TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation held a celebration for Israel’s 76th Independence Day on Sunday which drew 400 local attendees, according to organizers.

What You Need To Know

  • Israel declared its statehood on May 14, 1948

  • Tampa JCC held a celebration for Israel’s 76th Independence Day 

  • The event drew 400 local attendees 

  • Tampa JCC has stepped up security since Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack

“We are celebrating all these years of Israel and many more to come,” said Mark Segel, Tampa JCC Exec. Dir. of Combatting Antisemitism. “You have to find those moments where you focus on the positivity.”

Segel oversees security for the Tampa JCC and said it’s important to strike a balance.

“It’s a real challenge for us because we recognize how important balance is,” he said. “We want to be a welcoming organization. We are the Jewish Community Center, but we’re also just a community center. We serve the entire community.”

The Tampa JCC is gated and has a guard shack. Segel said since the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, he has stepped up security.

“We are definitely on higher alert. We’re spending more money on security than we ever have in the past,” he said. “We have a great combination of private security, extra duty law enforcement officers and, of course, the law enforcement officers that are on duty.”

For security reasons, the event required pre-registration. The Tampa JCC celebration saw 400 attendees with food vendors, a youth fun zone, shopping and live music from the New York-based band The SHUK.

College student Briana Miele, 22, said she felt safe at the event which had officers stationed at every entry and exit point.

“I think it’s very important for us to all come together as Jews, Israelis,” she said. “Just a big Jewish community to make sure that everybody is feeling safe during this time, cared for, everybody has a place to be.”

Israel declared its statehood on May 14, 1948.