Matthew attended the Empty Shabbat Table at JW3 to raise awareness that after three weeks, over 200 people continue to be held hostage in Gaza by Hamas terrorists.

A Shabbat table was laid and places set for 229 people, one for each person kidnapped on Saturday 7th October. Some places were laid for young children and babies while others were set for families. Those attending heard speeches from the Chief Executive of JW3, the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Noam Sagi whose 75 year-old mother is one of the hostages. 

Other cities around the world are also establishing empty tables in places including New York, Rome, Los Angeles and Sydney. 

Matthew said: "Every seat at the empty dinner table represented a person who will not be going home tonight. It brought the 229 names to life by displaying their picture on the chair.

"I was given the name of Raz Ben Ami who is aged 57 and married to Ohad. Both lived in the Be'eri kibbutz with their family and it was one of the first targets in the attack. I will be lighting a candle for both Raz and Ohad."