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Navigating Challenges and Opportunities: Rabbi Elie Abadie on the Sephardic Jewish Community in the Arabian Peninsula

Interview with Rabbi Elie Abadie: Challenges of the Jewish Diaspora and the Possibility of Establishing a Jewish Community in the Arabian Peninsula.
In an exclusive conversation with Rabbi Elie Abadie, a prominent leader of the Sephardic Jewish community, we discussed the challenges facing this community, both in the United States and during his time in the United Arab Emirates. He also shared insights on cooperation with other Jewish communities and the evolving dynamics of Jewish life in the Gulf region.
Challenges in Leading the Sephardic Jewish Community
Rabbi Abadie begins by emphasizing that his primary responsibility as a religious leader is to preserve and transmit the values and traditions of the Sephardic Jewish community to future generations. However, this task is not without its difficulties, which he categorizes as both internal and external.
“The internal challenges stem from the younger generation’s desire to assimilate into the broader surrounding culture, which can lead to the erosion of our unique identity. We address this by educating our youth and demonstrating that our traditions are not just customs but a rich heritage spanning centuries and millennia. To trade that for fleeting or temporary values from the surrounding culture would be a great loss,” he explains.
As for external challenges, he notes that the Sephardic Jewish community often finds itself as a minority within the larger Ashkenazi-dominated Jewish world, making it easy to lose its distinct traditions. “It is crucial to reinforce awareness of our heritage and ensure its continuity,” he adds.
Community Support and Social Services
Despite these challenges, the Sephardic Jewish community has built a strong network of organizations that provide support to its members in various areas. Rabbi Abadie details some of these services:
Medical organizations offering healthcare advice and support.
Business and entrepreneurial assistance to help members establish and grow their ventures.
Financial aid for orphans and widows, ensuring their stability.
Educational institutions, both formal and informal, that focus on religious studies and cultural preservation.
Community mediation committees that help resolve conflicts among individuals.
Cooperation with Other Jewish Communities
Rabbi Abadie highlights that the Sephardic Jewish community does not operate in isolation. Instead, it actively collaborates with other Jewish communities through national Jewish federations and rabbinical organizations.
“There is significant cooperation between the Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities in areas such as education, social initiatives, and political engagement. Our diversity is a source of strength rather than division,” he asserts.
The Impact of the Middle East Conflict on Jewish Life in the UAE
For several years, Rabbi Abadie was at the forefront of Jewish communal life in the United Arab Emirates, where the Jewish presence was growing and thriving. However, he acknowledges that the events of October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel and the subsequent Israeli response, dramatically altered the landscape for Jews in the UAE.
“We used to enjoy an open and welcoming environment, but following the war, the Jewish community in the UAE has had to adopt a much lower profile,” he says.
The most noticeable changes include:
The suspension of public Jewish prayer services and celebrations to avoid drawing attention.
Avoiding visibly Jewish attire in public for security reasons.
A reduction in official invitations, where Rabbi Abadie was previously welcomed to represent the Jewish community at public events.
Despite these restrictions, kosher restaurants and Jewish-owned businesses remain open, indicating that while the community continues to exist, it is doing so with increased caution.
Interfaith Relations in the UAE: A Unique Experience
Reflecting on his three to four years in the UAE prior to the recent conflict, Rabbi Abadie describes the experience as overwhelmingly positive.
“We had an exceptional level of coexistence with other religious and ethnic communities. We attended joint meetings, invited people of other faiths to our celebrations, and they, in turn, welcomed us to theirs,” he recalls.
Moreover, he emphasizes that the UAE government was highly supportive and protective of the Jewish community, ensuring their religious freedoms and swiftly addressing any potential threats.
The Future of Jewish Life in the Arabian Peninsula
When asked about the sustainability of a Beth Din (Jewish religious court) and a permanent Jewish community in the Gulf region, Rabbi Abadie believes that while a Beth Din is essential for any Jewish community, its establishment in the Arabian Peninsula is still premature—except in the UAE, where it was welcomed.
“In Jewish history, Beth Din courts have always been respected institutions in Arab countries. However, for one to be established in the Arabian Peninsula today, the community must first grow and solidify its presence. In the future, as the community expands, a Beth Din will play a vital role in serving Jewish life in the region,” he explains.
Conclusion
The Sephardic Jewish community, whether in the United States or the Gulf region, faces significant challenges but continues to uphold its traditions through education, collaboration, and institutional development. While recent geopolitical events have created new obstacles, Rabbi Abadie remains hopeful that Jewish-Arab relations, deeply rooted in history, can be revived and strengthened in the years to come.
Natanya muradchai
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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