Abstract

Most Jewish ideological trends are represented in Belgian Jewry, whose numbers are estimated at 35,000. Political and religious attitudes tend to be polarized according to regional distribution. Antwerp Jews are a close-knit orthodox-centred community, stimulated by an active Hassidic movement. In Brussels and the other smaller communities, Jewish involvement means individua! participation in religious or secular institutions. Since the arrival of East European Jews in the second decade of the century, the original character of the Napoleonic Consistory (the overarching religious institution), has changed. Due to the growing influence of the Orthodox Jews, the Consistory has become traditional and Israel-oriented. In 1971, a council of Jewish organizations — mainly ethnic or peoplehood-oriented — was founded with the aim of becoming the political representative institution of Belgian Jewry. However, many Jews looked upon its ambition to represent the - 497 entire community as an objective definition of Jewish identity, which they could not 'accept. The position of the renewed Consistory now appears to be stronger than before because many prefer to be represented by a religious institution as evidenced by the attitude even of those who claim or have claimed to be secularist.

How to Cite:

Bok, W., (1986) “Verstrengeling van het godsdienstige en het wereldlijke in de Belgische Joodse milieus”, Tijdschrift voor Sociologie 7(1-2), 365–379. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.85947