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Writings about Donald H. Harrison

-1987-
June 25, 1987-- "Rejoicing Together (Photo Caption): Rehearsing for the adult B'nai Mitzvah ceremony scheduled for June 19 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue are (top row, l-r) Monique Faison Torres, Bonnie Robins, Nancy Harrison, Donald Harrison, Rochelle Braunstein, Etta Lieberman aand Paula Mantell.  Bottom row (l-r) Rose Kampner, Carolyn Bloom, Ethel Rubin, Cantor Josepth Lutman, Rabbi Aaron Go0d, Ina Luck and Jane Metzger.

-1988-
March 3, 1988—"Bar Mitzvahs: David Harrison," San Diego Jewish Times, p. 8: David Harrison, son of Donald and Nancy Harrison, will become Bar Mitzvah March 19 at Tifreth Israel Synagogue. Rabbi Aaron Gold and Cantor Joseph Lutman will officiate. David will lead Saturday morning services, chant the Torah portion, Haftarah and musaf.  David placed first in the fifth-grade "Quiz-the-Whiz" division of the all-San Diego County math competition, and recently won a family trip to Hawaii as a contestant on the television game show, Card Sharks. An honors student in Gompers Secondary School seminiar program, David is a representative-at-large for the seventh grade, and recently placed first form Gompers in a nationwide algebra competeny test. He is also a member of the school's Science Olympiad Team. Among relatives who will be participating in the services are maternal grandparents Sam and Sydel Zeiden of West Los Angeles; honorary paternal grandfather Harry Walters of La Mesa and uncles Carl Zeiden of Cerritos and Bill Harrison of Long Beach. Great aunts and uncles and other family members from florida, Illinois and Kentucky will be flying to California to share the simcha.

-1998-
March 20, 1998—"Purim clown inflates spirits of Israeli kids: 'Sandi' from San Diego has a ballooning show career," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage.

-2003-
January 3, 2003—"Heritage Speakers Bureau," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage, page 8.

January 10, 2003—"Eighteen Days: January 10-27," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage, page 20
January 17, 2003—Gert Thaler, "Bar Mitzvah Memories," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage, page 9

-2005-

September 2005—"Before There Was a Beth Israel: San Diego in the Days of the Jewish Pioneers," Tidings, monthly newsletter of Congregation Beth Israel, page 15: Donald H. Harrison will provide us with a look at San Diego's early history through the eyes of its first Jewish settler, Louis Rose. Harrison is Rose's biographer, a member of the San Diego Historical Resources Board, former editor in chief of the San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage, and a columnist for the San Diego Jewish Times. He will sell and autograph his book, Louis Rose: San Diego's First Jewish Settler and Entrepreneur following his talk.

September 9, 2005—"Picnic Showcases Monument," San Diego Jewish Times, page 17: A picnic at Louis Rose Point, from 4 p.m . to 7 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 24, will feature music, kosher barbecue, costumed characters, fun for children, and distinguished speakers. The program is designed to introduce the public to the site where a memorial to San Diego's first Jewish settler, Louis Rose, is planned.  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 13. Louis Rose Point, at the foot of Womble Road in the Liberty Station area (formerly Naval Training Center), was named by the City of San Diego after the man who was the proprietor of the town site of Roseville, now part of the Point Loma community. Contact Don Harrison at 619-265-0808, or e-mail sdheritage@cox.net for reservations and information. Those who would like to join the Louis Rose Society may send a check for $36 to the Jewish Community Foundation/ Louis Rose Fund, 4950 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92123.

September 22, 2005 Will Carless, "Planting a Rose for San Diego," Voice of San Diego, online story

September 25, 2005— Marielena Castellanos, "Congressman Bob Filner honors Don Harrison as his September 'Citizen of the Month," new release from the office of Congressman Bob Filner: Congressman Bob Filner will honor Don Harrison as his "Citizen of the Month" for his leadership in promoting Jewish culture in San Diego .  Harrison has co-published and was editor-in-chief of the San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage.  He is also the author of Louis Rose: San Diego's First Jewish Settler and Entrepreneur and currently runs the website Jewish Sightseeing.  "Don Harrison is one of the people whom we have to thank for the rich community we have today.  His leadership has contributed to ensuring that Jewish culture continues to thrive in San Diego and helped to keep the community informed and connected," said Congressman Filner. WHEN:  5:00 p.m.  Sunday, September 25 WHERE:  Liberty Station, Louis Rose Point 2750 Womble Road , Point Loma. See certificate.

September 30, 2005—"Senior Events," San Diego Jewish Times, page 27: Yasher Koach Group—On Thursday, Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m., the Yasher Koach seniors group at Beth Israel will present Donald H. Harrison. He will provde a look at San Diego's early history through the eyes of its first Jewish settler, Louis Rose.  Harrison is Rose's biographer, a member of the San Diego Historical Resources Board, former editor in chief of the San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage and a columnist for the San Diego Jewish Times. He will sell and autograph his book, Louis Rose: San Diego's First Jewish Settler and Entrepreneur following his talk.  Light refreshments will be served. There is no fee for this program but RSVP for planning purposes to Bonnie Graff, program director, at bgraff@cbisd.org or 858-534-1111, ext 3128.  {DHH Note: This program was later canceled because of insufficient sign-ups). 

October 2005—1) "Heard From the Board: Excerpts from the minutes of the August 24th meeting of the TIS Board of Directors,"The Shofar (monthly newsletter of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, San Diego), page 6:  ....Leslie (Gore) reported for the Centennial Committee that many events have been planned throughout the year. These events will be priced so that all members may attend. The celebration will start off with a talk by Dan (sic, Don) Harrison for Selichot on Saturday night, September 24th, and will describe the beginnings of TIS 100 years ago.

2) "Donations," The Shofar, Page 18: Rabbi Aaron S. Gold Israel Scholarship Fund—Jeanne Gold—In honor of Don Harrison's (60th) birthday (August 7th).

October 13, 2005—Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Yom Kippur 5766 Donor Booklet, "Additional Pledges," page 8 ... Sam Zeiden & Nancy & Don Harrison, in memory of beloved wife & mother, Sydel Zeiden.

October 21, 2005—Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Shabbat Shalom (weekly announcements), page  4: Yahrzeits—Martin B. Harrison, beloved father of Donald Harrison

November 2005—1) "Discussion Brunch," Humanews (monthly newsletter of Humanistic Jewish Congregation of San Diego), page 1: Instead of the regular brunch for November, the congregation is invited on November 13 from 10 a.m. to Noon to visit the Robinson-Rose house in Old Town along with the HJC School and hear a lecture given by Don Harrison.  For more information, please see the write up on this page of this tour of Old Town.

2) "Humanistic Jewish School Visits Old Town," Humanews (monthly newsletter of Humanistic Jewish Congregation of San Diego), page 1:Old Town San Diego has a rich Jewish history! The public is invited to join the HJC of SD School and Congregation from 10 a.m. to Noon, Sunday, Nov. 13, when former San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage editor-in-chief Donald H. Harrison will give us an insider's view of that history during an interestingand humorous lecture and tour, meet at the Robinson-Rose House. Harrison, who now writes a regular column for the San Diego Jewish Times, is the author of a biography of San Diego's first Jewish settler, Louis Rose. Currently, he is heading the campaign to build a monument to Rose in the "Roseville" area of Point Loma that the City of San Diego has officially designated as Louis Rose Point. In lieu of any payment to Don for the tour, we are requesting that you make a tax-deductible contribution in any amount to the Jewish Community Foundation/ Louis Rose Fund.  Should anyone contribute #36, he or she will automatically become a charter member of the Louis Rose Society.  At the end of the tour, if you would like to purchase the biography hew wrote, Louis Rose: San Diego's First Jewish Settler and Entrepreneur, the price to group members is $20 including tax. Don will be happy to autograph the book for you!  The HJC School meets two Sundays each month on the grounds of the LFJCC. For school inquiries contact bcohen1@san.rr.com. For further information visit www.humanisticjewssandiego.org or call 858 549-3088.

