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 — 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 […]
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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
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireMELVILLE, New York — This week’s question comes from RASHI, RAMBAM and HAGGADAH-LAMADINGDONG: A Quiz Haggadah of Jewish Trivia Facts & Fun. Readers may obtain a free copy by visiting http://rrrjewishtrivia.com/rashi-rambam-and-haggadah.html. Which of the following are all real Haggadot? A. Sixty-Minute Seder, Reudor’s the Doodled Family Haggadah, and Fifty Shades of Haggadah. B. Sammy Spider’s First Haggadah, Haggadah in Another Dimension, and The Celebrated
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — (With a shout-out to our new followers in the San Diego Jewish World) In San Diego in 1888, Congregation Beth Israel hired its first rabbi, Samuel Freuder. What career move did Rabbi Freuder subsequently make that he later considered a mistake? A. In 1889, Rabbi Freuder converted to Christianity
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Mark D. Zimmerman, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Many rabbis, most notably Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, participated in the marches and other civil rights movement activities in the 1960’s. The wearing of a yarmulke was adopted by many black marchers, necessitating the special delivery of 1000 yarmulkes for the march from Selma to Montgomery 50
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Ashkenzaic Jews remember Haman’s evil by making noise with a greggar whenever Haman’s name is said at the Megillah reading. How do Moroccan Jews note Haman’s wickedness? A. They make a three cornered pastry similar to a hamantashen, but it is filled with red strawberries, representing the blood
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Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — At one point in his life, Leonard Nimoy scheduled a speaking tour, but a number of synagogues then canceled his scheduled appearances. What was their objection? A. Nimoy produced and starred in the movie Never Forget, based on the true story of Mel Mermelstein, a Holocaust survivor who confronted
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York –What is Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner Patricia Arquette’s Jewish connection? A. Her paternal grandfather Cliff Arquette (also known as Charley Weaver) was Christian, her father was Muslim, and her mother was Jewish. She and her four siblings (all actors) were raised with no religion. She is the
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, N.Y. — Which of the following Brian Williams stories is true (unless, of course, it turns out not to be)? A. In 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, Williams was reporting from Gaza when an Israeli airstrike destroyed a house a few hundred yards from where Williams was standing. Said Williams on
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, a Grammy nominee for this year’s Best New Artist, has what Jewish connection? A. Israeli horticulturists at the University of Haifa have developed a breed of azalea which is resistant to petal blight, a common plant disease. They have named this new breed the
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireSAN DIEGO (SDJW) –Are Israeli cherries harvested during the Jubilee year? Is Gefilte Phish one of Ben and Jerry’s best-selling Israeli ice cream flavors? Are Tzitzit disease-carrying Mediterranean flies? Did George Washington throw gelt across the Potomac River? The answers to these and many other questions of Jewish Law, Tradition, History, and Popular Culture can be
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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire