Emirati Executive Flies to New York to Tour Crown Heights

By COLlive reporter

As-Salaam Alaikum!

Lubavitch World Headquarters, located at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, frequently receives high-profile and curious visitors from diverse backgrounds.

However, the most recent visit stood out.

Entering the Rebbe’s Shul on Tuesday was Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the Emirati businessman who serves as the chairman and CEO of DMCC and the chairman of the Dubai government’s Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC).

The Sulayem family has been among Dubai’s most influential business and political dynasties since the early 20th century. Ahmed bin Sulayem’s father played a pivotal advisory role to the ruling Maktoum family of Dubai.

At a recent business meeting in Dubai, Sulayem encountered Lubavitch businessman Gideon Menachem Gratsiani from Postville, Iowa. Gratsiani, alongside his wife Shely, manages a successful real estate company. During their discussion, Sulayem expressed his strong support for Jewish causes, and Gratsiani, who has an eye for building connections beyond mere business dealings and recognizing an opportunity to foster understanding and collaboration, extended an invitation to tour Chabad Headquarters and experience Chassidic Jewish life in Crown Heights on his next visit to New York.

Sulayem took Gratsiani up on this offer, arriving in New York on Tuesday to explore the Crown Heights community. Gratsiani, who organized the visit, personally escorted him from Manhattan to Brooklyn in a limousine escorted by Shmira patrol vehicles.

They were welcomed by Crown Heights tour guide Yoni Katz, resident Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Shmueli, and Bentzy Mishulovin.

Their tour started at 770, where Sulayem observed Yeshiva students engrossed in their studies and others engaged in prayer. They also visited the WLCC broadcasting room, where the Rebbe’s Farbrengens were broadcasted around the world.

Mishulovin observed, “It’s remarkable to see someone of such immense wealth and stature, who seemingly has everything, visit 770 and be genuinely moved by the passionate Bochurim.”

To the astonishment of many, Sulayem revisited the study hall and began an Instagram livestream, offering viewers a peek into the lives of devoted Chabad Chassidim studying Torah.

The tour proceeded to the Agudas Chassidei Chabad Library, delving into Jewish and Chassidic history. They also visited a Sofer Stam to learn about the intricate processes of writing Torahs, Tefillin, and Mezuzos.

While at the library, Sulayem humorously inquired about a particular face in the International Kinus Hashluchim group photo. “Where is Rabbi Duchman in this photo?” he joked, referring to Rabbi Levi Duchman, the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community in the United Arab Emirates and a Chabad Shliach.

Shmueli reflected on the visit, stating, “It was heartwarming to see Ahmed Bin Sulayem thoroughly enjoy and attentively absorb every aspect of the tour.”

The day ended with a delightful dinner at Meat Restaurant, complemented by a conversation with scholar and author Rabbi Simon Jacobson. Jacobson gifted Bin Sulayem a signed copy of his book, Towards a Meaningful Life.

Gratsiani summarized the visit’s purpose, saying, “We aimed to immerse Ahmed bin Sulayem in the essence of Chabad. We hope that he might become a powerful advocate for the broader Jewish community. Considering his influential position in Dubai, this visit has the potential to usher in positive change.”