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

Rabbi Levi Duchman leads the celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah for the first time in Dubai on December 10, 2020. EPA

A sukkah, a temporary hut constructed for the week-long Jewish festival of Sukkot, stands in front of the Kaf Armani hotel in Dubai weeks after the UAE normalised ties with Israel. AFP

People attend the ignition a menorah during the celebration of Hanukkah in Dubai. EPA

Members of the Jewish community gather for a service of gratitude to the UAE government for the formal recognition Mini Miracles nursery, the Beit Tefillah Synagogue and the induction of Levi Duchman as the Rabbi of Emirates. EPA

A Torah scroll brought to Abu Dhabi to mark the arrival of Israeli and US delegations as the UAE agreed to normalise ties with Israel. AFP

Israeli businessman Gil Gurevitch chants religious hymns as he lights a Hanukkah menorah at a hotel in Dubai. AFP

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

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:

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, speaks to Donald Trump, US president at the time, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office in September 2020. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, meets Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state at the time. Wam

Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Pompeo in Washington. Wam

Sheikh Abdullah visits Washington in September last year. Wam

Sheikh Abdullah, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, US President Donald Trump, centre, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sign the Abraham Accord at the White House South Lawn. MOFAIC

Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump at the White House. MOFAIC

Sheikh Abdullah, Mr Al Zayani and Mr Netanyahu at the White House during the Abraham Accord signing ceremony. MOFAIC

Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Mr Netanyahu, Mr Trump and Mr Al Zayani wave from the Truman Balcony at the White House. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Mr Al Zayani, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump sign the Abraham Accord. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Mr Al Zayani, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump after the signing ceremony. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Mr Al Zayani, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump after the signing ceremony. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah speaks from the Truman Balcony at the White House during the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accord. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah speaks as Mr Trump looks on before the signing of Abraham Accord on the South Lawn of the White House. AP

Sheikh Abdullah looks on from the White House as Mr Trump speaks at the Abraham Accord signing ceremony, also attended by Mr Al Zayani and Mr Netanyahu. AP

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani stand on the Blue Room Balcony during the signing ceremony. AP

Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Al Zayani shortly before participating in the signing of the Abraham Accord. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah, with Mr Netanyahu, left, and Mr Al Zayani at the signing of the Abraham Accord on the South Lawn of the White House. 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 Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani. AP

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at the White House to attend the Abraham Accord signing ceremony hosted by President Donald Trump. EPA

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House before the signing of Abraham Accord. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, in the Oval Office. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah with Mr Trump in the Oval Office. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, with by President Donald Trump at the White House. Mustafa Alrawi / The National

The UAE delegation led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Mustafa Alrawi / The National

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, is welcomed to the White House by US President Donald Trump. EPA

Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Trump outside the White House. AFP

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed speaks to Mr Trump after arriving at 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 Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, prepares to depart for the White House to sign the Abraham Accord. MOFAIC

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.”

On Sunday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, oversaw the swearing-in of the UAE's ambassador to Israel, Mohammed Al Khaja, at Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi.

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.”