The leading online Jewish dating site JWed launched a video date scheduler on its mobile app this week, enhancing the app’s video chat capabilities. The video chat and date scheduler are seamlessly integrated into the existing chat functionalities, allowing users to meet virtually and safely while in quarantine or under stay-at-home orders.
JWed CEO Ben Rabizadeh and his team rapidly began developing virtual dating features this spring in response to the spread of COVID-19. Rabizadeh, who is a Doctor of Pharmacy, believes that video dating will remain a necessary alternative to in-person dating as the pandemic landscape continues to fluctuate.
“Virtual dating will continue to play an important role in dating as more and more singles seeking committed relationships need to adjust to a stay-at-home lifestyle. By providing users the ability to date from home, JWed will continue to help facilitate authentically Jewish relationships across the world,” Rabizadeh said.
The virtual date scheduler enables members to arrange dates in advance, without having to exchange any personal contact information.
“This new feature protects our users’ privacy while simultaneously allowing users to prepare for a date, providing the typical excitement and anticipation that comes with in-person dating,” Rabizadeh said.
JWed connects like-minded Jewish singles from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds of varying ages and interests. The site employs a “location graph” that allows users to specify where they grew up, want to live, and their future vacation plans. This feature enables members to appear in multiple location searches, facilitating more possible matches.
More updates will be coming soon, creating a suite of features designed to bring the full dating experience into its users’ homes.