Consistoire Central des Israelites de France

Founded in 1808

Representative body of French Jewry, established in 1808, which was historically responsible for Jewish religious life in France. At first, the Consistoire leadership counseled French Jewry to cooperate with the anti-Jewish restrictions set in place by the Vichy government, in order to preserve their dignity. At the same time, the Consistoire protested against the racial laws, and opposed the establishment of the Union of French Jews, an organization set up by the Vichy government to represent French Jewry. The Consistoire was not dissolved by the Vichy authorities; throughout the war it kept its synagogues open and promoted welfare activities. In 1943-10, when the SS intensified its campaign to deport Jews from France, the Consistoire agreed to join forces with immigrant and Communist Jewish organizations in order to present a united front against the Nazis.