8 Responses

1. Baruch Hashem. It was a beautiful and inspiring event.

   Yasher Koach to all the Rabbonim shlit”a who gave much of their valuable time to be mechazek the oilem and remind us all of the utmost importance of these issues, to keep us constantly on guard and alert to its dangers.

2. As stated this is a follow up to the Asifa from last year. Some questions we want to ask the goers of this event, and even upon ourselves. Did they/we see any significant PRACTICAL changes and/or improvements from these Asifas’? I’m not asking whether the event was succesful, I’m wondering if the COMMUNITY was succesful. Secondly, some believed the Asifa didn’t point out enough practical solutions how to tackle the issue. Many have careers or focus on their education on the internet. Many people have to do research on the computer. How do we tackle those issues? A young Lakewood nephew visiting his my parents (his grandparents) refusing to sit in the living room with his grandmother because there is a computer and TV in the room is not a solution that I consider with practical midos. In conclusion, I don’t want to hear another speech, I want to hear solutions.

3. #2 jewishflorida: Absolutely, there have been many practical on-the-ground improvements in the day-to-day life of many Jews. Many have filters where previously they had none. Others have disconnected their internet completely.

   And, of course, there is now much greater awareness of the dangers than there was previously. That benefits us all.

4. #3. It is very questionable if anything was achieved at all. The “Citifield Asifa” did not promote the use of filters. It banned the internet for anything but the most pressing bussiness needs and only then would a filter be appropriate. One year later Frum online sites are bustling with traffic. Tzedaka organizations stream their events to an internet connected audience. Every Chinese auction is giving away an Ipod or and Ipad. Even people who disconnected the Internet at home have connectivity in the office or on their phones. One would be hard pressed to find members of our community that are not online on a pretty regular basis.

   The truth is the Internet is a reality. It has bad but also alot of good. Our “Asifas” have to stress a balanced approach and not stress that the internet is the source and cause of all evil.

5. How can you say that this accomplished nothing? I will talk only for myself but I’m sure there are many like me. I have a computer / internet because I feel I need it. I spend much time doing web searches. How many times do I Google a topic and among the hundreds of articles or images I view there is something inappropriate. Because of last years asifa, when I had to get a new phone I was very tempted to get the latest updated one. In the end I got one with no internet access – only talk and text. Its now seven months and I’m happy with the choice. In my home because of the asifa I got a filter so that my children won’t be able to go online without permission. Many of my friends have facebook accounts I am very very tempted to sign up, because of last years asifa I thought long and hard if I really need it. Tonight’s asifa helped strengthen myself against it. I’m sure there are many who walked away from tonight’s asifa with a stronger resolve to protect themselves and their families from the dangers of unrestricted internet access.

6. At least it was not held at Citi Field. I think it is a chillul Hashem for Yidden to be seen there. We should only be seen at Yankee Stadium!

7. #5 Ah yid. It is inspiring to read about your kabalos . I respect you for doing what you feel is right. However you yourself are not following the guidelines of the “Citifield Asifa”. The Asifa said no internet for children under any circumstances, this was said clearly and repeatedly. It is written in the Asifa booklet. The Asifa said no internet usage for non-business purposes. The Asifa booklet refers to the internet as a sickness and cancer. You speak about a filter for your children and you obviously frequent news sites like YWN. Therefore the Asifa has not achieved its goals even in your case.

8. I have the best filter out there. Its called “Self Control”. Its free and does not even require installation. All that is required is a bit of yiras shamayim and self control.