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Ethnic Identity and Jewish Peoplehood of Young Jews in Paris and Brussels

Sun, December 16, 10:00 to 11:30am, Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, Waterfront 2 Ballroom

Abstract

Ethnic identity and identification are reflected by inner beliefs, emotions, a sense of belonging and commitment to the group, behavior, and customs. Transnational ethnic identity, and in our case, Jewish peoplehood, is constructed in a complex process which transcends geo-cultural and historical spaces. The purpose of this presentation is to explore Jewish identity and identification among 129 young (18-35) Jews who reside in two cities: Greater Paris (64%) and Brussels (36%). Although most of them (80%) are native born and speak the same language, they differ in their background characteristics, Jewish identity and sense of peoplehood. The Parisians are older (28 years), married (61%), define themselves as "Sephardi"(78%) and almost all of them were born Jewish. Those from Brussels are younger (25 years), single (74%), "Ashkenazi" (72%) and 84% were born Jewish. There are differences regarding their social networks: The Parisians tend to live in Jewish neighborhoods while those from Brussels mostly live in local, non-Jewish communities. In addition, the first group reported having mostly native-born Jewish friends and transnational connections with Jews in Israel, while the second have much more diverse social networks, which include both Jewish and non-Jewish friends. Jewish practice such as having Passover 'Seder', eating Kosher meat and Synagogue attendance, characterize, to a greater extent, the Parisians. Transnational identification (peoplehood) with Israel, including emotional attachment, the importance they attach to their connections with Israel and perceiving Israel as the spiritual center for the Jewish people is also different: The Parisians report a higher degree of Jewish peoplehood compared with those from Brussels. Finally, Jewish identity, namely: Pride to be Jewish, attaching importance to Jewishness, having Jewish friends and keeping Jewish practice – were reported mostly by the Parisians, and to a lesser extent – by those from Brussels. Thus, two geographically adjacent and allegedly culturally similar groups of Jewish youth significantly differ in their Jewish identity and sense of peoplehood.

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