Sages, synagogues, and seaside: Discovering Jewish history along the French Riviera

The article explores the rich Jewish history and contemporary Jewish life of Provence and the French Riviera, tracing a journey through Marseille, Avignon, Carpentras, Cavaillon, Nice and other historic communities. From medieval synagogues and mikvaot to Holocaust memorials and thriving modern congregations, the trip reveals how the region once served as an important crossroads of Jewish scholarship connecting Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions. The author also reflects on present-day Jewish life in southern France, including encounters with local communities and concerns about antisemitism, while emphasizing Jewish heritage tourism as a way to support and show solidarity with those communities.

Read the Original Article: The Jerusalem Post

Photo Credit: Nahum Schnitzer.