One week before Rosh Hashana 5762, terrorism struck the United States. America lost its innocence. Synagogues throughout the country were packed as Jews stood in prayer and contemplated, as they had never done before, "who will be stricken by fire, who by water, who by the sword...."

Rosh Hashana is always the moment when Jews confront their mortality, the transient nature of the extraordinary, personal, human experience. On a collective level, Jews always have reflected in their High Holy Day prayers on the spate of wars, natural disasters, and international calamities.

This year, contemplating prayer on Rosh Hashana presents a greater challenge because we are living with a delusion.

The smoke is no longer smoldering on the remnants of the terrorists' destruction as Jews begin the High Holy Days, but today's reality is far more dangerous. We seem to be giving lip service to what was and what is, but we are failing to recognize the fragility of the world as well as our own future. We ought to be afraid and we ought to be angry.

But Americans are not angry. There is an element of futility. Most American now have concluded that while the United States has avoided a further direct terrorist attack since 9/11, it is no longer a matter of if, but when, another one will occur. Terror attacks seem more likely now than ever before. In six years terrorists have struck virtually all over the world, from London to Morocco and from Bali to Madrid. Osama bin Laden's sixth anniversary videotape, while pure rhetoric on the one hand, was also a clear message that the world had barely addressed his challenge and threat.

Americans are not angry that the long-awaited, already heavily discounted Petraeus/Crocker report to Congress has done nothing to allay any of their concerns. There is resignation that the Iraqi quagmire will continue to sap America's strength for at least several more years, even assuming that some modified troop withdrawal is to begin in the spring.

Americans are not angry that the "surge" is a nonevent with only more American soldiers in harm's way. They watch the self-serving political maneuvering by the Iraqi government and its embarrassing failure to make any progress at reconciliation. They just shrug their shoulders.

Americans are not angry about the spread of Islamic fundamentalism throughout the world. There are some signs of its spread here, but Americans do not believe that they pose a threat. Those who do see a danger suggest the answer lies in a more restrictive immigration policy.

Americans are not angry with the Iranians because they believe that Iran's nuclear threat may well be as bogus as the Iraqi one. While they are uncomfortable with Ahmadinejad's rhetoric and saber rattling, they do not see this as a direct threat to the United States. In addition, they do not believe that the U.S. government intends to confront Iran, given its overextended force levels in Iraq. They are also convinced they are safe because Iran knows that as well.

Americans are not angry that the Democrats are so busy watching their 2008 candidates duel it out in an already interminable campaign and in repetitive debates that they cannot focus attention on the civil liberty abuses that have become an "acceptable" strategy in the fight against terrorists and enemy combatants.

Americans are not angry that Republicans in both the House and Senate have failed to join efforts to confront an administration that, over the past six years, has pursued a fictionalized war strategy in Iraq.

Finally, the American people are not angry that after six years the "war on terror" is failing. There are hardly any successful results to be seen for the war on terror. The Taliban have returned in significant numbers in Afghanistan. The Pakistani government today has so many internal political fights to address that any serious efforts against Islamic terrorists have, at best, been deferred. The war against terror in Iraq has only really escalated as the Iranians and Al Qaida have begun to join forces with radical elements in Iraq, fighting each other and destabilizing U.S. forces.

Given this scenario, Jews facing the new year ought to have genuine pause for concern. The world is less safe than it was six years ago. World leaders have failed to address seriously the threats. Americans have deluded themselves into a state of unconscious, passive reality. Jews and all Americans need to wake up because there is much for which to pray.