Last Thursday, I had the privilege of speaking at a joint celebration of Jewish and Filipino heritage months held by B’nai Brith Canada and the Filipino Heritage Month Society. The event was held on June 1 to mark the transition from Jewish Heritage Month, which is held in May, to Filipino Heritage Month, which is held in June. Attendees included the Philippines’s ambassador to Canada, the former Philippine ambassador to Israel, members of various levels of government, senators and Irwin Cotler, who works to oppose anti-Semitism and human rights violations of all kinds.

I gained new insight into the actions of former Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon, whose open-door policy in 1937 allowed 1,200 Jews who were fleeing the Holocaust to seek refuge in the Philippines. President Quezon made this heroic decision at a time when Canada and other nations had closed their doors to Jewish refugees.

Several speakers described the Jewish community in the Philippines—they still have this Jewish community based on the ones who came during the Holocaust. This is a lesson to all of us on the importance of compassion and respect for others.

My riding of Eglinton–Lawrence is home to large Jewish and Filipino communities. The event celebrated their joint heritage and emphasis on family, community and faith.

So let me say, mabuhay shalom to all celebrating Jewish Heritage Month, which has just passed, and Filipino Heritage Month, which is coming.