Ethnic Identity and Acculturation Patterns among Jewish Immigrants to France and Belgium: Israelis and North Africans Compared

This presentation compares two groups of Jewish migrants, Israelis and North Africans, residing in three cities in Europe, by using a mixed-methods methodology that integrates quantitative and qualitative research. It aims to: 1) Analyze various dimensions of ethnic identity and identification, to determine whether these migrants are diasporic, transnational or local; 2) Identify patterns of acculturation among native-born Jews and non-Jews.

It is very clear that immigrants from North Africa, who constitute the majority of the studied immigrants living in Paris are more religious than their Israeli counterparts and their Jewish identity is much stronger. Israelis tend to be more secular, particularly those residing in Brussels. Israel has a most important place for immigrants from both groups, but this importance is manifested differently. While for North African participants Israel constitutes a significant component of their Jewish religious spiritual ethnic identity and identification, for Israelis Israel is also a part of their transnational and more concrete diasporic identity. When it comes to patterns of acculturation, Israelis can be characterized as utilizing the `separation strategy,` since for the most part they maintain strong ties with Israel and live in a `bubble.` The North Africans are more integrated with local native-born Jews, regarding marital ties and being part of their community. Although the most common strategy in both groups is `separation` from non-Jewish locals, this strategy is more explicit among North African immigrants who reside in Paris. This study can contribute to understanding how ethnic identity and identification are constructed among immigrants from the same ethno-religious group and geographical area of origin, as manifested in sub-ethnicity as well as in different patterns of integration, particularly regarding contemporary Jewish immigrants in Europe.