Thousands Unplugging After MUST Hakhel Event

When we try to improve ourselves, we constantly think about what to add—but what about the things we can take away? The global M.U.S.T. Hakhel event, “Regaining Lost Connections,” brought together close to a thousand people on Monday night in an effort to reconnect with ourselves, our spouses, our children, and our community. How? With our smart phones.

Produced by Mothers Unite to Stall Technology (M.U.S.T.), the organization’s Chabad chapters include ambassadors to Kingston, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Chicago, South Florida, Brazil, Montreal, Baltimore, Monsey, Los Angeles, Atlanta, South Africa, Netherlands, and Australia.

Speakers included technology experts, veteran educators, and even a New York Times Bestselling author. “Every single thing Hashem created is for the sake of revealing goodness is ourselves, our homes, and in the world,” Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson shared. He told a story of sitting in a restaurant and seeing an entire family on their phones while waiting for their food to come. “It’s crucial that every person—father, mother, teacher, leader—we must carve out space when we can just practice attachment.”

Inspired by the event, people want to take action. A new hachlatah form allows people to anonymously share a new healthy habit for interacting with their phones. “We created this space for sharing ideas that you are implementing to stall technology usage on a personal level, as a family, at your workplace, or even in your classroom,” says Esther, a M.U.S.T. team leader.

These resolutions will make us more present for ourselves, our families, and our communities. The commitment can last a week, a month, six months, or a year.

“It is our fervent wish that these resolutions snowball to create a healthier, happier community,” Batya says.

To commit to healthier technology habits, make a hachlatah, here.

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