Joel Mergui was reelected as President of the Consistoire of France, the organisation representing French Jewish interests, on Sunday with a large majority of 85% of votes, according to a statement by the Consistoire.
54 year-old Mergui was reelected on a four-year mandate, committing to “engage in pursuing the safeguard of free religious practice, the fight against various forms of anti-Semitism and Jewish education,” according to the statement.
Mergui stood against Moise Cohen, honorary president of the Consistoire of Paris and vice-president of the central Consistoire of France. Voting took place at the conclusion of the General Assembly, which gathers together all the Jewish communities of France, “the most important Jewish community in Europe, according to population size,” the statement claimed. Approximately 600,000 Jews live in France.
Mergui’s reelection comes at a particularly troubling time for the French community, who have become increasingly concerned about their future in the Republic.
He will be called on to address multiple challenges, constituting the recent rise of anti-Semitism in France – characterised by serious incidents in Toulouse and Villeurbanne – and free religious practice.
French President Francois Hollande greeting his victory by sending “his congratulations and best wishes for the pursuit of his mission to the service of French Judaism and its place in the Republic”.
The Central Jewish Consistoire of France was established in 1808 by Napoleon I to administer to the Jewish community in France, based on the models of two other official religions, Catholicism and Protestantism.
The Consistoire is responsible for appointing the Chief Rabbi of France, the current holder of which position is Gilles Bernaim. It’s also responsible for pursuing the general interests of the Jewish faith, to ensure continued free worship, protecting civil liberties of its community, to fight against anti-Semitism and to promote Jewish education.

by: Shari Ryness

EJP