Things began moving two years ago. Hidabrut’s web site changed its face and contents, turning from a primarily video site into a huge and multi-dimensioned content portal. The makeover was so successful — that we eventually discovered that our site was suitable for much smaller traffic than what we had. Our website traffic climbed from 370,000 to 2 million hits per month at both the site and from apps, which significantly slowed down site traffic. The site’s design also had to be improved and adapted to current Internet design (bigger, cleaner, easier). We began to feel that we had outgrown our shoes, and we imagine that you also saw how the site creaked along and was occasionally unstable.
So a few months ago, we reached out to you and asked for your support for our “Jewish Internet Revolution” project which was first proposed on Headstart. The response was above and beyond all expectations, and within 40 days we had completed our fundraising target. Now it's time to show you the results. First, we set up Hidabrut’s website in Hebrew, which you're looking at now, and Hidabrut’s website in English, which was also launched in a new, timely and attractive attire.
The new Hidabrut site contains a number of important improvements. First, its adaption to mobile phones has been greatly improved. Today it is much easier and faster to surf Hidabrut’s website by phone. Second, the interface is attractive, clear and easy (and this is the opportunity to thank our super-talented designer Golan Suissa, who did an amazing job).
We are focusing on the learning dimension at the site. The VOD area has been immeasurably improved in terms of comfort, speed and interface. Although we want to make your browsing time at the Hidabrut site more enjoyable, our main goal is to make Torah study more meaningful and accessible to the greatest extent possible. This is where we put the emphasis in the construction and characterization of the current site.
In the coming months we'll be launching a Hidabrut website in French, a new website for Rabbi Zamir Cohen (which will be especially advanced and interactive), an application for sheva brachot, sites to prevent assimilation and abortions, and of course enhancements in Hidabrut’s app. We promise to do it all, with G-d’s help. Our goal remains to provide quality and inspiring content of the kind which is hard to find on the Web.
Due to the continuous and enthusiastic feedback that we received over the years, we know how connected our users were to the old site. We are nevertheless confident that after spending a few days in the new site, you will agree with us that the change was necessary and beneficial. The changes were made entirely for you, and they were also made possible thanks to you.
I would like to thank the entire staff of Hidabrut, from the programmer to the content feeder, for doing a wonderful job. They constitute a small, smart, and particularly efficient team, who are doing terrific work with minimum tools — while displaying much sensitivity and consideration. Don’t think for a moment that we take you for granted!
Wishing you a pleasant and primarily beneficial browsing,
Dudu Cohen
Site editor