Winnipeg's Jewish, Filipino communities united by film showing WW II link
Rescue in the Philippines chronicles how the country helped Jewish refugees fleeing Nazis
Winnipeg's Jewish and Filipino communities came together in an emotional gathering Monday night as they learned about how the Philippines came to the aid of Jewish refugees during the Second World War.
The screening took place at the Asper Jewish Community Campus and began with the Israeli and Filipino national anthems being sung by two separate singers, before both singers sang the Canadian anthem together.
"To see the two anthems being sung side-by-side, and to know that there was this link between us … I had never known about this other link," said Chana Thau, whose father was a Holocaust survivor.
"It puts a bit of positive light on the fact that there were some people who acted right."
Monday marks 77 years since the Nazis in Germany nearly killed 100 Jews and arrested many others, as well as destroyed synagogues and vandalized Jewish homes, schools and businesses, as part of Kristallnacht, often referred to as the "Night of Broken Glass."
Rescue in the Philippines reveals that while many countries turned away Jewish refugees as they tried to flee the Nazi regime, about 1,200 refugees were allowed into the Philippines.
Among those who watched the documentary were Nila and Tito Alejandria, who said they also had no idea there was a link between Filipinos and Jews during the war.
"This is the first time that [we] have seen this one, so we're really glad that we came," said Nila Alejandria.
A plaque unveiled after the documentary screening commemorates the connection, but Tito Alejandria said he believes that link will become even stronger now.
"Very proud that I am Filipino," he said.