Since the formation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1971, a small Jewish community grew and lived in the UAE for many years, but was mostly living in the shadows.[3] As improved relations between Israel and the UAE, Jews in the UAE started to openly pray and practice Judaism and established the Jewish Community Center of UAE.[4][5]
Synagogue
The JCC (Jewish Community Center) of the UAE, is led by Chabad Rabbi Levi Duchman.[6][7][8] A Jewish benediction is recited to the president of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan as well as to the rest of the rulers of the UAE during Shabbat.[9][2]
Kosher food
The supply of 1,000 kosher chickens per week is provided to the community by local Kosher Shechita.[8] In May 2020, it was reported that the JCC of UAE has imported the largest meat shipment in the history of the community.[10][11][12]
Following the normalization agreement, Duchman opened an upscale kosher restaurant in the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, serving Mediterranean fare and wine and sporting a "sleek Asian decor".[13]
Talmud Torah School
A new Talmud Torah was reported in 2020 to have been recently established and now has around 40 pupils.[14][8]
Public sukkah
For the Sukkot holiday in October 2020, Duchman erected a public sukkah next to the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai.[13][15]
See also
Zvi Kogan, Israeli-Moldovan Chabad rabbi who worked at the center and was killed in the United Arab Emirates
