In the aftermath of the heartbreaking tragedy at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day festival, which claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured, the Jewish community of Manitoba has stepped up in partnership with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the Manitoba government to support the grieving Filipino community.
The need for action was immediate and clear. As news of the attack spread, the Filipino community in Vancouver and across Canada was left reeling, struggling to process the loss and trauma. Recognizing this pain, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and CIJA Manitoba and Saskatchewan moved quickly, joining forces with the province and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver to launch a fundraising campaign aimed at providing trauma counselling, grief support, and other vital frontline services.
A key feature of this initiative is the Manitoba government’s commitment to match donations up to $50,000, amplifying the impact of every dollar raised. Funds will flow through United Way BC’s Kapwa Strong Fund, which is working directly with local Filipino organizations to deliver immediate assistance, counseling, and trauma services to those affected.
“The Filipino community in Manitoba is praying for those who were killed or injured and for those directly affected by this horrific tragedy,” said Manitoba Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino. “We appreciate the work of United Way BC, the first responders, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver for their tireless efforts to support the Filipino community in Vancouver.”
For the Jewish community, this partnership is deeply personal and rooted in shared values. “The Filipino and Jewish communities in Manitoba have a long history of collaboration and pride in our heritage. Solidarity and mutual responsibility are core to our identity,” said Jeff Lieberman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.
Gustavo Zentner, vice-president for Manitoba and Saskatchewan at CIJA, echoed this sentiment: “Our communities are resilient, proud and grounded in shared values. Through our organizational expertise and structures for addressing community trauma and providing social services, we are proud to support this Manitoba government initiative to assist the Filipino community. We are family.”
The campaign is a testament to the strength of inter-community bonds in Manitoba, where Jewish and Filipino families have long supported one another in times of need. It’s also a reminder that when tragedy strikes, the best of our society comes forward, people of all backgrounds, faiths, and histories, united by empathy and a commitment to care for one another.
Manitobans and Canadians wishing to support the Filipino community can donate to the United Way Kapwa Strong Fund, the Red Cross of Canada, or the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg’s Filipino Community Emergency Support Fund. Every contribution will help families begin to heal and rebuild, and every act of solidarity sends a powerful message: in times of darkness, we stand together.