Why This Actress Fights for Israel
By Movieguide® Contributor
EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND actress Patricia Heaton is focusing her attention on something greater than herself — fighting antisemitism.
“We have to stand up for the Jewish people and for their right to exist, their right to be Jewish, and practice their faith,” Heaton told FOX & FRIENDS.
She put her words into action, helping launch the October 7 Coalition.
The nonprofit is a “movement of Christian shepherds, leaders , influencers, and neighbors, committed to public and private support and protection of the Jewish community, whom we recognize as brothers and sisters in our Judeo-Christian history and tradition, and our shared ancestors of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel.”
“We recognize Israel’s right to exist and we emphatically and vociferously reject all antisemitism,” the organization continued. “We are here to unite, promote, and encourage meaningful public and private action in the Christian community to strengthen relationships with our Jewish friends and neighbors. This goal will be achieved through a number of ecumenical opportunities that aim to educate, find common ground, and encourage Christians to find ways to support the Jewish community in their sphere of influence.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Heaton’s efforts against antisemitism:
“On October 7, you could see that body cam footage from Hamas where they were gleefully murdering people,” Heaton told Fox News’ ONE NATION. “I was astonished and horrified. Then I looked around, assuming that the churches would also be horrified and outraged, and I wasn’t hearing anything. It was like crickets.
“So, I posted on my Instagram, ‘If you had been a German during World War II, don’t you hope you would have been a German who stood by your Jewish neighbors and hid your Jewish neighbors? Well, today is your opportunity,’” she recalled. “I still believe that.”
“I believe that we have an opportunity, because now we know,” Heaton added. “Maybe back in 1939 people didn’t know what was going on. We know what’s going, and it is up to us as Christians to do something about it. The Jewish people are feeling very, very alone, and they need to know that we will stand by them.”
As far as her acting career goes, Heaton is leaving it up to God and is focused on the fight He has her in right now.
“God really is in charge of my career,” the actress emphasized. “So far He has given me two incredibly well written beautifully produced award-winning TV shows that each went for nine years. I got some Emmys and I have a star on the walk of fame. I trust Him because He has not failed me yet.”
She isn’t done acting though. Heaton is joining the next season of Kelsey Grammer’s FRAISER reboot as Holly, Fraiser’s new love interest.
“She will play Holly who is down-to-earth, unpretentious, and openly mocking of overly-intellectual types,” Deadline reported. “A Boston native who tends bar at upscale restaurants and events, Holly is extraordinarily comfortable with both who and where she is in life, a quality that the always-climbing, always-reaching Frasier (Grammer) finds as alien as he does attractive.”
Season 2 of FRAISER premiered on Paramount+ on Sept. 19.
