WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann talks about 25 hours without technology — Jerusalem Post

In Israel, WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann said that he has observed Shabbat — the weekly day of rest in the Jewish tradition — for about ten years and gives up technology for 25 hours. According to him, this practice has helped him better understand himself and strengthen his relationships with family and friends.

Neumann said this in an interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast, the Jerusalem Post reports. He explained that he spends this time with loved ones and devotes it to what he considers greater than himself.

Giving up screens

Shabbat begins before sunset on Friday and ends after nightfall on Saturday. Traditionally, Jews who observe it refrain from work and using electronic devices. Neumann believes that disconnecting from technology, on the contrary, gives people more opportunities for in-person communication.

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The entrepreneur also advised listeners to try spending 24 hours without a phone. In his view, during the first hours of such an experience, a person may notice how often they instinctively reach for their pocket to check the device. He suggested planning this time in advance: meeting friends for dinner or doing outdoor activities.

An experiment for the host

Neumann suggested that host Steven Bartlett repeat the experiment and spend a day without screens. Bartlett agreed to try it and share the result. Neumann clarified that he was not urging the host to observe Shabbat: it was only about giving up technology, while driving a car or writing down ideas on paper remain possible.

Earlier in the conversation, Neumann said that his wife Rebecca introduced him to spiritual practices at the beginning of their relationship. He added that his own spiritual exploration began with Kabbalah. The entrepreneur also called the weekly time he spends with his wife and six children phenomenal.