More Than 40,000 Ultra-Orthodox Jews Rally at Mets Stadium to Determine the Dangers of the Internet
- Posted on May 20, 2012 at 11:47pm by
Erica Ritz
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Community leaders scout out the stadium before the rally (Photo: AP)
(The Blaze/AP) — Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men attended a rally Sunday at the New York Mets’ stadium on the dangers of the Internet and how to use modern technology in a religiously responsible way.
Women were not permitted to attend the meeting at Citi Field in Queens. However, it was broadcast live to audiences of women in schools and event halls in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. The event garnered so much interest that organizers rented the nearby Arthur Ashe Stadium for the overflow crowd.
It was deemed the “hottest ticket in town” by the Huffington Post, after the 40,000 seat stadium rapidly sold out.
Thousands of men dressed primarily black and white fill the stadium (Photo: VosIzNeias.com/AP)
Eytan Kobre, a lawyer and spokesman for the event’s organizers, explained that the rally’s purpose was not to ban the Internet, but to learn how to harness it.
“There is a very significant downside to the Internet,” he said. “It does pose a challenge to us in various aspects of our lives.”
He cited online pornography and gambling as well as the risk of social media undermining “our ability to pray uninterruptedly, to focus and to concentrate.”
Television is banned or discouraged, but Kobre said many ultra-Orthodox Jews use the Internet either on computers or smartphones. “There‘s a spectrum of usage and there’s a spectrum of how people are dealing with it,” he said.
Shlomo Cohen of Toronto told The New York Times that he uses the Internet for shopping, business and staying in touch with friends, but that “desires are out there.”
“We have to learn how to control ourselves,” Cohen said.
(Photo: AP)
The rally was organized by a rabbinical group called Ichud Hakehillos Letohar Hamachane, which means Union of Communities for the Purity of the Camp. Published reports have put the cost at $1.5 million.
The organizers are leaders of ultra-Orthodox sects that reject many aspects of modern life. Women dress modestly and wear wigs after marriage, while men wear black hats and long beards. Children are educated in Jewish schools, and Yiddish is the first language for many.
Epitomizing some of the tension between ultra-Orthodox and secular Jews in Israel, a writer for the Israeli site Haaretz sarcastically lamented her inability to attend.
“I guess I’ll have to wallow in the Sodom and Gomorrah of Facebook and Twitter, until I can figure out some way to obtain the message…so that I can see the light and pull the plug on my computer and trade in my iPhone for a more kosher model. I’m really hoping that somebody will write about it on their blog.”
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Comments (91)
whatistruefreedom
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 8:55amAs an Orthodox Jew I have got to say this is the stupidest event of all time. Anyone knows the dangers of the internet. That is like having a meeting of the dangers of fire in burning down houses.
Report Post »Did they have to spend $1.5 million to spread that message.
How many homeless people could they have fed with that money?
SHAME ON THEM!
lukerw
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:02amThey are being suck into a Nazi/Muslim plot… that makes Jews disliked!
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:14amThere is nothing shameful about spending their own money how they see fit…
Report Post »mzk1
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:16amSo there isn’t enough Orthodox-bashing out there without you adding to the mix? Shame on you! You know very well that they are among the most charitable and giving people in the country.
I also find it suspicious that you pick an MSM boutique issue like the so-called homeless instead of the real problems, like the truly needy and the backbreaking cost of Day School tuition.
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on May 22, 2012 at 10:09amWhat a hoot!!!! How long have others been talking about the evils of the net and these forty thousand folk are just now getting around to thinking something might be amiss!!!! What I find amazing is that most Jews vote Liberal, support with time, money, votes to baby killers, haters of our country and way of life. They vote for the very people who will take away every liberty we have as U.S. citizens. Nero played while Rome burned, the Jews pondered the net as the camps are being rebuilt, future OberKapo Juden are waiting in the wings to take the stagemonce again.
Report Post »TWO BITS
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 8:46amThe internet, like other inventions, is a mixed blessing. It is a useful source for information and communication, but there are also pitfalls like abuse and addiction.
