Consistoire central des Israélites de France. Eight printed documents from the Restoration & Orléanist periods.

(i) Instructions adressées par le Consistoire central des Israélites de France à Messieurs les Membres des Consistoires departmentaux, Paris. 10 August 1819. Abraham de Cologna and Emmanuel Deutz, chief rabbis of the Consistoire central in Paris, advise members of the provincial consistoires of their rights and responsibilities under the arrangements that they have just negotiated with the “just and magnanimous King” who is determined to apply the new constitution “to all of his children without distinction.” In practice, what this meant was that the salaries of communal rabbis were to be as other clergy - paid by the state from taxes that it will oblige members of these communities to pay. The document also discusses the chief rabbis’ other post-Napoleonic preoccupation, i.e. the establishment of Jewish schools in the provinces and a national facility for the training of rabbis. pp. 11, 10 x 8 inches. Small tear at margin of final folio, not affecting text. (ii) Bond issued by the Consistoire of Paris, 29 June 1819, to raise funds for the construction of a central synagogue on the rue St. Laurent. Signed in ink by six members of the Consistoire. Six 25 franc coupons still attached. Flamboyantly cancelled “Paid, 6 January 1827.” 1 page, 11.5 x 11.5 inches. (iii) Adminstration du Temple israélite de Paris. pp. 2 + 1 blank, 9 x 7 inches. 10 January 1822. Advance notice that seats have gone on sale for the rue St. Laurent synagogue, soon to be completed. Men’s and women’s seats cost the same, and both are divided into five classes. (iv) Consistoire central des Israélites à MM. les Membres des Consistoires départmentaux. 22 November 1822. pp. 4, 9 x 7 inches. With the Napoleonic wars over and the monarchy restored, chief rabbis de Cologna and Deutz, invoking the new stability, try again, after a ten year gap, to persuade every provincial consistoire to establish its own Jewish secondary school, plus a “simple but servicable” Jewish elementary school in each sub-district (circonscription). The secondary schools were meant to ensure that a sufficient number of candidates were adequately grounded to go on to rabbinic training. (v) Note pour Messieurs les Membres de la Chambre des Deputés. After 2 August 1823. pp. 4, 9 x 7. Surface dirt at top margin of final page. This Note for the members of the Chamber of Deputies was regarding religious taxation and addressing the question why institutional Judaism is deserving of receiving State support. (vi) Lettre pastorale addressé par le Consistoire central des Israélites de France aux Consistoires des Circonscriptions. 19 Septmber 1824. pp. 2 + 1 blank, 10 x 8 inches. Chief rabbis de Cologna and Deutz express their regret at the death of the adored King,”whose return among us was the salvation of France.” Louis XVIII’s”glorious career” furnishes a”noble example of pious and heroic constancy in times of adversity and of a rare moderation in times of prosperity.” The children of Abraham,”for whom gratitude is a religious duty,” will feel with a special acuteness the loss of”the magnanimous Prince who placed the faith of our fathers under his royal protection”--the magnanimity in question being Louis’ authorization of state-salaried rabbis. Each provincial consistoire is to hold a memorial service”to pray for divine mercy on the soul of our late good King.” The service must include a reading of this circular and end with the prayer for Louis’ brother, the new King Charles X, whose words, when the Consistoire central had the”signal honor” of offering its”first homage of fidelity and love” immediately following his accession, were”reassuring and full of benevolence” (vii) Le Consistoire central des Israélites de France à Messieurs les Membres de la Chambre des Deputés. pp. 8, 8 x 7 inches. 8 November 1831. An appeal from the Consistoire central to the members of Chamber of Deputies on two matters relating to the Chamber’s annual appropriation for the maintenance of religious institutions. (viii) Monsieur et cher Coréligionaire. 1 page + 1 blank, 10.5 x 8 inches. 15 December 1837. M. Cerfberr, a lay member of the Consistoire central, writes his fellow members of the Consistoire central and the Consistoire de Paris, asking them to consider the proposal to pay off all community debt. Unbound.