"The Enemy Has Entered Nearly Every Jewish Home"

Perhaps if the Shas party's bill in 2006 had been approved, requiring Israeli internet providers to filter inappropriate content for all users (except those who explicitly requested it), today's situation would be entirely different. But in reality, the proposal did not pass, leaving the managers and volunteers of the "Guard Your EyesGYE" organization with plenty of work. According to the definition on the organization's website, the aim is to provide "a unique solution for coping with viewing inappropriate online content, from cases of young people just beginning to stumble to the most severe addiction cases. The tools we utilize were developed under the guidance of top addiction specialists and from the personal experiences of hundreds who successfully freed themselves. Our services are completely anonymous and free of charge."

While organizations seldom aim to have less work, that's precisely the goal at "Guard Your Eyes," with the publication of a petition supporting the new bill by MK Lia Shemtov (Yisrael Beiteinu), according to which internet providers would be required to filter pornographic content for the public, with only those desiring unfiltered internet having to request it explicitly. "Some claim it is fascism or that it infringes on personal freedom, and that it should not be imposed, dismissing the harm it causes children," says Sheltzer. "Today, the average age of a child exposed to pornographic content is 11. The heaviest ages for consuming inappropriate content are 12 to 17. The negative impacts are vast, and we are raising a generation of children like never seen before, due to exposure to this content. This is a necessary law, hence we launched the petition at this link for people to express support for this bill. Reaching a respectable number of signatures might indeed influence."

The "Guard Your Eyes GYE" organization was established in the US four and a half years ago by an anonymous Hasid. Sheltzer encountered it about two and a half years ago while working at "Matan," a Haredi organization assisting disconnected Haredi youth. "I encountered this issue of pornography addiction among young people and found no professional solution for it. I searched and found GYE, which had a small English website and telephone support groups. I saw its tremendous potential, connected with the Hasid who initiated the project, and since I have a background in addiction therapy and project management, together, we elevated the site's professionalism. I traveled to America five times, met with rabbis and Torah leaders, redeveloped the site, and even sent our materials to the Torah Umesorah network of schools. Additionally, we were invited to do this in Yiddish for the Satmar community. Thanks to them, we now have a Yiddish site, a French site is forthcoming, and eventually there will be a Spanish one as well."

What are the scopes of demand for the support and counseling services you provide?<\/span>

"Unfortunately, the demand is very high. Tens of thousands of Jews fall into these traps. It is addictive and immune to no one. Once, if you had told me how problematic this was, I wouldn't have believed how much. But after several years of work, I understand how little we comprehend the tip of the iceberg of this phenomenon's magnitude. Many good people fall victim. Our site features videos of prominent rabbis discussing this issue. All the anti-internet conventions are not for nothing - great rabbis foresee this and understand how problematic the issue is."

"The enemy has managed to enter almost every Jewish home through the computer. Everything is accessible and anonymous. In previous generations, our ancestors had to work hard to fall, but today all 49 gates of impurity are in many Jewish homes. While it's difficult to completely rid ourselves of the internet, there must be filters. Do not allow children to surf freely, and if someone has fallen - we have solutions."

The solutions Sheltzer speaks of include a comprehensive plan of 20 tools providing solutions for all levels of struggle, from momentary stumbles to severe addictions. "We have a daily email that people receive from us, offering self-fulfillment advice and physical activity, advice for setting boundaries, etc. There is also the 90-day chart - research shows that if you cease the negative activity for 90 days, scientifically, it becomes much easier to cope thereafter. The program includes, for example, vows of fines for stumbles. They must define three things they need to do before surfing forbidden places - for example, reciting the Tikkun Klali, engaging in an hour of fitness, and talking to a friend. If the young man does not do the three things - the fine will be much heavier, according to the vow. This works very well with God-fearing individuals, sharpening the consequences of sins breached due to a lack of boundaries."

You frequently reach out to the Haredi sector. Isn't there dissonance here? Usually, it's not pleasant to talk about these topics, and there's also the thought that such a site might actually provide negative ideas to different surfers.<\/span>

"Of course, this is a question we addressed with the assistance of rabbinic councils and Torah leaders who support us. We are very sensitive about this. But if someone has open internet access and can reach us - I am the last danger for them. Granted, I would not want 12-year-olds reaching us and reading about people's struggles. But on the other hand, if a child has free surfing access and somehow reaches us - they face much greater dangers around. There is no harm on the site that can affect a mature person. They can also see the pain of addicted people, the hell they are in, and how much they want to escape. In some areas, we do not publicize the website but only the hotline, like in the Haredi communities. It's true that the site doesn't always need to be advertised openly."

What about secular people? A large portion of your site's content is directed towards faith, fear of sin, etc. Such factors may have less influence on a non-religious audience.<\/span>