PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A model Passover seder table was set in LOVE Park, but it was not a festive one. Organizers of the art exhibit set 133 empty places to represent the Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
Going on more than six months in captivity, the art installation depicted what the holiday might be like for kidnapees in Gaza, if they were able to celebrate — a holiday in which the Jewish exodus from Egypt is retold.
“It’s almost the same story, the Passover story. We have our people that were released from Egypt; now, we are begging and waiting for people to be released from Gaza,” said co-organizer Michal Mary.
Dirty water and bits of matzah were scattered about the mock seder table, set on top of burlap sacks used as tablecloths. Each chair held a poster with an image of a hostage. Another sign listed the names of the hostages who were confirmed dead.
“We don’t even know how many people of them are still alive,” said co-organizer Dafna Ofer.
“My daughter is the same age as five of these women, and I just want to I want to scream every time I think about that. I’m devastated,” added Michal Mary.
Passing by the installation, Nancy Rapoport can’t believe it’s almost Passover. She said it still feels like Oct. 7.
“It’s October 7 every day, and it’s going to be Oct. 7 every day until we know the outcome of all the hostages,” she said.
On that date last year, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping another 250. In response, Israeli leaders have called for the destruction of Hamas and launched a full-scale attack in Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, about 33,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war started.
Posters of the hostages in LOVE Park caught the eye of Larry Copeland, from West Philadelphia.
“I guess every Passover is tinged with a little bit of sadness, but we know this year, we’re carrying extra sadness,” he said.
Organizers created similar installations in October outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Independence Mall, depicting a large Shabbat table with 242 empty chairs, representing the 242 hostages.
“I just can’t believe that it’s almost seven months and we’re still in the same situation,” said Ofer.
Passover begins Monday evening.