The US-Philippines Society and Johns Hopkins-SAIS invite you to a roundtable on the inspiring, yet little-known, story of the Jewish rescue in the Philippines under the leadership of President Manuel Quezon.

From 1937 to 1941, as thousands of Europe's Jews made the painful decision to leave home to escape the Holocaust, they found doors all over the world closed—and half a world away, the Philippines became an unexpected sanctuary.  Through the efforts of a determined group of Filipinos and Americans— Jews, Catholics, and Protestants— more than 1,300 European Jews found refuge and both religious and social acceptance in Manila.

 

Historian Sharon Delmendo, Professor at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York, will describe how the political ambiguity of the Philippine Commonwealth provided a unique haven for Jewish refugees and how these beneficiaries of Filipino hospitality became benefactors during the war, assisting Allied Forces and guerrilla groups, and providing support to Filipino and Allied civilians during the Japanese occupation and liberation of Manila.

Filmmaker Sonny Izon is documenting this extraordinary story.  A 15-minute trailer will be shown at the start of the program.

Jewish delicatessen sandwiches and sides.

Seating is limited.  Kindly register now using the link below.