The Complete Jewish Guide to France [Paperback]

Toni L. Kamins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001

The Complete Jewish Guide to France is the only resource you need to embark on a trip through Jewish France. Travel writer and journalist Toni L. Kamins catalogs information on well-known sights and little-known treasures, such as the Marais district (Paris's celebrated Jewish neighborhood), ancient ghettos, beautiful old synagogues around the country, and many other places. She includes information on transportation and lodging, plus hundreds of places to buy kosher food. Selected photographs and maps fill out the picture. Kamins also recounts the nearly two thousand years of French-Jewish history beginning with evidence that Jews may have lived in France as early as the first century, and continuing right up to the present day.

The Complete Jewish Guide to France has everything you need to know to make your trip to France a success-and to put it into a historical context that will make it even more worthwhile.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Exhaustively researched and deftly written, both are essential for the traveler who yearns for a truly spiritually enriching tour." -- The Rhode Island Jewish Herald, September 6, 2001

"...Kamins is the seminal tour guide for those seeking to experience Jewish history and existence..." -- Lifestyles Magazine, December 2001

"...appealing travel guides combining Jewish history and practical information." -- The Jewish Week, January 25, 2002

"The Complete Jewish Guides" fill the bill." -- Baltimore Jewish Times, November 2001

"valuable guides, geared to the American visitor who wants an in-depth Jewish travel experience in each country." -- Chicago Jewish Star, November 8, 2001

About the Author

Toni L. Kamins is a freelance journalist and former editor. Her work has appeared in many publications, including The New York Times, New York magazine, and the Jerusalem Post. She has lived in France and traveled extensively.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312244495
• ISBN-13: 978-0312244491
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #837,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars To Be Honest: a Waste of Money !!, April 14, 2005

By 

Sam Benoni (Amsterdam) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Jewish Guide to France (Paperback)

I sincerely doubt how honest some of the reviews of this book here are! It's simply not a good guide. Not that the author can't write, but the content is very poor. A search on the internet will reveal more information on the places you want to visit than you can find in this book. There are so many terrific places which aren't mentioned: in fact some of the most interesting synagogues France has to offer aren't included. Probably the author doesn't know them, which says a lot about the research she has done. A great subject to write a book about but unfortunately a missed opportunity!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing !, January 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Jewish Guide to France (Paperback)

Despite what the title may suggest, this book is far from complete ! Many places and important synagogues have been omited. So don't expect information on little-known (but sometimes gem-like) synagogues or former synagogues. This guide is handy for tourists on a two-week tour of France who want to visit a few Jewish sights while there. This is certainly not an in-depth study of France's Jewish monuments but it gives a good overview of the main places to visit. Of the places Mrs Kamins describes, a plus are the contact addresses and/or telephone numbers, so you can plan your visit and thus avoid standing in front of closed doors.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with information!, January 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Jewish Guide to France (Paperback)

I heartily disagree with the Belgian reviewer who found the book lacking in little-known synagogues and other sites. (Which ones did he or she mean?) I'm an American Jew who lived in France for years and who visits regularly. I have used other supposedly complete Jewish guides and found them lacking because they usually just list kosher restaurants and synagogues currently open for prayer without offering any historical or social context. Miss Kamins's book does offer that context, plus fuller and more up to date listings than the other books have. And, if you want the small gems, you'll find them. She discusses the nooks and corners of Paris, plus she pays more attention to the glories of the Jewish life in the provinces than any of the other guides I've seen. If you want a full and lively guide to the rich history of Jewish places in France, buy this book!