The Jewish population of France has soared in recent years, from 250,000 to 800,000, making the French Jewish population the third largest in the world--due to the massive influx of Jews from North Africa, particularly Morocco. Today, these North African Jews comprise 70% of France's Jewish population. Though they successfully maintained their religious identity in an Islamic environment for many centuries, these people face a cultural Armageddon in France. The lure of a modern sophisticated and technological society is proving well nigh irresistible to the Youth of these communities. The rate of intermarriage has soared to 70%-80% and rojections have been made regarding the disappearance of the Jewish population in a few more generations if this trend continues. Ozar Hatorah made its first move in France in 1961, when it opened a school in Lyon. Today, this school, with several hundred students, is completely maintained with local funds.

In 1971, Ozar Hatorah made a modest move in two suburbs of Paris-Creteil and Sarcelles-opening schools in each locality. Starting with a handful of students using the premises of their respective local synagogues, these schools today are housed in modern buildings, each with an enrollment of some 1,000 students and forced to turn away applicants for lack of space. North African Jews tend to be very religious and loyal to their Jewish traditions, but France is a highly effective melting pot. Jewish.

Currently, Ozar Hatorah is undertaking the enormous task of developing a number of communities in France, in addition to the schools that we already have in Paris, Creteil, Sarcelles, Antony, Toulouse and Marseille.

In the near future we are building a new school to house 1,000 students. This project will be a coordinated effort with Rabbi Sitruck, Chief Rabbi of France. More communities will soon be targeted. Each of our 20 schools is developed to be a center for Jewish life with a mlkvah, synagogue, adult classes, day camps, and a lot of community activities in these areas. These aggressive plans will not only help stem the tide of intermarriage, but will accomplish a renaissance of the entire French Jewish population.

Ozar Hatorah is unalterably committed to a general education of excellence that will complement its Jewish education in order to ensure a secure economic future for the individual and dignity for the Jewish people.