An estimated 7 million people attended No Kings rallies across America and in many foreign countries. Attendees protested Donalds Trump’s actions which are seen by many as counter to democracy. In calling for the strengthening of democratic rule, protestors pointed out such actions by Trump as court actions against Trump’s opponents, forcing corporations and universities to kowtow to his demands under threat of litigation, propelling his anti-immigrant stance through illegal arrests and deportations, and accusing members of the free press of being enemies of the American people.
While there was not a No Kings rally in Israel, the Jewish people have a mixed history with kingship. For example, in 1264, King Boleslaw of Poland issued the Statute of Kalisz, granting Jews personal freedom, legal autonomy, and protections against forced baptism and blood libel. In the 14th century, King Pedro I of Spain had so many Jewish advisors that his enemies referred to the “Jewish court.” But most European monarchs were not friends to the Jews, with such people as King Edward I of England, King Philip IV of France, and King Ferdinand II (and Queen Isabella I) of Spain all expelling Jews from their lands and/or forcing conversions.
The Jewish people themselves have a history of kingship, starting with King Saul, followed by his son King David, and then his son King Solomon. After Solomon’s reign, the Jewish kingdom split into two–Israel and Judah, and each was led by a succession of kings, practically none of whom were considered good leaders of the Jewish people. For example, King Jeroboam of the Kingdom of Israel forced the people to participate in idolatrous practices, King Ahab of Israel built a temple for Baal, and Kings Zimri, Jehu, Shallum, Menahem, Pekah and many more became king by assassinating their predecessors. What was Athaliah, whose reign followed the assassination of King Ahaziah in the Kingdom of Judah, known for?
No Kings by Mark D. Zimmerman is in the public domain
A. It says in II Chronicles that King Ahaziah followed the bad practices of King Ahab because Athaliah “counseled him to do evil.”
B. Athalia established a Baalist cult in the Kingdom of Judah.
C. Athaliah seized the throne upon King Ahaziah’s assassination by murdering all the rivals to the throne.
D. Athaliah attempted to assassinate all of the line of King David, but did not know that one descendant, Joash, was saved and hidden at that time, and he then became king at age 7 upon Athaliah’s assassination.
E. Athalia was not actually a king of Judah, but rather she was female and was the only queen to ever reign over the combined kingdom or Israel or Judah.
Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her efforts to support democracy in her country. Machado, a Conservative former member of the Venezuelan national assembly, has opposed the socialist rule that has dominated the country for the past 25 years, and in particular, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been condemned by human rights advocates. After last year’s presidential election, Machado and her supporters were able to show evidence that the election was stolen, with Maduro’s opponent actually winning by a 2 to 1 margin. But Maduro instituted a brutal crackdown against his opposition, forcing Machado to go into hiding, where she continued her efforts to restore democracy, leading to her receiving the Nobel Prize.
Donald Trump had been nominated for this year’s prize for his efforts to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Twice before, the Nobel Peace Prize was given in recognition of peace efforts between Israel and its Arab neighbors. In 1978 the award was given to Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and in 1994 the award was shared by Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres of Israel and PLO leader Yasser Arafat.
When Jimmy Carter met with Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin in 1978 to forge what became the Camp David Accords (leading to the Nobel Prize) Carter focused on private meetings of the three leaders separate from the many policy advisors who accompanied the leaders. Early on, President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked into the office at Carter’s Camp David cabin, followed by Begin and Sadat. There was an awkward moment as the two Middle East leaders had to decide who would enter next. How did Rosalynn Carter later describe how this scene played out?
A. As the First Lady wrote later, the two men stood there, each hesitating in order to let the other enter first. Said Rosalynn, “Jimmy said to me that Begin would never go ahead of Sadat, being perfectly proper according to protocol—president above prime minister.”
B. Said Rosalynn Carter, “I looked back as the two men stood there, side by side. Suddenly Sadat looked at Begin and motioned for him to go, saying ‘Please, sir, age before beauty.’ Begin froze in his place and glared at Sadat as the Secret Service agents stiffened. I held my breath as Begin lifted his hand and pointed his finger in Sadat’s face, until he spoke, saying, ‘You are one funny guy, Anwar,’ as a smile burst out across his face.”
C. As the First Lady wrote later, the two men stood there, each hesitating in order to let the other enter first. Said Rosalynn, “Jimmy said to me that Sadat would never go ahead of Begin, being perfectly proper according to protocol—prime minister above president.”
