Humorist Mark D. Zimmerman writes a weekly Jewish trivia column, offering multiple choice answers to challenge and enlighten the reader. Click on the link to see if you’ve guessed correctly.
Zimmerman is the author of a series of Jewish trivia books, under the title RASHI, RAMBAM and RAMALAMADINGDONG: A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts & Fun. The quizzes are designed to challenge, educate, entertain, and make you laugh. Are Tzitzit disease-carrying Mediterranean flies? Are Israeli cherries harvested during the Jubilee year? Is Gefilte Phish one of Ben and Jerry’s best-selling Israeli ice cream flavors?
Raised on the Three Stooges, The Addams Family, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and most importantly, the Marx Brothers, Zimmerman combines his comedic sensibilities with his background in Jewish Communal Service and synagogue and day school volunteer work to create Jewish trivia guaranteed to stimulate and amuse.
His books, available on Amazon, include:
Yair Lapid strongly opposed the Iran nuclear deal when it was first announced in November 2013. How did then Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid describe the proposed nuclear deal with Iran at that time? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Yair Lapid Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & SatireGreene was previously criticized for claiming that space lasers controlled by the Rothschild family were responsible for the California wildfires. She denied the charge that her claim was antisemitic, with what explanation? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Marjorie Taylor Greene Read More »
International, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Israeli actress Gal Gadot tweeted about the current military crisis between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, “My heart breaks. My country is at war. I worry for my family, my friends. I worry for my people. This is a vicious cycle that has been going on for far too long. Israel deserves to live as a free and safe nation, Our neighbors deserve the same. I pray for the victims and their families, I pray for this unimaginable hostility to end, I pray for our leaders to find the solution so we could live side by side in peace. I pray for better days.” In response, Yair Netanyahu, son of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticized her for her comments. What did he say? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Gal Gadot Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & SatireRabbi Mendel Jacobs of the Lubavitch of Scotland is known for what action that related to traditional Scottish culture? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Scotland Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireJames Carville offered advice and criticism to the Democratic Party for their overall poor results (other than winning the presidency) in the last election (“We won the White House against a world-historical buffoon. And we came within 42,000 votes of losing.”). What “Jewish-referenced” comment did Carville offer? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: James Carville Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAWhat was Abbie Hoffman’s “Jewish” interaction with pediatrician Dr. Spock, a fellow anti-war protestor? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Abbie Hoffman Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireThe Hatikvah melody has been heard more recently when a singer sampled the tune in one of his songs. Which rap or hip hop musician sampled the music of Hatikvah in a rap song? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: ‘Hatikvah’ Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsWhich of the following is true about Prince Philip and his family?
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Prince Philip, R.I.P. Read More »
International, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireIn 2020, archaeologists and scientists studied residue found in an altar at Tel Arad in Israel from the period 760 BCE to 715 BCE and determined that it was the remnants of burning cannabis plants used in a ritual ceremony. What term related to marijuana is believed to have Jewish roots? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Marijuana Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireA tradition started 40 years ago that has gained widespread acceptance in many non-Orthodox households is the placement of an orange on the seder plate. Though many see this as a symbol of women’s important role in Judaism, it was in fact started by Jewish feminist scholar Susannah Heschel in support of gays and lesbians. More recently, others have suggested new additions to the seder plate, though none has as yet gained widespread acceptance. Which of the following are among those new seder plate suggestions? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Seder Plate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireAlmost all of the Dead Sea Scrolls that have been found to date are housed in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. How did Israel obtain a number of the Dead Sea Scrolls? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dead Sea Scrolls Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & SatireComedian Tiffany Haddish won a Grammy award for Best Comedy Album for her album Black Mitzvah, the recording of her 2019 Netflix comedy special. In the performance, Haddish explored her Jewish heritage, something she only discovered as a young adult when she learned that her father was an Eritrean Jew. Haddish embraced her Jewish heritage and held a bat mitzvah under the guidance of Rabbi Susan Silverman, including Torah reading and a d’var Torah speech about Jacob’s ladder from the Parsha Vayetze. But Haddish was no stranger to Judaism, as she had worked since the age of 17 as a dancer and an MC at more than 500 bar and bat mitzvah parties. What did Haddish say about that experience? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Tiffany Haddish Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & SatireLater works by Dr. Seuss carried strong messages of the importance of acceptance of others, including Horton Hears a Who!, with a theme of “a person’s a person no matter how small.” Seuss, who made his home in San Diego County, was inspired by a post-World War II visit to Japan that opened his eyes to seeing the Japanese people differently than he had during the war. Which of Dr. Seuss’s works was inspired by something Jewish? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dr. Seuss Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireGovernor Andrew Cuomo was seen as a voice of reason and calm during the early days of the pandemic, especially at a time when President Trump was offering practically no leadership at all regarding this crisis. Lately, however, Governor Cuomo is being seen in a different light as two former aides have accused him of sexual harrassment. Cuomo has denied the claims, and an independent investigation will likely take place under the auspices of the New York attorney general and the chief judge of the state court of appeals. Governor Cuomo once said “It was ugly. It was ugly. I’ll tell you the truth.” What was he referring to? [Mark d. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Andrew Cuomo Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire