Anti-semitism has increased with over 60 percent in France, since last year, according to the french government. Still, young jews in France search to find their jewish identity in a new concept called Moshe House. I visited the house, more specifically an apartement, where three young jewish women live together and arrange social and religious activities for young adult jews.
One of them, Sarah, had only lived in the house for two weeks when I met her. She is soon to be a medical doctor like her grandfather. – Im first a jew, then a french, she says. Sarah grew up in what she called a secular jewish home. When she got older, she wanted to discover what it means to be jewish. She wanted to find her jewish identity. Being part of a Moshe House helps her to keep the shabbat and engage with other jews in Paris.
One night Professor Liliane Vant came to teach a group of eight jews in the house. She thinks the concept is a great idea for young jews in Paris to get to know their history. The night ways filled with silent listening and questions. One of the girls, Beatrice, was there for the first time. I’m not here to become a believer in God, but to learn about my jewish history, to find my identity, she says.