3) "President's column,"  Humanews (monthly newsletter of Humanistic Jewish Congregation of San Diego), page 3: What a wonderful High Holiday celebration we had last month. My thanks go out to the many wonderful people who made it happen. To Toby Dorfman and her wonderful commentaries, to Deborah Davis whose music makes the heavens cry. My thanks to Beverly Zarnow and her committee who helped with the set-up and food. Those included Bev Connor, the Karsts, Evelyn Lipson, and especially Charles and Ingrid Sacks. There were others, and I thank them all. The Sunday school will feature a historical tour of Old Town on Sunday Nov 12th. The event is open to all members and guests. There is no charge for the tour. However, Don Harrison, who is conducting the tour is trying to raise money for the "Louis Rose Memorial" and would gladly accept donations for this See School News for more information... Until next month...Shalom...Arlene Schaffner.

November 16, 2005—Maureen Magee, "Rose Lost to Time is Found: Grave of pioneer's daughter went unmarked for five decades," San Diego Union-Tribune, page B-1. 2005-11-16  

2)  Donald H. Harrison, Photo Essay: Unveiling of Headstone for Henrietta Rose,Mount Hope Cemetery, San Diego 2005-11-16  

3) Music McCall, "S.D. School Board, Teachers, Civic Groups Memorialize Teacher Who Has Been Lying in an Unmarked Grave for Nearly 50 Years," news release from the San Diego City Schools: Board Member John de Beck of the San Diego City Schools (SDCS) Board of Education and San Diego Education Association (SDEA) President Terry Pesta joined members of the Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History and other organizations today at Mt. Hope Cemetery for a special graveside ceremony honoring Henrietta Rose, who taught in the San Diego school system for 45 years. Rose, daughter of San Diego pioneer Louis Rose, died a spinster at age 84 in 1957, and was buried in an unmarked grave.  Her father, an entrepreneurial businessman, is known as San Diego’s first Jewish settler and entrepreneur.  Arriving in San Diego in 1850, he served in many public positions in San Diego, including stints as a member of the San Diego City Board of Trustees, the first County Board of Supervisors, the County Grand Jury, and—of particular note for this occasion—the San Diego School Board.  Louis Rose was an important and positive force in the development of the city and county of San Diego, and was instrumental in establishing the Jewish community in the area. “We are here to correct an historic error.  Henrietta Rose has reposed here anonymously in an unmarked grave for nearly half a century,” said Norman Greene, co-founder of the Louis Rose Society, at the headstone’s unveiling. Greene, along with Louis Rose’s biographer Donald H. Harrison, decided it wasn’t fitting for a woman who had served her community so well to lie forgotten in an unmarked grave. Accordingly, they arranged for a stone to be donated by KRC Rock and a plaque to be designed by Karman Ltd. of Los Angeles so that Henrietta could be memorialized. The plaque memorializing the late educator bears the logos of San Diego City Schools, the San Diego Education Association, the Louis Rose Society and of the Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic organization which Henrietta served in 1901 as a worthy matron. The plaque also features biographical information. “I was pleased to sponsor the resolution which my colleagues adopted unanimously earlier this year authorizing school board participation in this ceremony,” SDCS School Board Member John de Beck added.  “It is a great pleasure to now have a marker and a place where people can remember her long years of service.” Noting Rose’s influence on generations of students, SDEA President Terry Pesta said he has had “the opportunity to met thousands of dedicated teachers who have followed in her footsteps.  Over the course of 45 years of teaching, Henrietta Rose affected many, many people. After the unveiling of the rose-colored headstone, Rabbi Scott Meltzer of Ohr Shalom Synagogue led a traditional Jewish memorial prayer in honor of teachers, El Moleh Rachamim.  Meltzer called the headstone and plaque “a place on this earth that bears a name and a memory” of the departed Rose. Rose began her teaching career in 1895 as the very first teacher at Roseville Elementary School—in the Pt. Loma area laid out as a town site by her father—and continued her career at Middletown and Sherman elementary schools, before transferring in 1922 to Roosevelt Junior High. After her retirement, she served as treasurer of the Retired Teachers Club.

