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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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]

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

B’Shalom: Marianne Williamson, Elissa Slotkin and Sara Jacobs

Two Jewish women are making big political waves.  Marianne Williamson has announced she will oppose incumbent President Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries.  U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) has formally declared her candidacy to succeed Michigan’s retiring Democratic senator Debbie Stabanow in an effort by Democrats to remain in control of the U.S. Senate. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Opinion, USA

Jewish Knowledge Book Provides Broad Introduction to Judaism

This work seems comprehensive, yet it is introductory.  It covers five important aspects of Judaism – its history, its teaching, its practices, its calendar, and its lifecycles – and yet no single volume could teach all there is to teach about any one of these aspects, much less all of them. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion

County Humane Society Greatly Expands Under Its Jewish Leader

A visit in December 2021 to Weitzman’s office at San Diego Humane Society indicated that Weitzman, himself, may be the biggest dog lover in the family. “Rosie,” a young German Shepherd, and “Betty” an elderly Pit Bull mix, were ensconced on side-by-side sleeping mats located between his desk and a couch.  Rosie enthusiastically greets visitors, perhaps believing the real purpose of their visit is to see her.  She eventually settles down, taking her place alongside Bett’s mat.  Betty looks up and sighs, as if to say, “She’s a puppy, what can you do?” and placidly closes her eyes again. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, The World We Share

B’Shalom: Special Elections Here and Elsewhere

County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher plans to run in 2024 for the seat of state Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, the year she will be ineligible to run again because of term limits. Fletcher will be in the middle of his second term as a county supervisor at that time, so, depending on the outcome of the state Senate election, we may face a special election for his seat.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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

B’Shalom:  Jimmy Carter, Rose Schindler, U.S. Senate Aspirants, Gregory Peck

An Israeli-American of close acquaintance, upon hearing that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter had entered hospice, commented that he “never liked that guy, he was an antisemite.” He noted that Carter helped propagate the lie that Israel is an apartheid state, even though Arabs have entered the highest levels of government and industry alongside their Jewish neighbors in Israel.  Nevertheless, as we look back over his career, I think that we should be more charitable toward Carter, not forgetting his invaluable contributions as a mediator at Camp David, bringing about the peace between Israel and Egypt. [Donald H. Harrison]

B’Shalom:  Jimmy Carter, Rose Schindler, U.S. Senate Aspirants, Gregory Peck Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, USA

Two Mysteries for Price of One in ‘Trouble’

Hella Mauzer is a fictional former policewoman in Helsinki, who now works as a private investigator.  She is asked by her old colleagues to do a background check on a man who is under consideration to head the homicide bureau.  She agrees upon the condition that she might also review the records from 1942 in which members of her own family were killed by a hit and run truck driver. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison

Sunday Soundoff: Dianne Feinstein, Valentine’s Day, Super Bowl

Congratulations and Kol Hakovod to California’s senior U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, 89, who announced on Tuesday, Feb. 14, she will retire at the end of her term.  She was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992 after having served as a county supervisor and mayor of the City/County of San Francisco.  By the time of her scheduled retirement in January 2025, she will have served 32 fruitful years in the Upper House of Congress, a record for women legislators. [Donald H. Harrison]

Sunday Soundoff: Dianne Feinstein, Valentine’s Day, Super Bowl Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, USA

Sunday Soundoff: State of the Union, Africa Relations, Antisemitism Forum

The rowdy way that Republicans in the House Chamber greeted portions of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union message on Tuesday, Feb. 7, was a terrible example for our country, which yearns for bipartisanship and progress rather than division and rancor. [Donald H. Harrison]

Sunday Soundoff: State of the Union, Africa Relations, Antisemitism Forum Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Opinion, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, USA

Responding to Loved Ones Who Are Thinking of Suicide

Freedenthal says that most people who have suicidal thoughts are not in immediate danger of attempting to kill themselves.  Most are giving serious consideration to the idea but have not gotten to the point where they want to actuate their thoughts.  They are still debating with themselves, and that’s when a supportive friend, family member or partner can help them navigate toward making a life-saving choice. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education

Many Jews Receive Mentions in Brief History of 17 US Presidents

Ronald Gruner, who spent his working career as a CEO of three different tech companies (Alliant Computer; Shareholder.com; and Sky.Analytics), is a lay historian deeply interested in economic policy and outcomes.  His book, analyzing the presidencies of the 17 U.S. Presidents from Warren G. Harding to Donald J. Trump, focuses largely on issues like unemployment, interest rates, and inflation.  But along the way he also makes mention of significant geopolitical events that occurred during those presidencies. I will leave it to economists to determine the value of Gruner’s economic analyses.  They are beyond my depth.  What I did take notice of was how often our fellow Jews, and issues of direct relevance to the Jewish community, cropped up in the book.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, USA

Sunday Soundoff: Cancel Culture, Transit Equity, & Love vs. Hate

Craven now has been “cancelled” by the unforgiving academic community. The irony of this is that were it not for Bill Craven, Cal State San Marcos would not have existed in the first place.  He fought the uphill legislative battle to win approval for the construction of that campus. Opponents noted that San Diego County already had San Diego State University, whereas other parts of the state didn’t have even one state university campus, much less two, in addition to a campus of the University of California. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA