Weekly Quiz - Pre 2019
Sheldon Adelson
Sheldon Adelson, the casino business magnate and philanthropist, has offered to pay for the building of the new United States embassy in Jerusalem (a move which could have political implications, and may not be legal). Adelson, a strong supporter of Republican politicians in America and a huge backer of Benjamin Netanyahu, has offered words of wisdom on a variety of subjects over the years. Which of the following quotes was said by Sheldon Adelson?
If Sheldon Adelson isn’t the most photogenic man in Vegas… by East Coast Gambler is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
A. So Israel won’t be a democratic state, so what.
B. The report card for a commercial enterprise is making money.
C. I had a CD on Islamic jihad. I brought it to the White House and told the chief of staff, “I would like the President to see this.” It really is amazing that we have this influence.
D. I’m against very wealthy people attempting to or influencing elections. But as long as it’s doable I'm going to do it.
E. I think Jews should have lots of sex. That is the solution to our demographic problem.
Bibi’s Scandals
Israeli police have recommended that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted based on two separate charges, one for accepting almost $300,000 in bribes (including champagne and fancy cigars) from a Hollywood mogul and an Australian billionaire, and the other for offering preferential treatment to an Israeli newspaper in exchange for favorable coverage. Netanyahu has been at the center of many controversies during his time in office, including spending $1600 in public funds on a hairdresser during a New York trip, and more than $2700 on vanilla and pistachio ice cream from his favorite Jerusalem ice cream parlor. When Netanyahu traveled to England for the funeral of British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in 2013, he was criticized for what action?
Benjamin Netanyahu - Caricature by DonkeyHotey is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
A. Netanyahu spent more than $6000 for the expenses of bringing a kosher chef with him from Jerusalem to prepare his meals at his hotel (despite the availability of many kosher chefs in London). The Israeli chef prepared meals ranging from oatmeal for breakfast to a kosher version of bangers and mash, the traditional British meal of sausages and mashed potatoes, which the Prime Minister’s Office said was “in honor of Netanyahu’s departed friend, Mrs. Thatcher.”
B. Though Netanyahu and his wife spent only two days in London, they brought 12 suitcases of clothing with them at a cost of more than $3000 in extra transportation fees. Said the Office of the Prime Minister, “Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife are representing the state of Israel at the funeral of Mrs. Thatcher, as well as attending a number of meetings with other world leaders while in London. It is important that Mr. and Mrs. Netanyahu be prepared for the variety of events as well as the unpredictable weather in England.”
C. During his visit to London for the Thatcher funeral, Netanyahu arranged for a private tour of the Sackler Gallery at the British Museum. The gallery had a special exhibit of Judaica, including items found in the Cairo Geniza by Solomon Schechter. Because of security needs, the Museum was closed to the public for Netanyahu’s visit, costing the Israeli government in excess of $210,000.
D. The government spent more than $127,000 of public funds for the installation of a double bed on the airplane for Netanyahu’s flight to London. The Office issued a statement saying that it was “appropriate that he be able to rest” on the 5-hour flight.
E. While in England for Prime Minister Thatcher’s funeral, Netanyahu arranged for a private tour of the Tower of London, led by London Mayor Boris Johnson. When viewing the exhibit of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, Bibi saw St. Edward’s Crown, originally worn by Charles II at his coronation in 1661 and used by most future monarchs as well. Bibi placed the crown on his head while his wife Sara took a cell phone video, as Netanyahu sang “Bibi, Melech Yisrael” to the shock of Mayor Johnson and his entourage.
Winter Olympics
The story of the Jamaican bobsled team captured the world’s attention at the 1988 Winter Olympics. And now, another unlikely team, the Israeli bobsled team, has qualified for the first time to participate in the Winter Olympic games in PyeongChang, with four-time Israeli National champion A. J. Edelman competing in this year’s skeleton event. The Israeli Bobsled and Skeleton Team was founded in 2002 and began competing under what team nickname?
_MG_4781 by Jude Freeman is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
A. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Bobsled.
B. The Frozen Chosen.
C. Shul Runnings.
D. The Bob-ka Sledders.
E. The Snow Cohens.
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake provided the halftime entertainment at yesterday’s Super Bowl LII. In 2014, Timberlake performed a concert at Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Park. In what way did someone honor Timberlake for that appearance?
Justin Timberlake by Shelby Casanova is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
A. A community garden near the concert venue was renamed Gan Timberlake (Timberlake Garden) in honor of the singer, an outspoken advocate of vegetarian eating, who made a donation to the group that oversees the garden.
B. New York’s Carnegie Deli had a branch in Tel Aviv, where a sandwich was named the Justin, honoring the singer’s Tel Aviv performance. Celebrating Timberlake’s hit song SexyBack, the sandwich featured baby back beef ribs on rye bread.
C. In anticipation of Timberlake’s Israeli concert, the farmers at Israel’s Moshav Ein Yahav named a new fruit variety the Justin melon. The melon has an unusually long three week shelf life, leading the farmers to note that they hoped that it would be a good luck charm for the performer, “bringing him a long, healthy life and continued success in his musical career.”
D. Beit Daniel, a Reform synagogue in Tel Aviv, hosted a Friday night service on the weekend of Timberlake’s concert, which they titled “Justin Time for Shabbat.” The congregation sang prayers to the tune of some of Timberlake’s songs, and the service was attended by a Jewish member of Timberlake’s road crew.
E. A United States teen tour group from NCSY, the youth division of the Orthodox Union, was in Tel Aviv at the time of the Timberlake concert. The teens were told that they were not allowed to attend the concert as the organization did not approve of Timberlake’s very sexy persona and music, including such songs as SexyBack, Rock Your Body, and Love Sex Magic. However, a group of the teens not only attended the concert, but used markers to alter their NCSY t-shirts to instead read NSYNC, a reference to the boy band that Timberlake sang with earlier in his career. The teens were busted when Timberlake saw the shirts and brought one of the teens onto the stage to dance with him, which was then broadcast on the local news.