Son of Hamas enjoys a kosher meal; Kallisto Klezmer band to perform

MIKE COHEN

FYi

The Green Prince, Mosab Hassan Yousef, better known as the Son of Hamas, was greeted like a head of state when he spoke to over 1,300 people at The Chevra in Snowdon on Nov. 26. Along with a strong police presence, the synagogue hired the Titan Security firm which did what the cops could not last summer and dismantled the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill. Yousef was introduced by community leader Roslyn Margles, who was first to bring him to Montreal some 13 years ago. Yousef was also supposed to speak at McGill University, but that event was cancelled for fear of violence. Stated Rabbi Asher Jacobson: “People called us to say, ‘you should cancel.’ We are not bowing to pressure! We are not going to be intimidated.” The son of a Hamas co-founder and former spy for Israel, Son of Hamas enjoyed a nice kosher dinner catered by Alan Serour of Beso Montreal — mushroom dumplings and arancini, fish tacos and some spring rolls, before signing copies of his provocative book to a select few people with VIP tickets. Yousef maintains that the root of all Middle East violence is in Iran. “My eyes are on Tehran, the head of the snake,” he said. “It’s the responsibility of every free person in the world to put an end (to) this Islamic Republic (Iran). As long as he (the ayatollah) is alive, we are going to have a problem in the Middle East.”

The Chevra is gaining a reputation for attracting some of the most engaging speakers, from the emotional Beit Halochem Concert , best-selling author Mitch Albom and more recently Son of Hamas. At the VIP cocktail, people were buying copies of Yousef’s gripping book Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices. He signed copies, posed for photos and engaged in a bit of banter. Yousef is the son of the co-founder of Hamas, Ergo his nickname. The event was part of The Chevra’s $1 million fundraising campaign to support the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks. Rabbi Jacobson announced at the beginning of the evening that $750,000 had been raised in just under a year. Since that date the rabbi tells me they have gotten a lot closer to their objective.

Yousef maintains that the root of all Middle East violence is in Iran. “My eyes are on Tehran, the head of the snake,” he said “It’s the responsibility of every free person in the world to put an end (to) this Islamic Republic (Iran). As long as he (the ayatollah) is alive, we are going to have a problem in the Middle East.”

The best way for Gazans and Israelis to finally eliminate Hamas, he insists, is for the Egyptian army to hunt down Hamas members in Gaza and find the hostages.

Yousef said that when Oct. 7 happened “it was like an earthquake for me. I wanted to go into silence. I was leading a very simple life. But that morning, the lion within me awakened, a volcano was about to erupt. I made a decision to burn this evil down to ashes.”

it was like an earthquake for me,” he said. “I wanted to go into silence. I was leading a very simple life. But that morning the lion with me. I’m following my moral compass and taking my own moral responsibility. For me this is not a business, it’s the future of children, the future of the region, the future of humanity; it’s a fundamental fight.”

KLEZMER FUSION: Kallisto, a klezmer fusion band here in Montreal, has two concerts planned on Sat. Dec. 14 (7:30 pm) at Café Aux Angles Rond (5333 boul. St Laurent) and on Sun. Dec. 15 (8 pm) at La Sala Rossa (4848 boul. St Laurent). For the former they will welcome special guest Jordan Hirsch, New York klezmer trumpet virtuoso and bandleader, who will lead a workshop. Adding to the excitement, Toronto’s Queen Kong leader and phenomenal percussionist, Lorie Wolf, will join Kallisto for an evening of vibrant klezmer music. As for the latter, the night will opens with the soulful sounds of Farzad Milani, a Persian singer, accordionist, and composer, setting a mesmerizing tone. Renowned klezmer violinist Zoe Aqua and multi-talented accordionist, singer, composer, and rapper Josh Dolgin will also take the stage for an unforgettable set. After the intermission, Kallisto will bring their signature blend of klezmer, Eastern European, and Balkan influences to life. For the grand finale, all musicians will join Kallisto to perform an exhilarating set of original and traditional klezmer tunes, opening the dance floor for an unforgettable jam session. Admission is available at the door.

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