At just 18 years old, Calabasas-based software engineer Sina Matian has created a tool that blends technology with tradition. His new iOS app, Tefillin Timer, is designed to help users stay consistent with the Jewish practice of wearing tefillin.
Matian, who has been coding for five years, says the project grew out of personal experience and a renewed commitment to his faith. In late 2023, he began reconnecting with Judaism in a more intentional way. He describes that period as a turning point: practicing Torah teachings, wearing tefillin regularly, and learning more about Jewish law brought a sense of clarity and discipline he hadn’t expected. “My life exponentially became better,” he reflects, crediting daily Jewish practice. That shift eventually inspired him to build something that could help others on a similar path.
A Simple Tool for a Complex System of Traditions
While many apps today focus on productivity or habit tracking, Tefillin Timer addresses a very specific challenge within Judaism: knowing when to perform the practice. Some days require wearing tefillin; others—particularly certain holidays—prohibit it. For someone juggling school, work, or family life, it’s easy to lose track.
The app helps by offering daily customizable reminders, automatic holiday and Shabbat recognition, instructions for both Ashkenazi and Sephardic customs, and audio-based learning with word-by-word instructions and transliterations.
Matian built the entire app himself. The biggest challenge, he explains, wasn’t coding—it was learning the nuances of ritual practice. Growing up in a Reform, Sephardic household, he wanted the app to accurately serve both communities. Local Chabad educators guided him through the traditions to ensure the instructions reflected correct customs.
A Personal Project With No Profit Motive
For Matian, Tefillin Timer isn’t a new startup to become the next teenage millionaire, rather it’s a contribution, his way of giving back to the movement that reshaped his life. The app has no ads, no in-app purchases, no data collection, and no sign-in requirements. “I don’t make any money off this app,” he says. “I take comfort in knowing that it might help someone become closer to Hashem.”
That simplicity resonates with users. Around 1,000 people currently use the app, and early feedback from friends, family, and community members has been overwhelmingly positive. Many say the reminders help them stay consistent, while others appreciate having an accessible guide to traditions they are trying to learn more deeply.
Matian himself uses the app daily. The reminders have woven tefillin into his routine, turning spiritual intention into habit.
Looking Ahead
Although the core app is intentionally minimal, Matian sees opportunities to expand its utility. He says he may add features such as a Jerusalem compass, synagogue locators, and video step-by-step instructions. He plans to keep the focus exclusively on Judaism. His long-term vision is straightforward: help as many people as possible strengthen their relationship with Hashem.
A Message From the Developer
Matian grew up in an ethnically Jewish household that wasn’t particularly religious. Choosing to deepen his observance was, in his words, “a rebellious act”—one he hopes others feel empowered to explore. His message to new users is simple: maintaining a relationship with Hashem doesn’t require perfection. Small, consistent steps matter.
“You don’t have to wear tefillin and pray every day to build that connection—but it certainly helps. And if you want to get started, Tefillin Timer is there for you.”
This article was written in cooperation with Tedfuel