Language:
English
Year of publication:
1988
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish History
Angaben zur Quelle:
3,2 (1988) 59-83
Keywords:
Christian converts from Judaism
;
Jews History 19th century
;
Antisemitism History 19th century
Abstract:
Helfand states that contrary to prevailing scholarly opinion that there was no significant incidence of conversion of Jews to Christianity in modern France, during the first half of the 19th century there was a significant conversionist movement. Describes several famous cases (e.g. the Ratisbonne brothers, David Drach). Analyzes the reasons for conversion in the 1820s-50s (particularly of young Jews from Alsace), including anti-Jewish discrimination inspired by the Church. Discusses the missionary activities of newly converted Jews (as part of the general missionary zeal at that time), which often led to controversy and scandals as they engaged in forced baptism, conversion "in extremis" (i.e. on the deathbed), and exhumation of bodies from Jewish cemeteries. Notes that there are no accurate statistics regarding the number of converts, but they were highly influential and caused serious concern in the Jewish community. The decline of the Church's authority from the late 1850s, and the gallicization of Jewish institutional life, stemmed the tide of conversion.
Description / Table of Contents:
Cohen, Richard I. (Yerachmiel). Conversion in nineteenth-century France; unusual or common practice? [A response to Helfand. Contends that the phenomenon was less significant than Helfand claims, that it caused little concern in the Jewish community, and that there was no "conversionary tide" at any time in 19th century France.] "Jewish History" 5,2 (1991) 47-56.
Description / Table of Contents:
Endelman, Todd M.. Anti-Semitism and apostasy in nineteenth-century France; a response to Jonathan Helfand. [Contends that conversion was not widespread, and that when it did occur it was not a consequence of antisemitism, but rather of a desire for acculturation and integration.] Ibid. 57-64.
Description / Table of Contents:
Helfand, Jonathan I.. Assessing apostasy; facts and theories. [A response to the above criticisms.] Ibid. 65-71.
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