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:
By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Scott Pruitt resigned as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency following a tenure filled with controversy and scandals. In reflecting on why he entered public service, and took the job of head of the EPA, Pruitt said, “I spent a couple years just earnestly praying, asking the question […]
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — In connection with Israel’s celebrations of its 70th anniversary, which statements of the following are true. A. The Israeli Wissotzky Tea Company is teaming up with the Twinings Tea Company in Great Britain to produce a mint flavored tea to be called Nana Shiv’im, or Mint 70. B. Israeli
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Paul McCartney appeared on a Carpool Karaoke segment of the Late Late Show with James Corden, with the two driving around Liverpool while singing Beatles tunes. They also visited sites from Paul’s childhood, and put on a surprise concert in a local pub. McCartney has many Jewish connections, from working
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Generally speaking, Jews have not dominated professional sports competition, though there were a number of successful Jewish boxers in the early 1900’s (including Benny Leonard, “Slapsie” Maxie Rosenbloom, and Barney Ross). Also, Jewish baseball players Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax are in the Hall of Fame. What unusual
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Chef/author/food raconteur Anthony Bourdain tragically died last week. Bourdain, whose mother was Jewish but who had no religious upbringing or beliefs, was seen as a uniter, using food and dining to bring people together. About whom did Anthony Bourdain once say “I’d be happy to rearrange your knee or
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Obituaries & memorials, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Roseanne Barr’s television show Roseanne was canceled last week following a racist tweet which Roseanne posted about Valerie Jarrett, a former aide to President Barack Obama. Roseanne Barr grew up in Salt Lake City, where her family was a part of the very small Jewish community. Though there was a lot
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Israeli singer Netta won this year’s Eurovision contest singing the song Toy. Though the song was primarily written by Israeli composer Doron Medalie, Netta added some lyrics including a Pokémon reference (according to Medalie, “that’s more her generation than mine”). Netta has spoken about Pokémon characters and what they
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — One of the traditions of Shavuot is the all night Torah study session known as the Tikkun Leil Shavuot, meaning Rectification (or Repair) for Shavuot Night. What are the roots of this custom? A. The practice of the Tikkun Leil Shavuot was put forth by Rabbi Isaac Luria
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Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Hawaii is suffering from the destruction wreaked by the eruption of the Kilauea volcano. Israel has its own volcano, Mount Bental, which last erupted about 50,000 years ago. The volcano is now a tourist site with spectacular views of the Hula Valley, Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights,
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Actor Verne Troyer, best known for playing Mini-Me in the Austin Powers movies, died last week. In 2011, he visited Israel. Besides visiting the Western Wall, what else did Troyer do in Israel? A. Troyer, a Catholic, was in Israel to speak at the Youth Summit for Peace, sponsored by
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Actress Natalie Portman is in the headlines, having decided to forgo her receipt of the Israeli Genesis Prize, often referred to as the Jewish Nobel Prize. Portman said that she did not want her presence to imply approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was scheduled to speak at
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Former FBI Director James Comey has been in the headlines almost constantly since the 2016 presidential campaign. President Donald Trump just tweeted that “Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe. In other
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USABy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Mark Zuckerberg is in the news as stories emerge about the scandal in which Cambridge Analytica obtained data for political use from as many as 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge or authorization. When Mark Zuckerberg delivered the commencement address at the 2017 Harvard University graduation, what
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Ashkenazic Jews around the world traditionally serve gefilte fish at their seders. Gefilte fish is usually made by grinding fish such as carp, whitefish or pike, forming patties with matzah meal, eggs and onions, and poaching it. Which of the following are true gefilte fish stories? A. Donald
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire