INSTANT ISRAEL: VIRTUAL REALITY TRAVEL TO THE HOMELAND By Mary Keen Known for its innovative programming and value-based approach to care and enrichment of older adults, CJE is proud to announce “Instant Israel,” a unique, multi-faceted program that will immerse older adults in engaging, life-like tours of historically significant places in Israel by utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) technology and 3D panoramic imagery. It was developed by CJE’s Community Engagement (CE) Department that plans to partner with groups such as Kahal, local synagogues and other Jewish student organizations to recruit volunteers to be trained as “Tour Guides.” All will have actually traveled to Israel, many on Birthright trips (free heritage trips for Jewish young adults). Thanks to a generous $100,000 grant from the JUF Breakthrough Fund, CJE is embarking on this intergenerational endeavor with VR “tours” expected to begin late this fall. The Community Engagement team knew it was the ideal concept to introduce older adults to technology in a fun, interactive way. VR technology has been around for a while (you’ve probably seen the crowds at VR adventure or theme parks in local malls), but using it for intergenerational life enrichment programming is an intriguing novelty that dovetails well with the needs of CJE’s older community members. It has the potential to provide participants with an incredible life enrichment experience that includes stimulating educational engagement and socialization. An additional longterm benefit to the Instant Israel experience is that it will be a unique and alluring gateway for more people to discover CJE’s growing portfolio of innovative programming.
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Instant Israel is intentionally designed to provide seniors with the opportunity to reminisce about their travel experiences and inspire lively conversations between generations which, according to emerging research, can contribute to an increase in brain activity. Imagine the wonder of a 65-year-old woman (who has spent her entire life in Rogers Park and never traveled outside the US) as she puts on a headset and finds herself on the ancient ruins of Masada overlooking the lowest point on earth—the Dead Sea!
An exciting development is the high tech industry’s eagerness to partner with CJE in many areas of facilitating the program. Highly innovative international organizations that are engaged in utilizing high tech to help older adults have been in discussions with CJE, and the results are promising. These organizations could provide guidance on how to further enhance a VR program, how to locate the best equipment and could work with us to maximize the “travel” experience for older adults. Prior to applying for a grant from the JUF Breakthrough Fund, Catherine Samatas, Manager of CJE’s Community Engagement Department and Instant Israel’s Program Manager, reviewed the proposed program with CJE’s famed Bureau of Sages, a research advisory board comprised of Lieberman Center community members who meet regularly to give feedback to researchers on senior-related topics. Samatas found out that there would be a steeper learning curve with some older adults, but overall the feedback was very positive—
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