D. In Rosalynn Carter’s autobiography, First Lady From Plains, she wrote, “It was so moving to see Mr. Sadat step aside at the door and say to Prime Minister Begin, ‘Your people are taught to love your neighbors as yourself because you were strangers in Egypt. Please, Mr. Begin, you go first. And I assure you that you will no longer be a stranger in Egypt.’ ”
E. Rosalynn Carter spoke of this moment in Jonathan Alter’s biography, His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, where she said, “My husband and I entered the cabin, but I then noticed that the two gentlemen were still standing outside. ‘You first,’ said Begin, to which Sadat replied, ‘No sir, please, you go.’ Each held his ground until the almost 6 foot tall Sadat finally said to the diminutive Begin, ‘Please, my friend, hop on board,’ after which Begin climbed upon Sadat’s shoulders and they entered together.”
Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her efforts to support democracy in her country. Machado, a Conservative former member of the Venezuelan national assembly, has opposed the socialist rule that has dominated the country for the past 25 years, and in particular, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been condemned by human rights advocates. After last year’s presidential election, Machado and her supporters were able to show evidence that the election was stolen, with Maduro’s opponent actually winning by a 2 to 1 margin. But Maduro instituted a brutal crackdown against his opposition, forcing Machado to go into hiding, where she continued her efforts to restore democracy, leading to her receiving the Nobel Prize.
Donald Trump had been nominated for this year’s prize for his efforts to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Twice before, the Nobel Peace Prize was given in recognition of peace efforts between Israel and its Arab neighbors. In 1978 the award was given to Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and in 1994 the award was shared by Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres of Israel and PLO leader Yasser Arafat.
When Jimmy Carter met with Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin in 1978 to forge what became the Camp David Accords (leading to the Nobel Prize) Carter focused on private meetings of the three leaders separate from the many policy advisors who accompanied the leaders. Early on, President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked into the office at Carter’s Camp David cabin, followed by Begin and Sadat. There was an awkward moment as the two Middle East leaders had to decide who would enter next. How did Rosalynn Carter later describe how this scene played out?
A. As the First Lady wrote later, the two men stood there, each hesitating in order to let the other enter first. Said Rosalynn, “Jimmy said to me that Begin would never go ahead of Sadat, being perfectly proper according to protocol—president above prime minister.”
B. Said Rosalynn Carter, “I looked back as the two men stood there, side by side. Suddenly Sadat looked at Begin and motioned for him to go, saying ‘Please, sir, age before beauty.’ Begin froze in his place and glared at Sadat as the Secret Service agents stiffened. I held my breath as Begin lifted his hand and pointed his finger in Sadat’s face, until he spoke, saying, ‘You are one funny guy, Anwar,’ as a smile burst out across his face.”
C. As the First Lady wrote later, the two men stood there, each hesitating in order to let the other enter first. Said Rosalynn, “Jimmy said to me that Sadat would never go ahead of Begin, being perfectly proper according to protocol—prime minister above president.”
D. In Rosalynn Carter’s autobiography, First Lady From Plains, she wrote, “It was so moving to see Mr. Sadat step aside at the door and say to Prime Minister Begin, ‘Your people are taught to love your neighbors as yourself because you were strangers in Egypt. Please, Mr. Begin, you go first. And I assure you that you will no longer be a stranger in Egypt.’ ”
E. Rosalynn Carter spoke of this moment in Jonathan Alter’s biography, His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, where she said, “My husband and I entered the cabin, but I then noticed that the two gentlemen were still standing outside. ‘You first,’ said Begin, to which Sadat replied, ‘No sir, please, you go.’ Each held his ground until the almost 6 foot tall Sadat finally said to the diminutive Begin, ‘Please, my friend, hop on board,’ after which Begin climbed upon Sadat’s shoulders and they entered together.”
Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her efforts to support democracy in her country. Machado, a Conservative former member of the Venezuelan national assembly, has opposed the socialist rule that has dominated the country for the past 25 years, and in particular, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been condemned by human rights advocates. After last year’s presidential election, Machado and her supporters were able to show evidence that the election was stolen, with Maduro’s opponent actually winning by a 2 to 1 margin. But Maduro instituted a brutal crackdown against his opposition, forcing Machado to go into hiding, where she continued her efforts to restore democracy, leading to her receiving the Nobel Prize.
Donald Trump had been nominated for this year’s prize for his efforts to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Twice before, the Nobel Peace Prize was given in recognition of peace efforts between Israel and its Arab neighbors. In 1978 the award was given to Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and in 1994 the award was shared by Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres of Israel and PLO leader Yasser Arafat.
