France's New Jews: Reclaiming Hidden Identity

The New Jews of France

The Bottom Line: After centuries of hiding their Jewish identity during the Holocaust and afterwards, hundreds of thousands of people are re-embracing the religion. A growing number of French people have recently converted, the narratives about which are starting to unfold. The revelation begins with a group photo. Everybody in the photo became Jewish in the last decade. But many of their ancestors were there because they had to hide their Jewishness for decades, even generations. The Holocaust is referenced repeatedly. These episodes are common throughout France: families who have lived as Christians, atheists, or secularists, yet have gone through the arduous process of converting to Judaism in the last 30 years. Their grandparents survived by hiding and their grandchildren are choosing to return. In the last 20 years, a million French people have converted to Judaism. One of the recent converts, a young man is surprised at how many of them there are, and decided to embrace his own heritage by becoming a rabbi. How could this phenomenon happen? For many it is a return to their roots. Their identities were buried, as much as the identity of other families who left their homeland.

Buried Secret Identities

This phenomenon in modern France does not come from new converts but from those whose family history hid a Jewish past. They have always been Jewish, the narrator is told. But their family had to hide it. Once the mystery of hiding her Jewish heritage is revealed, the narrator cannot let it go. She’s compelled to search for others who have been through the same experience. The narrator decides to do a deeper dive into the complexities of this decision. She uncovers a hidden past that until this generation, stayed hidden. Now they are becoming Jewish again. .

Hiding During the Holocaust Era in France

Families hid and many were sent to concentration camps and killed. Families did the only thing they could — they changed their names and identities to escape the war. During World War II, being Jewish in France was a death sentence, the narrator says. They erased themselves. They became atheists, changed their names, and identities. The shameful identity that had to be hidden for 70 years is now being explored. The narrator recounts that the grandparents survived by hiding and their grandchildren are choosing to return to their Jewish identities. For many, their identity was buried forever, or so they thought.

Reclaiming Judaism in Post-Holocaust France

The discovery of one’s true identity can be traumatic for victims of anti-Semitism because the rise of Jewish populations in Europe was cut off by Jewish genocide. Being Jewish in France today is not the same as it was prior to World War II. For generations, young people were born to parents who were born to parents without any family connection to their religious identity. It was deemed necessary to survive. When the narrator was 13, she discovered what the Holocaust was. But she wasn’t shocked. The trauma of discovering the truth about her ancestry is not a new phenomenon, although it is common in the last 10-15 years, as families reveal their identities once more.

A Taboo Topic

Identity can survive taboo. The narrator’s journey is one of discovery and self-respect as she has decided to convert. But it is traumatic. Her dad once felt like it was a taboo. Her own family members did not actively practice or identify as Jews, but a renewed interest has been embraced by a whole new generation. The narrator is now a rabbi, but admits it was a surprise to her family. Taboo his grandmother declared — Catastrophe!

Honoring the Past

In the last century, the lives of Jews in Europe were marked by torment and death. Descendants of this era are now choosing to return to their Jewish identity. France has always had a strong Jewish community, and recently their numbers have changed. The new Jews of France are coming together to honor their past in the most powerful way. Their stories are of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Today the synagogue is thriving. The narrator says: They are choosing to embrace their heritage as a source of strength. “The Burris family changed their name. They wanted to be invisible in a way as Jews and it is ok. Living in France now allows them to live openly as Jews, which is a passion for them.”

Questions readers ask

What are the most common ways in which French people are rediscovering their Jewish heritage?

Many French people are rediscovering their Jewish heritage through family research, such as examining family trees and old photographs. Others are learning about their ancestry through stories passed down from grandparents or other relatives. Some are uncovering their Jewish past through genetic testing, which can reveal hidden ancestral origins. Some are also finding their roots through the experiences of others, leading to a deeper dive into the history of their families.

What motivated the ancestors of these 'new Jews' to hide their Jewish identity?

The primary motivation was survival. During the Holocaust, being Jewish in France meant facing persecution and almost certain death. Many families changed their names and identities to escape the horrors of the war, becoming atheists or adopting Christian or secular identities to blend in and avoid detection. This decision was driven by the desperate need to protect themselves and their families from the atrocities of the Nazi regime.

How does the experience of rediscovering a hidden Jewish identity affect these individuals?

The experience can be both traumatic and liberating. For some, it is a shock to discover that their family's identity was hidden for so long, often due to the horrors of the Holocaust. Others feel a sense of relief and pride in reclaiming their true heritage. This discovery often compels them to explore their roots further, leading to a deeper understanding of their family history and a reconnection with their Jewish identity. Additionally, those who decide to convert and embrace their heritage may find a sense of belonging and purpose.

What challenges do these individuals face when reclaiming their Jewish identity?

The process of reclaiming a hidden Jewish identity can be challenging and complex. It often involves navigating the trauma of past generations, dealing with the stigma of anti-Semitism, and grappling with the loss of cultural and religious traditions. Additionally, converting to Judaism can be a lengthy and rigorous process, requiring extensive study and commitment. For some, the journey may also involve reconciling their newfound identity with their existing beliefs and practices, which can be a challenging emotional and psychological process.

Why is there a growing number of converts to Judaism in France, and what role does the past play in this trend?

The growing number of converts to Judaism in France is largely driven by individuals rediscovering their hidden Jewish ancestry. The past, particularly the Holocaust, plays a significant role in this trend. Many families hid their Jewish identity to survive the horrors of the war, and now, their descendants are choosing to embrace and reclaim their true heritage. This return to roots is a way for them to honor their ancestors' sacrifices and to reconnect with their cultural and religious identity.