The assimilation of Jews involves abandoning some of their practices (religion, language, traditions, etc.) in favor of those of the society in which they live.
The first Jewish communities to settle in the Comtat Venaissin as far back as ancient times gradually became integrated into the life of the region.
During the Middle Ages, these communities settled in various cities, but the Jews were repeatedly robbed and expelled from the Kingdom of France.
Three Jewish communities would then remain in France in specific regions:
– The community of Avignon and the Comtat Venaissin, under the direct authority of the Pope
– The communities of Alsace and Lorraine, under the authority of the Holy Roman Empire.
– Later on, the community in the southwest and in Bordeaux, which consisted of Spanish and, above all, Portuguese Jews.
These communities were integrated into the life of the country, but Jews were not yet full citizens there. The French Revolution marked a fundamental transformation in the status of Jews in France and made them full citizens.
In the 19th century, Jews were proud to be part of French society and were staunchly republican. For a number of Israelites (long-established French Jews), integration led to assimilation as early as the 19th century.
In the 20th century, for progressive Jews who had immigrated from Eastern Europe, France served as a model of emancipation. After the victory over Nazism, the survivors, for the most part, remained attached to their culture of origin but wished to integrate into French society.
Reference:
Blumenkranz, Bernhard (ed.). 1972, *History of the Jews of France*, Édouard Privat.
