VR Experience Tours Historical Mikvahs Through the Ages

A new virtual reality experience that brings Jewish history to life through the mikvah has been released by Chabad Palermo Soho in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Called MikvaotVR, the project was produced together with mikvah.org and debuted at the Kinus Hashluchim Resource Fair, where shluchim were among the first to try it. It is now available for shluchim to bring to their own communities.

MikvaotVR is a twenty-minute interactive 3D journey through six iconic locations in Jewish history: Eretz Yisrael, Syracuse, Speyer, Freiberg, Baltimore and Buenos Aires. Combining storytelling with new technology, it lets participants step into each place and see how the mikvah stood at the center of Jewish life across the generations.

The experience was designed for a wide range of audiences, including schools, teen programs, mikvaos, madrichos kallos and Young Jewish Professionals groups. For many visitors, it offers a fresh and engaging way to learn about taharas hamishpacha.

The idea grew out of an initiative inspired by the Rebbe’s emphasis on educating women about this mitzvah. Rabbi Tzvi and Rivka Lipinski, shluchim in Palermo Soho, led the construction of Mikvah Tahara Mei Menachem, built under the supervision of the mara d’asra, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Feigelstock, following the Rebbe Rashab’s concept of bor al gabei bor. The mikvah was made possible by Mr. Abush and his family. Mr. Abush is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, and the family wanted to leave a lasting legacy. All of their children have since established frum homes.

To bring the mitzvah closer to local women, the Lipinskis put together a photographic exhibition along with educational presentations. The strong interest and warm response led them to think bigger, and MikvaotVR was born.

The Lipinskis hope to bring the experience to communities around the world, connecting generations and inspiring a deeper appreciation of taharas hamishpacha. Shluchim interested in bringing MikvaotVR to their communities can find more information by clicking here.