JULY 13 • 2023 | 17
One day, as our group
walked down the streets of the
Old City, we met tourists who
shared they had never seen a
group of Jews before. I am sure
there have been other times
where I was someone’s first
impression of a Jewish person,
but this experience felt different.
Our group conveyed a
strong sense of pride. We
weren’t afraid to openly
express our Jewishness in a
region that historically hasn’t
been accepting of us. Chief
Rabbi Levi Duchman, our
own Rabbi Benzion Shemtov’s
cousin, is the first licensed
rabbi in Dubai. He explained
that only three years ago he
had to keep a low profile,
wearing traditional Emirati
attire instead of his Chabad hat
and tzitzit. Seeing the Jewish
community that has since been
built is thoroughly amazing.
Throughout the trip, I
noticed a recurring theme
that presented itself in many
forms. There was a paradox
between the past and the
future in every aspect of the
trip — from the city itself to
the dynamic cultures within.
Dubai is both a desert and
a sprouting center of technol-
ogy, innovation and life. The
Emirati people (who make up
only 11% of the population)
stay true to their identities and
culture; while at the same time,
they embrace new ways of
thinking and the advancement
of cutting-edge technology.
Dubai is home of many of
the “tallest,” the “newest,” the
“firsts,” but it is also home to a
rich Emirati culture and histo-
ry as the foundation. With that
strong sense of identity, the
leaders of Dubai and the UAE
recognize the importance of
accepting and respecting other
cultures and different peo-
ple. They know that the only
17 | JULY 13 • 2023
The group got to experience
Emirati culture.
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