When Jimmy Carter met with Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin in 1978 to forge what became the Camp David Accords (leading to the Nobel Prize) Carter focused on private meetings of the three leaders separate from the many policy advisors who accompanied the leaders. Early on, President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked into the office at Carter’s Camp David cabin, followed by Begin and Sadat. There was an awkward moment as the two Middle East leaders had to decide who would enter next. How did Rosalynn Carter later describe how this scene played out?
A. As the First Lady wrote later, the two men stood there, each hesitating in order to let the other enter first. Said Rosalynn, “Jimmy said to me that Begin would never go ahead of Sadat, being perfectly proper according to protocol—president above prime minister.”
B. Said Rosalynn Carter, “I looked back as the two men stood there, side by side. Suddenly Sadat looked at Begin and motioned for him to go, saying ‘Please, sir, age before beauty.’ Begin froze in his place and glared at Sadat as the Secret Service agents stiffened. I held my breath as Begin lifted his hand and pointed his finger in Sadat’s face, until he spoke, saying, ‘You are one funny guy, Anwar,’ as a smile burst out across his face.”
C. As the First Lady wrote later, the two men stood there, each hesitating in order to let the other enter first. Said Rosalynn, “Jimmy said to me that Sadat would never go ahead of Begin, being perfectly proper according to protocol—prime minister above president.”
D. In Rosalynn Carter’s autobiography, First Lady From Plains, she wrote, “It was so moving to see Mr. Sadat step aside at the door and say to Prime Minister Begin, ‘Your people are taught to love your neighbors as yourself because you were strangers in Egypt. Please, Mr. Begin, you go first. And I assure you that you will no longer be a stranger in Egypt.’ ”
E. Rosalynn Carter spoke of this moment in Jonathan Alter’s biography, His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, where she said, “My husband and I entered the cabin, but I then noticed that the two gentlemen were still standing outside. ‘You first,’ said Begin, to which Sadat replied, ‘No sir, please, you go.’ Each held his ground until the almost 6 foot tall Sadat finally said to the diminutive Begin, ‘Please, my friend, hop on board,’ after which Begin climbed upon Sadat’s shoulders and they entered together.”
Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate for mayor of New York City, running against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an Independent after losing the Democratic primary. Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels (originally called the Magnificent 13), a private security organization, in 1977 to fight crime in the New York City subway system. Wearing red berets, the members, mostly Blacks and Hispanics, were unarmed and were trained in karate. Following the Crown Heights riot of 1992, Sliwa said of the difference between Blacks and Hasidic New Yorkers, “There is no fear that the Jewish community is going to come to the streets and loot and rob and rape. When in my lifetime have I ever seen a Hasid grab anyone’s pocketbook?” In his mayoral campaign, Sliwa has focused on the Jewish community, saying recently that “If you [the Jews] depend strictly on Gentiles, history is replete with instances where you’re going to be horribly disappointed.” What was he referring to?
A. He was referring to education, saying that Jews should be attending Jewish day schools, not New York City public schools. He also said, “The public schools are too focused on DEI. And trust me, Gentiles don’t consider Jews to be part of the equity.”
B. He was referring to circumcisions, noting that the number of Jewish babies getting circumcised in hospitals has increased significantly. “I would not trust a Gentile doctor to do that surgery on my son.”
C. He was referring to safety, saying Jews must protect themselves through organizations like the Shomrim (Jewish civilian patrol groups in Hasidic New York neighborhoods). He also stated that “We’ve never had more antisemitic attacks. Who’s in charge? Gentiles.”
D. He was referring to the United Nations, saying that Jews should not look to that body for a secure Israel. “Don’t waste your time asking for their help for the horrors visited upon Israel by Hamas. The Gentiles only really care about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, not the Jewish people in Israel.”
E. He was referring to the New York City mayoral election, saying “Gentiles like Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani will never put the interest of the Jewish community first.” When reminded that he is also a Gentile, Sliwa said, “Well, that's not really true. I consider myself to be a Goy, not a Gentile. I think that’s reason enough for New York’s Jews to vote for me.”
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! televisions show was temporarily taken off the air by the ABC Network and its parent corporation the Walt Disney Company. This followed remarks Jimmy Kimmel made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. President Trump and many on the right were critical of Kimmel, with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr saying “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” Serious questions have been raised as to whether this put improper pressure on the broadcasters, in effect squelching the free speech rights guaranteed in the Constitution.
