L'entrée en philanthropie des Rothschild : l'hôpital israélite de Paris (1852-1914)

Abstract

Since the 19th century, the Rothschild have never ceased to support the Jews in need, in France as well as in the rest of the world, helping build hospitals, schools, foundations, orphanages. What is the origin of this philanthropic tradition, what were its initial motivations? From a religious point of view, philanthropy is considered the expression of a necessary solidarity within the Jewish community, but it was also a social answer used by the ‘July Monarchy’ elite, in order to reduce the inequalities due to the industrialization process.By founding the Jewish hospital in May 1852, the Baron James de Rothschild has opened a new era in the history of Jewish Parisian Charity Work. This article intends to show the various processes leading to the founding of this hospital, as well as the influence of the Rothschilds on the increasing popularity of philanthropic behaviour within the Jewish elite in the second half of the 19th century.