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 — Fiddler on the Roof was one of the nominees, though not the winner, of the Best Revival of a Musical category at this year’s Tony Awards ceremony. When Fiddler on the Roof was first being developed, the opening song, “Tradition,” was the last to be written. What song […]
Jewish trivia quiz: ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
Jewish trivia quiz: Israel and Brazil Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
Jewish Triva Quiz: Trump products Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
Jewish trivia quiz: Haggadah variations Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Stephen Curry Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — At the same time that colleges were competing in the NCAA basketball championship series, Hillel chapters from around the country were competing in the annual National Hillel Basketball Tournament, held at the University of Maryland. Yeshiva Unversity-Ammar (men’s competition) and Emory University (women’s competition) won this
Jewish trivia quiz: Basketball tourneys Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Trivia, Humor & SatireSAN DIEGO — San Diego Jewish World expresses its appreciation to the byliners and staff photographers whose works appeared in March 2016 editions. They included: David Amos Eitan Arom Judy Lash Balint Kenneth Bandler Laurie Baron Amber Bartlett Jeremy Ben-Ami Boaz Bismuth Ronnie Blair Dan Bloom Shoshana Bryen Stephen Bryen Cynthia Citron Richard L. Cravatts Jack Forman
SDJW thanks its March 2016 contributors Read More »
Barry Shaw, Cynthia Citron, Donald H. Harrison, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Eileen Wingard, Eric George Tauber, Eva Trieger, Fred Reiss, EdD, Ira Sharkansky, Lawrence Baron, Mark D. Zimmerman, Melanie Rubin, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Michael Ordman, Natasha Josefowitz, Sheryl Rowling, Shor M. Masori, Shoshana Bryen, Steve KramerBy 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
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy 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
Jewish trivia quiz: Purim customs Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Merrick Garland, who if approved would be the 4th Jewish person to sit on the current United States Supreme Court, was not the first member of his family to receive an appointment from a president. What relative of his shares that honor? A. As Merrick Garland said
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA