On Saturday, Nov. 7, Colleyville will become the gathering place for the fifth‑year in‑person Peace Together walk, a nearly three‑mile march that unites Christians, Jews, Muslims, freethinkers and other faith communities in a public expression of neighborly love and shared values. The event, organized by local leaders since 2018, returns to a physical format after two years of virtual meetings caused by the pandemic and regional unrest.
Event details
The walk begins at 12:30 p.m. inside the First United Methodist Church of Colleyville, 1000 Church St. Participants will set out at about 1 p.m. for a 2.8‑mile route that ends at McPherson Park. A shuttle will be available to return walkers to their vehicles. Registration is open through the Peace Together website.
Origins rooted in a call for compassion
Peace Together was founded by Howard Rosenthal after he witnessed the violent Charlottesville rally in 2017, where white supremacists marched with torches and shouted antisemitic and anti‑Muslim slogans. The tragedy, which included a vehicle attack that killed one person, moved Rosenthal to seek dialogue with the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville. Together they began inviting people of different faiths to share meals, prayers and conversation, insisting that the hatred on the streets did not represent the future they wanted for their children.
Community response and growth
Rosenthal expected about 50 participants for the inaugural 2018 walk; instead, hundreds turned out, underscoring the community’s hunger for unity. “Everybody felt so strongly that any kind of senseless acts of violence should be denounced,” said Ayesha Shafi, a steering‑committee member and CEO of Radio Azad, a South Asian radio station. Shafi, a Muslim, highlighted a Quranic principle of treating neighbors with kindness, noting that the walk offers a practical way to live that teaching.
Faith leaders share personal reflections
Participants described the walk as a living lesson in Christ‑like love. “We are able to live together, and we’re able to love each other as fellow human beings—just as Christ told us to love each other,” said Zachary Moore, a longtime freethinker and former steering‑committee member. Christine Sturgeon of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints added, “We know each other, we tend to like each other better,” and praised the chance to learn about Sikh, atheist and other perspectives.
Recent challenges strengthen resolve
The walk has weathered local tragedies, including the 2022 hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel and the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. In both cases, the interfaith community rallied to support victims’ families, offering food, shelter and prayers. “Those moments proved the rightness of our mission,” Rosenthal said, noting that the solidarity shown after the Colleyville hostage event and the Israel‑Gaza conflict reinforced the walk’s purpose.
Why the walk matters for Tarrant County families
For families seeking a safe, values‑based environment, the Peace Together walk models how faith‑based and secular neighbors can collaborate without compromising their convictions. It provides a tangible example of parental‑right‑aligned community building—parents can bring children to a public, respectful setting where diverse beliefs are explored through conversation rather than confrontation.
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the 2026 walk will attract even more participants, fostering deeper relationships across Tarrant County. As Rosenthal put it, “We’re not incapable of making a difference.” The event stands as a testament to the power of local faith leaders, families and citizens working together to uphold peace, unity and the shared moral foundations that strengthen our neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
