Raymond Bénichou

Raymond Bénichou was born in Oran to Mardochée Bénichou and Adelaïde Azoubib, a noted writer and poet, both from distinguished Algerian Jewish families. His studies in Paris were interrupted by World War I, and he received the Croix de Guerre for his service. He later earned degrees in literature and law, in addition to pursuing academic work in archaeology, linguistics, history, and philosophy. Bénichou was a promoter of interfaith dialogue, founding with Élie Gozlan the Circle of Monotheist Believers in Algiers in 1935. Some of the goals of the Circle were to prevent religious violence and to further the civil and political rights of disenfranchised Algerian citizens, especially Muslims. After World War II, Bénichou wrote for periodicals, including the Zionist publication La terre retrouvée.