Jimmy Kimmel has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, and the program has received multiple Emmy nominations. Kimmel has been mistaken by many to be Jewish, though he’s actually Roman Catholic. In 2017, a Jewish boy named Will Rubin held his bar mitzvah party with the theme “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” leading Kimmel to invite Will onto his show. Jon Stewart crashed the interview, telling Will that he should have chosen a Jewish talk show host for his theme, noting “Don’t be fooled by his [Kimmel’s] learned-looking beard and his puffy, sad eyes. He’s not rabbinical — he’s just unhealthy.” In 2022, Jimmy Kimmel presented a sketch calling out Kanye West for his antisemitic comments. The sketch presented a “cure” for antisemitism. What was that cure?
Jews around the world are preparing for Rosh Hashanah, which begins on the evening of September 22. Religious celebration of the holiday includes attending services on one or both days, hearing the blowing of the shofar, participating in tashlich (the ceremonial casting of sins into the water) and reciting prayers of penitence. Home celebrations focus on eating such foods as round challahs, honey cake, pomegranates, and apples dipped in honey. There are many Jewish communities who follow customs that are not necessarily common among most Jews. For example, Ethiopian Jewish spiritual leaders rise early on Rosh Hashanah and dressed in white, recite the first prayer service, followed by a communal meal of lamb stew and injira Ethiopian bread. Some Iraqi Jews hold a seder on Rosh Hashanah, eating beets, gourds, and dates. Why do some Turkish Jews dip their apples in sugar rather than honey on Rosh Hashanah?
A. Rabbi Chaim Palachi, chief rabbi of Izmir, ruled that honey is not kosher and therefore cannot be used for the dipping of apples. His ruling was based on a concern that the legs of the bees could be stuck in the honey, and since the insect is not kosher, the honey containing a body part of the insect must also be avoided.
B. There has been a huge increase in the number of dying bee colonies in recent years. There are a variety of factors being studied to explain this phenomenon, including habitat loss, pesticides, and parasites. Turkey is a huge producer of honey by its native Caucasian Honey Bee population, but there was a major colony collapse in 2017, wiping out a large portion of the bee community. As a result, the Chief Rabbi Isak Haleva, citing the concept of tzaar baalei chaim (a prohibition against causing harm to animals) declared that Jews should not use honey until the colony was restored.
C. One of the earliest known Jewish communities in the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) was in the village of Bursa. In 1427 there was a killer bee attack which decimated the community, with 23 children and 6 adults dying. Ever since, the community removed honey from their Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
D. Hürrem Sultan (known in English as Queen Hürrem) instituted a pogrom in the Jewish community of Constantinople in the mid-1600’s. As a result, Rabbi Shelomo Haim Alfandari, chief rabbi of the Ottoman Empire, ruled that no queen should be given honor among the Jews, and symbolically, the Jewish community extended this to queen bees and their honey-producing colonies.
E.Saturday Night Live introduced the Killer Bees sketch in their first season in 1975. The Killer Bees, led by guest host Elliot Gould, assaulted a young couple played by Chevy Chase and Gilda Radner. Elliot Gould’s Jewish family was from the Turkish town of Izmir (his birth name was Elliot Güzelses), and many Turkish Jews were outraged to see one of their own acting so violently. As a result, the head official at the Izmir synagogue, Gabbai Tom ben Gabbal, ruled that bees were evil and no pleasure should be derived from them or their honey.
Zabar’s is a New York Upper West Side market known for the many Jewish delicacies they sell, including bagels, smoked fish, and more. Zabar’s was founded in 1934 by a Ukrainian Jewish immigrant, Jacob Zabar (born Mordko Leib Zabarka), after he first rented a stall in a farmer’s market in Brooklyn. Zabar’s has become a part of popular culture, appearing in the movie You’ve Got Mail, and being referenced in television shows including Seinfeld, Friends, The West Wing, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, among others. Zabar’s just made another cultural connection outside of the food world in conjunction with the U. S. Open Tennis tournament which just ended in Flushing Meadows, New York. The Upper West Side shoe store West NYC is offering for sale a version of the iconic Adidas Rod Laver sneaker with colors matching the color theme of Zabar’s. According to West NYC, the shoe is offered with an aim of transforming “the classic sneakers into an unofficial part of the store’s [Zabar’s] uniform.” What is another example of an iconic fashion item making a partnership within the Jewish world?
A. The Lower East Side appetizing store Russ and Daughters teamed up with the fashion company Hermès, which produced a limited edition Birkin Bag featuring a picture of a bagel and lox above the word Appetizing.
