Westfield Temple To Create Empty Shabbat Table For 220 Hostages Held By Hamas

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Temple Emanu-El community in Westfield will recreate the Tel Aviv Museum of Art’s Empty Shabbat Table on Friday in support of and urging the release of the current hostages in Gaza. Each empty place setting represents one of the 220 hostages being held by Hamas since Oct. 7.

Oct. 27's installation will be live on the Temple’s front lawn from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The community is invited to view the exhibition in solidarity. Setting an empty seat for prisoners has been part of the Global Jewish Protest lexicon since the 1960s when the movement to free Soviet Jews made it a hallmark of its symbolism.

In addition to the installation, there will be opportunities for congregants and visitors to write letters to soldiers in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) and learn about other ways to support Israel at this time.

"As one of the largest Reform synagogues in New Jersey, we have an immense responsibility to draw attention to the hostages and call for their release," said Rabbi Ethan Prosnit, Senior Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El. "In addition to bringing awareness to the terrorist attacks on Oct 7, 2023 and the ongoing unrest in the Middle East, we want to continue bringing our community together to mourn, heal, and celebrate Shabbat. As we gather to celebrate Shabbat as a community, we recognize that 220 hostages cannot mark this holy time with their family and friends, and we pray for their safety and release."

Last week, in addition to Tel Aviv, tables for the hostages were set up in advance of Shabbat in the Jewish Quarter of Rome and on Australia’s famous Bondi Beach. Similar installations have been created throughout the world since.

"As war rages on in the Middle East and anti-semitism is at an all-time high, we can not lose sight of the hostages being held in Gaza right now," stated Allison Cohen, project organizer. "It is our hope this public installation brings awareness and inspires others to speak out and demand their safe return."

Temple Emanu-El is located at 756 East Broad Street in Westfield.

Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle addressed the community on Tuesday night urging residents to "stand up against hate." Read More: 'Stand Up Against Hate In All Forms,' Says Westfield Mayor

"Everyone in this community should feel safe, included, and welcomed – a responsibility we all share. Let’s continue to stand up against hate in all its forms, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, and reject the small minds who perpetuate it. As a community, we rise and fall together and we must remember our children are watching how we respond," said Brindle at Tuesday's Council meeting.

More than 1,400 Israelis were killed after Hamas launched their now-infamous coordinated attack on Oct. 7, including civilians and children. Dozens of the deceased are U.S. residents, including some from New Jersey. It’s estimated that nearly 200 Israeli soldiers and civilians were also seized by Hamas and taken into Gaza as hostages. Read More: Hamas Attacks Deadliest Day For Jews Since The Holocaust, Biden Says

Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities say thousands of people have been killed in Gaza due to Israel's retaliatory air strikes – also including civilians and children. Israel has cut off water and electricity in Gaza, raising an outcry from advocates, some of whom have called Israel’s order for Palestinians to evacuate to the southern part of the Gaza Strip an “impossible” task.

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