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The Jewish Community of Lille During the Revolutionary Period
Indeed, the context was favorable following the decision of the Constituent Assembly (late September 1791), which emancipated the Jews and granted them equal citizenship to other inhabitants of the kingdom. The Jews of Alsace and Lorraine were allowed to settle anywhere in the country.
Growth in the 19th Century
During the 19th century, until the war with Prussia in 1870-1871, the Jewish population in Lille continued to grow. Various censuses recorded between 150 and 250 people on the eve of the war. The Lille community represented more than half of the Jewish population in the Nord region.
Challenges at the End of the 19th Century
At the end of the 19th century, the Jewish community of Lille faced events that affected all of France: the Dreyfus Affair and the inventories of places of worship following the law on the separation of Church and State.
World War II
Like all Jewish communities, Lille's was deeply affected by World War II, marked by arrests, deportation, and spoliation.
After the war, the community was devastated: many families were entirely lost, as commemorative plaques on the walls of the Synagogue attest. Added to these are the names of those shot for acts of resistance. The community rebuilt itself as quickly as possible, with the return of some deportees and the families that had taken refuge in the south, although not all were spared from deportation.
The Cultural Israelite Association of Lille (ACIL)
Under the leadership of Mr. Guy Bensoussan, the Association Culturelle Israélite de Lille (ACIL) was founded in December 2022.
Developed Activities
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Organizing conferences with prestigious speakers in front of a very large audience.
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Publishing a regional community newspaper named “L’Alliance” composed of editorials from local and national figures. It informs the public about all the activities organized by the association.
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Publication of the book titled “L’invisible de la rue Vaucouleurs : Sarah Halimi, femme juive assassinée” (The Invisible of Rue Vaucouleurs: Sarah Halimi, a Murdered Jewish Woman). This book, directed by Mr. Guy Bensoussan, the Chief Rabbi of France, and Michel Gad Wolkowicz, includes contributions from 250 notable personalities, including Pope Francis.
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A digital educational program for young people aged 10 to 16 is currently being developed. This will give them the opportunity to access official courses and activities adapted to their levels, providing enriching instruction on Jewish tradition, from their homes to the synagogue.
Mission and Vision
The ACIL’s mission is to maintain the continuity of Jewish culture, perpetuate the memory of the Holocaust, fight against antisemitism and all forms of exclusion. It participates in all the commemorations in the Hauts-de-France region and seeks to remain open to the world and society at large.
It seeks to remain open to the world and society at large.