Jewish Identities in France

France is seen as both a haven for the Jews, celebrated as the first Western European nation to grant them equal rights, and as a uniquely dangerous place, infamous for a latent antisemitism that periodically explodes in violent ways. Today, the country is home to the largest Jewish population in Europe and the third largest in the world. It has also become internationally known for its concept of laïcité, a form of secularism perceived as hostile toward the public expression of religion. These seeming contradictions spark questions about the experience of Jews in France that are the central subject of this course. After a brief historical survey of key moments in the history of French Jewry, we will explore questions of French and Jewish identities. Questions under consideration include: what does it mean to be French and Jewish at the same time? How do Jews relate to dominant French culture and to other minorities? How does France’s dual status as a republic and an empire complicate these questions? What is particular about the Jewish experience in France compared to other Western European and North American countries with significant Jewish populations? We will approach these questions from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including history, philosophy, sociology, literature and film. Our discussions will draw on the rich tradition of French literary and philosophical works about Jewish identity as well as recent texts and films.

Readings and discussion will be in French.