Report Post »bamamontana
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 8:42amSeriously? If the Orthodox Jews truly want to save themselves from something, they should gather inside a stadium to discuss the dangers of perpetuating their relationship with the Democrat party.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 9:26amHere’s some facts for you. Very few Jews in the US are Orthodox so if a majority of all Jews vote Democrat that doesn’t necessarily mean that most Orthodox Jews did. In fact, most of the Orthodox Jews I know that vote Democrat are part of the indoctrinated generation, and even then they aren’t the majority.
Report Post »kshapero
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 9:30amHey Dummy. The great majority of Orthodox Jews are very conservative and vote Republican.
Report Post »mzk1
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:50amMay I remind you that Debbie Whatsername-Schultz just blamed the Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn (the one I grew up in) for the loss of a specail election? And they voted for a Catholic over one of their own?
Of course, they still REGISTER Democrat. In the big cities, a lot of Conservatives register Domocrat in order not to be disenfranchised in local elections.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 11:36pm@MZK1
Report Post »My dad grew up in Philadelphia and he told me that the only election that ever mattered was the democratic primary.
standuppeople
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:56amWith respect to all–each of us is responsible for our own salvation. It is not the sight/presence of a woman nor the use of the internet or anything/anyone else that determines our relationship with God, it is our own actions.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 8:07amAmen. Self Control is the key. Something a lot of men could use more of.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 8:47amI agree men can use more self control…….hey, wait a minute!!!!!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:51amThe people should have free access to all Knowledge… and better Communications always enhances Productivity.
The only Problem is: Knowledge & Productivity can enhance the Enemy too!
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:51amSeems to me there is a big problem with the internet in most households.. one would suspect even more so in this tough economy..one would imagine that thinking or contacting that old spouse from back when things were simpler is a big attraction and an escape from reality.. the only thing internet porn has stopped is the selling of Penthouse.. Playboy and the local rental shops from renting those type of movies.. If one looks I am sure that finding a way to sin is NOT far from them even without the internet..I don’t know about the particular religion however in the Jewish homes I know of the WOMEN are actually the stronger entity of the house so the MEN meeting without the women is a non issue.. For the life of me I sometimes think that women make a big deal about things they have NO real interest in just to make noise.. and make themselves seem like victims for attention.. there are times when WOMEN meet and DON’T want men.. Yes I believe women are equal but women are NOT ONE with men.., OR visa versa… God never intended us to be THUS MEN/WOMEN.. the internet is a good thing when used correctly.. I myself love technology.. however.. as with most American’s who have and addicting personalities to many find a way to make it something that can get them in trouble or lesson their value/moral system as well as allowing the GOVERNMENT to know ALL about them at ALL times.. something the young will find comes to bite them in the rear soon..
Report Post »Linny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:30amPlease, find an alternate means that is Government Proof!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:25amIt was deemed the “hottest ticket in town” and nobody was willing to pay full price.
Sh3LLz
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:33amHAHAHAHA.. Awesome.
Report Post »hawkeyez
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:08amThese turds are as stupid as Muslims.
Report Post »auntmoxie.com
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:43amMy, how respectful we are towards those who are just trying to live a life of self-restraint.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:53amA fine line… between the Two!
Report Post »@lunaticyid
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:49amOut of the 40000 jews that were there not one voted for obama 98 per of ultra religious jews are conservative and they are not trying to control the internet just suggesting to control it in your own home so you don‘t temp yourself with sin of porn and that’s only for the jewish people they are not trying to shut it down. We do not impose our beliefs on the rest of the world just wanna do our thing and be left alone
Report Post »ProudJew
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:18amI am Jewish, but I am more secular then religious. My mom always told me the Orthodox Jews do not even consider anyone outside of the sect real Jews. As a human I feel no one religion is above anyone else. I am a man who trying to make it like anyone in this world. I know most of my fellow Jews are liberal and vote Democrat. I was once like them until I became independent and I realize I was more conservative than I thought I was. Since they are my brethren, the one thing I can do for them is pray for them.
