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האב איך געבראכן ChatGPT?
דאס איז זיין ענטפער אויף ביבי. אויף וועלכע "מכונת רעל" (וואט עי קרינדזש טערמין) איז דאס באזירט?שטעל דיך נאר פאר, אויב ער וואלט געשריבן אזוי אויף ביבי אדער טראמפ, ווי די גאנצע רעכטע לאגער וואלט געוויינט און פארפירט איבער די פארקרומטקייט און דיעפ סטעיט פון AI....
דאס איז קלאר א תוצאה פון אן א שיעור מאמרים קעגן לפיד (המכונה בלשון נקיה "מכונת רעל"), און AI נעמט צאם אזעלכע זאכן פון מאמרים, ופשוט הוא.
זוך RudeGpt אדער Brutal buddy אין די ChatGPT סטאר. עס איז דעזיינט צו ענטפערן סארקאסטיש און שטעכעדיג אויף יעדער שאלהוואס'י טאקע פשט? ער פלעגט דאך אפיציעל נישט ענטפערן קיין פאליטישע אנשויאינגען.
דער איז גוטע סחורהזוך RudeGpt אדער Brutal buddy אין די ChatGPT סטאר. עס איז דעזיינט צו ענטפערן סארקאסטיש און שטעכעדיג אויף יעדער שאלה
Kaveshtiebel, meaning "coffee room" in Yiddish, was a pioneering Yiddish-language online forum launched in February 2012. The name evokes the informal side-room in a Hasidic synagogue or study hall where community members gather to relax, sip coffee, and engage in casual conversation. This metaphor reflects the platform’s original intent: to provide a digital space for open, uncensored dialogue within the Hasidic and ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish communities, particularly those who speak Yiddish as a primary language.
Origins and Purpose
Kaveshtiebel emerged as a response to perceived censorship on other Yiddish-language forums, such as Ivelt (אייוועלט), which catered to similar demographics but enforced stricter moderation aligned with traditional Haredi norms. Founded in Adar II 5772 (late winter 2012), Kaveshtiebel aimed to foster independent thinking and discussion on topics often considered taboo or heavily regulated within insular Hasidic circles. These included science, history, business, Yiddish grammar, societal issues, and even critiques of religious authority—subjects that challenged the boundaries of conventional discourse in these communities.
The platform quickly gained traction, amassing tens of thousands of threads over its 12-year run. Its permissive approach allowed for the posting of women’s images and Zionist viewpoints—both of which were typically banned on rival forums like Ivelt—making it a haven for more progressive or questioning voices within the Haredi world.
Cultural and Social Impact
Kaveshtiebel played a transformative role in the Yiddish-speaking digital landscape. For over a decade, it served as a virtual "coffee room" where Hasidic Jews could explore new ideas, express dissent, and connect with others who shared similar curiosities or frustrations. Its significance lies in its ability to bridge the gap between the insular Haredi lifestyle and the broader world of information accessible via the internet.
The forum also inspired offline initiatives, such as the magazine Der Veker, which was sold at newsstands in Brooklyn and other Hasidic hubs, further amplifying its reach. By facilitating public discussions in Yiddish—a language often associated with tradition and insularity—Kaveshtiebel paradoxically became a vehicle for modernization and intellectual freedom.
Closure and Legacy
On August 9, 2024, Kaveshtiebel’s administrators announced its closure, marking the end of an era. The decision was met with a mix of unease and nostalgia from its user base. While users could no longer post new content or comments, the forum’s archives remained accessible for reading, preserving its rich history of discourse. The closure statement hinted at a shift in the digital landscape, with a new forum, Kreml (קרעמל), poised to take its place.
The shutdown reflected broader trends: the rise of alternative platforms, changing user preferences, and possibly internal challenges such as moderation fatigue or financial sustainability. Nevertheless, Kaveshtiebel’s 12-year run underscored a growing interest among Hasidim in engaging with public, online conversations—a trend that its successor, Kreml, would inherit.
Kaveshtiebel was launched in February 2012 (Adar II 5772) by a group of Hasidic men frustrated with the moderation policies of existing Yiddish forums, particularly Yiddishe Velt (also known as Ivelt). These founders saw posts critical of Hasidic leadership or customs being deleted, prompting them to create a platform prioritizing free expression within a Torah-observant framework. The name "Kaveshtiebel," meaning "coffee room" in Yiddish, reflects its inspiration: the informal side-room in a synagogue or yeshiva where men chat over coffee—a space for unscripted, authentic conversation.
