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L-R:Perla Javate, Gloria Magpali,Larry and Tova Vickar
photo by Rod Cantiveros


Larry Vickar, speaking at the Shabbat Dinner
photo by Rod Cantiveros


Joy Lazo, Andrea Macasaet
photo by Rod Cantiveros


Jelynn Dela Cruz (MLA for Radisson) and Paul Ong washing their hands at the Shabbat dinner
photo by Rod Cantiveros

 
Jewish Federation Has Shabbat Dinner to Honour Bonds Between Jewish and Filipino Communities sponsored by Asper Foundation

by Rhonda Spivak, Dec 5,2024

 

[Editor's note: The article below will be reprinted in the Filipino Journal]

The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg held a special Shabbat Dinner with members of the Filipino community sponsored by the Asper Foundation at the Berney Theatre on Nov 29 attended by some 50 people. The event was an opportunity for both communities to experience the joy of the Sabbath, and reflect on their shared values, and was  part of the Asper Foundation’s Community Shabbat Program. The program brings toether Jewish organizations and invited community groups to foster cross-cultural understanding and reflection.

The Filipino community in Manitoba is a large community, now numbering about 100,000 people.

Rabbi Mass, the spiritual leader of Shaarey Zedek synagogue, who played piano while singing songs that are part of welcoming the Sabbath explained that Jews light the Sabbath candles in honour of the creation of the world, when God said “Let there be light.” He sang traditional songs such as Letha Dodi, and Shalom Aleichem before citing the blessings over the wine and bread and hand washing.

 Larry Vickar, a philanthropic leader of the Jewish community and a host of the event spoke of his warm and long standing relationship with members of the Filipino community. He noted that when his wife Tova arrived in Winnipeg in 1968 from Israel after being raised on a kibbutz and serving in the Israeli army, she was not able to speak English and “she got a job working in the needle industry,” where “she sewed pockets onto jeans”. She worked for Hercules Manufacturing, which was a company owned by the Freed family, and got to meet and befriend members of the Filipino community who also worked alongside her. 

 Vickar, who has many long standing contacts and friends in the Filipino community, referred to the fact that the Philippines voted in favor of UN Resolution recommending the partition of Palestine “and the establishment of a Jewish state in 1947.” The Philippines was counted among the 33 countries that supported the establishment of Israel and was “the only Asian country that voted for the resolution.” Jeff Morry, Senior Director of Strategy and Programming of the Asper Foundation who gave closing remarks also noted this fact, indicating that the Jewish community remembers the support of the Philippines in this crucial vote.  Israel and the Philippines established full diplomatic relationships in 1957, and embassies were opened in Tel-Aviv and Manila in 1962.

 Vickar also noted that two Jewish businessmen, Dave Kaufman and Sam Klapman, went to the Philippines and brought people to the garment trade in Winnipeg.

 Vickar also recounted how President of the Philippines  Manuel Quezon provided a safe haven and rescued some 1300 Jews fleeing from Nazi Germany, German occupied Europe, and Shanghai in Japanese –occupied China to the Philippines Holocaust from 1937-1941. Morry also noted that this fact that is well remembered by the Jewish community.

Perla Javate, a Winnipeg School Trustee, and the Founder and President of the Philipine Heritage Council of Manitoba, brought greetings at the event, indicated she was delighted to be there, and made the crowd laugh when she said, "Larry Vickar knows more people in the Filipino community than the rest of us.”  

Vickar also pointed out that when he led a Jewish Federation mission to Israel, there were eight members of the Filipino community who went on the mission. One of them was Rod Cantiveros who founded The Filipino Journal in 1987, and was covering the event. He told the Winnipeg Jewish Review how he recalled visiting the Jewish quarter old city of Jerusalem and how quiet it was as the Sabbath began.

Her Honour Lieutenant governor Anita Neville brought greetings at the outset of the program, noting that Jews will be celebrating Chanukah on Dec 25 his year  just as those in the Filipino community will be celebrating Christmas

Pastor Wendel Olahan of the Filipino community gave a blessing and spoke of the significance of having a day of rest , and how since he had a stroke, he really has needed that rest and how important it has been for his recovery. "I know I need to rest," he said.

Jeff Lieberman, CEO of the Jewish Federation spoke of how this was an important opportunity for members of the Jewish and Filipino communities to break bread together, and have a chance to engage in conversation and form bonds with each other.

Malaya Marcelino, Manitoba’s Minister of Labour and Immigration, and MLA for Radisson Jelynn Dela Cruz, who are both members of the Filipino community, were present at the event as was MLA for Tuxedo Carla Compton.

A traditional Sabbath dinner was prepared by Shmoozers by Shaarey Zedek synagogue. Winnipeg playwright & author Primrose Madayag Knazan, spoke of her Filipino and Jewish cultural identity, and gave a recipe for a special dessert fusing both Jewish and Filipino cuisine.

The dinner was followed by some first class entertainment.

Joseph Savillo, a Filipino Canadian actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, musical theatre teacher and musical creator born and raised in Winnipeg, gave moving remarks about his original production Ma-Buhay! A New Musical which had its Canadian debut this past summer at Rainbow Stage. He recalled how “I made friends with member of the Jewish community when I went to Grant Park High school.” He spoke of living in Toronto and returning to Winnipeg to look after his aging parents, who have since passed. Andrea Macaset and Joy Lazo, both Filipino singers each sang a gorgeous song from Savillo’s original music.

The evening ended with Rabbi Mass and Filipino singer Paul Ong singing an absolutely beautiful version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, as the crowd sang along.  

Cari Shenkarow, Vice-President of the Jewish Federation was honoured to emcee the evening. Tables were decorated with the flags of the Filipines and Israel.

The Rady JCC also partnered with the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and the Asper Foundation in bringing together this special evening.

Editor's note: As I listened to the crowd singing Hallelujah , I recalled how in 2007 while in Israel I observed what was then the world's largest flag, a flag of Israel  produced by a Filipino Christian.

The huge blue and white flag, measured 2,165 feet long and 330 feet wide and weighed 5.7 tons, and at the time broke the Guiness Book of Records for the world's largest flag.

It was made by Filipino entrepreneur Grace Galindez-Gupana who produced a giant Israeli flag as a testament to her love for Israel and the Jewish people and as a celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Israel.

 
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Rhonda Spivak, Editor

Publisher: Spivak's Jewish Review Ltd.


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