Mark D. Zimmerman

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Leading up to this week’s Republican Convention in Cleveland, the Republican Platform Committee under RNC Chair Reince Priebus has been finalizing details of the official party platform, covering such issues as reforming government, women in combat, coal as a clean energy source, and religious liberty. According to Michele Bachmann, […]

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — A Spanish matador was fatally gored this week in Spain, the first time this has happened since 1985. Though not widely known, there was a gay Jewish man who was born in Park Slope, Brooklyn in 1903 who went on to become a matador. He fought in

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — What argument did British Prime Minister David Cameron make to the Jewish community of Great Britain in an attempt to gain their support for staying in the European Union?   A. Referring to the growing support throughout the European Union for an independent Palestinian state, Cameron said, “Do you want

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — The world is mourning the passing of boxing champion Muhammad Ali. Some years ago, Ali made an appearance at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia. What was the reason for his visit? A. He was in attendance at the aufruf of his daughter Khaliah in 1997, prior to her

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