On December 1, the Greater Zion Church in Compton hosted an extraordinary event that brought together Black and Jewish communities in a spirit of unity and understanding. Organized by Pastor Michael Fisher, the O7C Nonprofit headed by actress Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), and the Maman Nonprofit, the evening served as a bridge-building initiative between the Black and Jewish communities.
“We wanted them to learn our culture, understand what our community is going through, and figure out ways we can partner. That way, we can truly stand with them the way they need us to,” Fisher explained.
The church’s sanctuary came alive with soulful melodies from the choir, setting the tone for a night filled with emotion and camaraderie. For many Jewish attendees, it marked their first visit to a Black church—and to Compton—an experience both communities found transformative and enriching.
The response, noted Fisher, was overwhelmingly positive. “We were all overwhelmed by the love. The service did exactly what I was hoping it would do—knock down those walls of stereotypes and assumptions that people have about both communities.”
Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback of the Stephen Wise Temple reflected on the emotional impact of the evening, stating, “Having our communities come together in this way inspires me and gives me hope. The survivors shared their experiences of oppression, helping us understand each other’s pain. It was a powerful act that united us in empathy and solidarity.”
Patricia Heaton, best known for her role in “Everybody Loves Raymond,” co-hosted the event. Having launched a nonprofit to address the lack of Christian support for victims of the October 7 Hamas attack, the renowned actress played a pivotal role in bringing the communities together.
“This was the first time our group partnered with a Black church,” Heaton remarked. “The unity and love we felt in the room was incredible.”
Other notable attendees included Rabbi Noah Farkas, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Rabbi Erez Sherman of Sinai Temple, and Bishop Johnny Withers and Compton Mayor Emma Sharif.
Fisher characterized the event as “not just a moment but a movement”—a starting point for ongoing collaboration between the communities.
“We need the Jewish community as Black people to move forward in things like policy and economic infrastructure,” Pastor Fisher explained. “Whenever the Black and Jewish communities were together, we built strong communities for both cultures. This will absolutely be needed as our nation enters uncharted territory with the new administration.”
Rabbi Zweiback echoed the sentiment adding, “My hope is that this is just the start of something. Last night accomplished the goal of demonstrating our unity, love, and concern for each other.”
Plans are already underway for future events, including potential collaborations with other faith groups and community organizations with the shared objective of continuing to build bridges, foster understanding, and stand together against oppression and injustice. As the evening concluded, attendees lingered, engaging in conversations, exchanging contact information, and expressing a mutual desire to continue the dialogue. The walls that once separated these communities had, at least for one night, been replaced with bonds of friendship and mutual respect.
Pastor Fisher summed up the spirit of the event: “It was a night of unity and communion. Our hope is that through events like this, we can create lasting partnerships that not only benefit our communities but also set an example for others.”
In a world often divided by differences, this Compton celebration served as a beacon of hope—a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together in faith, understanding, and love.
Photo Credit: AR Jackson / thearjackson@outlook.com
