Rosh Hashana begins Wednesday evening at sundown and comes during so much unrest in Israel.

"This is the holiday of Rosh Hashana, the universal holiday when God created the world," said Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht at Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk.

Hecht is preparing for this High Holiday at a time when the Jewish people pray for peace.

His synagogue, like others across the country, is on high alert due to the turmoil in the Middle East.

"We have inside protocol, and we also have professional protocol, and we have also the Norwalk Police Department, the Westport Police Department," said Hecht.

The rabbi has set the table for this week's services, where he will deliver a message of hope.

"We can and will one day have this sholom, but we need to work at it right now," said Hecht.