Month: May 2022

Tofu

Tofu is a protein-rich food that is a popular meat substitute. It originated in China some 2,000 years ago and is a staple of Asian cuisine. Though tofu itself is fairly bland, what it lacks in flavor it makes up for in versatility; it comes in a range textures and works well in both sweet and savory dishes. Like cheese, tofu is made from coagulated milk. The difference is that tofu uses soy milk, made by soaking, grinding, boiling, and straining dried soybeans. What is “thousand-layer tofu”? Discuss

King Hussein of Jordan Enthroned (1953)

Jordan’s King Hussein reigned from 1953 until his death in 1999, ascending the throne after his father was declared mentally unfit to rule. Hussein generally espoused a pro-Western policy that brought him into conflict with Arab leftist leaders and Palestinians in Jordan. His neutral stance during the Gulf War and a 1994 peace treaty with Israel secured his reputation as a moderating force in Middle Eastern politics. As a teen, Hussein survived an attempt on his life. What allegedly saved him? Discuss

Festival of Sant' Efisio

The Sagra di Sant’ Efisio at Cagliari, in Sardinia, Italy, commemorates the martyrdom of a 3rd-century Roman general who was converted to Christianity and credited with saving the town from the plague. On May 1, a procession accompanies a statue of St. Efisio through the streets of Cagliari to the church of Pula, the town where he suffered martyrdom. Three days later, the statue returns to Cagliari. Several thousand pilgrims, wearing costumes that date from the 17th century and earlier, take part in the procession, which culminates in a parade down Cagliari’s main avenue. Discuss

Theodor Herzl (1860)

Herzl was the founder of modern Zionism. A journalist, he was sent to Paris to report on the Dreyfus Affair and was appalled by the vicious anti-Semitism he observed. Concluding that Jewish assimilation in Europe was impossible and that the only solution to the Jewish problem was the establishment of a Jewish national state, Herzl organized the first Zionist World Congress. At the time of his death, Herzl’s organization was considering establishing a Jewish homeland in what region of the world? Discuss

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is the largest pyramid ever built. A mass of limestone blocks covering 13 acres (5.3 hectares), it was originally 756 feet (230 m) along each side of its base and 482 feet (147 m) high. It has several passages, two large chambers in addition to one below ground level, and two small air chambers for ventilation. It is believed to have been built as the tomb of fourth dynasty Egyptian King Khufu, who was known by what Greek name? Discuss