Trivia, Humor & Satire

Speaking in 2013, Joe Biden said of the Jewish people, “You make up 11 percent of the seats in the United States Congress. You make up one-third of all Nobel laureates. So many notions that are embraced by this nation that particularly emanate from over 5,000 years of Jewish history, tradition and culture: independence, individualism, fairness, decency, justice, charity.” He concluded by saying what? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Because of Covid, the Radio City Rockettes announced that they have canceled the remainder of their Christmas Spectacular season, which had been scheduled to run through January 2. Which of the following is part of the Jewish history of the Rockettes? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Five years ago Israel purchased a used jet with the intention of customizing it for the use of the Prime Minister and the President for official travel. Prior to that these officials had been renting commercial planes. While the aircraft’s upgrade has been completed, the plane is still sitting in a hangar and it is not clear if or when the current Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, or Israel’s president Isaac Hezog will use the craft… (Mark D. Zimmerman)

Supply chain problems have led to shortages of many consumer products, including computer chips, breakfast cereal, running shoes, paint and more. What product has been in short supply recently which has affected the Jewish community? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Stephen Sondheim’s upbringing included attendance at summer sleepaway camp with many other Jewish campers. Where did Sondheim go to summer camp?

The great 20th century Orthodox authorities Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik agreed that the holiday is secular, not Christian, and therefore celebration by Jews is not religiously prohibited. There has been another controversy around the holiday, however. What past Thanksgiving event led a group of rabbis to protest? [Mark D. Zimmerman]