Arab American Heritage
This actress is likely most thought of as a Mexican American, however was born to a Lebanese father. She rose to fame alongside Antonio Banderas in the movie 'Desperado', was the lead in 'Frida' among many other blockbusters. She has also become an activist for female victims of domestic abuse, immigrant rights, and refugees.
Who is Salma Hayek?
This Ghostbuster was diagnosed with Asperger' syndrome in his 50's, and uses his platform to raise autism awareness through charities and organizations.
Who is Dan Aykroyd?
This blind and deaf American educator was a prominent socio-political activist. She was also the first deaf and blind person to earn a bachelors degree, and became a world famous speaker and author.
Who is Helen Keller?
True or False:
In 1865, American Jews honored Abraham Lincoln during their Passover holiday service.
True
The 16th American president was shot at Ford’s Theatre on a Friday, April 14, 1865, which coincided with the fourth night of Passover. The next morning, Jews who wouldn’t normally have attended services on the holiday were so moved by Lincoln’s passing, they made their way to synagogues, where the normally celebratory Passover services were instead marked by acts of mourning and the singing of Yom Kippur hymns. American Jews were so affected by the president’s death that Congregation Shearith Israel in New York recited the prayer for the dead – usually said only for Jews – on Lincoln’s behalf.
Said to have been discovered by the Jacksons, this person of Syrian descent Straight Up took the music industry by storm as a singer, dancer, and choreographer. She also became a host on American Idol, The X Factor, and So You Think You Can Dance.
Who is Paula Abdul?
This Argentinian soccer player has been open with his diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome and overcoming his difficulties with social interaction and communication, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
Who is Lionel Messi?
This person is one of the most famous composers that ever lived, lost 60% of his hearing by the age of 31 and became completely deaf at 46. He wrote music even when completely deaf since he was able to retain how instruments and voices sounded, and would still perform publicly in symphonies as a conductor.
Who is Ludwig Van Beethoven?
Hasidic Jews from Brooklyn have incrasingly sourcing wheat for their Passover Matzah from farmers in which state:
A. Arizona
B. Florida
C. California
D. Utah
A. Arizona
Excessive moisture in wheat kernels can result in fermentation, rendering the harvest unsuitable for Passover use. But rain is scarce in Arizona, which allows for a stricter standard of matzah production. Rabbis from New York travel to Arizona in the days leading up to the harvest, where they inspect the grains meticulously to ensure they are cut at the precise moisture levels.
This person took a zero- carbon voyage from Europe to the United States to raise awareness of climate change?
Who is Greta Thunberg?
Of Lebanese heritage, this Heisman trophy winner pulled off a last second hail mary to defeat the Miami Hurricanes, dubbing it the "Miracle in Miami", as well as the "Hail ______" after his last name.
Who is Doug Flutie?
This musical artist, also diagnosed with Asperger's as a child, remembers faking sick to stay home from school where he was shy and awkward, and preferred to be at home writing poetry, drawing comic book characters and reading. He later became one of the greats in rap music.
Who is Eminem/Marshall Mathers?
This famous inventor developed hearing loss in one ear and deafness in the other at the age of 12, however instead of feeling like it hindered him, he felt it was a blessing because it let him focus on his research and inventions without distractions.
Who is Thomas Edison?
One of the rules of passover is to not eat this food item, which is known as hametz in Hebrew, and some Jews will go as far as completely ridding their houses of this food product.
What is bread?
Leavened and fermented grain products are prohibited to commemorate our freedom from Egyptian slavery. When the Jews escaped Egypt (led by Moses), they didn't have time to let their breads rise before going into the desert. Because of this, any type of leavened bread or bread product is prohibited during Passover.
Earth Day's founding is said to be partially inspired by protestors against this major event.
What is the Vietnam War?
Also of Lebanese descent, this radio and television personality became a hit nationwide, and is very well known for with his American Top 40 Countdown.
Who is Casey Kasem?
As a child, this person experienced severe speech delay and echolalia (when an autistic individual repeats or echoes, words, sounds, or phrases that they have heard), leading experts to conclude he was autistic. Regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time, he went on to win the Nobel Prize in physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, and also invented the first lazer.
Who is Albert Einstein?
This Late Show host became deaf in his right ear as a child due to a tumor. To remove it safely, the doctors had to remove his eardrum as well. His dream of becoming a marine biologist was taken away from him because he would not be able to scuba dive. He took an interest in acting in college, which set the stage for his now career.
Who is Stephen Colbert?
This is the name for the ceremonial feast held at the beginning of Passover.
What is a Seder?
In 1970, students at Florida Technological University held a mock trial for ______, accusing it of air pollution.
Bonus points if you know what Florida Technological University is now known as.
What is a Chevrolet?
This award winning actor of Egyptian descent, played a wide range of roles from Freddie Mercury, to a James Bond Villain.
Who is Rami Malek?
Diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as a child, Satoshi Tajiri struggled with social interaction. He found solace in collecting insects and became very fascinated with video games, and went on to create one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. This video game franchise is ________.
What is Pokemon?
This actress lost almost 80% of her hearing in her left ear after a domestic violence incident. She was able to not let that stop her from reaching her goals, and took the movie industry by storm (hint hint) and became the first black woman to win an academy award for best actress.
Who is Halle Berry?
This is known as "the bread of affliction" and is said to be the consummate symbol of Passover.
What is matzah?
Why matzah is allowed is because it is an unleavened cracker, usually made from wheat. its baked quickly before the batter has a chance to rise, because of the haste in which they Jews had to leave Egypt, hence the reason for leaving no time for the bread to rise.
The first Earth Day eventually led to the creation of this government agency.
What is the EPA/Environmental Protection Agency?