In the News

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier spoke with Israel's ערוץ 13 about his trip to UAE where several UAE officials shared that they are confused by the mixed messages they are getting from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו. On the one hand, they understand Netanyahu is excited to establish relations with the Gulf at the same time they don’t understand why he would be speaking about the annexation of the West Bank.

The Economist By Nicolas Pelham April 4, 2019 Arab dictators seeking Western approval are not the only ones It is simply called “the villa”. Its white walls have no markings and an official permit is pending. For its founders, though, the low-key opening of the Arab world’s first new synagogue in generations signals the dawn of a Jewish revival. Standing near the beach-front in Dubai, the synagogue offers Hebrew classes and kosher catering and has just acquired a rabbi. “The promise of our community...

The Jerusalem Report By: Gidi Grinstein April 08, 2019 WITH THE Middle East in turmoil, Israel and Arab nations in the Arabian Gulf are seeking common ground in attempts to strengthen relations and ultimately establish diplomatic ties. As Israeli politicians venture into Gulf countries or confer with Arab leaders around the world, most recently in Warsaw, for 15 years there has been one man who has consistently built such bridges on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,...

The Jerusalem Post By Marc Schneier March 23, 2019 “If a Muslim nation were to engage in cooperation with Israel how would you feel toward that Muslim nation?” So much of late has been written about the warming of relations between Israel and its Gulf neighbors. While I have long advocated this is an important pathway to Middle East peace, a recent study has pointed out another thoroughfare that must be cleared if we are to achieve this end. According to the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding’s...

Spectrum News NY1 By Amy Yensi March 17, 2019 In a show of strength, dozens of worshipers visited the Jamaica Muslim Center for the first Sunday prayer service since the deadly hate-filled shootings at two mosques in New Zealand. “It is a sad thing to say. On one hand, we feel this is the safest place we are supposed to be, but we also see the unfortunate events happening around the world,” said Imam Shamsi Ali, the Director of the Jamaica Muslim Center. The mosque in Queens opened its doors...

The New York Daily News By Elizabeth Elizalde and Kate Demoney March 17, 2019 New Yorkers of all faiths united in a Queens mosque Sunday to mourn the victims of the New Zealand terror attack. “Terrorism is indeed our common enemy,” Imam Shamsi Ali told the dozens of people who gathered at the Jamaica Muslim Center on 168th St. near Highland Ave. in Jamaica Hills two days after 50 people were killed in a New Zealand terrorist attack. “We are not intimidated,” Ali told the crowd. “We are...

Arutz Sheva By Yoni Kempinsky March 15, 2019 Rabbi Marc Schneier, President of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, responded to the New Zealand attacks. “I see it as my responsibility to the Islamic community to be at the forefront of battling Islamophobia and any attack or form of bigotry against the Islamic faith and Muslims”, Rabbi Schneier said, “I stand with my Muslim brothers and sisters and condemn in the strongest terms the attacks which took place at Al Noor Mosque and at...

The Christian Post By Michael Gryboski March 13, 2019 Muslims living in the United States are more likely to have a friend or family member who identifies as evangelical Christian than the other way around, according to a newly released survey. The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding of New York released a study on Monday titled “Evangelical Christian and Muslim Relations in the U.S.,” which analyzed several points of comparison between the two faith communities. According to the research, 38 percent...

Arutz Sheva By Michal Levi March 13, 2019 Kosher catering company opens in Dubai, expects to serve all of the Gulf States For the first time in history, a kosher catering company will open in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to Yediot Ahronot, the company was founded by the leader of Dubai’s Orthodox Jewish community, Ross Kriel. It is expected to serve all of the Gulf States. Currently, the company serves only dairy and fish-based meals, and does not yet have a consistent kashrut supervisor....

Ynet By Itamar Eichner March 13, 2019 Israel’s warming relationship with the Gulf states is intensifying – and for the first time, a kosher catering company has been established in Dubai. Kosher food is also expected to soon be a feature on Gulf airlines, and that is not all – a kosher restaurant is also planned for the United Arab Emirates. The kosher catering company, Kosher Arabia, will serve all the Gulf states. It was founded by Ross Kriel, a Johannesburg-born lawyer who heads the...