Report Post »rparrny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:10amA reply to ProudJew:
Report Post »I’m sorry your Mom had some bad experiences with Orthodox Jews, but she gave you wrong information. Orthodox Jews do not feel that reform or whatever are not Jews, it is all about the level of observance…albeit there are some sects of Hassidum that feel they are superior, they represent a very small percentage of orthodox Jews, and in fact they are breaking Jewish law with that attitude. Level of observance is a choice of every Jew…I doubt I will ever reach the level of observance of a Hassid, but I can certainly respect the dedication and work that goes into it and would never think less of a Jew who was not at MY level of observance. Sometimes I think we are our own worst enemy…so much discrimination amongst us. If we instead concentrated on what we all have in common as Jews…spend our lives earnestly working to attain the highest level of observance that each of us as individuals can obtain…and recognizing that the level is different for everyone…respecting the sacrifice and hard work of those that are more observant and being tolerant and supportive of those that are at a lesser level would go a long way to bringing us all together. Please consider visiting a Chabad Torah class and meeting a Hassid that will give you a different picture of what your Mom experienced. I’m sure there is one near you…check Chabad.org
IndyGuy
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:51amI’m confused…is Beck a Jew or a Mormon???
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:28amRPARRNY, in your opinion, are Jews now leaning in a more conservative direction with Obama’s destruction on our economy, traditions and values? I have known Jewish business owners over the years and they are very savvy, so it is hard for me to fathom their backing Obama again. Any observations?
Report Post »LouC57
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:42amYou’re a good guy. I think you’ll be just fine as you are.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 8:33am@Grandmaof5: This may be a small gathering of them backing Obama in the end; look at how many people here at home still fall for Obama’s lies, so it could be that the Jewish people who put their trust in Obama are under the same spell as his American followers.
Ultimatly Obama is more likely to join in an attack on Israel as to save it in the end.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 9:49amSNOW, nothing you said would surprise me, and I don’t say that lightly. I hope, and pray, we can see Michelle’s wish of “walking out the front door of the WH”, come true. Hope all is well in AZ with you and yours.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:09amPlease…….please just Vote Obama out of the white house …So we can keep our Religions.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:08amPlease just Vote Obama out of the white house …So we can keep our Religions.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:07amJust vote Obama out of office so we can keep our religions………..
Report Post »Bete Noire
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:56amI wonder who threw out the first Matzo Ball?
Report Post »ConservativeCanucklehead
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:13amOkay, that’s just funny.
Report Post »LouC57
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:43amLOL–that IS cute as heck.
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:08amThe internet may be new, but risks to the “ability to pray uninterruptedly, to focus and to concentrate” are not. If you spend any amount of time with any of New York’s many prostitutes, ex-prostitutes or dominatrices, you will end up hearing a dirty story about an ultra-Orthodox client, as surely as hanging out with a proctologist at a party will lead to hearing about a strange object found in some dude’s butt.
Report Post »vox_populi
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:04amHeh. Always amusing to watch religious conservatism trying to deal with the modern world, regardless of which version of Abraham’s God they pray to.
Report Post »ConservativeCanucklehead
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:17amMe? I don’t find it “amusing”. Frightening is the word that comes to my mind. The zealots of any theological belief system can always mutate from concerned to controlling, from opposed to oppressive.
Report Post »trueamerican40
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:01amUse the internet and look up, ‘The atrocities that Big Brother have committed upon the Jewish people’. Stop supporting Caesar Obankruptus Defeatus.
Report Post »woodrowsux
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:15amALTHOUGH I’m traditionalist jewish non- orthodox I respect the orthodox for following the lawsof the Torah more diligently. As a ‘BLAZER’ I can tell you that there were about 39,995 NON- OBAMA voters there which is heatening in and of itself.
Report Post »rednckpreacher
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:03amWow No one cares about this issue? The Christian community I belong too is struggling with this as well . Many are scapegoating facebook for the rash splitting homes that are resulting from old flame recontacts over facebook. There is an increased temptation to sin that comes from too much internet time, and not enough God time! Porn is destroying peoples lives , and trashing homes. A word of suggestion for Orthodox Jews who wish to clean things up. Do somthing with your non religious brethern who are whole heartedly cramming their filth into everyones face. Secular Jews control Hollywood, and the media! True followers of Moses need pray that God would send a fire through the camp again and purify it ! Pray for a Phineas!
Report Post »Poggle The Stick
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:39amWe live in a sinful world; I’m sure as a Christian you know that.
Humans were built to be mirror images of God, and they were almost a perfect reflection until the mistake of Adam and Eve. Although even after, humans continued to innovate/invent things to make their lives better even though there was still sin in the world.