B. Coach also co-branded with Zabar’s in 2022 when they offered their Cashin Carry Bag with the Zabar’s logo.
C. Following the Six Day War in 1967, Ralph Lauren introduced a special edition Polo Shirt which was only sold in Israel. In place of the polo player riding a horse and swinging a mallet, the horse rider is waving an Israeli flag.
D. Levi’s made a special edition of their classic 501 jeans in 1998 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. In place of the traditional Two Horse Logo, the jeans included a map of Israel on the label, and the pants were marketed as Levi’s 613 jeans.
E. The George S. Bailey Hat Company, producer of the iconic Davy Crockett Coonskin Cap, teamed up with Chabad Lubavitch in Brooklyn, New York to produce the Davy Crockett shtreimel, a large fur hat made from raccoon pelts with two raccoon tails, one trailing each side of the hat and blending in with the wearer’s payess.
This past week was the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s strike on New Orleans and the destruction which followed the failure of the federal levee system. Like everyone else in New Orleans, the Jewish community suffered greatly, including the destruction of the Orthodox synagogue Beth Israel and the dispersion of practically the entire Jewish population. But the Jewish community has largely been restored, with many institutions, such as the eight synagogues and the Jewish Community Center thriving. New Jewish organizations since Katrina include the Avodah Jewish Service Corps, Moishe House, and The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. One of the most famous Jewish residents of New Orleans was Judah Touro, an American businessman and philanthropist, who was the son of Cantor Isaac Touro, a Dutch-born American rabbi who served as cantor of the synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island that bears his name. Judah moved with his family from Newport to New York City, but when his father died, his mother moved her family to Boston. Judah’s mother then died, leaving Judah and his siblings to be raised by their aunt and uncle, Rachel and Moses Hays. As a young adult Judah moved to New Orleans, where he eventually amassed a fortune in business. When he died, he left huge sums of charity to many Jewish and other institutions, including what became New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital, synagogues across America, and Mishkenot Sha’ananim, the first Jewish residential settlement in Old Jerusalem. In New Orleans, Touro funded what became Touro Infirmary as well as the Reform congregation Touro Synagogue. While it’s not certain, what is the common belief as to why Judah Touro left Boston and moved to New Orleans?
A. Touro took a job teaching commerce and business at the University of Louisiana, which later became Tulane University.
B. Touro wanted to marry Catherine Hays, his first cousin, but his uncle Moses, Catherine’s father, would not allow it.
C. He got an offer from Samuel Zemmuray, a Jewish New Orleans businessman, to come and work for him in the banana trade between Central America and New Orleans.
D. Touro came to New Orleans because he was a supporter of slavery, and he did not feel comfortable remaining in the north.
E. Touro left Boston because he knew what it means to miss New Orleans.
This past week was the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s strike on New Orleans and the destruction which followed the failure of the federal levee system. Like everyone else in New Orleans, the Jewish community suffered greatly, including the destruction of the Orthodox synagogue Beth Israel and the dispersion of practically the entire Jewish population. But the Jewish community has largely been restored, with many institutions, such as the eight synagogues and the Jewish Community Center thriving. New Jewish organizations since Katrina include the Avodah Jewish Service Corps, Moishe House, and The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. One of the most famous Jewish residents of New Orleans was Judah Touro, an American businessman and philanthropist, who was the son of Cantor Isaac Touro, a Dutch-born American rabbi who served as cantor of the synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island that bears his name. Judah moved with his family from Newport to New York City, but when his father died, his mother moved her family to Boston. Judah’s mother then died, leaving Judah and his siblings to be raised by their aunt and uncle, Rachel and Moses Hays. As a young adult Judah moved to New Orleans, where he eventually amassed a fortune in business. When he died, he left huge sums of charity to many Jewish and other institutions, including what became New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital, synagogues across America, and Mishkenot Sha’ananim, the first Jewish residential settlement in Old Jerusalem. In New Orleans, Touro funded what became Touro Infirmary as well as the Reform congregation Touro Synagogue. While it’s not certain, what is the common belief as to why Judah Touro left Boston and moved to New Orleans?
A. Touro took a job teaching commerce and business at the University of Louisiana, which later became Tulane University.
B. Touro wanted to marry Catherine Hays, his first cousin, but his uncle Moses, Catherine’s father, would not allow it.
C. He got an offer from Samuel Zemmuray, a Jewish New Orleans businessman, to come and work for him in the banana trade between Central America and New Orleans.
D. Touro came to New Orleans because he was a supporter of slavery, and he did not feel comfortable remaining in the north.
E. Touro left Boston because he knew what it means to miss New Orleans.
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