November 17, 2005—Marsha Sutton, "Historical Figure in Unmarked Grave Receives Long Overdue Recognition," Voice of San Diego, http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=euLTJbMUKvH&b=312472&ct=1610901&tr=y&auid=1236268

November 21, 2005—Gina Lubrano, "Reporters deal with difficult sources," San Diego Union-Tribune, page B-7, in which bottom item corrects notion that Ethel Lyman was Henrietta Rose's niece, http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051121/news_mz1e21lubran.html

December 2005—1) "Jewish Tour of Old Town," Humanenews, monthly newsletter of Humanistic Jewish Congregation of San Diego, page 3: Last month, on November 13, the HJC community was fortunate to take a guided historical Jewish tour through Old Town led by Don Harrison, who recently wrote a biography, Louis Rose: San Diego's First Jewish Settler and Entrepreneur. On the tour his expertise and humor combined to bring the concerns and Jewish community struggles of Louis Rose's era to light and spark contemporary comparisons. After the tour a number of participants shared a newfound sense of personal connection to their adopted city.

2) December 2005—"High Holy Day Pledges," The Shofar (monthly newsletter of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, San Diego, California), page 14... Sam Zeiden & Nancy & Don Harrison—In memory of beloved wife & mother,  Sydel Zeiden.

December 9, 2005—Tifereth Israel Synagogue, "Centennial Rededication Service," December 9, 2005/ 9 Kislev 5766, page 10: Centennial History Project—Tifereth Israel Synagogue, founded in 1905, has embarked on a unique venture to commemorate its centennial.  The Centennial History Project was created at the direction of the Centennial Committee, charged with producing a comprehensive history of Tifereth Israel Synagogue since its founding at the beginning of the twentieth century. The book is scheduled to be released on March 1, 2006, just prior to to Tifereth Israel Synagogue's Gala Centennial Ball.  Drawing on the professional skills of numerous volunteers, the History Project will create a beautiful, scholarly and personal volume that combines in depth research with oral histories. By recording this moment in our story, we hope to embody the spirit and character of the community that will take us into our second century.  Those who are working on the Project see the history of Tifereth Israel Synagogue as falling into three natural eras reflecting its three congregational homes: 18th and Market Streets; Howard Street, and its present location on Cowles Mountain Boulevard. The History Project is researching these periods anew, using resources never before consulted, to tell our story. The Project has already found details, once thought lost, which help us better understand the congregation's history and growth. Further, by emphasizing the voices drawn from interviews and shared anecdotes, we expect to produce a lively and wholly original history.  The book will also include a full-color section detailing the many pieces of fine art that adorn Tifereth Israel Synagogue's current building. Explanations of the artwork, as well as details about their creators and donors, will further enhance the publication. A measure of the quality that can be expected from the completed project is the quality of the volunteer who are working on the project.  Donald H. Harrison is a prize-winning journalist who has covered San Diego's political and religious news since 1972 for numerous publications. Currently a columnist for the San Diego Jewish Times, he is the author of the biography, Louis Rose: San Diego's First Jewish Settler and Enterpreneur and is a member of the City of San Diego's Historical Resources Board.  Rabbi Monroe Levens served as spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel from 1948 until his death in 1981.  Monroe and Lilliian Levens had three sons, all of whom are contributing to this book.  Jerry Levens, who holds a Ph.D in economics, taught at Berkeley before specializing in the economics of health care systems. David Levens also taught college before becoming a real estate broker. Raphael Levens practiced law locally before entering the field of non-profit administration.  A native of Los Angeles (Temple Knesset Israel in Hollywood), David Ogul has reported and edited at Southern California newspapers since graduating from San Diego State University in 1981.  In September, 2000, he was hired as an assistant metro editor by the San Diego Union-Tribune to lead the paper's crime and public safety coverage, and helped oversee coverage of the Santana High School and Granite Hills High Schoo9l shootings and the massive Cedar fire. Earlier this year, he took on a new challenge, supervising a team of reporters covering San Diego neighborhoods and San Diego Unifed School District.  As a noted collector of contemporary art, Karen Hjalmarson has been a participant in the Visual Arts scene in San Diego for over twenty years. Hjalmarson holds a B.A. in history from University of California, Los Angeles, and an M.A. in art history from San Diego State University.  She has written numerous essays on contemporary art while serving as co-director of the Hyde Gallery at Grossmont College. Hjalmarson is the author of Twenty Years Later: Four Sculptors from San Diego.  Currently she teaches English at Parkway Middle School and is also the editor of "Intellectual Ludicrous," a young writers' anthology.  Gail Rice, associate editor of the Centennial History Project, is a professional editor with 18 years' experience, primarily in developing content for scholarly encyclopedias. At Harcourt, Inc., and at Academic Press, a division of Harcourt, she was recognized as a detail-oriented and efficient project manager with a reputation for producing reference materials of the highest quality and marketability. In 2004 Rice established her own consulting business, Open Book Editorial Services.  Laurie Gore, chair of the Centennial History Project, worked as a production editor at Academic Press, a division of Harcourt Brace, Inc., and at University of California before training as a graphic designer. Her volunteer work at Tifereth Israel Synagogue has been recognized by regional and national awards.  In addition to these, numerous other volunteers are working on cataloging the primary  sources at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, reaching out to the business community for their support, and in many other capacities to make this book an unparalleled collaboration. We are especially appreciative of those members and friends of Tifereth Israel Synagogue who have shared their memories and mementos. We welcome all members of the community to participate in this project by contacting Tifereth Israel Synagogue.

