Anti-Semitism and apostasy in Nineteenth-Century France: A response to Jonathan Helfand

Abstract

In Passports and Piety: Apostasy in Nineteenth-Century (Jewish History, Fall 1988), Jonathan Helfand addresses one of central issues in study of Jewish communities of West in modem period. In discussing extent of conversion from Judaism to Christianity in France, he poses question of whether Jews were able to participate in mainstream of French society in decades following emancipation without relinquishing their ties to Jewish community. Recognizing imperfect character of Jewish emancipation in France, that is, failure of legislative action to eliminate social discrimination and religious prejudice, Helfand asks whether anti-Semitism remained so pervasive after Revolution that it eroded Jewish loyalties and encouraged conversion to Christianity. In other words, was situation in France similar to that in German states before emancipation, when legal impediments to advancement led many ambitious and talented Jews to flee their Jewishness? Helfand answers in affirmative. As title of his article suggests, he believes that much-quoted aphorism of Heinrich Heine that baptism was the entrance ticket to European culture describes conditions in France as much as in Germany. He also believes that modem Jewish historiography has ignored conversion in France and that some historians have created false impression of situation by maintaining that apostasy was infrequent and uncharacteristic. His intention then is to offer a revision of prevailing view and its underlying presumptions. In his view, Jews were victims of discrimination in professional and public life throughout nineteenth century, and, as result, during first half of nineteenth century there was significant conversionist movement in France. ''1 Helfand's article joins growing body of literature on phenomenon of conversion in modem period 2 and is to be welcomed for casting discussion