The immigration of Jews from France to Montreal: An investigation of the changes in a complex Jewish identity

This thesis is an exploratory examination of Jewish identity among recent Jewish immigrants from France in Montreal Quebec. It examines the relationship and the role that Jewish identity has played in the immigration of these Jews from France to Montreal and their integration. It also examines other factors, which may have led these Jews to immigrate to Montreal. In order to investigate and analyze their Jewish identity, various theories of identity and other components of "Jewishness 1" are presented in this analysis. It was hypothesized that Jewish identity was one of the factors that led these Jews to leave France. In the analysis of the interviews with these participants, it was considered that not only had their Jewish identity or "Jewishness" led them to immigrate, but also that threats to their "Jewishness" and loved ones were among the main reasons why they immigrated from France to Montreal. All the participants' Jewish identities had also strengthened as a result of the immigration process: they now considered themselves to be "even more Jewish" than before their immigration. This analysis allowed me to conclude that Jewish identity did indeed play a role in the immigration of these Jewish immigrants from France, and that, as a result of their immigration, this identity was reinforced and strengthened within the Montreal Jewish community. I decided to devote my life to telling the story of the Jews because I felt that having survived. I owe something to the dead and anyone who does not remember betrays them again. (Elie Wiesel, 1980). I marvel at the resilience of the Jewish people. Their best characteristic is their desire to remember. No other people have such an obsession with memory. (Elie Wiesel, 1980) 1"Jewishness" refers to specific qualities or characteristics of being Jewish