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:
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* Rashi, Rambam and Presidential-Dingdong: A Quizbook of Presidential Jewish Trivia Facts and Fun
* Rashi, Rambam, and Ramalamadingdong: A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts and Fun
* Rashi, Rambam, and Ramalamadingdong: A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts and Fun, Volume Aleph
* Rashi, Rambam, and Ramalamadingdong, A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts and Fun, Volume Bet
* Rashi, Rambam, and Ramalamadingdong: A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts and Fun, Volume Gimel
* Rashi, Rambam and Ramalamadingdong: A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia, Facts, and Fun: Volume Dalet
* Zim’s Guide: A Survey of Family Attractions: 95-96 Long Island
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The character Arnold Beckoff is a drag queen and torch singer who Fierstein described in the stage directions as a “kvetch of great wit and want.” What is Beckoff’s drag name in the show? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Harvey Fierstein Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAis celebrated in a variety of ways. These include attendance at synagogue services, serving of dairy meals, and all-night study sessions. What other way do some Jews celebrate the Shavuot holiday? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Shavuot Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
One group of Jews in South Africa were distinguished by their housing arrangements, known as “ostrich palaces.” What does that refer to? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: South Africa Read More »
International, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Another prominent Jewish prisoner at Alcatraz was Meyer Harris “Mickey” Cohen, whose parents had immigrated to Los Angeles from Kiev. Before he was 10 years old, Cohen was sent to Reform School for petty theft and shoplifting. He continued his criminal activities, working with Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel among others. Among his criminal activities were bookmaking, tax evasion, and a number of violent crimes. He went to Alcatraz in 1961 for tax evasion, where he was the only prisoner there who was ever released on bail, with his bond signed by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. What else is true of Mickey Cohen? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Alcatraz Read More »
California, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAThe currency is available for purchase on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, because the system is entirely automated, according to Semenchuk. What is this “Jewish” cryptocurrency called? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Cryptocurrency Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
What was the circumstance that led Archbishop Bergoglio to say to Rabbi Skorka, “I guess this year we are going to eat chicken soup.”? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Pope Francis, RIP Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Where did Josh Shapiro propose to his wife, who he first met in 9th grade at Akiba Hebrew Academy (now known as Barrack Hebrew Academy)? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Josh Shapiro Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAWhile there have been no Jewish characters among the guests at the resorts over the past three seasons, Season 3 did feature a Hebrew song during one episode. What was that song? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: The White Lotus Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & SatireWhat marijuana product, certified Kosher-for-Passover by Rabbi Yaakov Cohen and Whole Kosher Services, is being offered for the first time in 2025? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Passover Food Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Where did a portion of Burma/Myanmar’s Jewish population come from? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Myanmar Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
What did Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say when told that Conan O’Brien would be visiting Israel? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Conan O’Brien Read More »
Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAIn the 1970’s, as much as 80% of the Miami Beach population was Jewish. What was a nickname for Miami Beach which arose based on the large Jewish population? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Miami Beach, Florida Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAIsrael is the smallest country in the world with a space agency. The agency’s goals include building satellite systems for research, developing technologies for space research, and promoting international cooperation in space research and exploration. Among the space programs operating under the ISA auspices is what program which goes by a “Jewish-style” acronym? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Space Exploration Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food
Saturday Night Live, which has had no shortage of Jewish-themed sketches, almost ran another Jewish-themed sketch during the Christmas/Hanukkah season last year. The sketch, based on a movie from this past year, was axed following a poor reception during the show’s dress rehearsal. What was the name of that sketch? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Oscars Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA