Jewish communities across the Gulf unite to form new association in UAE
The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities aims to create a religious court and coherent kosher certification
Levi Duchman, Rabbi of the UAE, leads the celebration of the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah, for the first time in Dubai on December 10, 2020. EPA
A Sukkah, a temporary hut constructed to be used during the week-long Jewish festival of Sukkot, the feast of the Tabernacles is pictured in front at Kaf Armani hotel next to Burj Khalifa in Dubai weeks after the UAE normalised ties with Israel. AFP
People attend the ignition a menorah during the celebration of Jewish holiday of Hanukkah in Dubai. EPA
Members of the Jewish community gather while Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef attends the gathering a service of gratitude to the UAE government for the formal recognition Mini Miracles nursery, The Beit Tefillah Synagogue and the Induction of Rabbi Levi Duchman as the Rabbi of Emirates at the Jewish Community of the UAE. EPA
A woman walks past members of the Jewish community holding a Torah scroll they said was brought to Abu Dhabi to mark the importance of the arrival of Israeli and American delegations to finalise a normalisation deal with Israel. AFP
Israeli businessman Gil Gurevitch (C) chants religious hymns as he lights a Hanukkah menorah at a hotel in Dubai where Israeli entrepreneurs are celebrating the Jewish festival of lights in the emirate for the first time. AFP
Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef writes words during an event in Dubai. Rabbi Yitzhak is the first sitting Chief Rabbi to visit an Arab country. EPA
Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (Back-CR) attends an event in Dubai. Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef is the first sitting Chief Rabbi to visit an Arab country. EPA
Jews living in the Emirates have created a formal alliance to unite people of the faith in all six GCC states.
The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities brings together residents of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Its headquarters will be in the UAE, where it hopes to establish the first Beth Din, or Jewish court of law, to adjudicate on personal disputes.
It's in the DNA of the Emiratis to be tolerant, to live next to different cultures, different religions
Alex Peterfreund, board member of the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities
One of the association’s senior figures, Rabbi Dr Elie Abadie, said there was historical precedence for Jewish rule of law in Arab countries.
“Since the Treaty of Umar 1,400 years ago, Islamic countries have recognised the autonomy of religious communities, and therefore given those faith-based communities autonomy in their internal affairs,” he said.
If permitted by the UAE, the Jewish court could issue certificates of marriage and divorce.
“Also, individual members could be adjudicated if they have any business issue or family dispute,” Rabbi Abadie said.
“However, criminal issues will continue to be dealt with by the courts of the land in the [Gulf] countries.”
Alex Peterfreund is a board member of the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities in the UAE, where he has lived since 2014. Courtesy, Alex Peterfreund
Members of the community welcomed the move to formalise Jewish collaboration.
Alex Peterfreund is the board member of the new association in the UAE, where he has lived since 2014.
“We feel grateful that we have been able to build a nice little Jewish community here in the UAE, and we would like to assist Jewish people that are living in the Gulf, in order for them to have the same services that we have.
“It seems a shame that somebody in Bahrain who wants to get married should have a rabbi flying over from London or from Canada, if we have someone in the same region.”
The board of the association will include one representative from each of the six Gulf states.
UAE and Israel sign landmark agreement:
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Oval Office, in September, 2020. Courtesy MOFAIC
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior Members of Congress. Wam
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior members of the Congress. Wam
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior members of the Congress. Wam
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, right, US President Donald Trump, centre, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Courtesy MOFAIC
From left, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. Courtesy MOFAIC
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani. Courtesy MOFAIC
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed wave from the Truman Balcony at the White House. AFP
Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed participate in the signing of the Abraham Accord. AFP
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed after the signing. AFP
Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed hold up documents as they participate in the signing of the Abraham Accord. AFP
US President Donald Trump watches as UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed speaks from the Truman Balcony at the White House during the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accord. AFP
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed speaks as President Donald Trump looks on before the signing of Abraham Accord on the South Lawn of the White House. AP Photo
President Donald Trump speaks on the South Lawn of the White House as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani look on during the signing ceremony of Abraham Accord. AP Photo
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, centre, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani stand on the Blue Room Balcony during the signing ceremony. AP Photo
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, left, and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani shortly before participating in the signing of the Abraham Accord. AFP
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, centre, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani pose before they participate in the signing of the Abraham Accord on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington DC. AFP
US President Donald Trump speaks from the Truman Balcony at the White House during the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accord. AFP
President Donald Trump walks to the Abraham Accord signing ceremony at the White House with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani. AP Photo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at the White House to attend the Abraham Accord signing ceremony hosted by President Donald Trump. EPA
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC, before the signing of Abraham Accord. AFP
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met US President Donald Trump, not in picture, at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House. AFP
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed with by President Donald Trump at the White House. Mustafa Alrawi / The National
UAE delegation led by Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Mustafa Alrawi / The National
US President Donald Trump welcomes UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed to the White House in Washington DC. EPA
US President Donald Trump welcomes UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed to the White House. AFP
US President Donald Trump welcomes UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed to the White House. Reuters
White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner walks away following a television interview on the North Lawn at the White House in Washington. Reuters
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcome the arrival of Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara on the North Lawn of the White House in Washington DC. AFP
A delegation of senior UAE officials led by Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed prepares to depart for the White House to sign the Abraham Accord. Courtesy MFAIC
US President Donald Trump welcomes Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani. AFP
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani arrives at the White House in Washington DC. AFP
US President Donald Trump welcomes Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani on the North Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
Preparations at the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accord.
Preparations under way at the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accord.
Preparations under way at the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accord.
Preparation at the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accord. The National
High on their agenda is the creation of an Arabian Kosher Certification Agency to ensure the same set of standards is met when food products are categorised as suitable for Jewish consumption.
“Kosher food is of paramount importance for Jewish people, it’s biblical in origin. It’s not just tradition, but Jewish law that we should eat kosher food,” said Rabbi Abadie.
“Now, the beauty of it is that Islam also has similar food restrictions, which is the halal food. Kosher and halal differ in a very minor way.”
Jewish people are not allowed to mix meat and milk together, and they only eat fish that has fins and scales, so crustacea like prawns or lobster are not allowed.
Like halal, kosher food requires the animal to be slaughtered in a painless, quick way so the beast does not suffer.
But kosher food requires the salting of the meat after the animal was slaughtered, and the removal of all the blood.
Rabbi Dr Elie Abadie, a senior figure in the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities believes the Jewish people will travel to Gulf countries. Pawan Singh / The National
The UAE normalised its relations with Israel on August 13, 2020, when both countries signed the Abraham Accords, along with the US.
Since then Israeli and Emirati politicians and business leaders have met and made multiple deals. Defence, technology and energy have been particularly popular sectors.
In September, Israel’s Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said: “Within 3 to 5 years trade between Israel and the United Arab Emirates will reach $4 billion.”
Many Israelis also travelled to Dubai for holidays in November and December, in particular during the week of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.
Rabbi Abadie said he saw this tourism trend accelerating, in particular once the pandemic is over.
“We need to build up the infrastructure to serve the local Jewish community, and also all the Jewish tourists who will be coming [to the GCC] from all over the world,” he said.
His optimism for the continuance and expansion of the Accords is boundless.
“This region will embody the idea of living in tolerance and the peaceful co-existence of all the people, and all the nations, in all communities of faith.
“Having that in mind, the Jewish community will increase in number in this entire region.
“So as leaders in the community, we have to look to the future and to make sure that all the infrastructure will be in place, once that growth starts.”
Mr Peterfreund said he has always felt safe and welcome in the Emirates.
“We are getting to a point where as a Jew you feel more comfortable in the UAE than in Paris and in Brussels,” he said.
“It's in the DNA of the Emiratis to be tolerant, to live next to different cultures, different religions.
“Everybody’s living next to each other, and it’s something beautiful.”