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A Shabbat table is set with empty seats for Israeli hostages on Independence Mall

Flower petals and wine glasses dotted the white tablecloth, and during a brief ceremony, members of the Jewish community lit Shabbat candles and prayed.

Sharona Durry, PhillyIsrael Productions, puts glasses on a table in front of Independence Hall Friday to assist with an installation organized by the Israeli American Council, Philadelphia, (IAC Philly), which is installing long, empty Shabbat Tables with 200+ empty place settings to raise awareness and demand the release of the 200+ hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Sharona Durry, PhillyIsrael Productions, puts glasses on a table in front of Independence Hall Friday to assist with an installation organized by the Israeli American Council, Philadelphia, (IAC Philly), which is installing long, empty Shabbat Tables with 200+ empty place settings to raise awareness and demand the release of the 200+ hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
    by Max Marin
    Published