Abrahamic Family House

A screenshot from video shared by the UAE's deputy prime minister on February 17, 2023, shows the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, at the newly opened Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. (Twitter video screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

From the WebFebruary 24, 2023, 6:02 pm

Ex-Trump aide marries in 1st-ever wedding at UAE’s Abrahamic house

Avi Berkowitz, who helped broker Abraham Accords, and Gabrielle Posner wed at Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, one of three houses of worship at new interfaith compound in Abu Dhabi

By Jewish News

A general view of the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, at the Abrahamic Family House, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

February 21, 2023, 8:52 pm

UAE opens interfaith center as symbol of tolerance, but religious strictures remain

Newly launched Abrahamic Family House has a mosque, church and synagogue, with security tight amid concerns over Iran and other opponents of Israel

By Jon Gambrell

A screenshot from video shared by the UAE's deputy prime minister on February 17, 2023, shows a scene from the opening ceremony at the newly opened Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. (Twitter video screenshot: Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

February 17, 2023, 4:53 pm

Arab world’s ‘1st purpose-built synagogue in century’ opens at UAE interfaith center

UK chief rabbi affixes mezuzah during inauguration of Abu Dhabi’s Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, which will host Shabbat prayers on Friday evening

By Agencies and ToI Staff

An artistic rendering of the future Abrahamic Family House complex in Abu Dhabi. (Abu Dhabi Government Media Office)

February 16, 2023, 12:20 pm

UAE interfaith compound featuring new synagogue set to open Thursday

Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi will host its first Shabbat services this weekend; Emirati president to donate Torah scroll

By Lazar Berman

US Deputy Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism Aaron Keyak, right, meets with Western Wall Chief Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch in the latter's office in Jerusalem on October 6, 2022. (US State Department)

October 30, 2022, 3:31 am

In Israel, US monitor defends pressing government on ‘antisemitism’ at Western Wall

Antisemitism envoy Aaron Keyak says Jerusalem understands Washington wanting to keep Jews safe at prayer; tells ToI Kanye comments are fair game for office, but not Trump’s

By Judah Ari Gross

Rabbi Elie Abadie says a blessing as he hosts a lunch for a Jewish business delegation at a villa that serves as a temporary synagogue for his congregation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

May 11, 2022, 5:16 pm

Despite normalization with Israel, plans for Dubai synagogue at a standstill

Fast-growing Jewish community is running up against series of hurdles in the Gulf, where non-Muslim practice is tightly controlled and permits for religious buildings are limited

By Isabel Debre

People gather in front of the Westin Hotel in Leipzig, Germany, on October 5, 2021, to show solidarity with the musician Gil Ofarim. (Dirk Knofe/dpa via AP)

January 27, 2022, 4:33 pm

2021 saw positive legal, cultural trends in fight against antisemitism — TAU report

Inaugural Tel Aviv University study focusing on encouraging signs presented to President Isaac Herzog on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

By Lazar Berman

A photo showing 20% of construction complete in June 2021 at the future site of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. (Abu Dhabi Government Media Office)

June 16, 2021, 10:20 am

UAE reveals progress on interfaith complex to house synagogue, mosque, church

Government announces name of Jewish place of worship at Abrahamic Family House, slated to be completed in Abu Dhabi in 2022: the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue

By Amy Spiro

UAE envoy Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khajah, left, meets Shas party spiritual leader Rabbi Shalom Cohen in Jerusalem, May 30, 2021. (Screenshot: YouTube)

May 31, 2021, 1:14 pm

Top ultra-Orthodox rabbi tells UAE envoy Temple Mount shouldn’t concern Jews

Shas party spiritual leader Shalom Cohen and Emirati ambassador Al Khajah meet, agree that recent violence at Jerusalem holy site is ‘crazy’

By ToI Staff

Rabbi Elie Abadie (yellow tie) joins the Jewish community in the UAE for a Hanukkah celebration (photo credit: Courtesy)

February 15, 2021, 7:42 am

Beth Din of Arabia: Jews in Gulf countries announce first communal organizations

Spurred by new accords with Israel, communities in UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia create new body under Beirut-born Rabbi Elie Abadie to oversee Jewish life

By Lazar Berman

New York Rabbi Elie Abadi (YouTube screenshot)

October 16, 2020, 3:26 pm

Small but growing, UAE’s Jewish community to get second full-time rabbi from NY

Beirut-born Elie Abadie, a prominent scholar of Sephardic Judaism, to relocate to Dubai by November 1, as Emirati community expects to expand following Abraham Accords

By Raphael Ahren

From left to right: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani stand on the Blue Room Balcony during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, September 15, 2020, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP)

September 18, 2020, 10:22 pm

Days after peace deals, top UAE and Bahraini officials wish Jews happy new year

King’s adviser Khalid al-Khalifa addresses ‘Yehudi’ friends in Bahrain and around the world, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan tweets holiday greetings in Hebrew

By ToI Staff

Screen shot from a video call between Mohamed Khalifa Al-Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, and Israel's Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Ushpiz, September 17, 2020. (Screen capture)

September 17, 2020, 11:27 pm

Top Israeli, UAE officials say new ties will make countries ‘close family’

Israelis should ‘feel at home, feel accepted’ in Abu Dhabi, says head of emirate’s Department of Culture and Tourism in video call with Israeli FM chief Alon Ushpiz

By ToI Staff

Jewish representative Nancy Khedouri, second from left, and other Bahraini officials meet with foreign representatives, including US Ambassador Justin Siberell, far left. (Courtesy of Khedouri via JTA)

September 16, 2020, 8:20 am

Jews have lived in Bahrain for 140 years; the Israel deal changes their lives

Leader of tiny community, Ebrahim Nonoo, says he can now talk to relatives and feel free about coming to Israel; hopes Jews will settle in Gulf nations

By Josefin Dolsten

Israeli model May Tager, left, covers herself with an Israeli flag next to Anastasia Bandarenka, a Dubai-based model who covers herself in a UAE flag on the set of a photo shoot in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, September 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

September 13, 2020, 1:43 pm

Emiratis are ‘enthusiastic’ about peace with Israel, senior UAE official says

‘There needs to be trust’ for bilateral ties to flourish, Hend al-Otaiba says on controversial F-35 deal with US; vows Abu Dhabi’s support for Palestinians ‘will never diminish’

By Raphael Ahren