Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D. hails from a long and distinguished rabbinical lineage dating back to 15th Century Spain and Provence. Following the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, and later Provence, his family migrated throughout the ages through Italy, the Balkans, Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. Rabbi Dr. Abadie was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and grew up in Mexico City.  He moved to the United States to attend College and University, and later became a naturalized, United States citizen.

 

Rabbi Dr. Abadie earned his B.A. in Health Sciences in 1983, B.Sc. in 1984 in Bible Studies, Hebrew Teacher’s diploma in 1985, and a Master’s degree in Philosophy in 1986. He then received his Rabbinic ordination in 1986 from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He attended SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where he graduated in 1990 with an M.D. degree. He did his residency in Internal Medicine, and later his fellowship in Gastroenterology at Maimonides Medical Center, finishing in 1995.

 

Rabbi Dr. Abadie is the founding Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue, and the Founder and Rabbinic Advisor of the Moise Safra Center in Manhattan. He was the Founder and Head of School of the Sephardic Academy of Manhattan and is the founding Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of the Manhattan East Synagogue, New York City. He is the Director and Professor at the Jacob E. Safra Institute of Sephardic Studies at Yeshiva University. He is a scholar and college teacher of Sephardic Judaism, history, philosophy, and comparative traditional law. He was an Officer of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), and Treasurer/Vice-President of the New York Board of Rabbis. He is member of the Board of Governors of the Diaspora Museum – Beit Hatfutsot/ANU.

 

As Co-President of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC), he was instrumental in passing a Congressional resolution on behalf of Jews from Arab Countries to be recognized by the U.S government in their negotiations regarding the issue of Middle Eastern Refugees. He has lectured on Jewish themes, philosophy, law, and medical ethics around the world, and enjoys close ties with many government officials in Israel, Bahrain and the UAE. As a member of the board of the American Sephardi Federation and World Sephardic Educational Center, he lectures on Sephardic Judaism, history, and comparative traditional law. Featured in many notable publications around the world, he has been interviewed on several notable news programs, including Fox News, CNN and ABC News. BBC, Russian TV Arabic, Spanish Radio, CCTV and Telemundo, America TV Canal 41, UNIVISION, i24 Israeli Media, Galei Zahal, Arutz 10 and 7. He was featured in the Jewish Voice Weekly, Image Magazine, the Jewish Week, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Enlace Judio, Diario Judio, Hamevasser, Israel Hayom, Hamodia, LaMishpaha Magazine and many others.

In addition to countless of awards received throughout his career, Rabbi Dr. Abadie received the Orden Del Merito Civil, with the title of Excelentisimo, the highest civil decoration by His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain. He is honored to be following in the footsteps of the greatest Jewish scholar and philosopher Moses Maimonides, who was both a rabbi and a physician. Rabbi Dr. Abadie is fluent in English, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, French, and conversant in Italian and Portuguese. Presently, he is the Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Council of the Emirates, the Chief Rabbi of the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities, and the Chairman of the Council of Sephardic Sages. He is a Medical Gastroenterologist, and is married to Elise Eichler for over 37 years, and together they live in Dubai. United Arab Emirates

 

 

CV of Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D., page 2

 

Relevant and Personal Skills

• Renown Public Speaker
• Senior Personal Advisor to International Dignitaries
• Conflict Resolution Expert
• Powerful and Pragmatic Negotiator
• Foreign Policy Expert
• Organization Builder
• Multi-language Communicator
• Situation/Crisis Analyst
• Curriculum Creator
• Academic Professor

 

 

Present positions

 

Senior Rabbi and Spiritual Leader

Jewish Council of the Emirates – Congregation Shaarei Mizrah

The JCE is a network of Jewish communal leaders who are building and growing Jewish life in the United Arab Emirates – for both residents and visitors. Following the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020, Jewish life in the UAE has grown dramatically with an influx of Jewish tourists and businesspeople from Israel and the West who now feel more welcome in the country. The JCE works closely with government officials to help advance Jewish life, causes and events in the UAE. As the address for all things Jewish in the UAE, the JCE rabbinate plays a critical role in establishing Jewish infrastructure. Rabbi Dr. Abadie provides spiritual leadership to the local community helping to build and grow Jewish life in the Gulf.

 

 

Chief Rabbi and Spiritual Leader

Association of Gulf Jewish Communities

The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities (AGJC) was founded in 2021 as an alliance of the Jewish communities (people-to-people) in all six Gulf states who are building and enhancing Jewish life in the region. The AGJC aims to enhance all facets of Jewish life in the Gulf. Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie, based in Dubai, is providing spiritual guidance to association members. Under his leadership, the Beth Din (Jewish Court) of the Gulf was established to assist with issues pertaining to personal status and voluntary business dispute resolutions. The Arabian Kosher Certification Agency was created to oversee kashrut (kosher certification) throughout the Gulf using the same set of standards throughout all six states, therefore making residing and traveling to the Gulf more accessible for Jews.

