Ohr Naava, a women’s Torah Center in Brooklyn, has launched a new campaign calling on people to disconnect their mobile phones for one day.
“With the advent of new technology our lives should have become progressively simpler, happier and more connected,” Ohr Naava said. “But is that what is really happening? Seems that with the myriad gadgets we invent to enable us to stay connected, the more disconnected we become.
“We might be attending a stimulating lecture, enjoying a night out with friends, yet our hands are tapping in text.
“We might be spending time at the park, watching our toddlers in the playground, but our fingers and our mind are distracted with 'important' matters.
“We could be sitting in a restaurant, soft music in the background, enjoying dinner with our spouse, yet each of us is glued to our respective phones.”
Saying that friends have forgotten how to communicate and that parents are spending more quality time with their phones than with their children, Ohr Naava is calling on people to disconnect their phones on October 2, 2001 for an hour, two or even all day.
“During this time, those who chose to disconnect will take pleasure in cherished relationships - be it spouses, children, family, self or G-d.”
The initiative was spearheaded by Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein of Ohr Naava. To participate in “A Day to Disconnect”, register on daytodisconnect.com.
(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)