Mark D. Zimmerman

Lawyer and professor Alan Dershowitz has spent much of his career defending controversial figures, including O. J. Simpson, Claus von Bülow, Patty Hearst, Mike Tyson, Leona Helmsley, Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, and now Donald Trump. He has also been a staunch defender of Israel and advocate for Jewish causes. Professor Dershowitz was scheduled to participate in a mock trial; however, the hosts canceled the event. What were the circumstances? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Congressman Jerry Nadler is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which drafted the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Nadler is now one of seven Congresspersons who will serve as prosecutors during the Senate trial. Congressman Nadler was born in Brooklyn to Jewish parents, and is the only current member of Congress to have a Yeshiva education. When Congressman Nadler ran for reelection in 2016, he faced primary opposition from Oliver Rosenberg, a gay Yeshiva University graduate who switched his registration from Republican to Democratic in 2012. Rosenberg was particularly critical of Nadler’s vote in favor of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. What famous person placed robocalls to district voters criticizing Nadler, who went on to win that primary and reelection to his 14th term? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

In 1975, Israeli writer Alona Frankel wrote a toilet training book for her child that became universally used in Israel and around the world, and is still in print today. The child finally succeeds at the task, and ends the book by saying “Bye-bye, wee-wee, Bye-bye, poo-poo.” What is the title of that children’s book? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

[A]n Israeli startup named REE has brought its own ingenuity to auto design. What is the unique feature of the automobile they are developing? [humor column by Mark D. Zimmerman]

Miriam Adelson, who is the current publisher of Israel Hayom, told investigators, among other things, that Sara Netanyahu complained that when Israel Hayom published a picture of her, the picture was too small. What bad consequence did Sara Netanyahu say would befall Bibi because Israel Hayom did not defend him enough? [Humor column by Mark Zimmerman]

Impeachment hearings for President Donald Trump focus on his withholding of Congressionally-authorized United States aid to Ukraine in order to first get a Ukrainian commitment to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. It is alleged that this was an extortion effort by Trump for the purpose of hurting his Democratic rival and benefiting his own reelection efforts. Hunter Biden has what Jewish connection in his life? [Humor column by Mark D. Zimmerman]

Prior to starting WeWork, Neumann unsuccessfully pursued other business ideas, including the design of a line of women’s shoes with collapsible heels. Which of the following was another one of Neumann’s failed business concepts? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Halloween is controversial in many segments of the Jewish community. Halloween originated as a pagan festival, and was later adapted by the Catholic Church as All Hallow’s Eve, preceding All Saints Day on November 1. Because of these roots, many Jews do not consider the holiday appropriate to celebrate; however, others view it simply in modern-day terms as an American fun neighborhood celebration with candy, costumes, and parties. Given that history, the holiday is largely unrecognized in Israel, though in recent years there have been some Halloween celebrations–not door-to-door trick-or-treating for children, but among young people who celebrate in nightclubs, bars, and community centers. [Mark D. Zimmerman]

In a rare move, President Donald Trump backed down from one of his highly-criticized plans—to hold next year’s G-7 meeting at Trump National Doral, one of his many hotel/resorts world-wide. The plan was seen as a violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which prohibits government officials from receiving money and gifts from foreign governments. Trump has previously been denounced for maintaining his ownership and/or control over many golf resorts, hotels, and other facilities, all potentially a violation of that clause. The Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC recently instituted a change to make that property more attractive to Jews. What was that change? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

The Talmud references camels in discussions regarding the holiday of Sukkot. What did the rabbis say about camels and Sukkot?

Yom Kippur, also known as Yom Hakippurim, means “Day of Atonement.” What is another explanation for the name Yom Kippur or Yom Hakippurim? (To read more, please click on headline.)

The current president of Ukraine is Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky defeated incumbent President Petro Poroshenko with 73% of the vote in April, 2019. He is now at the center of a controversy regarding a whistleblower complaint within the United States Intelligence service that purports to indicate that President Donald Trump improperly pressured Zelensky to assist him in his electoral campaign, particularly in trying to besmirch Joe Biden. Prior to his election as president, Zelensky, who is Jewish, was a comedian and actor who appeared in numerous movies and television shows. One of Zelensky’s roles was as the lead character in Servant of the People. What was the plot of Servant of the People? (click headline to read more)