New Book Explores French Jewish Identity as Country Grapples With Rising Antisemitism

Française et juive, et alors? (French and Jewish — So What?)
Authored by Shannon Seban | Available Here (in French)

Shannon Seban had never asserted her Jewish identity — until it was weaponized against her. A young elected official who began her political career in 2019, she became the target of antisemitic slurs in 2023 from the far right (“your Jewish nose!”) and again in 2024 during her legislative campaign — this time from the far left (“get out, filthy Zionist!”).

These attacks, which have continued to this day, cast her into the national spotlight as “the Jew” and profoundly altered the course of her life.

On Wednesday, Seban published her first book, Française et juive, et alors? (French and Jewish—So What?). In it, she recounts the experiences and events that have shaped her life. The book explores what it means to be both French and Jewish in a society increasingly marked by division, prejudice, and political polarization.

Born and raised in Seine-Saint-Denis, one of France’s most diverse and economically-challenged regional departments, Seban currently serves as a city council member in the commune of Rosny-sous-Bois, where she leads the Municipal Observatory of Secularism and the Fight Against Discrimination.

Drawing from her upbringing in a multicultural environment of coexistence between Jews, Muslims, and Christians, she offers both reflection and a call to action.

This same sense of civic responsibility also guides Seban’s work as Advisor on European Affairs at the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).

With courage and conviction, Seban calls on readers to confront antisemitism and bigotry, and uphold a vision of France where pluralism is not merely accepted — but actively protected.

“Française et juive, et alors?” is available for purchase on Amazon HERE.

Il est arrivé… C’est avec une grande émotion que je vous annonce la sortie de mon premier ouvrage « Française, juive, et alors ? » aux @EdLObservatoire le 21 mai prochain. 📚

Enfant de Seine-Saint-Denis où je suis élue aujourd’hui, pleine d’idéaux, je n’avais jamais souhaité… pic.twitter.com/SnSCzpkMuU

— Shannon Seban (@ShannonSeban) May 7, 2025