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Rescue in the Philippines: RP Sheltered Jews from the Holocaust

By Marivir R. Montebon

 

New York City – Very little is known about the Philippines being home to 1300 Jews who escaped from the Nazis during WWIl. Pres. Manuel Quezon, the country’s commonwealth president under the US, wanted to take in 30,000 refugees. But the US government allowed for only that number.

Despite the disproportionate size compared to millions of Holocaust victims, the rescue presents heroism and humanity, an inspiring willfulness to do good in the midst of chaos.

Pres. Quezon and US commissioner Paul McNutt

Pres. Quezon and US commissioner Paul McNutt

The one-hour film Rescue in the Philippines is produced by friends, historians, and grandchildren of some of the war survivors in 2013. Written and directed by Russell Hodge, Cynthia Scott, and Terry Irving, the film is an amazing insight on how the fledgling first republic in Asia bridged for people whose lives were imperiled by war.

The no-nonsense Rotten Tomatoes gave Rescue a 100 percent critics rating.

Hitler

Hitler

A Jewish family arrives in Manila.

A Jewish family arrives in Manila.

The rescue began while a bunch of friends were playing cards and smoking cigars at the Manila Hotel. Pres. Quezon, US High Commissioner Paul McNutt, and five Frieder brothers hatched a plan to evacuate Jews from Europe and resettle them in the Philippines with the looming WW ll.

The plan was inventive and refreshing, coming from men who had different cultural and political backgrounds.

The Freider brothers.

The Frieder brothers.

A woman tobacco factory worker on pre-war Philippines

A woman tobacco factory worker during pre-war Philippines

The Frieders were businessmen from Cincinnati who started a tobacco business in the Philippines. They financed the resettlement of select Jews, mostly from Germany and Austria. Comm. McNutt and Pres. Quezon implemented an immigration policy that paved the entry of the war refugees.

Shown at the auspices of the Latter Day Saints Church on Columbus Ave. early November, the film is inspiring enough for any viewer to grasp the message of fraternity and safe-keeping for those who are poltically persecuted.

The LDS Public and International Affairs, the American Jewish Committee, and the Philippine Consulate New York cooperated to put up the film showing.

Dick Freider tells his story.

Dick Frieder tells his story.

rescue-maria

Lowenatein

Lowenstein

During the forum after the film showing, Filipino community leader Juliet Astoria shared a testimony of the fleeting presence of the Jews in the country. “We used to sing Hava Nagila. I learned this while I was growing up. We heard it on the radio. Everyone knows it in my time. We sang this on happy times.”

Philippine Consul Kerwin Tate said the film is timely. He added that the Philippines always welcomed refugees because as a country it has constantly been battered with human and natural calamities. “We know how it feels to be at a loss.”

 

For more information about the film, go to www.rescueinthephilippines.com

Can we teach a child justice and compassion? Read Joelito's Decision. A must-read for parents and children. Go to hardballpress.com for a copy

Can we teach a child justice and compassion? Read Joelito’s Big Decision. A must-read for parents and children. Go to hardballpress.com for a copy

 

 

 

ENJOY THIS DELICIOUS, CHEESY ENSAYMADA. Magic Melt products are available at United Food of Asia, Ltd. on 287 Vandervoort Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211. Tel. No. 718.3885570

ENJOY THIS DELICIOUS, CHEESY ENSAYMADA. Magic Melt products are available at United Food of Asia, Ltd. on 287 Vandervoort Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211. Tel. No. 718.388.5570

 

 

Nov 10, 2015Admin
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Comments: 2
  1. david
    6 years ago

    Good article... didn't know what to say accept over 259 Holocaust Museums to REMEMBER and few connect today's dots... as if it's impossible for anything like that again. eg) ignore ISIS, ignore National Socialist Fascist Parties of today like Democrats in USA & PC rhetoric

    ReplyCancel
    • Admin
      6 years ago

      Thank you for your appreciation, David.

      ReplyCancel

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Admin
6 years ago 2 Comments All posts, Special FeatureConsul Kerwin Tate, Dwight Eisenhower, Freider brothers, holocaust, Latter Day Saints Church, Manila, Nazi, Paul McNutt, Pres. Manuel Quezon, Rescue in the Philippines, World War II666
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