A new service is about to be tested in an effort to allow religious Jews to take advantage of the Internet for answers to questions and information – without having to connect to the Internet themselves, according to ladaat.net.
The initiative, dubbed ‘Internet Gemach,’ will involve sending questions and queries to the service anonymously. ‘Gemach’ is a Hebrew acronym for gemilut chasadim, or charitable acts, and refers to a service that is common among religious Jewish communities the world over. The traditional gemach extends loans on a short- or long-term basis for any need, including emergency loans, medical fees and wedding expenses. However, the concept has been expanded and there are now gemachs for everything from blankets through books to children’s pacifiers and silverware.
The person wishing to receive information will call the gemach and say what it is he wants to find out. There will be no need to identify himself – only to leave a fax number or a ‘kosher’ e-mail (from an Internet provider deemed reliable). The service will be offered to a specific (but unnamed) hasidic community as a pilot project.