December 16, 2005—"North County ORT Meeting," San Diego Jewish Times, page 3: On Wednesday, Jan. 4, North County Shores Chapter will hold a meeting at Lomas Country Club at 10 a.m. Guest speaker will be Don Harrison, noted author and Jewish Times columnist, who will talk about Louis Rose, the first Jewish settler and entrepreneur in San Diego. An Italian buffet is included for $15.  Call Charleen at 619 944-1022. {This notice repeated in the December 23, 2005 issue of the San Diego Jewish Times.)

December 16, 2005—Bud Kader to Donald H. Harrison (e-mail): Don, Keep up the good work because as you do thoughts and historical insights keep popping up from the depths of my memory.  i.e. when you mentioned Baruch Stern [in a recent San Diego Jewish Times column] I recalled my father telling me he was so proud to have been one of the original signers (sponsors) to bring him here from Europe. Just a little tidbit, I thought you would find interesting.  Best Wishes, Bud

December 23, 2005—Michelle DeCrescenzo, "Author to discuss Jewish pioneer in San Diego," San Diego Union-Tribune, North County edition, page NC 6.

-2006-
January 1, 2006—"Looking back over 2005: Growing membership, list of honorees, schedule of events, recognition inside and outside our community," Louis Rose Society newsletter Vol. 2, No. 1, jewishsightseeing.com

January 12, 2006—Josh Board, "The Crasher: Ms. Simon's Century," San Diego Reader, in which he mentions a conversation with Nancy.

January 13, 2006—Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Shabbat Shalom, (weekly announcements), page 1: Friday, January 13—Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:15 p.m. Jerry and Raphael Levens will present "The Life and Times of Rabbi Monroe Levens" as part of our Centennial celebration. The extended oneg following the service has been provided by Sisterhood....Shabbat Greeters—Friday, Nancy and Don Harrison...

January 20, 2006—Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Shabbat Shalom (weekly announcements), page 4:  Yahrzeits:  Alice Harrison, beloved mother of Donald Harrison...

February 2006—"February Anniversaries," The Shofar (monthly newsletter of Tifereth Israel Synagogue), page 10:  Altara & Louis Baker, Lesllie & Jacob Bercovitz, Joanne & Harry Ellison, Nancy & Donald Harrison, Roxanne & Norman Katz, Lydia & Ronald Krasner, Heather & Lee Maio, Mira & Benjamin Pessah, Judy & Mark Stern.

February 1, 2006—"Photo Essay: January 29, 2006  Jewish Tour of Old Town San Diego," Louis Rose Society Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 2

2006-05-30—Jerry Levens, "Maseng presents music that reawakens a Jewish soul," jewishsightseeing.com

2006-06-20—Eileen Wingard, "Reuibin Chen, Taiwanese pianist with Jewish mentors, to perform three concerts in Southern California," jewishsightseeing.com

2006-09-11—Daniel Strumpf, "Another Judge's Cross to Bear," Voice of San Diego