Alongside 65 professionals and lay leaders from 26 Jewish communities across North America, we explored the complexities of French Jewish life—past and present. We received an intensive crash course in French Jewish history and politics, met with communal leaders, volunteers, young activists and Israeli shlichim, and visited Jewish neighborhoods, synagogues, community centers and a local day camp.

It was incredibly moving to meet individuals whose lives have been directly impacted by this support. Hearing their stories brought renewed urgency to our work. The phrase “now, more than ever” kept resonating in my ear.

At our opening dinner, I had the privilege of sitting next to Larry, a Parisian businessman with deep roots in France. He showed us photos from his daughter’s recent Bat Mitzvah—images full of joy and tradition. However, his demeanor changed dramatically as he spoke about the difficulties of raising his children Jewishly in an environment where antisemitism is a constant threat.

With an estimated 400,000–500,000 Jews, France has the third-largest Jewish population in the world—behind only Israel and the United States. In Sarcelles, a suburb just north of Paris, we saw signs of a flourishing community: a beautiful synagogue and an abundance of Jewish shops and kosher restaurants, including a particularly delicious kosher candy shop. But we were also reminded of the vulnerability that comes with Jewish life in France today. We visited a memorial for the victims of the 2012 terrorist attack at a Jewish school in Toulouse and stood at Yohan Cohen Square, named for a local victim of the 2015 Hypercacher supermarket attack.

Despite the very real challenges, many young French Jews remain committed to building a strong Jewish future in their country. During a rousing panel discussion titled “Being Jewish in France Today: Voices from the Frontline of Identity,” we heard from a group of passionate young activists who are working to combat antisemitism. They discussed the impressive work that they are doing to change the narrative about contemporary Judaism and challenged North American Jews to take a more active role in combatting global antisemitism, with a plea of “Please do not forget us.”

Later, over dinner with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower in the background, we met three more inspiring young professionals who are working to strengthen Jewish life in France on university campuses and in communal institutions. One of them summed up the spirit of our visit perfectly when she said, “Fighting antisemitism is not my religion—celebrating Judaism is my religion.”

Deborah and I look forward to continuing to share our experiences as we joyously remember exploring Paris and beyond.  If you’d like to hear more, let us know—perhaps over a falafel or a croissant!