Common Voices

The Manila Poker Club: A Forgotten Rescue Story.

In this episode, Allied Voices for Israel (AVI)'s Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren sits down with author Mark Sy about his book The Manila Poker Club: Eisenhower, Quezon, and the Plan to Harbor Europe’s Jews in the Philippines, the remarkable and largely forgotten story of how a small group of influential Americans and Filipinos helped rescue Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in the late 1930s.

The “Manila Poker Club” brought together Philippine President Manuel Quezon, U.S. High Commissioner Paul McNutt, Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower, and businessmen Philip and Alex Frieder, who formed an unlikely alliance through late-night card games. Their friendship ultimately became the foundation for a clandestine effort to circumvent restrictive U.S. immigration policies and provide refuge to Jews escaping Europe.

Mark explores the creation of the “McNutt-Frieder list,” which helped refugees qualify for entry based on occupational categories, as well as the ambitious “Mindanao project,” which envisioned resettling as many as 10,000 Jewish refugees in the Philippines. Although the Japanese invasion in 1941 brought the larger plan to an end, approximately 1,300 Jewish refugees ultimately found safety in the Philippines.

Why did this extraordinary rescue effort remain so little known? Mark discusses how the participants deliberately kept their work private, how refugees became scattered after the war, and how postwar priorities in the Philippines shifted toward national reconstruction.

The episode also explores the enduring lessons of this history: the importance of moral courage in the face of prejudice, the power of cross-cultural cooperation, the dangers of disinformation, and the life-saving impact of humanitarian immigration policies during times of refugee crisis.

Mark shares what first drew him to this story during the pandemic, as well as moving survivor accounts—including the Weish family, who escaped Austria with the help of an unexpected German sponsor.

The Manila Poker Club is ultimately a story about ordinary human connections leading to extraordinary acts of courage—and a reminder that history can offer powerful lessons for the challenges we face today.

#TheManilaPokerClub #JewishHistory #HolocaustHistory #RefugeeRescue #PhilippineHistory

PURCHASE A COPY OF "THE MANILA POKER CLUB": https://www.amazon.com/Manila-Poker-Club-Eisenhower-Philippines-ebook/dp/B0GHZK4Q1F

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What happens when a veteran homicide detective decides to speak out about antisemitism from inside one of Canada's largest police services?

In this episode of Common Voices, host and Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) Founder Daniel Koren sits down with retired Toronto Police Service homicide detective Hank Idsinga, author of the bestselling memoir The High Road: Confessions of a Homicide Cop.

After a 35-year career—including 18 years in Toronto's homicide squad—Hank shares the experiences that shaped his career, from investigating some of the city's most notorious murders, to the childhood influence of Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal and his family's Holocaust history.

The conversation then turns to one of the most controversial chapters of his book: Hank's firsthand experiences with antisemitism within the Toronto Police Service. He discusses why he chose to tell these stories, the institutional challenges he encountered when attempting to report them, and the reaction from police leadership after the book's release.

Daniel and Hank also examine the policing of anti-Israel protests in Toronto, allegations of unequal enforcement, the impact of intimidation in Jewish neighbourhoods, and what these issues mean for public safety, community trust, and policing in Canada.

Finally, Hank reflects on the overwhelming support he received from officers across the country—many of whom privately shared similar concerns but feared speaking publicly because of the professional consequences.

This is an unfiltered conversation about policing, accountability, leadership, antisemitism, and the courage to speak up when it matters most.

Topics discussed:

• Toronto Police Service
• Homicide investigations
• Antisemitism in law enforcement
• The High Road: Confessions of a Homicide Cop
• Anti-Israel protests in Toronto
• Public safety and policing
• Holocaust legacy
• Leadership and accountability

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Allied Voices for Israel or the host. This episode is presented to encourage thoughtful discussion on matters of public interest.

#AlliedVoicesForIsrael #Podcast #CanadianPodcast #HankIdsinga #TheHighRoad #TorontoPolice #LawEnforcement #PublicSafety #Antisemitism #StandAgainstAntisemitism #JewishCommunity #Leadership #Accountability #HumanRights #CommunitySafety

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Before they debated headlines, they shared their stories.

In this powerful conversation, Ishak Ismail - a Palestinian-Canadian based in Edmonton for most of his life - and AVI's Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren - Jewish-Canadian from Israel - come together to do something that's become increasingly rare: have an honest, respectful dialogue about one of the world's most complex conflicts.

Together, they explore the personal experiences that have shaped their identities - from the Nakba and the nuances and complexities surrounding its definition - to the generational trauma carried within Jewish communities, including Mizrahi Jews who faced persecution across the Middle East. Rather than competing over suffering, they discuss why acknowledging each other's histories is essential to building understanding.

The episode also challenges common misconceptions about what it means to be pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli, rejecting the false choice between supporting one's people and promoting hate. The conversation confronts the rise of antisemitism, Islamophobia, online extremism, and the polarizing influence of social media, while making the case that empathy and nuance are not signs of weakness - they're prerequisites for peace.

