I just had the privilege of speaking on the phone with a world-renowned Talmid Chacham and Posek, who is highly respected in the Modern Orthodox world (as well as in other circles).

It was a brief conversation, but long enough to tell him what GYE does, about the Haskamos we recently received, and to get his e-mail address (his private one, that he actually checks).  I said that a letter of support from him would be very helpful, especially in reaching out to the Modern Orthodox world, and he sounded supportive.

The Ribbono Shel Olam should give us continued Hatzlacha in spreading the word!

Thanks for being such a power house Kedusha!

Well, AWMAYN that add'l haskamos should be arriving from every corner of the Torah world.  

(Why we all seem to wait until OUR corner of the Torah world speaks up is another story. I didn't know the Torah world was supposed to have corners, anyhow. Is this a prize fight or something?  It's like that other phrase "leading gadolim," as if there's a "2nd class gadol" or something Ch'V....) Anyhow, enough daydreaming about how to get klal Yisroel back into one camp.  

The real message is, sh'koiach for your efforts on behalf of the website and all the Yidden who might benefit from it.

I wonder if I know any world-renowned figures, and if I'd have the koyach to approach them as you did!

You are GREAT!

Briut wrote on 10 Feb 2010 16:41:


You don't need to know anyone.  When I first approached the Rosh Yeshiva less than 10 weeks ago, the first thing he said to me (after "good Shabbos") was "what is your name?"

Of course, you need to be willing to use your real name; most people will not want to deal with you, otherwise.

way to go kedusha. I guess you have some siyata deshmaya too. This past motzei shabbos i had a meeting set up with quite a chusheveh person and speaker, but it never came to fruition. I guess migalgilin zechus al yedai zakai!!!!

imtrying25 wrote on 10 Feb 2010 18:03:


Thank you Return and IMT.

IMT, why not just try again?

I just sent the following e-mail:

Dear Rav ******, Shlita,

I am deeply grateful to Rav ****** for taking my call this morning.

As I mentioned, a close friend of mine has dedicated his life to helping Acheinu B'nei Yisrael who have fallen prey to the Nisyonos of the Internet, specifically, although not limited to, Internet pornography addiction.  His "Guard Your Eyes" (GYE) program, www.guardyoureyes.org, has helped countless people in this sensitive area.  I am privileged to assist him in a number of ways.

Rav Yosef Veiner of Monsey has made a remarkable statement: that the Nisyonos of the Internet are, without exception, the most serious issue facing Klal Yisrael.  The Shiur can be heard at this link (this topic is addressed from about 21:00-47:00).
www.torahanytime.com/scripts/media.php?file=media/Rabbi/Yossi_Viener/2009-07-30/Tisha_BAv_Our_Responsibility_Toward_Others/Rabbi__Yosef_Veiner__Tisha_BAv_Our_Responsibility_Toward_Others__2009-07-30.wmv

Yet, unfortunately, Klal Yisrael is, for the most part, in denial.  For example, Family First Magazine, which is put out by Mishpacha, is currently running a serial called "Shattered Glass," which deals with a Kollel Yungerman who suffers from "Internet addiction."  Mishpacha has received so many complaints that the author was forced to change the story line to something less threatening, which basically skirts the issue altogether.  Mishpacha has also refused to run ads for GYE.  (To be fair, the issue of Mishpacha that arrives at the stands today mentions Guard Your Eyes briefly in its cover story, although it mischaracterizes GYE as an Internet "tracking system," which is completely incorrect).  

The Modern Orthodox world may be more aware of what is going on, but may not consider it to be such a serious problem.  However, although a Modern Orthodox man with this problem/addiction may be better able to "live with himself," the problem is no less real in the way it is affecting so many personal lives and marriages, and, of course, from a Halachic perspective.

Recently, Rav Aharon Feldman, Shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, wrote a groundbreaking letter in support of GYE.  The letter is groundbreaking, in that it is probably the first by someone of the Rosh Yeshiva's stature to fully acknowledge the scope and extent of the problem, and to further acknowledge that we're dealing with an addiction/illness, not with people who are evil and simply need to exercise better self control.  Rav Feldman gave a strong endorsement of the "Guard Your Eyes" program as an effective way to help people escape from this painful addiction.  See www.guardyoureyes.org/?p=2118.  (As explained at this link, there are actually four versions of Rav Feldman's letter, which are intended for different audiences).

In the wake of GYE receiving Rav Feldman's letter, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, whose guidance is reflected throughout the GYE program, decided to make an exception to his policy of not giving endorsements, and wrote a warm letter of support for GYE.  See www.guardyoureyes.org/?p=2320.  

Rav *****, to help familiarize yourself with what Guard Your Eyes does, you can visit their website at www.guardyoureyes.org.  However, there is so much information on the GYE site that many people don't know where to begin.  For this reason, the GYE administrator wrote the Guard Your Eyes Handbook and the Guard Your Eyes Attitude Handbook (both are attached).  Together, these handbooks give a very good overview of what the GYE program has to offer.  Specifically, the first handbook helps a person determine both the extent of his problem/addiction, and what measures will be necessary to bring it under control.  The second handbook helps a person develop the correct attitudes necessary to succeed in this struggle.

Also attached is a document called "The GYE Lighthouse," which contains shocking information as to how widespread this problem is and the extent that Klal Yisrael remains in denial.

Rav *****, Guard Your Eyes reaches out to Jews from all walks of life (there are even a few non-Jews who utilize its services), and is very interested in helping many more of our Modern Orthodox brethren, who may not yet even realize that they have a problem.  We believe that a letter of support from you (in English) would be very helpful in achieving this objective and would be a tremendous Zikui HaRabbim.

Please contact me by phone or e-mail if you have any questions.  My phone numbers can be found below.

Thank you so very much.

Sincerely,

*********
P.S. [Daytime, evening, and cell phone numbers provided].

P.P.S. Important: This message is being sent from my non-anonymous e-mail account.  Therefore, please keep it confidential.  If you would like to forward this message to anyone, please make sure to first delete three things: my e-mail address (which contains my name), my signature, and my three phone numbers which follow my signature.  
If anyone else wants to contact me, they may use my anonymous e-mail address: ***********.    

Kedusha wrote on 10 Feb 2010 19:56:


Just outta curiosity, if its your anonymous email address why did you blank it out???? ;D ;D ;D ;D

But seriouslly Kedusha, you are doing a wondefull job with this project. You are tapping into all types of Jews which is the key here. This doesnt only apply to a certain sect. All types of Jews are effected by this disease.

-Yiddle

Kedusha wrote on 10 Feb 2010 18:13:
For the simple reason that hes not here in EY anymore. Lost chances. :-\

Yiddle2 wrote on 10 Feb 2010 20:26:


Anonymity should only be compromised when there is something to be gained.  Otherwise, can't be too careful!

Thanks for the new letter, I already "recycled" it.  

And, I am using the updated reference to Mishpacha in my new letters.

Oh, and this gives me the perfect format to send an e-mail to every single Young Israel in the country... sadly not all of them post an e-mail, so I may miss a few communities.

[Moderator's note: Just some spelling corrections].

shemirateinayim wrote on 11 Feb 2010 04:42:


Yashar Koach - I'm delighted.  I spent hours trying to get this letter just right, so I'm very glad that others can make use of it (with the appropriate modifications, of course).

Kedusha wrote on 11 Feb 2010 12:27:



Indeed, But I messed-up and left to "Rabbi *****" in there. whoops! But he still responded, stating that he has seen the haskamah, and wanted to know how he can help. So I finnaly had to write my own letter, borrowing your blue typeset, and explaining the need to bring this program to the attention of rabbanim and mechanchim. Torah Tavlin only goes so-far for an addiction.

Truth is that if the Modern Circles make a big deal about us there will be a trickle  down effect to Yeshivish circles.