Beyond its striking architecture lies a profound message embodied in the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue. This synagogue stands as a beacon of interfaith understanding. It is part of the Abrahamic Family House complex in Abu Dhabi.
The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue officially opened on February 17 2023. It is named after Moses Ben Maimon. He was a 12th-century Jewish philosopher and scholar. The synagogue is the first public one in the United Arab Emirates.
The synagogue’s design is by Sir David Adjaye. It offers a modern interpretation of Jewish architecture. The crisscross diagrid facade and soffit represent palm trees. These trees are used to build a Sukkah. The Sukkah is a temporary shelter during the Jewish festival of Sukkot. This structure provides shade. It also allows people to see the stars at night.
Notice the seven pillars on the ground. Look up to see the eight pillars above. These support the roof of the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue. The metallic bronze structure emanates natural light. It is shaped like a curtain and hovers by the roof. The zig-zag shapes resemble tents. They represent old Jewish communities gathering to practice their religion. The bronze chainmail symbolizes the tent-like structure of the Sukkah. The skylight references a chuppah. This is a temporary structure used during Jewish marriages. Couples stand under fabric beneath a sea of stars.
Inside the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue you will see traditional Jewish symbols. The Ten Commandments are printed in Hebrew. They flank the walls of the prayer hall. The synagogue also has a mikveh. This bath is used for ritual immersion. It is located outside the prayer hall. There is also a smaller space for religious studies.
The idea for the Abrahamic Family House started on February 5 2019. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed announced it. He is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. This happened during a meeting of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity in New York. The goal is to promote interfaith understanding. It also seeks dialogue between different religions.
Moses Ben Maimon was a very influential Torah scholar. He was also a physician and astronomer. He lived in Morocco and Egypt. Maimonides was born in Córdoba Spain in 1135. He spent 12 years traveling. Then he settled in Cairo. He lived there for the rest of his life. He taught and wrote about Judaism. He died in Cairo in 1204.
The opening ceremony saw many attendees. Members of the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi were there. Government officials and religious leaders also attended. Rabbi Yehuda Sarna opened the event. He is the chief rabbi of the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue. Cantor Alex Peterfreund led the congregation. He led them through a series of verses. Rabbi Levi Duchman then recited a Jewish prayer. He prayed in Hebrew for the leaders and government of the UAE. Rabbi Yosef Hamdi also delivered the prayer in Arabic. He leads the small Jewish Yemenite community in Abu Dhabi.
The Abrahamic Family House aims to promote inter-religious dialogue. It wants to be a physical symbol of human fraternity. It provides learning resources and worship spaces.
The complex represents interfaith co-existence. It preserves each religion’s unique character. It builds bridges between civilizations and Abrahamic messages.
The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue stands as a testament to tolerance. It embodies mutual respect. It highlights the shared values of different faiths in Abu Dhabi. It inspires harmony among people from all walks of life.