Patricia Heaton Leads Campaign Against Antisemitism on College Campuses: ‘We Have to Stand Up’
Actress Patricia Heaton was shocked when she viewed footage from Hamas body cameras that showcased the group’s attacks against Israel on social media on October 7. In response to protests by students at U.S. colleges, Heaton felt compelled to take action.
“I couldn’t believe it, and I was outraged,” the star of Everybody Loves Raymond told Fox News. “I looked around for everyone else who was going to be outraged… and it was very silent. So my partner and I created the October 7th Coalition (O7C) to help Christians activate, to be visibly and vocally supportive of Israel, the Jewish people, and to combat antisemitism.”
Jewish Americans have faced various forms of antisemitism, including vandalism of Jewish-owned businesses with Nazi symbols, protesters blocking Jewish students from entering classes, and incidents where mezuzahs—traditional Jewish ritual objects—have gone missing from dorms.
Harvard student Sarah Silverman recently recounted her experience in an op-ed for The Harvard Crimson, sharing that her mezuzah had been removed from her dorm door, leaving only a bit of adhesive behind. It was later found tucked into a wall two doors down. Silverman expressed her fear and speculation about whether this act was targeted, saying, “I’m left wondering whether someone on my floor—or even someone I had just met—hated my identity so much that they felt compelled to frighten me.”
In light of these incidents, Heaton and O7C launched the #Myzuzah/Yourzuzah campaign to raise awareness. This initiative encourages participants to record themselves installing a mezuzah, post the video, and include the hashtag #myzuzahyourzuzah.
“We have to stand up for the Jewish people… so that’s what we’ve been working on,” Heaton stated.