The Jewish Council of the State Announces the Appointment of Dr. Eli Abadi to the "Local Senior Rabbi" of the Jewish Community • "The situation of the Jews in the Middle East has changed"
Dr. Eli Abadi (right) with Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
Photography:
United Arab Emirates Jewish Council
The Jewish Council of the United Arab Emirates announced over the weekend the appointment of Dr. Eli Abadi, the Arabic speaker, as the "local senior rabbi" of the community as part of a new page in the country's interfaith dialogue.
It was further stated that this is a development that was made possible in light of "the revolution that took place in the situation of the Jews in the Middle East."
Abadi will work in conjunction with the Chief Rabbi of the Emirates.
"I feel I am returning to my roots, to the region where I was born, to the language I first spoke, and to the customs and traditions I grew up with," Abadi said yesterday in a statement issued by the council.
Dr. Abadi was born in the capital and left with his family for Mexico and then the United States. He is a descendant of a long family of rabbis from the 15th century from Spain and France. He founded the Manhattan East Synagogue and serves as his rabbi. In addition, he is an academic expert on Spanish Jewry, history, philosophy and comparative law.