Read More »
Jewish History, Joel H. Cohen, Sports & Competitions, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
An employee of the San Diego Union-Tribune and its predecessor Evening Tribune for 36 years until his retirement in 2006, author Preston Turegano had been an editorial assistant, general assignment reporter, and arts critic. He once was told by an editorial supervisor that people in the arts community were afraid of him. A colleague reassured him, “People don’t hate you because you’re gay; people hate you because you are you.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Preston Turegano Skewers and Praises San Diego Reporters, Leaders Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County
Just two days before his 95th birthday, Holocaust survivor Ben Midler will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Sunday, June 25th, at a day game between the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals. Involving the Jewish Federation of San Diego and a range of synagogues and Jewish institutions throughout the county, the day has been designated by the Padres as “Jewish Community Day at Petco Park.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Holocaust Survivor Ben Midler to Hurl First Pitch at June 25 Padres Game Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions
Lopez is a leader in the LGBTQ community thanks to the intervention of a stranger 23 years ago whose kindness prevented them from committing suicide in despair over being the subject of so much hate. [Donald H. Harrison]
Fernando Z. Lopez: From Utter Despair to Soaring Pride Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County
By Jerry Klinger The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP) conducted a small wreath-laying ceremony at the General David “Mickey” Marcus memorial in Tlse-Stone. June 10 was the Sabbath. No wreath laying would be tolerated by the very religious community and yeshivah students living and studying nearby. The 9th or the 10th really does
The 75th Yahrzeit of General David ‘Mickey’ Marcus Read More »
Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, USA
Jews of the Wild West, which ran Wednesday night on KPBS2, was a video quilt with each patch telling the story of 19th or early 20th century Jews who made an indelible contribution to their times. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Jews of the Wild West’ Entertains and Informs Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — A couple of weeks ago, I drove my daughter to her apartment on Yoni Netanyahu Street in Givat Shmuel. Gazing at the street sign hearkened me back to July 4, 1976, when we heard the miraculous news of the daring Operation Entebbe in which over 100 hostages were rescued. Sadly,
Feeling Very Far Away Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, Israel, Jewish History, Travel and Food
Pittsburgh’s Jewish community is currently forced to relive the murders of 11 members of three congregations who gathered to worship at Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, and the experience is obviously most traumatic for surviving victims who testified at the alleged gunman’s trial. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Must Pittsburgh Jews Endure Another Trial? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Jewish History, USA
Many of us grew up with the story of Anne Frank. I read her diary, saw a movie and plays about her, read books by people who knew her, even interviewed one of her contemporaries. Although I was quite familiar with the important role Miep Gies had played in Anne Frank’s life, it was not until I watched this dramatization that I came to understand the intensity of Miep’s experience and the vast contours of her bravery as well as that of her husband Jan. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘A Small Light’ Leaves a Big Impression about the Holocaust Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
With only one day of Jewish American Heritage Month remaining, the San Diego Unified School Board on Tuesday, May 30, unanimously recognized May as Jewish American Heritage Month and encouraged “staff, students, and community members to raise awareness and educate future generations about Jewish Americans and their role in the diverse fabric of our country and communities and in the American experience.” [Donald H. Harrison]
There is much to read in addition to the shelved books at the Rancho San Diego County Library. From now until next May 21, which will be the one-year anniversary of a Holocaust exhibition curated by Sandra Scheller, visitors can read on standing panels a brief timeline of the Holocaust and the experiences of some victims who suffered through it and later settled in San Diego County. [Donald H. Harrison]
Year-Long Holocaust Exhibition Features Survivors Who Settled in S.D. County Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County
It is a playhouse with good yichus. It was started in 1947 by three movie stars – Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer—with the financial backing of movie producer David D. Selznick, who was then best known for his 1939 blockbuster Gone With the Wind. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Philanthropist Mandell Weiss Gave Famed La Jolla Playhouse Its Home Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Five members of the Rożeńek family were pulled from their hiding places in 1944 by armed members of a militia, forced to jump from a second-story window, and riddled with bullets on their way down. One member of the family, who was hiding in an outbuilding, observed the massacre and escaped into obscurity. [Donald H. Harrison]
American Investigative Reporter Probes Cases of Jews Murdered by Poles Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History