What it’s like being a Jew in France
I’m sure you’ve heard that France (and Europe in general) is becoming more and more anti Semitic.
Yes, that is indeed true.
For starters, there are a set of unspoken rules that Jews tend to follow.
1. Don’t speak Hebrew in public places.
2. Don’t even say the word “Israel” in public places (my family substitutes Israel for Italy)
3. Don’t wear any religious symbols. Men, don’t wear your kippah, just wear a hat. Don’t wear a necklace with a Magen David, even if you hide it, don’t risk it.
4. When entering or exiting a Jewish school, if someone asks what that building is, you say “I’m not sure it’s just a meeting place.”
5. Do not tell anyone you don’t know that you’re Jewish, you never know who could be listening.
Yeah, it broke my heart to write this... because when you live it, it actually doesn’t feel as bad. You get used to this stuff very quickly.
Hi, I am a 17 year old Jewish girl. I’ve lived in France, Switzerland, Israel, and various states across the U.S.
Would you believe me though when I told you that being Jewish in France is much better than being Jewish in the U.S.?
I know, that seems crazy of me to say... after all those rules and the way I have to hide my identity?
Here’s the thing, all this hate towards Jews in France has had a huge positive side effect. The Jews in France are like a tribe.
You’re not religious? You’ll still go to synagogue or Jewish schools if you can afford it.
You don’t eat kosher? You’ll go to the kosher restaurants anyways (Paris has more kosher restaurants then any other city except Jerusalem, over 200) because you know someone who works there or you just would rather dine there.
When it comes to vacation? Well there’s only on destination you really want to go to, and that’s Israel (hence all the French people you see when you go there).
The Jews in France have united under the pressure. We are thriving with hundreds of synagogues and kosher restaurants in Paris.
I’m going to be honest, and not very politically correct.
It’s also about where you hang out.
The rich neighborhoods (which Jews tend to gravitate towards, because even if it’s expensive, at least they know it’s safe) with a lot of tourists are fine.
If you go into the poor suburbs of Paris, you will find a large majority of Arab immigrants who, quite honestly, hate Jews. Who will jump you if they suspect that you’re Jewish.
There’s a story of a man in Paris who took a taxi. He started speaking in Hebrew on the phone to his family. Twenty minutes later, he realizes the driver is not taking him anywhere NEAR where he needs to go, and jumps out of the car.
The driver was planning to go somewhere abandoned and beat him up.
The suburbs surrounding Paris that have an Arab majority aren’t safe. That’s a fact and you need to know that if you want to be safe in Paris.
There is no “peace between two cultures” there, it’s more of a “step into our territory and you won’t leave with your life”.
Every Jew in France knows this to be true and avoids these neighborhoods at all costs.
I lived in a nice neighborhood, I went to a Jewish school. I often ate out at kosher restaurants. I went to Jewish events when I could.
I followed some simple rules. Did not talk about Israel in the metro, didn’t talk in Hebrew either.
About a month ago, i moved back to the states.
It’s weird talking about Israel when I want and wearing my shirts with words in Hebrew on them.
But I miss the sense of belonging to a tribe that you will find with European Jews.
I hope this gives you a better idea of what it is like to be a Jew living in France.
There are dangers, yes.
You have to follow some rules in order to guarante your safety.
But you will also feel a sense of community that surpasses any other country besides Israel.
You will see that every Jew loves Israel with a passion and all believe their future is there.
Jews throughout history have only strengthened when threatened.
To those who try to hurt us, you’re just making us stronger.
