By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — The double parasha this week opens with instructions concerning vows, the words one preaches as personal commitments: “If a man makes a vow to Hashem or takes an oath imposing an obligation on himself, he shall not break his pledge; he must carry out all that has […]
Parshiot Matot-Massei: Personal Commitments Read More »
Michael Mantell, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Mark D. Zimmerman Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Republican candidate for president, traveled to Israel this past April, having previously visited the country four other times. He is a strong supporter of Israel, and in 2019 he tweeted that he “promised to be the most pro-Israel Governor in America.” He refers to the West Bank
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Ron DeSantis Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By The Supremes (Melody: Accentuate the Positives) By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — The six conservative judges on the Supreme Court have formed a singing group and named themselves The Supremes. Unlike the famous Motown group, it consists of five white men and one white woman who was invited to join them because she belongs
Satire: Overturn the Precedents Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Mark D. Zimmerman Kosherpalooza, a food festival featuring kosher dairy and meat items, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and more, was recently held for the first time at the Meadowlands Expo Center in New Jersey. Thousands of attendees sampled dried pink pineapple, miniature steak tartares served in crispy tapioca shells, CBD peanut butter cups, and
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Kosher Food Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — You might be experiencing climate change if: You wear an N-95 mask whenever you go outside for reasons other than Covid-19 protection. The city where you live is building swimming pool sized ashtrays in public parks. Your inland house has become beachfront property. You plan to purchase a Tesla
You Might Be Experiencing Climate Change If Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Last week the Republican candidates for president addressed the Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference. They competed to demonstrate which of them could come up with the most restrictive bans on abortion. Mike Pence pledged to pass a federal ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. For many in
The Anti-Abortion Olympics Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Mark D. Zimmerman Sheldon Harnick, lyricist of Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello!, and other Broadway shows, died last week at the age of 99. Harnick and composer Jerry Bock wrote many songs for Fiddler on the Roof which did not end up in the final version of the show, including We’ve Never Missed a
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Sheldon Harnick, z”l Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Koufax, a Jewish kid from Brooklyn, an outstanding major-league pitcher, was slated to play a leading role. Specifically, he was scheduled to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Minnesota Twins in the first game of the best-of-seven series for the World Championship. But due to an accident (?) of fate or faith (religious observance), that was also the day on which Yom Kippur fell that year. [Joel H. Cohen]
Guilt-Edged Good Deeds Read More »
Jewish History, Joel H. Cohen, Sports & Competitions, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
This editor just learned today that “maven” is derived from the Yiddish word “meyvn” (one who understands). Perhaps I’m not a Yiddish-language expert, after all. But for those who appreciate the San Diego Jewish World series of Jewish-interest license plates, this one’s for you.
By Mark D. Zimmerman Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times in 1971, died last week at the age of 92. Ellsberg’s parents were of Russian Jewish descent, but they had embraced Christian Science and raised him in that tradition. However, he noted that “My parents always
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Daniel Ellsberg, z”l Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Elona Baron (as told to Laurie Baron) SAN DIEGO — I recently received an email from someone whose existence has been speculated about for years: Donald Trump’s Pitbull. I know everyone thinks that Trump never owned a dog largely because he is incapable of caring for anything beyond his own political survival. While it
Hounding the Headlines: Confessions of Donald Trump’s Pitbull Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Mark D. Zimmerman Pat Robertson, the controversial Baptist minister who preached a conservative brand of political Christianity, died last week at the age of 93. Robertson was the founder of the Christian Coalition and he helmed The 700 Club television broadcast, promoting his vision of America as a Christian nation. Robertson was a strong
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Pat Robertson Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
(Melody: Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead) By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Jack Smith indicted him. Donald Trump, excuses slim. Trump’s not above the law. Charged him for his crimes. Took files lied many times. Hid them from the FBI. Trump’s not above the law. He’s going where the guilty dread. No White House,
Trump’s Not Above the Law Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
She has written many food-related books, including The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World and Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir. What is a Jewish connection in Padma Lakshmi’s life? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Padma Lakshmi Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire