Life Beyond the Screen: Women Reclaiming Their Time

In today's digital age, computers seem like an added limb, chaining us with virtual links. Yet, some women have dared to say "no," cutting the cord and removing computers from their homes, unveiling a whole new world beyond the blinking screens.

Chaya Pinchas, a tax consultant, was available to her clients 24/7 until one day she decided to say "enough." She packed up her computer and freed herself.

Similarly, Tamar Cohen, an advertiser at 'Close Up', experienced computer addiction and realized she needed separation between home and technology. "Deciding to remove the computer was one of the best decisions of my life," she says.

Naomi Wiesel, a sound technician, reached a similar decision prompted by an innocent question from her son. "I realized I was missing his childhood," she recalls. "I decided I wanted to be a present mother."

Chaya, Naomi, and Tamar achieved the unbelievable. They prove it’s possible to live full and gratifying lives without being glued to a computer all the time. In a shared conversation, they discuss their decision-making process and life beyond the computer, openly addressing the challenges they face, but also the immense satisfaction gained.

"No entry for the computer at my place". Offices of 'Close Up'

Tamar Cohen: "My Daughter Danced: 'The Computer is Leaving Home!'"

For Tamar Cohen, manager of 'Close Up', an image and advertising agency, it started when she was a young woman "enslaved" to her computer, sometimes attached to it for up to 18 hours a day. "It was a kind of addiction," she reflects today with newfound understanding of those days.

"Back then, it seemed impossible to escape," she recalls. "But two turning points shook me. The first was when I heard a lecture by Rabbi Uri Zohar, zt"l, discussing how everything we mothers see affects our children and husbands. That speech resonated deeply, even though I wasn't married at the time. It was clear I didn't want my family exposed to such influences.

"The second turning point was at 21, when a teacher recommended not bringing a computer into the home during the first month after marriage. I think among all my peers, I understood best the wisdom of that advice. Deep inside, I recognized that if I truly wanted to get married and build a home, I couldn’t do it if the computer was endlessly accessible. It’s either a husband or a computer.

"Shortly after, I got married and decided not to bring the computer home during the initial period. Working independently, I visited my parents daily to use their computer. It quickly became clear this wasn’t sustainable. My business needed more investment, and it was obvious I wasn’t bringing the computer home.

"Hence, I decided to rent an office 20 minutes from home. This was ideal because I went there strictly to work. For several years, this separation benefited me, and as my business grew, I hired an employee. The division was stark—work was for work, because there's no distraction, and home was for family, because working wasn’t feasible even if I wanted to.

"Then COVID hit with its lockdowns. Suddenly, working from afar was impossible, and the computer, along with the employee, moved home. We were surrounded by the computer all day—my husband, my kids, and me. The scenario I feared was unfolding at home.

"Post-lockdown, we immediately moved the computer out. When my daughter heard the announcement, she was so happy she literally danced and announced it at her grandparents' and kindergarten: 'The computer is leaving the house!' *B'H*, we continue this way to this day. I witness great blessings in my work, and I am certain that separating the computer has been a key contributor to our success."

And honestly, what remains challenging?

"To be truthful—having not undergone a structured withdrawal from the computer, initially, I felt almost 'disabled.' I'd want to 'just find a recipe' but couldn't. Even now, stressed times find me working late into the night at the office. It would've been simpler if the computer was home. It's been a challenge, but the value I've gained is immense—a life normalized, giving myself and my kids a renewed living space."

Naomi Wiesel's studio being set up

Naomi Wiesel: "Seeing the Light, Like Finding Faith Again"

Naomi Wiesel has dedicated two decades to sound engineering. "I took the field to its fullest," she shares, "not only amplifying musical performances but also training women in event sound and delivering both private and institutional courses. This requires constant engagement with email and the web."

Over the years, Naomi produced excellent results from a home studio. "I set it up in one of the house's rooms, naturally pulling me in constantly, working on the computer, listening to music, updating on new releases, and more.

"Around eight years ago, I was blessed to return to faith, stepping back from the sound world. The newfound Torah world filled me, conflicting with my previous work. Concurrently, I began learning at a seminary for ba'alei teshuvah. Practically, there was no room for sound in my newly packed schedule.

"Ultimately, this break was for the best, as I met my husband, also a ba'al teshuvah, during seminary. From the onset, one decision was clear: 'In our home, no computer.' While my husband maintained this decision, it broke after a year and a half for me."

Why? What broke it?

"Around the time our first son was born, it was evident I needed to return to work. Internally, I knew I wanted to go back to sound work, a field I excelled in, meaning the computer came back home. I returned to work and quickly became engrossed. The years passed, another son arrived, and I kept explaining 'the computer is strictly for work, for mommy.' Despite true intent, occasionally, it was used for other things like cute videos or various messages.

"A turning point came in summer when one son noticed me searching pool hours online. He remarked, 'I didn’t know your work included newspapers...' At that moment, clarity struck: I wanted to remove the computer for them. I wanted undistracted afternoons when they came home, not quick retreats to the computer. I also wanted to prevent using it as a refuge. The computer should be strictly for work, meaning it needed to leave home.

"Thus, we built a recording studio a few blocks away. Although this decision is recent, just from the last summer vacation, we've already witnessed immense blessing." Naomi enthuses. "One might think removing the computer would reduce work or output, but that's not true. Quite the reverse: structured work hours emerged, and although I must reach the office again in the evening to finish tasks, it's different from having it as part of me all day. It’s a daily trial, yet I feel akin to rediscovering faith—with the lights shining. Choosing this path was right and invaluable, changes I recommend any working-from-home woman pursue. The gains are vast, offering a life-changing opportunity."

Chaya Pinchas: "Customers Said 'We Didn't Notice a Thing'"

Chaya Pinchas, a certified tax consultant and owner of "HP Accounting," assists businesses in navigating bureaucracy to facilitate smart, profitable, and serene operations.

"In my profession, the computer is essentially my right hand," she explains, "since all work is computer, software, and internet-based. It’s used for calculations, documentation, tax reports, tracking, connecting with tax and social systems, and more—monitoring real-time data to take business actions essential to my clients. Thus, the computer is integral to the work; it's not avoidable.

"Initially, contemplating a computer-less home seemed ludicrous. Every businessowner knows it's inseparable. Genius ideas pop up anytime for a client, and instead of delaying, you run to document or act immediately. In my field, work extends into evenings and adds hours in peak times, possible because the computer was just at home."

If that isn’t enough, Chaya points out her job’s strict deadlines, like monthly VAT reports due by the 19th, annual reports aligning with income-tax cycles, payroll reports, and more.

"Moreover, home-working convenience was my perk—staying home when a child was sick or on rainy days. So, I worked from home for seven years, enjoying it immensely."

And what led to deciding to remove the computer?

"The reason is simple: my children, *B'H*, are growing, and it’s crucial they aren’t unduly exposed to computers, media, or screens beyond the inevitable school exposure. Additionally, as a busy person valuing time efficiency, I realized the computer, despite its utility, 'devours' precious time. This realization erupted as the greatest gift possible for my home, but I didn’t imagine its magnitude. Not just spiritually, but separating work from home—so tough for entrepreneurs—is beneficial for all of us.

"Incidentally, post-move, I used Rosh Hashanah's eve to send greetings and apologies for a challenging time, and client feedback was empowering: 'We noticed nothing, services remained top-notch and professional...' At that moment, I knew I was successful and providing even more to my clients, bringing immense joy."

Incidentally, Chaya notes that at the start of the war, there was an extreme dilemma about temporarily reinstating the computer at home. "With sirens disrupting school routines, daily office visits weren't feasible," she explains. "Ultimately, by reminding ourselves: 'just one more day and that's it,' I managed remote work without a computer, only via phone with staff. Truly, it was a limited period until returning to the office."