Magic, Belief, Kabbalah, Freemasonry among the Pope’s Jews

Sunday, October 26, 2025

The Heritage and Museums Department of Cavaillon presents a thematic day exploring mysticism, Kabbalah, and Freemasonry among the Pope’s Jews. This unique program highlights the city’s rich Jewish heritage, including one of the oldest synagogues in France, and its history as a cradle of intense Masonic activity. Notably, the Bédarrides brothers established the first French lodge of the Misraïm rite here, reflecting the deep scholarly and mystical traditions of the local Jewish community.

Visitors will discover historical, sociological, ethnological, and cultural insights into Jewish magic and spirituality, including Aramaic Kabbalah books and Hebrew amulets preserved in the synagogue’s genizah. Children participate in a hands-on workshop to create their own lucky amulets, guided by a cultural mediator. The city’s former synagogue, now a museum, opens its doors free of charge, and a special exhibition of objects related to the theme is unveiled for the day.

Speakers and Workshop Leaders:

• Emma Abate, historian, IRHT-CNRS: “Jewish Amulets: Between Magic and Belief”

• Grégoire Hugot, guide at the Museum of Freemasonry and specialist and practitioner of Egyptian Memphis-Misraïm rites

• Master of the Misraïm-Memphis Masonic lodge (Aix-en-Provence)

• Angélique Lopez, curatorial assistant, Comtadin Jewish Museum: “The Bédarrides Brothers”

• Lioba Hurst, cultural mediator: children’s amulet workshop

Partner Organizations/Institutions: Collectivité de Cavaillon, Association of the Friends of the Synagogue, Association of the Pope’s Jews, JEPCJ France, UNESCO, IBAT-CNRS, MAHJ Paris.

The event is part of the Cities Embracing Jewish Heritage initiative supported by the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage