Jean Baumgarten is research director at the CNRS and professor emeritus at the Center de Recherches Historiques (EHESS). His work focuses on Yiddish literature and the cultural history of the Ashkenazi world. Among his numerous works are Mille ans de culture ashkénazes (Paris 1994, Clio prize) and Le petit monde. Le corps humain dans les textses de la tradition juive, de la Bible aux Lumières (2017).

His books are translated into numerous languages ​​including Italian.