@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 President Donald Trump visited the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on May 16, 2025, as part of his Middle East tour.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 This marked the first visit by a U.S. president to this interfaith complex, which includes a synagogue, a mosque (Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque), and a church (St. Francis Church).
About the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue and the Abrahamic Family House
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About the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue and the Abrahamic Family House
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Location and Purpose: The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue is part of the Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith complex on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated in February 16, 2023.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Designed by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, the complex promotes interfaith coexistence and dialogue, symbolizing tolerance among Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. It is named after Abraham, a prophet revered by all three faiths.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Historical Significance: The synagogue is the first purpose-built synagogue in the Arab world in nearly a century, a milestone for the UAE’s small but active Jewish community.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 It was inaugurated with a mezuzah affixed by UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, and a Torah scroll was donated by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Design and Features: The Abrahamic Family House consists of three distinct houses of worship connected by a central pavilion, fostering shared spaces for dialogue, learning, and exhibitions.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 The synagogue hosts Shabbat prayers and other religious services, led by UAE Chief Rabbi Yehuda Sarna.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Designed by Sir David Adjaye, the synagogue features a modern interpretation of traditional Jewish architecture, including a crisscross diagrid façade and soffit that represents the palm trees used to build a Sukkah.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 The building has seven pillars on the ground and eight above supporting the roof, and the interior is decorated with traditional Jewish symbols and features, such as the Ten Commandments printed in Hebrew.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Cultural Impact: The complex reflects the UAE’s commitment to religious tolerance, especially after normalizing relations with Israel in 2020 via the Abraham Accords. Trump praised the site, calling it “amazing” and a symbol of “great unity” and “great faith.”
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 He signed the guest book, emphasizing unity in his message to the Emirati people.
The UAE’s Jewish community is small, with estimates suggesting a few hundred to a couple of thousand members, many of whom are expatriates. Shabbat services are held regularly.
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The UAE’s Jewish community is small, with estimates suggesting a few hundred to a couple of thousand members, many of whom are expatriates. Shabbat services are held regularly.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Trump’s visit to the synagogue was part of a broader tour of the Abrahamic Family House, guided by UAE Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and other officials.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 The visit highlighted the UAE’s efforts to foster Jewish life and interfaith harmony, aligning with Trump’s diplomatic and economic agenda in the region, including securing major investment deals.
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Tales of being a chief rabbi in the UAE
Leading the first Jewish community to be established in an Arab country for a century may be challenging for Chief Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, but it's also his passion, writes Jenni Frazer.
15)australianjewishnews.com/tales-of-being…
Leading the first Jewish community to be established in an Arab country for a century may be challenging for Chief Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, but it's also his passion, writes Jenni Frazer.
15)australianjewishnews.com/tales-of-being…
@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Rabbi Yehuda Sarna practices Modern Orthodox Judaism. This is evident from his education and affiliations, including his studies at Yeshivat Har Etzion, a prominent Modern Orthodox yeshiva, and
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 his ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University, a leading institution for Modern Orthodox rabbinic training. His work, such as founding the Jewish Learning Fellowship and leading the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU,
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 aligns with Modern Orthodox values, which emphasize engagement with the broader world while maintaining strict adherence to Jewish law (halacha).
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 Additionally, his involvement in interfaith initiatives reflects the Modern Orthodox approach of balancing traditional Jewish practice with openness to dialogue and integration in diverse settings
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@WhiteHouse @Pimpernell13 UAE’s Chief Rabbi Yehuda Sarna: The pride of Montreal’s Jewish Community
20)thesuburban.com/life/lifestyle…
20)thesuburban.com/life/lifestyle…
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