Mark D. Zimmerman

Five years ago Israel purchased a used jet with the intention of customizing it for the use of the Prime Minister and the President for official travel. Prior to that these officials had been renting commercial planes. While the aircraft’s upgrade has been completed, the plane is still sitting in a hangar and it is not clear if or when the current Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, or Israel’s president Isaac Hezog will use the craft… (Mark D. Zimmerman)

Supply chain problems have led to shortages of many consumer products, including computer chips, breakfast cereal, running shoes, paint and more. What product has been in short supply recently which has affected the Jewish community? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Stephen Sondheim’s upbringing included attendance at summer sleepaway camp with many other Jewish campers. Where did Sondheim go to summer camp?

The great 20th century Orthodox authorities Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik agreed that the holiday is secular, not Christian, and therefore celebration by Jews is not religiously prohibited. There has been another controversy around the holiday, however. What past Thanksgiving event led a group of rabbis to protest? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

What problem arose when Britney Spears performed in Tel Aviv in 2017? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

It has been speculated that the most “Jewish” characters on Sesame Street are Statler and Waldorf, the curmudgeonly critics in the balcony. What actual Jewish event has occurred on Sesame Street? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

In the past, Bannon has been accused of being anti-Semitic, an issue that particularly came up when President Trump appointed Bannon as Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor in 2016. At that time, which of the following people offered a defense of Bannon against the charge? [Mark. D. Zimmerman]

There has been a Jewish presence in Taiwan since the mid-twentieth century, comprising mostly foreign business executives, students, and diplomats. The community currently numbers approximately 800. In the late 1970’s, members of the Jewish community decided to form an official organization, the Taiwan Jewish Community. What concerns were raised early in the history of the Taiwan Jewish Community (TJC)? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

But these systems are not perfect, as they often present answers that come from flawed websites, or they misunderstand the core of the question. What answer did Siri give that was controversial in the Jewish community, leading to a correction by Apple? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
 

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — A tradition in some ultra-Orthodox communities before Yom Kippur is kaparot, the ceremonial swinging of a chicken over one’s head three times before slaughtering the bird. This act is a symbolic transfer of one’s sins to the animal, which is then donated to the poor. What other