If you've ever wondered whether meaningful conversations across divides are still possible, this episode offers a hopeful answer.

Topics discussed:

• Why respectful dialogue matters more than ever
  
  
• Personal and generational experiences of Palestinians and Jews
  
  
• The impact of social media on public discourse
  
  
• Rejecting antisemitism, Islamophobia, and extremism
  
  
• What coexistence could look like—and how we begin getting there

This is a conversation about listening, understanding, and choosing humanity over division.

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As we look for ways to build peace, we’re considering a perspective from Omer Kahin that connects the Middle East to Somaliland. 

Kahin argues that formally recognizing Somaliland as its own independent country could have ripple effects far beyond East Africa. In his view, it could help reshape regional alliances and strengthen agreements like the Abraham Accords by adding a stable and cooperative partner in a key strategic region.

What makes Somaliland unique is that, despite limited international recognition, it already functions much like a country. It has its own government, military and police forces, and its own currency. It controls its borders and holds regular democratic elections, contributing to a level of stability that stands out in the region.

Kahin also highlights that Israel has recognized Somaliland, and he believes that more countries following this lead could accelerate diplomatic ties and broaden cooperation. According to this view, expanding recognition could strengthen regional partnerships and support the broader goals of normalization seen in the Abraham Accords.

Whether or not that recognition expands, the idea underscores how emerging partnerships—and overlooked regions—can play a meaningful role in shaping global dynamics.

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In this intimate and thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with Dr. Sheree Trotter of the Indigenous Embassy of Jerusalem to explore her deeply personal and intellectual journey connecting Indigenous identity with the history and land of Israel. As a Māori scholar and historian, Dr. Trotter brings a unique voice to discussions about identity, heritage, and historical truth.

Drawing from her research and lived experience, Dr. Trotter speaks candidly about why she believes many narratives surrounding Israel and Jewish history have been misunderstood or misrepresented in public discourse. Through the lens of Indigenous history and historical scholarship, she explains why correcting what she sees as persistent misconceptions matters—not only for Jewish communities, but also for Indigenous peoples who understand the importance of ancestral connection to land.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Trotter reflects on her work with the Indigenous Embassy of Jerusalem and the broader mission to build bridges between Indigenous communities around the world and the Jewish people. She discusses how shared experiences of cultural survival, historical memory, and attachment to homeland have shaped her advocacy and scholarship.

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Negar Mojtahedi is a Canadian-Iranian journalist and documentary filmmaker whose reporting focuses on human rights, international affairs, and developments in and around Iran. As host of Eye for Iran, she brings deep analysis and voices from the ground — including what she’s hearing from inside Iran right now. In this episode we had a very candid conversation with Negar about life in Iran today and the realities behind the headlines. 

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In this episode, we sit down with Fatema Al Harbi, a Bahraini peace activist and author dedicated to building dialogue and understanding in the Middle East. Fatema shares her personal journey into peace advocacy and her deep interest in the Abraham Accords, exploring how people-to-people engagement can help move the region toward coexistence. As a leader within Sharaka, she discusses the challenges, hopes, and realities of pursuing peace across cultural and political divides, and why conversation, empathy, and courage matter more than ever. This episode offers an honest look at what peacebuilding looks like from the inside, and how Muslims and Jews can live side by side. 

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Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) is dedicated to fostering connections and finding common ground beyond the Jewish faith. The necessity of this mission became profoundly clear after October 7th, prompting a surge of strong student allies to speak up for the Jewish community on campus. Listen to this inspiring podcast to hear directly from these brave and remarkable students about why they felt the need to take a stand. 

Moderated by Alumni Jean-Luc Mudingayi, this episode transforms a virtual workshop into a powerful audio experience, allowing a wider audience to benefit from their insights. 

 Jewish students across Canadian campuses are facing significant challenges. While the difficulty varies, the presence of allies provides crucial support, helping these students feel more welcome and safe in what are often trying environments. 

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 Join us for a provocative and unfiltered conversation with Warren Kinsella, the outspoken Canadian political strategist, lawyer, and author known for his uncompromising takes and decades spent in the trenches of journalism and politics. Kinsella doesn't just comment on the news—he aims to correct it, often putting himself at the center of the fight for truth. 

 If you’re tired of the carefully curated headlines and ready for a genuinely candid discussion then this is a must-listen episode. 

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Recent surveys reveal a concerning trend: Jewish students in Canadian post-secondary institutions feel suppressed. Many are afraid to be openly Jewish or express their views on the Middle East conflict. While some quietly hide their Star of David necklaces, others like Liat Schwartz and Michael Mandel are proudly displaying them, enduring acts of intimidation and threats of violence. In this podcast, you will hear their powerful stories and understand why they are choosing to stand up against antisemitism and hate on campus. Tune in to hear how these pioneering voices are challenging conventional narratives and offering a new path toward understanding, solidarity, and healing.

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