ONLINE: We will explore the history of the Jewish people in France, which stretches back about 2000 years. This history has been marked by persecution, oppression, expulsion, forced conversion, even murder. Things improved with the French Revolution; later Napoleon granted Jewish people civil rights. Yet prejudice remained, exemplified by the 1894 Dreyfus case. During their occupation of France in World War II, the Nazis could not have achieved their aims without the collaboration of many French people, and the Jewish population was reduced by 25%. But looked at another way, 75% of French Jews survived, and this occurred because enough citizens resisted. Yet today many French Jews have left France. We will cover such contemporary matters as: the work of Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, the American play “Prayer for the French Republic,” the Memorial de la Shoah and Jewish life today. This lecture-based course will include PowerPoint slides. Students are welcome to share personal experiences. | Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Max enrollment: 35.
