Christian Emmy-winning actress Patricia Heaton joins $4.65 billion Jewish philanthropy campaign
Emmy-winning American actress Patricia Heaton has become a key figure in an historic initiative that has secured 100,000 signatures and pledged $4.65 billion in support of Jewish initiatives and Israel. As the milestone signer of the Jewish Future Promise (JFP), Heaton’s involvement underscores her commitment to the cause.
Famed for her roles in the television series Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle, Heaton is also amplifying her impact through the October 7th Coalition (O7C) – a Christian alliance she leads to combat antisemitism in the wake of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel.
“As a Christian, my spiritual heritage exists in the Jewish people,” Heaton said. “The bond Jews and Christians share is deep and profound. Our shared Judeo-Christian values are the foundation for the free and thriving democracies we see in Israel, America, and around the world.”
Heaton has publicly shared that she reached out to many of her Jewish friends in the entertainment industry after the atrocities of Oct. 7, 2023, and was shocked by how little support for Jewish communities she heard from fellow Christians.
In an interview with Fox News last December, she shared, "I just thought it was common knowledge that we all know the history of the Jewish people and especially of the Holocaust, and it was always never again; and it happened again, and I didn't see the kind of outrage that I expected. And I don't know why, but I felt that I had to say something because it is outrageous what happened."
Lending her name and platform to JFP felt like a natural fit for Heaton. The initiative was launched in response to a 2017 study revealing that only 11% of donations from major Jewish philanthropists were going to Jewish causes. Unlike traditional fundraising organizations, JFP takes a different approach – participants pledge to allocate at least half of their charitable giving to support Jewish communities or Israel.
Jewish Breaking News reported that prominent organizations, including the Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the Marcus Foundation, and the deToledo Family Fund, have played a major role in supporting JFP’s groundbreaking initiative.
“Each of these 100,000 promises represents a beacon of hope, not just for our generation, but for every generation to come,” said JFP President Hadara Ishak. “To reach 250,000,(or) 500,000 promisers and beyond, we must continue to inspire, engage, and empower even more individuals, families, and foundations to participate in this critical mission.”
In addition to securing funding pledges, JFP has ignited meaningful intergenerational dialogue around philanthropy and cultural identity. Its youth program focuses on engaging individuals aged 13 to 24, aiming to foster lasting connections to the Jewish community.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
