NEW YORK - Security was tight and sorrow heavy at synagogues across the United States on Monday as Jews prepared to mark the start of their New Year, a traditional time of celebration and reflection.
Jewish houses of worship, already heavily guarded as tensions in the Middle East have risen,increased security further in the aftermath of Tuesday's attacks on the Pentagon in Washington and the World Trade Center in New York.
The attacks by hijacked airliners pulverised the World Trade Center, demolished part of the Pentagon, may have killed thousands and left the United States with a sense of insecurity unparalleled since the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour.
Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the start of the Jewish New Year that begins at sundown, a truckload of police were stationed at Chabad Lubavitch in midtown Manhattan, watching over both the synagogue as well as Israel's Bank Leumi.
Rabbis of several synagogues said the increased police presence had become a tradition during what is known as the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur next week, but most said the effort has been raised even more this year.
In the nation's capital, Washington police set up a special hot line to each congregation in case of problems or threats, according to Gary Simms, executive director of Temple Sinai, a Reform synagogue in Washington.
