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:
There is a tradition in some Jewish communities wherein nuts are not eaten on Rosh Hashanah. What is the reason for this prohibition? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Rosh Hashanah Food Prohibition Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & SatireJudaism has many laws governing what animals are kosher and what rules apply to preparation of kosher food. But Judaism also has rules regarding the feeding of pets, including which of the following? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Eating Pets & Feeding Pets Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In 2021, Shaquille O’Neal posted on social media that his favorite Jewish holiday is which one? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Shaquille O’Neal Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Following President Biden’s poor performance in his debate against Donald Trump last June, Forward editor Jodi Rudoren spoke to Rabbi Beals, who offered a Jewish framework for discussing the issue of Biden’s age and its impact on his presidency and his future leadership. What did Rabbi Beals say regarding this issue? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Joe Biden’s Rabbi, Michael Beals Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAHe is a supporter of Israel and has called Israel’s war against Hamas “a moral war,” though his running mate Nicole Shanahan disagrees with Kennedy on this issue, believing that “Israel should be showing more restraint.” What has Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in reference to Jews that has raised eyebrows in the Jewish community? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Dunkin’ does have locations in Israel, but the company has not issued any statements in regard to the Israel-Palestine conflict. What is the story of the Jewish man who started Dunkin’ Donuts? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dunkin’ Donuts Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
He is a strong supporter of Israel but very critical of the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What is one example of social justice and political leadership that Shapiro showed when he was still young? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Josh Shapiro Read More »
Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
He echoed another antisemitic trope in invoking the name of Holocaust survivor George Soros, the billionaire supporter of liberal causes who many on the far right hold up as a Jewish puppet master trying to destroy the “Christian social order.” How did Vance invoke George Soros’s name in this way? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: J.D. Vance Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
He was born Milton Teagle Simmons to a Jewish mother, Shirley May “Sadie” Satin Simmons, but he was not raised Jewish, and he eventually became what he called an “extreme Catholic.” Why did Shirley’s Russian Jewish family disown her? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Richard Simmons, z”l Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
British soldiers and civil servants established three competing golf organizations at the time which offered tournaments and frequently held competitions with each other. One was named the Jerusalem Golf Club and the second was the Palestine Police Golf Society. What was the name of the third group? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Golf Read More »
Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Friedman also wrote numerous detective novels, ran unsuccessfully for office in Texas, and wrote a column in the Texas Monthly magazine for many years. What was once written about Kinky Friedman in the Texas Monthly? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Kinky Friedman, z”l Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
What was the context of a headline in a newspaper that read in part “Shylocks of Oklahoma City” ? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Oklahoma Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
While Mays did not pay Shemano for his services, what is one way that Mays returned the favor for Shemano’s work? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Willie Mays Read More »
California, Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
The current Jewish population is approximately 25,000, and the city features the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, which opened in 2008. What is another bit of Milwaukee Jewish history? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Milwaukee Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire