Trivia, Humor & Satire

Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Seder Plate

A tradition started 40 years ago that has gained widespread acceptance in many non-Orthodox households is the placement of an orange on the seder plate. Though many see this as a symbol of women’s important role in Judaism, it was in fact started by Jewish feminist scholar Susannah Heschel in support of gays and lesbians. More recently, others have suggested new additions to the seder plate, though none has as yet gained widespread acceptance. Which of the following are among those new seder plate suggestions? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Seder Plate Read More »

Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Tiffany Haddish

Comedian Tiffany Haddish won a Grammy award for Best Comedy Album for her album Black Mitzvah, the recording of her 2019 Netflix comedy special. In the performance, Haddish explored her Jewish heritage, something she only discovered as a young adult when she learned that her father was an Eritrean Jew. Haddish embraced her Jewish heritage and held a bat mitzvah under the guidance of Rabbi Susan Silverman, including Torah reading and a d’var Torah speech about Jacob’s ladder from the Parsha Vayetze. But Haddish was no stranger to Judaism, as she had worked since the age of 17 as a dancer and an MC at more than 500 bar and bat mitzvah parties. What did Haddish say about that experience? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
 

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Tiffany Haddish Read More »

Mark D. Zimmerman, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dr. Seuss

Later works by Dr. Seuss carried strong messages of the importance of acceptance of others, including Horton Hears a Who!, with a theme of “a person’s a person no matter how small.” Seuss, who made his home in San Diego County, was inspired by a post-World War II visit to Japan that opened his eyes to seeing the Japanese people differently than he had during the war. Which of Dr. Seuss’s works was inspired by something Jewish? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dr. Seuss Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew Cuomo was seen as a voice of reason and calm during the early days of the pandemic, especially at a time when President Trump was offering practically no leadership at all regarding this crisis. Lately, however, Governor Cuomo is being seen in a different light as two former aides have accused him of sexual harrassment. Cuomo has denied the claims, and an independent investigation will likely take place under the auspices of the New York attorney general and the chief judge of the state court of appeals. Governor Cuomo once said “It was ugly. It was ugly. I’ll tell you the truth.” What was he referring to? [Mark d. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Andrew Cuomo Read More »

Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Satire: Donald Trump, Contrite and Conciliatory

A day after the storming of the Capitol, Donald Trump finally issued a statement condemning it: “We have just been through an intense election, and emotions are high, but now tempers must be cooled, and calm restored. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.” His sincerity can’t be doubted since he has made it clear that the people attending the Stop the Steal rally were [the following}:

Satire: Donald Trump, Contrite and Conciliatory Read More »

Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Satire: Bye, Bye Lost American Dream

To tune of ‘American Pie’:
But November made me shiver. 
With every statement he’d deliver.
The results he discounted                                                                                                                                         
As the margins mounted.   
I can’t remember if I thought
It was just time that he bought.
His claims struck me as overwrought.  
The day democracy died. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

Satire: Bye, Bye Lost American Dream Read More »

Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Satire: The Medal of Free-Dumb

Every year the president of the United States awards the Medal of Freedom to people who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” Honoring that tradition, President Trump is conferring this honor on Devin Nunes for “unearthing the crime of the century [the Russian hoax]” and “thwarting a plot to take down a sitting United States president.” Adhering to Trump’s elastic interpretation of what constitutes a “meritorious contribution” to the above criteria, I expect the following to be named as recipients of the Medal in the coming days. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

Satire: The Medal of Free-Dumb Read More »

Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire