ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Across Tampa Bay, there have been a number of events to show support for those affected by the Israel-Hamas War. On Sunday, Temple Beth-El in St. Petersburg came together to host a day of solidarity with Israel and to pray for peace.

Rabbi Jenn Mangold has been leading Temple Beth-El for two and a half years. She said her community is deeply hurt about the conflict in Israel, the birthplace of the Jewish faith. 

“We’ve been hearing the pain and the broken hearts and just wanting to make a difference, wanting to help and wanting to be able to have a community around them to process this with," Mangold said. 

Rabbi Mangold led her congregation in a special prayer service on Sunday morning to stand in solidarity with Israel. People of all ages came together to lean on one another for support. 

“We are here to grapple with this together," Mangold said. "We know that this is a hard time and that they have a community standing around them to navigate this with.”

The ongoing war overseas has also sparked concerns about safety. Since the conflict began, the FBI stated it has seen an increase in reports of threats against Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities nationwide. 

Yolanda Fernandez, a spokesperson for the St. Petersburg Police Department, said officers are staying vigilant and the chief has ordered extra patrols at houses of worship, like Temple Beth-El. 

“We haven’t had any credible threats and of course we’re monitoring everything very closely, so we know it is safe," Fernandez said. "However, it’s always important no matter where you are, especially if you’re at a public event, if you see something, say something.”

Fernandez added that the department has not seen a rise in hate crimes locally. Rabbi Mangold said threats of antisemitism are always a concern, but she didn't want that to stop her congregation from coming together during this challenging time. She wants members of the Jewish community to know they're not alone and to use their faith to bring light into darkness. 

"We continue to have that light of hope in our hearts, even during the most devastating times," Mangold said. 

Following the prayer service Sunday morning, Temple Beth-El also held private sessions for congregation members to discuss how to process grief and pain during times of war. Members were also invited to create art to send to people in Israel.