by Monsey Chabad Blog
Photos by Nechemia Kaplan
Close to 250 men and women from the greater Monsey Chabad community, including numerous Shluchim and a contingent from Morristown, gathered in Monsey last night for “An Evening of Awareness” dedicated to making parents aware of the inherent dangers that come along with many technologies that our children may be exposed to.
The event, which took place at the Tzemach Tzedek shul, was sponsored by the three Chabad educational institutions in Monsey; Cheder Chabad of Monsey, Monsey Beis Chaya Mushka High School for Girls and Yeshivas Menachem Mendel Lubavitch of Monsey.
The evening began with a short video clip of the Rebbe speaking about the importance of strengthening the mitzvah of tznius especially during the summer season.
Following the video, Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman, Dean of Cheder Chabad, who acted as MC, introduced the Rav of Tzemach Tzedek, Rabbi Boruch Lesches, Rabbi Chaim D. Kagan, Dean of Monsey Beis Chaya Mushka and Rabbi Zalmen Leib Markowitz, a longtime leader in the Monsey community who also serves as an Educational Consultant for Merkos.
All spoke inspiringly of the challenging but vital task of maintaining an environment of Kedusha at home and ensuring that our children receive the same consistent messages from both home and school.
The main speaker of the evening was Philip Rosenthal, a former Computer Forensic Investigator for the Rockland County Sherriff’s Department and world renowned expert on computer and internet safety.
Mr. Rosenthal gave a powerful 2 hour presentation highlighting the potential mental, physical and of course spiritual hazards that most computers and electronic toys, gadgets and phones have.
His overall message included many tips on how to protect your children, and yourself, as much as possible through filters (i.e. k9webprotection.com) and monitoring software (i.e. eblaster.com) but most importantly by strengthening your relationship with your children. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
hes an ammmaazing speaker..spoke in london n every1 loved it!!! spoke in my skl n i rlly njoyed it!!
“but most importantly by strengthening your relationship with your children.”
any kid now a days can find his/her was to a unfiltered internet source.
anyone thinking that they can direct their child anyother way is mistaken.
as chasidim we know how to fight our nefesh hbihamus, (and that we must).
walking on the other side of the street isn’t going to solve life’s problems
this guy came to talk to our school in london!!! hes amazing!! he really knows what hes talking about!!
I don’t recall of any sefer in halocho or hashkofo saying that shmiras enaim is more strict towards kids then adults, an logic tells me that it’s more risk for an adult…
We removed the internet access out of our house and the atmosphere has become much calmer,no more fighting over who gets the laptop next and a lot more learning and reading going on. I heard beshem Rav Heller that internet has to be treated no differently than yichud. Today, lyder bochurim our not embaresed to have their own laptops or phone internet. I think something is way off if a bochur should not even realize az is past nist vial tiviyai liyidai nisayon.
There are other ways to give your child their open space and show you trust them.. you don’t have to let them sit on internet with no filter just to show you trust them. You are DESTROYING your child by doing that!!!! EVERY FAMILY SHOULD HAVE A FILTER ON THEIR COMPUTER!!
K9 is a great filter and it’s free
can you please post the speech?
Very good point!!
Every community/school/shul MUST have Phil come speak for them. His talks are as critical for those that are ignorant of what can be found on the internet as those that are well aware of what’s out there.
It is a serious problem, and you don’t want them to get hurt especially at a young age.
Great point – http://www.guardyoureyes.org is a great website if you want to learn about internet safety for adults as well. There is also a great list of free internet filters and how to use them on their site.
We need to also have a little trust in the kids!! If you dont have any trust what so ever the kids will drop everything !!!!
he is really good
Mr. Rosenthal is a fantastic speaker and spoke to the parents at my children’s school in NJ. He gave very practical advice like not having your child’s age in their e-mail address or date of birth… lots of important info. Strongly recommend his important experience and information for parents, schools, educators.
who protect the parents ??
OMG