The atmosphere was palpable as well over a thousand individuals descended upon the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills—a shul envisioned by Rav Fabian Schonfeld, zt”l, as a central gathering place for the Queens Jewish community. One can only imagine the nachas he would have felt seeing every seat filled with Yiddishe neshamot striving to elevate themselves and their families, especially during the spiritually significant days of Sefirah. I had the privilege of marketing this vital event across the diverse neighborhoods of Queens, viewing it as a sacred duty to disseminate its crucial message.
The KGH Technology Asifa comes nearly 13 years after the monumental gathering at Citi Field and Arthur Ashe Stadium in May 2012, where over 50,000 attendees convened to address the challenges posed by the internet and modern technology. The urgency and relevance of that message remain as pressing today as they were then.
Unity in Purpose
The Asifa represented an unparalleled display of achdus, as men and women from diverse backgrounds united under one roof to face a common adversary: the unbridled use of technology. The
event was coordinated under the guidance of local community rabbonim, who recognized the urgency of the moment and called for a unified response to safeguard our values.
The evening began with heartfelt words of Tehillim led by Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman, Mashgiach at Yeshivas Ohr HaChaim. Rabbi Meir Gavriel Elbaz, a rav at Ohel Simcha and mechanech at Lander's College for Men, took to the podium. Known for his passionate and relatable speaking style, Rabbi Elbaz expressed profound concern about the pervasive impact of technology on Jewish families. He emphasized that while technological advancements can offer convenience, they often come at the cost of our spiritual well-being.
Rabbi Elbaz began by recounting personal experiences from his own kehilla, sharing stories of families who initially underestimated the dangers of unfiltered internet access. He recounted how one young boy, who had unrestricted access to a smartphone, fell into a cycle of late-night browsing, which eventually affected his yeshiva attendance and overall demeanor. Rabbi Elbaz used this poignant example to stress the importance of parental vigilance and the need for proactive measures.
He passionately urged parents to take a hands-on approach in monitoring their children’s device usage, reminding the audience that even the most well-intentioned families are not immune to the challenges posed by the digital age. “Our homes must remain a fortress of kedusha,” Rabbi Elbaz declared, imploring the community to use TAG’s resources to secure their digital environments.
His concluding message was clear: It is not enough to acknowledge the problem; concrete steps must be taken to ensure that technology serves us and not the other way around. His stirring words set a thoughtful and purposeful tone for the rest of the evening.
Rav Elya Brudny: Confronting the Yetzer Hara of Technology
One of the most impactful speeches came from Rav Elya Brudny, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Mir Brooklyn and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America. With his signature clarity and depth, Rav Brudny conveyed a message that struck to the core of every attendee. He began with a somber tone, reflecting on how technology has insidiously woven itself into the fabric of daily life, often without our conscious awareness.
Rav Brudny recounted a striking parable of a young man who had initially embraced technology for practical purposes—keeping up with shiurim, staying connected with family—but gradually found himself ensnared by its distractions. One missed night seder turned into several, and eventually, his connection to Torah study weakened. The lesson was clear: technology, when left unchecked, does not merely coexist with our spiritual lives; it can overtake them.
Rav Brudny addressed the gathering with a profound analysis of how technology acts as a modern manifestation of the yetzer hara, challenging the very foundation of our spiritual lives. He drew from the Gemara in Sanhedrin, which lists seven names for the yetzer hara, each representing a different form of spiritual challenge. The most severe is described as a “heart of stone”—a metaphor for the desensitization that modern technology induces. Rav Brudny warned that this spiritual numbness is the most dangerous, as it erodes our sensitivity to kedusha.
Rabbi Joey Haber: The Battle Against Technology's Influence
Rabbi Joey Haber, Rav of Beit Yosef Torah Center of Deal, delivered a thought-provoking address. Speaking to a diverse audience from various sects of Yiddishkeit, Rabbi Haber moved away from fear-based narratives about technology, instead choosing to delve into the fundamental nature of technological influence and how it impacts our spiritual lives.
