In the wake of the siege and killings at the Hyper Cacher supermarket in Paris in January, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced that all Jewish schools and synagogues in France would be protected around the clock by armed guards. Delightful scenes emerged of soldiers dancing with congregants during festivities, and stories abounded of women providing vast amounts of food for them to enjoy during services, bringing an almost joyful sheen to the feeling of deep insecurity among French Jews.
Almost five months later, the truth is that this military protection is, unofficially, waning.
Congregants at some synagogues, particularly those outside urban centres, have recently noted that at some non-religious evening events, soldiers are present at the beginning as participants arrive, but leave soon afterwards, leaving the buildings and the people inside unprotected.
Some small shuls have been told that they will not be guarded for an event that has fewer than ten participants - this particularly has an impact on Orthodox communities, where a few congregrants come regularly to pray every morning.
