Hidabroot Writers Share: What Do I Love Most About the Site?

Why is it important to write comments, and how does Shira Dabush (Cohen) start her workday? As the new site launches, Hidabroot writers share what connects them to the site.

Shuli Shmueli

In my eyes, Hidabroot is the home for those questioning life, traditional people for whom Judaism is an integral part of life, those becoming stronger in faith, and those who have returned to observance. Life is so demanding and busy that sometimes the closeness to Hashem, which is the essence of life, can be pushed aside. Hidabroot is here to ensure that doesn't happen. The Digital-Content department does everything to push supportive messages in a way that fits the generation, both in various relevant platforms and in creating original and attractive content that speaks the language of today.

What is so special here is the engine driving Hidabroot, which is giving to the Jewish people. This is reflected from the various departments in the organization assisting in different areas: Shalom Bayit (domestic harmony), the "In Our Souls" department assisting veterans and their families, kindness to low-income families, preventing abortions and assimilation, and the "My Soul in My Request" department assisting in dealing with emotional difficulties - all ending with blessed initiatives and projects the organization takes on. The love and care for the people is reflected in every activity of the organization. Hidabroot employees do not come to work just to punch in; they're here to work from the heart, and that's so beautiful and touching. For me, Hidabroot is not a site or an organization. It's a place of love for Israel.

Tamar Schneider

At Hidabroot, I particularly love the clean content. It is not taken for granted to have so many good things to watch, things that a few years ago were just a dream..

Orit Grouskut

The people. I am fortunate to work with such a quality team of good people, God-fearing, ready at any moment to give of their time at odd hours - all to ensure the world's largest Jewish site continues to draw people closer and strengthen more Jews.

Itzik Yitzhaki

The people. Ultimately, it's all about people. Hidabroot is a high-quality content site. The people working behind the scenes - no less.

Shani Moyal

Hidabroot is simply my "second home," with which I grew and strengthened over the years. I discovered the site when it first started, and since then - everything I need I find on this site. As a content provider, I am exposed to a wide range of materials, since I upload and publish everything, and along the way, I sometimes read interesting articles and learn various important things for life. I enjoy it.

Gabi Schneider

In summary: the interesting and challenging work; the amazing team and the interpersonal relationships within it - there's nothing like it; the sense of mission that accompanies the work; the amazing website traffic numbers; and the responses from users - supportive, and believe it or not, even those that are sometimes less favorable.

Shira Dabush (Cohen)

Blessed is Hashem, I have been part of the Hidabroot family for over ten years (!) and that says it all. How time flies when you're having fun... and yes, I enjoy every moment even today, thank God. We have an amazing team, each member one-of-a-kind, and at the forefront, conducting the choir where every note fits in wondrous harmony, is the journalist and site manager Dudu Cohen, a personality in his own right.

Besides that, I greatly enjoy my role today, which in one word is fascinating.

In short: I start my morning with an influx of information I read on all major news sites, then move to social networks and strong pages I follow. In professional jargon, this is called "browsing."

At this stage, I "hunt" the items I'm going to work on that day. What happens when I don't find good items? That's the question of questions for every writer, and what I do in those cases is - you guessed it - improvisation.

So, either I write a column (in the past on matchmaking, still a bit today, and now mostly on various and diverse topics burning within me) or I gather memes for a humor compilation, or I look for an interesting tweet on Twitter... there's lots to do, it never ends. You just need a little creative thinking.

I love that I'm "my own boss" on the site, and thanks to the opportunity given to me to develop and learn - I've learned many new things I didn't know I could do, like editing articles, uploading content, and video editing. The study and development, by the way, is something that accompanies the position all the time. There isn't a dull moment. I'm continually refining myself more at work, and there's no doubt it's interesting and provides strength for work like ours, which with lack of attention and learning could also be very monotonous.

I also really love the type of work - which is more of a mission than "just" a job. I think all the writers at Hidabroot will agree with me that there's nothing like starting the morning on a site where you suddenly see some strengthening in faith, a law we didn't know existed, a question that touches us exactly, or an interesting person with added value in our wonderful magazine articles. There's extra value in Hidabroot that exists nowhere else: bringing hearts together and strengthening in mitzvot, which, really, who doesn't need that?

Even those who returned to observance years ago need a daily "boost" of faith, joy, prayer, and encouragement for the path they are on, and there's no doubt it's found in the site and organization in endless amounts. I was fortunate to work for a period in the organization itself, and I know a bit about the souls behind the scenes, and there's no doubt Hidabroot is something else. Hidabroot is heart, it is soul, with profound depth. Anyone looking to see what Hidabroot is on the surface, won't manage to uncover the hidden treasures.

Because to truly understand what Hidabroot is, beyond all the beautiful words - you need to dive deep. To get to know internally the faces within. It is said that a person's face reflects their essence, and I add that the faces of those in Hidabroot, each in their role, reflect profound and full contents, pure fear of heaven, a heart constantly seeking to elevate and refine in their role, and truth. Yes. That truth we all seek continuously and that many simply don't know where to find.

Galit Levy

The boundless love Israel showers on Hashem and His faithful messenger, our teacher and Rabbi Zamir Cohen. You can tangibly see the waves of those returning to faith like mighty waters. Millions are drawing closer and becoming stronger because their soul finally feels at home. The many stories bring tears, streams of water, and I, Galit, daughter of Sasson and Muli from Dimona, am fortunate to work in this historical public service before the arrival of our righteous Messiah. Alongside my husband and children, working in Hidabroot is one of the greatest gifts I've received in life, and it gives special strength to work tirelessly around the clock.

Debbie Reichman

What I love most about Hidabroot is the teamwork. The employees in the organization in general, and the website in particular, are all exceptionally dedicated to this holy work – with simultaneously, among all employees there is a good and friendly connection. I have personally gained several good friends from within the site team, friendships that extend beyond work. This combination of dedication and closeness is, in my view, one of the significant factors that make the Hidabroot site much more than any other site, because the investment in every detail, in every article, is evident even to those unfamiliar with the behind-the-scenes processes.

Moria Chen

The responses.

Sometimes we publish an article and don't always know how it is received, starting with the simplest question - was the article interesting to the crucial question - what did the reader take from it?

There are a wide range of responses, from all shades of the Israeli public. The comments allow us to get to know the audience closely, hear the need, provide a suitable response, and feel you even behind the screen to continue positively impacting.

So keep writing to us. We want to hear.

Avner Shaki

It's rare to find an organization that does so many quality and positive things for the eternal values of the Jewish people – strengthening the service of Hashem and increasing unity and love among the Jewish people. Many at Hidabroot invest their best efforts and energy towards these noble goals, it's touching and gives hope regarding the continued path of the Jewish nation until our complete redemption.

Hadas Afik

In one word: "everything." And I don't just mean that I connect with every content and item on the site, but also in the simple sense of the word "everything," because on the Hidabroot site there truly is everything, and that is precisely what creates its beauty and uniqueness.

Moran Kors

Completely everything. The beauty, the variety, the range of different articles, areas of interest, Torah lessons, the many topics discussed... just how I started - so I will end: everything.

Naama Green

Wow, what not? The lectures by Rabbi Zamir Cohen fascinate me every time anew. I also enjoy listening to the lectures by Rabbi Yitzhak Fanger, Rabbi Yigal Cohen, and other rabbis. I truly love the quality team, and the precious readers who respond, reminding me each time anew that there is someone to invest in, someone who enjoys, reads, and strengthens.