Rabbi Haber began by sharing a story from the end of Masechet Kiddushin. He described the tale of Plimo, who famously claimed that one could “put an arrow in the eyes of the Satan.” On Erev Yom Kippur, a poor man—who was actually the Satan in disguise—knocked on Plimo’s door, demanding food. Despite initially welcoming him in, Plimo soon found himself overwhelmed by the man’s bizarre and troubling behavior, culminating in the poor man seemingly dying. Fleeing in panic, Plimo later encountered the man again, realizing it was all an elaborate ploy by the Satan to challenge his hubris.
Rabbi Haber used this vivid story to illustrate a profound truth: Just as Plimo underestimated the deceptive nature of the Satan, we often underestimate how technology infiltrates our lives. The lesson, he emphasized, is humility—recognizing our need for Hashem’s help rather than arrogantly assuming we can handle the challenges alone.
In his characteristically animated and candid style, Rabbi Haber drew a parallel between the story and modern technology. He explained that technology doesn’t take over our lives all at once. It starts small—a useful app here, a social connection there—until it gradually consumes us. Using humor and relatable examples, he described how a simple intention to check a message late at night can spiral into hours of browsing, leaving us exhausted and unfocused.
One particularly memorable anecdote Rabbi Haber shared was about a man he encountered on a flight. The man spent the entire flight playing a simple mobile game—Candy Crush—completely absorbed, oblivious to his surroundings. This, Rabbi Haber explained, is the power of technology to take hold of our lives without us even realizing it. Even grown adults find themselves trapped in mindless digital activities, wasting precious time.
Rabbi Haber also touched on the addictive nature of social media. He described how tech companies intentionally design notifications to manipulate users into spending more time on their apps. For instance, the flickering notifications or the infamous 'typing...' indicator on messaging apps are engineered to keep users hooked, feeding into a cycle of anxiety and anticipation.
Understanding Our Role: Customer or Product?
Rabbi Haber illuminated a fundamental misconception: users are not the customers of social media and tech platforms; they are the products. While purchasing shoes, suits, or cars makes us customers, getting apps like WhatsApp or Facebook for free makes us the product. Tech companies focus on capturing as much of our attention as possible, not serving our needs. They employ psychology, not just technology, to harvest our time and attention.
In an engaging demonstration, Rabbi Haber asked a volunteer to estimate costs for items like shoes and cars, comparing them to the free apps we use. The conclusion was stark: when the product is free, the user is the product. This realization led to a deeper discussion on how companies like Google and YouTube profit by selling our engagement to advertisers.
Three Practical Steps to Reclaim Our Minds
Rabbi Haber proposed a structured approach to mitigating the harmful impact of technology:
Basic Filtering: At the very least, all devices should be filtered. An unfiltered smartphone for a teenager is almost certain to lead to exposure to inappropriate content.
App Deletion: Reducing the number of apps on a device helps minimize distractions. Rabbi Haber shared the story of a man on a plane playing a simple game for hours—a reminder that even seemingly harmless apps can waste significant time.
Device Limitation: For those willing to take it further, switching to a basic phone or disabling non-essential features can help regain focus. He emphasized that living with intention means being mindful of what we allow into our lives.
The Royal Mindset: Born to Be a King
Rabbi Haber concluded with an inspiring story of a young French prince, exiled to an island where he was given every possible distraction. Yet, the boy resisted, declaring, “I cannot do what you ask because I was born to be a king.” Rabbi Haber called upon the audience to remember their own spiritual royalty, resisting the cultural norms that promote distraction and indulgence. He urged everyone to live with purpose, grounded in Torah values, and to reject the pervasive digital noise that clouds clarity and kedusha.
In a final note, Rabbi Haber reminded everyone that combating technology addiction requires both personal effort and divine assistance. “We must constantly ask Hashem for help,” he urged. “Our success in overcoming these challenges lies not in our own strength, but in recognizing our vulnerability and turning to Hashem for guidance.”
