Explains Judaism in Arabic

Arabic Website Changing Perceptions about Jews and Judaism - Kenneth Bandler (Jerusalem Post)

Asl al-Yahud (Origins of the Jews) is an Arabic- language website created by New York-based rabbi Ephraim Gabbai under the auspices of the American Jewish Committee four years ago.

The site is a growing resource for text, photographs, and video about Judaism and the history of Jewish communities in Arab countries.

Gabbai also runs a related Facebook page in Arabic where much of the conversation occurs. Gabbai's mother's family came from Iraq, and his father was one of the last Jews to leave Egypt.

Gabbai believes it is important to explain Judaism through the use of Arabic-language sources and the teachings of renowned Jews who lived in Arab lands. "We are explaining Judaism from a Middle East vantage point," he says.

The writer is the American Jewish Committee's director of media relations.