 

 

Chairman and President

Council of Sephardic Sages

Council of Sephardic Sages, a professional rabbinic advisory board for mutual support and the sharing of wisdom. The mandate for the Council is to revive, maintain, and energize the Greater Sephardic tradition and culture of living, adjudicating, and solving issues in all spheres of life, including, but not limited to: educational philosophy, cultural etiquette, social discourse, diplomatic activity, and more. The Council of Sephardic Sages will foster cooperation, coexistence, acceptance, tolerance, and harmony amongst the diverse Jewish community and beyond.

CV of Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D., page 3

 

Experience

 

Institute Director, Professor and Teacher

Jacob E. Safra Institute of Sephardic Studies, Yeshiva University – New York, NY  [2006-2019]

• Achieved the completion of a new, award winning curriculum, which teaches the Sephardic Jewish traditions and culture to graduating seniors.
• Curriculum Director and Creator for a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Sephardic Studies
• Implemented hiring strategies, which resulted in increased growth of the student base.
• Worked directly with various college departments to achieve a singular goal of education and awareness with regard to the selection of courses in students\’ chosen field of study.
• Initiated key partnerships amongst various departments throughout the institution, resulting in a continuous upgrade in student enrollment annually.

 

 

Founder and Head of School

Sephardic Academy of Manhattan – New York, NY [2010 – 2019]

• Established a new school from its foundation to it running
• Hiring of Principal, Teachers, Assistants and all necessary personnel
• Supervised Curriculum development in English, Hebrew and Judaic subjects
• Supervised physical plants remodeling and classroom design
• Procured all Academic and Educational material necessary for the school
• Interviewed Parents and Advised in their Spiritual and Educational Advancement
• Problems Resolution between Principal, Teacher’s Staff and Parents body

• Monitored and advised the Board of Directors regarding the school’s finances, marketing campaigns, and plans for the future.

 

Spiritual Leader and Rabbi

Edmond J. Safra Synagogue – New York, NY [2002 – 2017]

Manhattan East Synagogue – New York, NY [2017- present]

• Continually growing a large congregation over the past 14 years, which started with 10 families and now welcomes over 1,000 families throughout the year into the Synagogue.
• Welcomes and advises world leaders on a consistent basis to the Synagogue, including Kings, Queens, Presidents, and religious and community leaders of all denominations who seek guidance with respect to nation building and peace.
• Speaks publicly on behalf of the greater Sephardic Jewish Community and Congregation on a wide range of issues, including the situation in the Middle East, Israel, and other countries around the world.
• Leads daily and weekly spiritual classes while carefully enriching the lives of the hundreds of Congregants who attend.

 

Doctor of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy

Private Practice – New York, NY  & Dubai, UAE [1995 – present]

• Diagnoses and treats any disorders, diseases, or irregularities that pertain to the digestive tract.
• Performs endoscopies for patients, as well as follows up with patient for critical and/or rehabilitative care.
• Manages and treats over 1000 patients throughout the year during private, in office medical visits.
• Presents at medical and gastroenterological conferences throughout the year.

 

CV of Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D., page 4

Education

Fellowship: Gastroenterology and Endoscopy – Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

• Graduated June 1995

Residency: Internal Medicine – Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

• Graduated June 1993

M.D. – Doctor of Medicine – SUNY, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

• Graduated May, 1990

Rabbinical Ordination – Yeshiva Univ., Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, NY, NY

 

• Graduated May 1986

 

Master of Science, Jewish Philosophy – Yeshiva Univ., Bernard Revel Graduate School, NY, NY

 

• Graduated May 1986

 

Bachelor of Science – Yeshiva College, NY, NY

 

• Graduated May 1985

 

Hebrew Teacher Diploma – Yeshiva Univ., Isaac Breuer College, NY, NY

 

• Graduated May 1984

 

Bachelor of Arts, Health Sciences – Yeshiva College, NY, NY

 

• Graduated May 1983

 

 

Additional Relevant information

 

• Fluent in 6 languages
• Honored Board Member in over 20 national and international organization
• Extensive experience sitting on and working with Executive Committees of nonprofit organizations.
• Advised many Boards on “best practices” while incorporating both Jewish and secular law.
• Conducted several peaceful negotiations between two nations over the last 15 years.
• Lectured to audiences throughout the world on topics ranging from conflict resolution to peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
• Garnered over 30 awards and honors over the last 15 years, including:
• Orden Del Merito Civil, from King Juan Carlos of Spain, 2012
• Jerusalem Medal, 2010
• Maimonides Award, 2007
• Honorary Citizen of Jerusalem Award 2016
• Proclamation from the City of New York, 2011
• Israel Bonds Award 2014
• Rabbinic Leadership Award 2007