Shevach High School is always at the forefront of providing experiences that broaden their students’ minds, while inspiring them to reach higher in their avodas Hashem. Tuned into the challenges of technology today, Shevach is committed to giving its talmidos the tools needed to withstand these challenges and the desire to do so. To that end, Shevach Menaheles Mrs. Shulamith Insel invited Mr. Ronnie Adjmi to address the school.
Mr. Adjmi, a successful businessman, has made it his mission to educate people on the dangers of smartphones and how to limit our dependence on this type of technology. He is eager to share that he runs his entire business with a flip phone. Mr. Adjmi explained that he used to own a smartphone, but upon hearing from his rav how detrimental this technology could be spiritually, he took the difficult step of exchanging his smartphone for a flip phone. He did this despite the fear that without the ability to be in constant contact with his many clients, his business would plummet. To his surprise, and in spite of many dire predictions from friends and colleagues, he found that not only did he not lose any business, but that his business grew and is indeed better than ever.
Mr. Adjmi brought home the fact that a child’s mind is still developing until the age of 20, and screen time usurps that development. As the future mothers of klal Yisrael, our high school girls need to be very careful with their life choices, and particularly, their cell-phone choices.
“Technology changes people’s minds,” said Mr. Adjmi. He cited studies that show that reading levels of children are down from what they were years ago. Children are not as focused as they once were. Their ability to soar in all areas is compromised due to the addictive nature of cell phones. Mr. Adjmi’s address was eye-opening and impactful.
Kudos to Shevach’s Technology committee; Orit Beylus – Blimi Feder, Shira Hecht, and Malka Neuman – who, under the guidance of Mrs. Chaya Swerdloff, laid the groundwork for this inspiring address. Throughout the entire year, they have been motivating the student body to minimize their cell-phone usage through many different incentives and rewards. After hearing Mr. Adgmi, the girls came away with an even deeper understanding and stronger resolve to rise above today’s nisyonos.
