With the enactment of the Abraham Accords in 2021, Dubai and Israel are undergoing one of the most formidable relationships between the Jewish state and any Arab country in history.

Dubai, and the UAE in general, are experiencing a massive wave of tourists arriving for leisure, business, entertainment and in some cases, Jewish-driven tourism experiences. To boot, there have been major upgrades in the Kosher dining experiences for those observant travelers with specific needs.

In fact, travel from Israel to Dubai has jumped 212% in 2023 compared to the same period last year. Israel is currently Dubai’s fastest growing tourism source market. Out of the top 20 source markets coming to Dubai, so far in 2023, travellers from Israel are increasing the most, with 85,000 visiting in the first two months of the year.

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, is now offering Kosher gastronomic offerings for its Jewish guests, from sumptuous breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches, to delectable main courses, dairy-free desserts, and baked goods. “Kosher food can be served in the hotel’s restaurant Olea or in guest rooms, available 24-hours via room service.”

The hotel has launched a tailor-made Kosher menu that visitors can order 48 hours ahead of time and enjoy directly from the comfort of their room, including sophisticated dishes, such as spiced shakshuka with soft polenta, roasted eggplant with chickpeas salad and tahini yogurt dressing salad, and Moroccan beef with chickpeas and almond couscous. Guests of the hotel can experience culinary excellence without compromising on flavor and dietary requirements.

Perfect for special occasions, including weddings and bar mitzvahs, the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates offers a unique “Banquet Kosher” menu. Visitors with Kosher dietary requirements are invited to wine and dine at Olea, one of Kempinski’s five restaurants, serving elevated Levantine cuisine and a variety of kosher meat dishes.

Located in the heart of Dubai, the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates boasts 388 rooms with incredible views of Dubai, including 36 suites and a 300 m² presidential suite. The most unique rooms are the 20 lavish Aspen Pool and Ski Chalets overlooking the world-famous Ski Dubai snow park, which is directly accessible from the hotel, or the slick infinity pools.

A few examples of Jewish experiences across the island-state:

The first kosher supermarket ever in the Gulf, Rimon, recently opened in Dubai to serve the city’s growing Jewish population. It is located five-minute drive from the Jewish Community Center.

The Minyan on the Palm (MOTP) is an Orthodox congregation based on the iconic Palm Jumeirah in the Emirate of Dubai – a transformative and unique Shabbat experience in Dubai.

Kriel opened her business Elli’s Kosher Kitchen last year, making history as the first certified kosher service in the Gulf.

Jewish UAE attractions: Yemenite Torah, circa 1498 from the capital city of Sana’a; a Hebrew Bible, circa 1232 from Spain in the Louvre, a Jewish gravestone of a man named David, which is dated between 1507 and 1650 in the Ras al-Khaimah’s National Museum, Holocaust scroll is displayed on a permanent loan to the Crossroads of Civilizations Museum.

Currently, under construction on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, the Abrahamic Family House will house an Islamic mosque, a Jewish synagogue, and a Christian church. It is named after Abraham, regarded as the father of the three monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.