Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Men Rally Against Internet Evils

NEW YORK — More than 40,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men rallied together at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, last Sunday night to slam the evils of the Internet.

Organized by a rabbinical group called Ichud Hakehillos Letohar Hamachane, which means Union of Communities for the Purity of the Camp, the jammed event’s purpose was to harness the Internet to protect Orthodox Jews against porn, gambling and the risks of social media.

Nearly all of the rally’s black-garbed speakers cited the evils of online porn and its tendency to directly cause molestation, rape, addiction, abduction, infidelity, and virtually every other moral perversion, according to Gizmodo that spoke to zealots who attended.

“When we asked one young man, who had shown up to the rally because his rabbi had ordered him to, if he'd ever looked at porn online, he smiled and said nothing. ‘You have, haven't you?’ His face firmed up and he assured us he had never, but did use the open Internet to help manage a catering business,” Gizmodo reported.

Eytan Kobre, a lawyer and spokesman said during a speech, “The siren song of the Internet entices us. It brings out the worst of us.”

"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 further maintained that the web undermines "our ability to pray uninterruptedly, to focus and to concentrate."

An overflow crowd of 20,000 also filled nearby Arthur Ashe Stadium. The seven hour event was also streamed live to six sites across the tri-state area allowing the men-only gathering to be viewed by women.

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" especially for men.

"We have to learn how to control ourselves," Cohen said.

But the seemingly moral religious gathering included a hint of commercialism behind its drive.

According to the Times, the organizing group is linked to a software company that sells Internet filtering software to Orthodox Jews and fliers were being handed out hawking a “kosher GPS App” for iPhone and Android phones that locates synagogues and kosher restaurants.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More