UAE's first kosher restaurant reflects growing Israeli-Arab ties
Just days after Israel and the United Arab Emirates normalized relations, a kosher restaurant has opened up in Dubai.
DUBAI — On a recent evening — in an obscure corner of the world's tallest building, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa —men in kippahs tucked in plates full of hummus. A woman snapped photos of a beautifully presented salmon fillet. An Emirati bigwig in a white thobe and matching headdress engaged in earnest conversation with an Orthodox Jew. "Is there carryout service for the Shabbat?" a customer asked. "There is," a waiter responded.
“Welcome to Kaf,” said a large, avuncular man. He introduced himself as Bension Duchman, the mashgiach — or dietary supervisor — of the United Arab Emirate’s first kosher restaurant. “I hope you enjoy your meal,” he said.
Located on the ground floor of the Burj Khalifa’s ritzy Armani hotel, Kaf opened its doors Sept. 17, just two days after the UAE and Israel signed the Abraham Accords, laying the ground for formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Even before the ink on the protocols dried, the two countries embarked on collaborations in finance, medicine, sports and culture.
