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 — When South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860, a new “South Carolina Sovereignty Flag” was created under the leadership of William Porcher Miles, a member of the state secession convention. That flag included an upright blue cross which included 15 white stars, plus a crescent moon and palm […]
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Pope Francis just issued a papal encyclical on the climate change crisis in which he states, “The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” This follows a recent letter on the same topic which was initiated by Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Jewish Trivia: Climate change Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Jamal Michael Barrow, a rapper from Belize who performed using the name Shyne, served 8 years at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York for attempted murder, assault, and reckless endangerment. His time there overlapped that of escaped killers Richard Matt and David Sweat. Unlike them, however, Shyne
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — FIFA, soccer’s governing body, is in the midst of a huge organizational scandal. During the last FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil in 2014, what did the Israeli company Elbit Systems do to support the games? A. They supplied kosher food for all of the Jewish athletes who were
Jewish Trivia: FIFA Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Trivia, Humor & SatireSAN DIEGO (SDJW)—San Diego Jewish World acknowledges and thanks those writers and photographers whose bylines appeared during the month of May on its website. They were: David Amos Laurie Baron Caren Besner Dan Bloom Shoshana Bryen Stephen Bryen Garry Fabian Abraham Foxman Donald H. Harrison Natasha Josefowitz Rabbi Ben Kamin Tony Klug Steve Kramer Lloyd
SDJW thanks its May contributors Read More »
Barry Shaw, 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 Ordman, Mimi Pollack, Natasha Josefowitz, Sheryl Rowling, Shoshana Bryen, Steve KramerBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Which of the following marched in the 2015 Celebrate Israel parade in New York City? A.Saint Brigades Drum & Bugle Corps, Kars 4 Kids, and The Amazing Juggling Mohelim. B. Jordache, Areyvut Mitzvah Clowns, and Mr. Pickle. C. Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps, Caucasian Jewish Congregation, and The Cheese
Jewish Trivia: NYC Celebrate Israel Parade Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — In what context did David Letterman recently speak about his son Harry and a bar mitzvah? A. Letterman was one of the presenters at a recent event at Lincoln Center benefiting children with cancer. He told the audience about a drive he took with Harry from their home
Jewish Trivia: David Letterman Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — In the Mad Men pilot, Roger Sterling asks Don Draper if their advertising firm has ever hired any Jews. “Not on my watch,” replies Don. When Roger explains that they have a meeting with potential clients who are Jewish (from Menken’s Department Store), what does Don reply? A. “Really? Is that
Jewish trivia: ‘Mad Men’ Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — New York Times reporter Mark Leibovich visited Tom Brady prior to this year’s Super Bowl to interview him for an article. Leibovich noticed that there was a Chanukkah menorah on a shelf in Brady’s house. When he asked Brady about it, what was Tom’s response? “When I was first
Jewish trivia: Tom Brady Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — What is the Jewish connection to this year’s Kentucky Derby? Choose your answer. A. The winning horse, American Pharaoh, is owned by Ahmed Zayat, a Coptic Christian from Egypt. Zayat, the CEO of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation in the 1980’s, was responsible for negotiating with Israel’s Energy
Jewish Trivia: Kentucky Derby Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Sports & Competitions, USABy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Ringo Starr was just inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Everyone knows of Brian Epstein’s role in discovering and promoting the Beatles. What role did another Jew play in Ringo’s earlier life that contributed to his future success as a Beatle A. Prior to joining the
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Jewish History, Mark D. ZimmermanBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, N.Y — In 2008, at a fundraiser honoring Rahm Emanuel, Hillary Clinton described her relationship with him using a Jewish reference. What did Hillary say? A. You know, Rahm and I have been through a lot together. Now, there’s a word my family always used when I was growing up
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — In 1998, despite the fact that Israel was called an “illegal state” and a “parasite” by Iranian president Mohammad Khatami, there was a controversy when it was reported that Israel and Iran were in fact involved in some type of business dealings. What was the controversy? (1)California pistachio growers were unhappy
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Which are all real apps? A – Passover Trucks Game, Ultimate Omer 2, and No Chametz. B – Climb the Pyramids, Plague Wizard and Lotsa Matzah. C – Plagues With Friends, Pokématzah and Angry Pharaohs. D – Israelites vs. Zombies, Grand Theft Matzah, and Super Moses Bros. E – Matzah Kombat, Wikiplagues
Jewish Trivia: Passover apps Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire