Mark D. Zimmerman

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York –Nihar Janga and Jairam Hathwar became co-champions of the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee last week by correctly spelling the words “gesellschaft” and “Feldenkrais,” respectively. In 2013, Arvind Mahankali spelled the winning word, “knaidel,” which led to much controversy in the Jewish and Yiddish-speaking world as to whether […]

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Very few climbers have reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the last two years, due to deadly avalanches and a huge earthquake. The 2016 season has just begun, with 9 Sherpas reaching the summit on May 11; however, four climbers have already died this month, with numerous others taking

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Israel’s honorary consul in Rio de Janeiro criticized Brazil’s embattled president, Dilma Roussef, for her comparison of the effort to impeach her to the Nazis’ persecution of Jews. Yet, two years ago, the criticism went in the opposite direction when what was said?   A. The president of the Brazilian Israelite

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Donald Trump’s name was associated with a problem that attracted the attention of the Israeli police last month. What happened? A. Thousands of pounds of Trump Steaks were seized because they were stamped as kosher but they did not actually have kosher certification. B. A local bottled

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Many people and organizations have created new Haggadahs and supplemental readings to be used at seders. Which of the following is not an actual alternate version of the Ten Plagues?   A. The Tzedek Seder: #BlackLivesMatter Haggadah offered Ten Plagues-Ten Lives Lost, in memory of those lost to police violence:1. Sean

  By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — What connection between Jews and Christians did John Kasich make while visiting a Chassidic school, shmura matzah factory, and Jewish bookstore in Borough Park, Brooklyn?   A. Referencing the matzah that he observed being prepared he said, “You know, I was raised Catholic, I’m now Anglican, and so all

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — On Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors play the Memphis Grizzlies. A win will set a new record for the most wins in a season, 73. Their record-breaking season is led by Stephen Curry, the point guard who many consider to be the greatest shooter in the

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Among the most famous songs of the great Jewish composer Irving Berlin are White Christmas and Easter Parade. Bing Crosby introduced Easter Parade in the movie Holiday Inn in 1942. But Berlin first wrote this melody in 1917 with different lyrics. What was this original version of Easter Parade?   A. Being With My Honey, including the lyrics “Days are

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — There are many different ways in which children around the world celebrate Purim. Which of the following is not a Purim custom? A. Children in Italy divide into two teams and throw nuts at each other. B. Children in Tunisia make “Hamans” out of paper or rags

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York –When Marco Rubio gave the Republican response to President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union address, why did the National Jewish Democratic Council criticize Rubio? A. They criticized him because the bottled water that he grabbed during his speech was not kosher.B. They criticized him because he said that the United

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — O. J. Simpson is back in the news, as we learn of a knife that is being examined by the Los Angeles Police Department. Might it be the murder weapon used to kill Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman? O. J. Simpson has a connection to Israeli