Feldenkrais and Napoleon

Feldenkrais and Napoleon. One of the Moshe Feldenkrais ancestors was supposed to save his village from Napoleon army. It probably was during the Russian campaign in 1812-1813 not in 1806-1807. Napoleon was promising to many nations freedom, under the condition of support of his army. It was the case of Poles, same was with Jews. During his first campaign in Poland Napoleon was sending instructions to France concerning the status of the Jewish minority under his regime. The meetings with the Jewish representatives have been hold in Strasbourg in February 1807 with a group of 45 rabbis and 26 laics leaded by David Sinzheim the Rabbi of Strasbourg. In March 1807 a chart of Jewish religious freedom and social rules was accepted by two sides. It included some contributions to the military effort of the Napoleon Army of course. Napoleon counted on Jews that they will help him to fight with the British Empire in Syria and Palestine. This law could save lives and wealth of many Jews during Napoleon campaigns.

However the hungry soldiers from the defeated army during the winter 1812-13 were dangerous for each party. The events described in Mark Reese book took probably place already in the east, near Niemen river, it would suggest that the Feldenkrais family moved to the east between 1795 and 1812. The history of Napoleon campaign in Russia was the background of the Polish most famous narrative poetry „Pan Tadeusz” written by one of the most famous Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz.

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