The consistories were ranked as établissements publics du culte (public-law corporations of worship).
Given Napoleon's political emancipation of the Jews, he wanted a representative body that could deal with his government.
Following the separation of religion and state in 1905, the Israelite consistories lost their public-law status.
The 12 members of the Central Consistory elect the Chief Rabbi of France.
In the 21st century, France has the third-largest Jewish congregation after Israel and the United States.