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][1]
Kosher food
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]