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
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – My backyard is now carpeted in green and yellow – the green being what we commonly call “grass” and the yellow either “weeds” or “wildflowers” depending on a person’s point of view. Those who want to exercise control over their domains probably would call them “weeds.” People like […]
Some backyard reflections Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Cantor Sheldon F. Merel LA JOLLA, California–Jewish Choral Music is alive and well at the Jewish Community Center. It was truly a “ Sing Out” on Sunday Afternoon, April 3rd at the JCC featuring two separate choral concerts from several local congregations plus independent choral groups. It was a showcase of San Diego Jewish choirs
Jewish choirs’ ‘Sing Out’ was OUTstanding Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—I’m fortunate to live in the Mission Trails Regional Park neighborhood of San Diego. It is in the eastern part of the city, nearly surrounded by the suburbs of Santee, El Cajon and La Mesa. From my window I can see the U.S. and California flags fluttering near the Visitors
Neighborhood affords walk through San Diego history Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
In the Shadow of Death by Joseph Foxman, Yad Vashem and the Holocaust Survivors Memoirs Project, 2011, 198 pages including photos and reproduction of Yiddish manuscript, price unlisted. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Perhaps the principal value of this Holocaust memoir is that it documents how Abraham Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League,
Memoir by Foxman’s father lacks depth Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s an old Jewish joke about holidays – “They tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat.” In a more serious vein, we read at the Passover Seder, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” Observant Jews give charity before holidays to ensure that people have what they
The meal that’s much more than a dinner Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
Finding Emilie by Laurel Corona, Gallery Books, 2011, 427 pages plus reading guide and conversation with author, $15. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Questions often arise about biblical passages, which seem to skip a lot of material. To fill in those blanks, rabbis over the centuries have written explanatory stories known as medrashim.
Finding women’s voices in 18th-century France Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO, April 9 — Daniel Viflich, the 16-year-old boy who was injured Thursday, April 7, on the Israeli school bus that was hit by an anti-tank shell fired from the Gaza Strip, had been visiting his grandma at Kibbutz Ruhama and had gone on a ride with his grandma’s neighbor,
By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California, April 8—I learned once again that do-it-yourself can be a recipe for disaster, especially when there are professionals paid by others just to guide your way. I accompanied two of my journalism students at Grossmont College, Russ Lindquist and Earnest Carter, to an interview on Friday with Olivia
Find yourself an expert Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –Last month, the IDF’s Trophy anti-tank missile defense system successfully completed evaluation at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground. During six weeks of testing the system on the Stryker Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV), the system successfully defended the vehicle against attacks by numerous missiles and rockets. A spokesman for Rafael
Israel makes gains in defense and intelligence, even as U.S. stumbles Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Sandy Golden LA JOLLA, California — “Behold How Good …..” and it was good! — In fact, it was not only good, it was great!–, the it being the “Sing Out!” of the nine San Diego Jewish Choirs that performed in a double concert program at the Lawrence Family JCC on Sunday afternoon, April 3. This entire musical
Grandchild and grandparents agree choir program was grand Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego CountyBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO, April 7 – Fueled by kosher pizza, members and guests of the Tifereth Israel Men’s Club participated Thursday night in a ceremony that was both solemn and light-hearted: the packing of yellow candles for congregants to light at their homes the evening of April 30, Erev Yom Hashoah – the evening
Somber yet light-hearted workers pack candles for Shoah rite Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionBy Donald H. Harrison SANTEE, California, April 6 – I don’t drive an electric car, or even a hybrid, but I can be proud, in a green, tikkun olam sort of way, about my tires. They’re filled with nitrogen, so I’m at least doing something about that global warming. A fellow at a tire shop here explained
In a green, tikkun olam sort of way Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO–The Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO), conducted by David Amos, presented a concert of unusual quality and unique contrasts on March 29 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. First, they secured the services of a fine violinist, Uri Pianka, former concertmaster of the Israel Philharmonic and the Houston Symphony. The program concluded
Unique contrasts highlight TICO-Pianka concert Read More »
Eileen WingardBy Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California – Grossmont Community College is a study in fiscal contrasts. On the one hand, work is being completed on a new student center and administration complex, the last in a series of shiny and modern buildings and additions paid for by bonds that voters approved in 2002. The
Case study: How state’s fiscal crisis affects Grossmont College Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Science, Medicine, & Education