The internet is a minor invention of the 20th century that allows humans to constantly remain in touch 24-7 with people beyond their own home. If we eliminated everything in the world like this we’ve made with sin in it, we would have to kill ourselves and our universe as well. Our universe cannot be purified.
The internet is a very new thing. Humans of this time period have apparently a hard time getting used to the fact there is a real world around them they have to pay attention to. I’m sure that over time that we will take this for granted and move on to something bigger than computers and the internet.
Besides, a lot of the Left already agrees with Jews – they already want to control the internet! If we were to control it, the internet would lose all good. ALL of it, I say! I feel that if the Jews were in charge over all the internet, the internet would be a political gathering of propaganda and crap that wasn’t originally intended to be on the internet.
There are other solutions to this! You Jews need to think about it harder!
Report Post »ThorLoser
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:55amWhat is the value of faith which hasn’t been tested?
It’s easy to resist temptations if they have all been erradicated from the world. It’s not as though we can ever acheive heaven on this earth (or should even try for that matter). There is no virtue without sin.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:34amSo, you will blame all Jews just for the few in Hollywood or on the air?? Please!! I wouldn’t even call those practicing Jews! They have lost their way.. just like any other person from any denomination! How pathetic!
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:09amI agree with POGGLE. Yes there is sin in the world…but this gives us more opportunity to overcome the “world” as Jesus did. If you love the world the love of the Father is not in you. Every invention we have usually has potential for great abuse and horrible, sinful behavior…but at the same time…there is much good that can come out of the internet. This world will NEVER be heaven on earth…thats why I can’t wait to see the other side that will be perfect. I know one thing…we do NOT need any more government intervention!
Report Post »mzk1
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:52amOh, please, they would listen to us? You know what lapsed Catholics are like? Got the idea?
Besides, asking an Orthodox Jew to convince a Reform Jew is like asking a Catholic to quote the Pope to a Lutheran.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:02amIf they are going to say 40,000 Jews, can they at least find a picture with more than 20 in it?
How many Jews does it take to decide the internet has bad things on it? Answer: 40,000…39,999 to prepare the meals and 1 to decide. Just kidding, I got a lot of love for the Jews
Report Post »mharry860
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:37amLooks like 40, the zero button must have been stuck. I’m surprised by this though, usually conservative groups are reported at 10% of actual attendance and liberal groups are reported at 10 times actual attendance.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:01amAs long as they look at the internet through a hole in a sheet, they will be fine.
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 11:55pmMajor sausage fest.
Report Post »chameleonx
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 11:52pmI’m consider Jewish by birth and would like to respond to this article. Even though I’m not a religious Jew I find a lot of Orthodox Judaism teachings and traditions outdated. I do respect many Jews who want to use the internet more responsibly. From people taking your information, pornography, etc the internet should be used with caution.
Report Post »FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:15amI bet these people could do a better job running the Country than Obummer & Co. At least they know men are made for women and not other men.
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:48amYup, and they obviously care about and value women’s opinions enough to allow them to join in on their conversation……oh wait, “Women were not permitted to attend the meeting at Citi Field in Queens.”
Report Post »mzk1
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:22amThere are plenty of books and articles by women in “ultra-Orthodox” bookstores and publications.
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 9:45pmHhmmm, it looks like there are maybe fifty men there, judging by the pictures.
Where are the other 39,950 ?
Report Post »Crazy Times
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:26amYa, I’m usually not a critic of the blaze, but i laughed after seeing the pictures.. maybe it was a typo and should of said “40”….
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:57am40 is a Biblical Number… representing… Contemplation, Isolation, & Communion with GOD!
Report Post »Locked
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 9:58am“Hhmmm, it looks like there are maybe fifty men there, judging by the pictures.
Where are the other 39,950 ?”
The second picture shows rows upon rows completely full. There are at least several thousand in that picture alone.
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 9:59amWhat isn’t a biblical number to you guys?
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:09pmWhat picture are you looking at? The picture I see is of a packed stadium…
Report Post »Crazy Times
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:09pmThey updated the picture, when they first put this post up, there were two pictures of the stadium empty.. they updated one of the pictures…
Report Post »