The Consistoire central israélite de France (English: Israelite Central Consistory of France) is an institution originally created by Napoleon I by the Imperial Decree of 17 March 1808 to administer Jewish worship and congregations in France. Given Napoleon's political emancipation of the Jews, he wanted a representative body that could deal with his government. He also directed the establishment of regional Israelite Consistories, subordinate to the Central Consistory, across France and Italy. The consistories were ranked as établissements publics du culte (public-law corporations of worship). In its first year, the consistory was led by Rabbi David Sinzheim, who headed the Assembly of Notables and the Grand Sanhedrin that preceded it in organization.