Mark D. Zimmerman

Britney Spears has often been seen wearing a Star of David necklace, and she also has a Hebrew tattoo on the back of her neck. What does the tattoo say? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — A court-ordered redistricting in New York has resulted in two current Democratic members of Congress having to run against each other, as the newly-drawn district borders now encompass both of their residences. Jerry Nadler’s 10th district is primarily based on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, while Maloney’s 12th

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Don McLean, the singer/songwriter best known for his song American Pie, was scheduled to perform at the National NRA convention last weekend in Houston but he withdrew following the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. McLean stated that because of that tragedy “it would be disrespectful and hurtful” for

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Former NBA all-star Amar’e Stoudemire started his professional career in 2002 with the Phoenix Suns, where he won the NBA Rookie of the Year honor. He later played for the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Miami Heat. He retired from the NBA in 2016, and

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Lag B’Omer will be celebrated this Thursday. The name of the holiday means “the 33rd day of the Omer,” a period which begins on the second day of Passover. Counting the Omer historically references the harvesting of the new barley crop to be brought to the Temple,

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Federal, state, and local authorities regularly consider and pass legislation that impacts Jews, as do authorities in other countries as well. What recent controversial legislation has gotten the attention of some in the Jewish community? A. The Supreme Court is apparently on the verge of overturning Roe v.

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Passover 2022 is over, with a number of seders making the news. Vice president Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff hosted a seder at their residence at the Naval Observatory. Meanwhile many Ukrainian Jews celebrated seders in exile, while Jews world-wide added prayers for peace for the

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — French President Emmanuel Macron won reelection in a closely contested contest against Marine Le Pen. Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally Party, has been a controversial figure in French politics for many years, following in the footsteps of her father Jean-Marie Le Pen. She has alarmed

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Jews worldwide celebrated Passover this weekend. Many held family seders, some joined with friends, and others participated in larger events with their synagogues or other Jewish organizations. Some Jews are celebrating the holiday in more luxurious ways, such as at Magical Passover in Orlando, the Luxury Pesach

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Congressman Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina is in the news for his recent comments that he witnessed leaders in his party using cocaine, and that he had been invited to orgies by older prominent Republicans. Cawthorn has been a major supporter of President Donald Trump and Trump’s

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Will Smith remains in the headlines following his smack of comedian Chris Rock at the Academy Awards. Smith announced that he has resigned from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences as he awaits the Academy’s review of his actions and possible disciplinary measures. Smith was the

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — The Academy Awards ceremony took place this past weekend. Among the Jewish nominees were actor Andrew Garfield, film editors Myron Kerstein & Andrew Weisblum, documentary filmmaker Jay Rosenblatt, director Stephen Spielberg, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, who was nominated for her adapted screenplay, The Lost Daughter. Garfield played Jonathan Larson, the Jewish

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — The United States and other countries have placed sanctions on a number of Russian oligarchs, who are seen as major financial and political supporters of Vladimir Putin. Among the oligarchs is Roman Abramovich, the multi-billionaire owner of the Chelsea Football Club, one of the United Kingdom’s top soccer

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Airbnb users have booked rooms in Ukraine with a value of more than $2 million. This represents more than 60,000 nights of rental of Ukrainian houses, apartments and guest rooms. Yet none of the renters will be staying in those dwellings. In fact,