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By Becky Jungbauer | June 22nd 2009 09:31 AM | 3 comments | Print | E-mail | Track Comments
About Becky

A scientist and journalist by training, I enjoy all things science, especially science-related humor. My column title is a throwback to Jane

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Q. What do you get when you cross the Jewish noodle pudding kugel with ultra-Orthodox rabbis and Google?

A. Koogle, of course!

Koogle - the "kosher Google," said NPR reporter Alison Stewart, is a new Hebrew language search engine specifically geared towards religious Jews so that they don't accidentally come across sexually explicit material when surfing the Web.

Devoutly religious Jews are restricted when surfing the web in case they should come across sexually explicit material, according to the Daily Telegraph article.

But now they can surf in peace - Yossi Altman developed Koogle, which omits religiously objectionable material, and has gained approval from Orthodox rabbis.



"The site was developed in part at the encouragement of rabbis who sought a solution to the needs of ultra-Orthodox Jews to browse the Web particularly for vital services," he added.

Nothing can be posted on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath, as Jews are banned from all types of work and business activity. If Koogle users attempt to search for an item or post a message on the Sabbath, it crashes and won’t let you.

You can check out the site in Hebrew or English. It kind of looks like a Citysearch for Israel, but I have a feeling you won't find any "Best Hamburgers in Jerusalem" list. 



Comments

Fossil Huntress
Great article, Becky. Koogle or Kugel, they are really trying to keep up and meet the need of their users and that is great to see. ; )

Hank
I'm all for opt-in utilities that meet needs but 'crashes if you use it on a Saturday' is a little too close to 'next step, become Iran' for me.

Becky Jungbauer
Not if the faithful have access to Twitter and YouTube.

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