AFL is proud and excited to congratulate its longtime Board Member, Rabbi Elie Abadie, upon his appointment to serve as the Dubai community’s Senior Rabbi under the Jewish Council of the Emirates (JCE). The JCE is the country’s oldest congregation and the only one recognized by local authorities.
Rabbi Abadie's prominent and well deserved appointment comes as the Emirati community begins to expand following the historic Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE led and advanced by President Trump. Having grown up in Syria and Lebanon, he is most skilled in understanding the customs, nuances and sentiments of both the Jewish expatriate, as well as the local population. Additionally, his people skills are renowned and his position will only enhance and further fortify this new found relationship between peoples and cultures.
Rabbi Elie and Esti Abadie have been great supporters of AFL for years helping expand its reach, traveling to Israel on leadership Missions, opening their home to host Ministers, MKs and other Israeli leaders for Shabbat meals and other events. Rabbi Abadie's distinction as a medical doctor, Rabbi and scholar in New York is well known as he served as the spiritual leader of the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue for many years, founded the School of the Sephardic Academy of Manhattan and headed the Jacob E. Safra Institute of Sephardic Studies at Yeshiva University. He is an officer of the Rabbinical Council of America and co-president of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries, a group advocating for Jewish refugees from the Middle East.
Our close relationship with the Abadies will continue and we look forward to connecting with them again soon to learn about their experiences and the growth of the Jewish community in the UAE.
Dr. Gerald Platt, AFL President Ken Abramowitz, AFL Nat'l Chairman
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