This powerful message, delivered with passion and sincerity, left the audience contemplating how they, too, could balance modern conveniences with a life rooted in purpose and spiritual awareness.
Rabbi Moshe Drew: Practical Steps for Families
Rabbi Moshe Drew, Assistant Director of TAG International, delivered a practical and down-to-earth presentation on how families can shield themselves from the dangers of technology. He shared a particularly moving story of a mother who had given her children a tablet to use during a flight, only to later realize that the device had unfiltered internet access. Despite her initial belief that the device was harmless, it had become a source of inappropriate content and distraction. This incident, Rabbi Drew emphasized, highlights the importance of not assuming that any device is entirely safe without proper safeguards.
Rabbi Drew also discussed the phenomenon of 'technological complacency,' where parents assume that their own careful use of technology translates to their children’s responsible use as well. He cautioned against this mindset, pointing out that even the most well-meaning parents can inadvertently expose their families to harmful content.
His practical advice centered around three key steps: inventorying devices, ensuring proper filtering, and fostering open communication within the family. He stressed the importance of periodically reviewing all household devices to ensure they remain secure and free of harmful content. Rabbi Drew’s call to take concrete actions rather than passively hoping for the best struck a chord, particularly with parents seeking practical guidance. He encouraged attendees to view TAG as a resource and partner in safeguarding their homes.
Rabbi Tzvi Greenberg: A Call to Action
Rabbi Tzvi Greenberg, coordinator for TAG Queens, concluded the event with a strong call to action, encouraging families to assess their current technology setup and make necessary changes. He shared an anecdote about a local yeshiva bochur who had struggled with his smartphone usage, only to find newfound freedom after switching to a filtered device. This, Rabbi Greenberg noted, is a clear example of how the right choices can drastically improve one’s spiritual wellbeing.
He emphasized that safeguarding our families is not solely an individual responsibility but a communal effort. Rabbi Greenberg urged community members to actively support one another in making responsible technology choices. He highlighted TAG’s commitment to providing accessible, non-judgmental guidance, and emphasized that no one should feel embarrassed to seek help.
"We must stand together," Rabbi Greenberg declared, "to ensure that our homes remain safe havens from the negative influences of the digital age."
Message of Resolve
The final speaker of the evening, addressing a now fully inspired and reflective audience, delivered a stirring message that encapsulated the spirit of the entire asifa. He spoke of the collective responsibility of Klal Yisrael to not only recognize the dangers posed by unchecked technology but to proactively work toward solutions that safeguard our spiritual integrity.
He shared a powerful analogy: Just as a Kohen Gadol prepares meticulously before entering the Kodesh HaKodashim on Yom Kippur, so too must we prepare ourselves before allowing technology into our lives. He emphasized that without adequate preparation, we risk diminishing our sense of kedusha, much like allowing mundane influences into the holiest of spaces.
The speaker urged everyone present to view this asifa not just as an event but as a movement, a commitment to take real, measurable steps to secure their homes and protect their families. With an impassioned call, he declared, "We are the guardians of our homes and communities. Our commitment today will shape the future of Torah life in Queens and beyond."
His final words echoed in the hall, as he reminded the attendees that true change requires continuous effort, communal support, and above all, tefillah to Hashem for strength and guidance. The asifa concluded with a collective resolution to embrace the challenge head-on, with each family committing to making positive, technology-conscious choices.
The Asifa was more than just a gathering—it was a resounding declaration of communal resolve. As Rav Joey Haber poignantly put it, we must reclaim control over technology rather than allowing it to dominate our lives. The message resonated: we are the protectors of our homes, and our proactive choices will shape the future.
May this monumental gathering serve as a catalyst for increased kedusha and taharah within our homes and communities. The message of the evening was clear: We must remain vigilant, united, and committed to upholding the sanctity of our lives and the purity of our families.
