Bambi's Thoughts
In about two weeks, it will be Christmas. How charming that snow is already here. Are you familiar with the voices of two great Canadian singers from Québec, Ms. Isabelle Boulay and Ms. Laurence Jalbert? Bambi is always moved when she hears their warm singing voices. This brief post is a musical tribute to them and a friendly nod to Christmas!
A mezuzah is a small sort of box, which is placed on the right doorpost of Jewish homes or of apartments where a Jewish person lives. The mezuzah includes a tiny parchment scroll with verses from the Torah. This piece of spirituality on houses and apartments means the world to Jewish people as it is a form of blessing of their safe and cozy place of living.
Well, imagine, that the “Toronto police’s Hate Crime Unit is investigating after multiple Jewish prayer scrolls were removed from the doorways of units in a TCHC apartment building in North York” (https://tinyurl.com/ycxhaana). Is there anything more shocking, and totally unacceptable, as this act of hateful vandalism meant to intimidate Jewish Torontonians?
Bearing the above in mind, another shocking story of discrimination also occurred in Toronto recently. This ordeal happened to a top model, called Ms. Miriam Mattova, who was kicked out of an Uber taxi for being Jewish. It seems that she had mentioned to a friend with whom she chatted on FaceTime a recent trip she made to Israel (https://tinyurl.com/y5jducwd; https://tinyurl.com/ymsb8j4t). According to this 33-year-old model, the driver stopped the car and kicked her out, pretending not feeling comfortable driving her and adding that “they do not drive Jewish people“. Disgusting, isn’t it?
Put yourself in the shoes of this passenger for seconds, dear readers, would this be acceptable for you? How would you feel if you have been treated in this way? Put yourself in the shoes of the Uber company, would the service of your employee be acceptable? And what about us as a society, collectively: where are we heading with such stories of intolerance, discrimination, or social violence against our fellow citizens? Is this the Canada that we want to live in today, in 5, 10, and 25 years?
Bambi just read in L’Orient Today that a young Lebanese comedian, Mr. Mario Moubarak, was detained and released by the General Security because of a clip from one of his sketches, which included a joke about Jesus.
What a sick and sad world we live in when we cannot even joke and laugh about any topic, including religion or faith. This joke, which was taken out of context (a classic in censorship cases) seemed to have been that the funeral of Jesus Christ was not successful because he has risen from the dead: “Jesus’ burial probably wasn’t successful, since in the end he got up” was the precise joke. Is there anything funnier than this original joke (https://tinyurl.com/2kav2rb7)?
Bambi made the above favourable comment, even if Jesus Christ happens to be “her” God (in her heart), just like for Mr. Moubarak who made the following statement: “The one-minute portion currently circulating is part of a 20-minute segment that has been available on YouTube for six months. In stand-up, context is essential to understanding the idea. There was no intention to harm or blaspheme Christ. I am Christian, attended a Catholic school, and Christianity has always been an important part of my life. That is why I addressed it in my show, with no intention to hurt anyone’s feelings.” He also thanked those who had supported him“.
Of note, Bambi would have made the same comment , had this comedian been of a different faith or atheist.
Bearing the above in mind, L’Orient Today’s article ended with the following alarming facts: “A source close to Moubarak said the Christian group Les Soldats du Seigneur was the first to share the clip “for malicious reasons, making it appear as though Mario himself had just posted it.” The source added that the comedian has received “numerous death threats” after his phone number was circulated online. Lebanese General Security questioned Moubarak upon his arrival at Beirut airport, later releasing him while confiscating his passport and phone, according to information obtained Friday night”.
Bambi recalls having had an old post about this odd, extreme group, calling itself “Soldats du Seigneurs” [Soldiers of the Lord]. This being said, regardless of this group’s involvement or not, it is totally unacceptable to threaten Mr. Moubarak’s life.
Furthermore, it is highly disturbing and unacceptable to learn that the Lebanese General Security arrested Mr. Mario Moubarak upon his return to the country, confiscating his phone and passport. All this because of a joke? Where is the legendary sense of humour of the people of Lebanon gone?
Of note, From other Lebanese media sources on YouTube called Red TV, Bambi learned about a lawyer, Ms. Aimée Helou, who caused Mr. Moubarak this legal hassle. Ms. Helou did this in her personal name, it seems. How sad to see a legal expert dishonouring a precious value in both her country and profession, namely the protection of freedom of expression of a fellow citizen. In this case his artistic expression.
To conclude this post, Bambi has never heard about Mr. Moubarak until today. She will take the time to listen to his sketches from now on. Even if she might not understand specific jokes if they are too culturally charged (she has been away of Lebanon for too long), she knows the following very clearly: she stands by his right to freedom of expression whether his jokes are related to Christianity, Islam, Judaism, atheism, or anything else, including sex. Thanks to him for making our world a bit lighter.
Last night and earlier today, the first major snow storm of the season hit Atlantic Canada.
Welcome snow! Hello winter!
On June 2026, Bambi will start her 36th year in Canada. Yes, time flies as we age.
Time flies yet some elements remain constant in Bambi’s life and mind, including the perceived charm of our beautiful Canadian winter.
Today, Bambi’s thoughts go to newcomers who may be seeing the snow for the first time.
She still has vivid memories of her first own winter storm in Montreal. It happened on a school day, when she was in CEGEP, and she happily danced under the snow in the middle of Fairmount Avenue during a break between her courses :).
Yes, before migrating to Canada, she had seen snow on the beautiful Lebanese mountains. Regularly from far away (i.e., the view from Beirut). On a handful of occasions, she saw snow closer. She even played with it. Yet, she was thrilled and fascinated by the beauty of this peaceful white scene on the streets of Montreal in the late fall of 1990.
What about you, dear readers? Do you like snow? Do you see it often? What do you like about it, if you do enjoy it? And why would you dislike it, if that’s it the case for you? Do you have good winter memories from your childhood? With you own children or maybe grandchildren? Perhaps with other loved ones, younger or older, or on your own?
Whatever the season, scenery, or weather forecast where you are located right now, be safe, warm, and enjoy the present moment, just like in Fairuz’s song celebrating snow.
Today, Bambi was moved to the core by the images coming out of her birth county. As you can see in the brief YouTube video below, Pope Leo XIV received a WARM welcome by everyone, from all walks of life and religious backgrounds, especially by youth.
Many old and young people travelled within the tiny country from ALL its different regions, including the destroyed south, to come to greet the Pope. Some even came from abroad while others visited from Syria and Irak, as he kindly acknowledged them all.
Pope Leo XVI embraced youth’s energy, listened to their inspiring stories or songs, and brought a breath of fresh air to all. He surely contributed to consolidate their faith, at the spiritual, human, civil, and universal levels. He also encouraged their loyalty for their country (i.e., asking them not to migrate anymore, if at all possible).
By emphasizing the values of kindness, forgiveness, interpersonal peace, and unity, Pope Leo XVI seemed to have implicitly validated Lebanese people’s desperate aspirations for peace, individually, domestically, and regionally. Perhaps most significantly, he may have acted as a role model for an agent of peace. It is Bambi’s hope that young people will value, demand, and insist on contributing to peace.
For all the above, thank you Holy Father Leo for being a ray of light in the darkness. As for Lebanon, may it find peace and rise in order to flourish and shine again.