The forum’s mission was to provide a digital equivalent, fostering discussion among Hasidic Jews who might otherwise lack a venue to voice opinions on sensitive topics. Hosted at kaveshtiebel.com, it quickly grew into a key online hub for Yiddish speakers, particularly in Hasidic communities in the U.S. (e.g., Brooklyn), Israel, and Europe.
Structure and Culture
Kaveshtiebel operates as a classic web forum, with threaded discussions organized by topic. Users post pseudonymously, which encourages candidness while aligning with Hasidic norms of modesty and privacy. The interface is simple—think a stripped-down Reddit—and entirely in Yiddish, using the Hebrew alphabet. Topics span religion (e.g., Talmudic debates), community issues (e.g., education, gender roles), and lighter fare (e.g., humor, music). A notable feature is its openness to controversy: unlike Ivelt, it tolerates critiques of rabbinic authority or Hasidic practices, though it draws a line at outright heresy, as noted by anthropologist Ayala Fader in her book Hidden Heretics (2020).
The forum is a male-dominated space, reflecting Hasidic gender norms. Women’s participation is rare and often discouraged—Fader recounts an instance where a woman posting under a feminine pseudonym was advised to adopt a male username and write in Yiddish to fit in. This gender dynamic mirrors the offline "shtiebel" culture but has drawn criticism for excluding half the community.
Impact and Contributions
Kaveshtiebel has had a profound impact on Yiddish culture and Hasidic life:
Yiddish Literacy: Linguist Isaac Bleaman highlights how the forum has boosted Yiddish writing skills among Hasidic men, who often receive little formal training in written Yiddish at school. Users have reported learning to spell and type in Yiddish through participation.
Intellectual Space: It’s a rare platform where Hasidim can engage in independent thought without rabbinic oversight. Discussions on taboo topics—racism, secular education, or even sex (in a married men’s section)—push boundaries while staying within religious bounds.
Offline Ventures: The forum’s influence extends beyond the digital realm. Its users launched Der Veker ("The Awakener"), a Yiddish magazine sold in Brooklyn and elsewhere, featuring articles by Kaveshtiebel contributors. First published in 2016, it’s a black-and-white periodical aimed at "mature thinkers," blending traditional themes with progressive undertones.
By 2018, Kaveshtiebel boasted over 300,000 posts, a testament to its popularity. Its corpus—over 22 million words—has also been a goldmine for linguists studying Hasidic Yiddish syntax and variation, as seen in Bleaman’s research on particle verbs.
Challenges and Evolution
Despite its success, Kaveshtiebel has faced
hurdles:
Kosher Filters: In recent years, some Hasidic internet filters blocked the site due to its controversial content, reducing accessibility for users on restricted networks.
Competition: The rise of social media (e.g., WhatsApp, X) and newer forums like Kreml (launched circa 2024) has siphoned off younger users who prefer faster, login-based platforms. Kreml, unlike Kaveshtiebel, requires authentication to view content, offering a different user experience.
Sustainability: In August 2024, administrators announced the forum might close unless new moderators stepped up, citing burnout after 12+ years. This sparked concern among users and scholars who value its archive of Yiddish discourse.
Current Status (February 20, 2025)
As of today, Kaveshtiebel remains operational, though its future is uncertain. The 2024 closure threat hasn’t fully materialized, suggesting either new admins emerged or the original team persevered. Traffic data from earlier years (e.g., 232 daily visitors in 2019 per Alexa estimates) has likely shifted, but exact figures are unavailable. The forum continues to host active threads—recent posts from October 2024 discuss everything from religious dilemmas to community gossip—indicating it retains a dedicated core.
Meanwhile, Kreml is gaining traction as a potential successor, marketed as a modernized "Kaveshtiebel 2.0" with a sleeker design. Yet, Kaveshtiebel’s legacy endures: it’s not just a forum but a cultural artifact, preserving a slice of Hasidic life in digital Yiddish. Its blend of tradition and rebellion—welcoming ex-Hasidim like Shulem Deen (as noted in a 2015 Digg piece) while debating
their place—makes it unique.
Final Thoughts
Kaveshtiebel is a microcosm of modern Hasidic identity: rooted in tradition, yet wrestling with change. It’s a space where Yiddish thrives not as a relic but as a living, argumentative tongue. Whether it survives or cedes ground to newer platforms, its 13-year run has already cemented its place in the history of Yiddish forums