Something new is stirring in the French Jewish community. Currently dominated by Orthodox or rather “traditional” Jewish men, the established institutions may be challenged by a new religious force calling itself Judaisme en Mouvement (JEM) to be formed on 1st January 2020. The two largest reform communities in Paris have decided to come together and to invite Jews everywhere in France to join them.
The Liberal Jewish Movement of France (MJLF) and the Liberal Israelite Union of France (ULIF) are joining forces again after 42 years of separation provoked by doctrinal differences that have since been washed away.
Two determined Presidents, Gad Weil (MJLF) and Jean-Francois Bensahel (ULIF-Copernic), launched the merger process 18 months ago. On 23 September the project was formally adopted by an overwhelming membership vote in both communities.
Pronounced “j’aime” (meaning “I love”) JEM represents some 2,000 member families with nearly 7,000 people attending Yom Kippour services.
JEM boasts five Rabbis, including Delphine Horvilleur who was recently invited by Israel’s President Rivlin to join a select international group of 30 rabbis and intellectuals to discuss the future of World Jewry.
There are three JEM synagogues – on the right bank, the left bank and the east of Paris – with large and growing Talmud Torah classes, several bar or bat mitzvah celebrations every week, plus a range of Jewish studies and cultural programmes, youth activities and annual trips to Israel.
Two other vibrant Reform communities in Paris and several in the provinces, plus two important Conservative synagogues will need to position themselves in response to the JEM initiative.
Reform and Conservative communities are in the minority in France and are not recognised by the orthodox “Consistoire”, the institution Napoleon created in 1808 to speak for the Jewish community.
The Consistoire is not going away and Reform Judaism is still not well known in France, but if JEM gains visibility and builds momentum by attracting new adherents – be they individuals, families or communities – it could change the balance of power and offer an alternative Jewish voice in relations with the government and the public at large.
According to its new Rabbinical Charter, supported at every point by consensual Jewish texts, JEM stands for equality between men and women; emphasises Jewish studies, prayer and tikkun olam; considers that moral values precede Jewish ritual; encourages inter-faith dialogue and welcomes children of mixed marriage.
The profile of French Jewry, so powerfully marked since the 1960s by the influx of observant Sephardi Jews from Algeria, Tunisia and especially Morocco, is gradually changing.
Having brought new life, energy and assertiveness to the community here, and eventually taking over many synagogues and the Zionist institutions, the Sephardic majority is now facing new challenges.
Most Jews today have little contact with the synagogue and have adopted a secular lifestyle common in France. If one-third of school age children are educated in Jewish schools, one-third go to public schools and one-third – seeking security, class discipline and affordable teaching – opt for Catholic schools. Rates of intermarriage are rising.
At a time when French society – as elsewhere – is troubled by questions of identity, JEM may appeal to Jews who seek a community that makes room for them just as they are, or as they may wish to become.
If religious pluralism gets political legs in Israel, the French scene could be transformed.
