Jewish Citizenship in France

The Jews of France have been liberated for over two centuries; they have been considered free citizens and equal to their compatriots. What purpose, then, does it serve to study their citizenship today? Until World War II, French Jews called themselves "Israelites;" they were deeply patriotic and had found a place for themselves in Francers"s "community of citizens." However outbursts of anti-Semitism during that period reminded them that their new status prevented neither hate nor rejection; they had to persevere in the struggle for citizenship equity. France has not been spared from recent movements demanding recognition of particular identities in the public space. Ethnicity in French political life has become increasingly obvious, in spite of the constant assertion of "republican values." Questions about immigration, nationality, and integration are constantly in the forefront of public life. Though, in France, the existence of ethnic and religious communities is not legally recognized, certain groups are designated as separate, often creating conflicts among them.Dominique Schnapper is professor at the Eacute;cole des Hautes Eacute;tudes en Sciences Sociales and a member of the French Constitutional Council. Among her books are Community of Citizens: On the Modern Idea of Nationality, A Europe of Immigrants, Providential Democracy and Contemporary Jewish Identites .Chantal Bordes-Benayoun is a sociologist at the Center for Anthropology at Eacute;cole des Hautes Eacute;tudes en Sciences Sociales and director of research at the National Center for Scientific Research.Freddy Raphael is professor of sociology at the University Marc Bloch Srasbourg. He previously directed the Laboratory of Sociology of the European Culture and the Maison des Sciences de lrs"Homme in Strasbourg. Both C. Bordes Benayoun and F. Raphael have written numerous books and articles on French Jews.Catherine Temerson is an independent publishing professional based in New York City. She has translated numerous books including The Second Life of Linus Hoppe , The Sonderberg Case and A Mad Desire to Dance .