Synagogues Under Stress as High Holy Days Approach

NEW YORK, September 2, 2009, The Associated Press — The calls come in nearly every day.

Rabbi, I can't make the donation I promised. I can't afford my synagogue dues. I can't even pay my mortgage. The callers say they are humiliated at the prospect of becoming objects of pity in the congregation and try to quietly quit without telling the other families.