September 13, 2007 — As members of the Jewish faith ushered in Rosh Hashanah at sundown yesterday, the NYPD went into a heightened security mode. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly recently told a gathering of Jewish community and religious leaders there would be a “heightened presence of anti-crime units” on duty during the High Holy Days this year, but nonetheless asked the leaders to be his “eyes and ears.” Kelly also said some synagogues may receive unannounced visits from the department’s heavily armed anti-terror

Hercules unit. Rabbi Marc Schneier, who has a 500-family congregation at his Hampton Synagogue and the New York Synagogue on East 58th Street, said security is a sign of the times. “Most congregations have internal security, in terms of hiring security firms,” he said. This is Year 5768 on the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah is a 10-day period of self-examination and reflection for those of the Jewish faith. It culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on Sept. 22.