Weekly addendum to
The Newtarian
Meeting Date: Feb. 7, 2018
Issue Date: Feb. 14, 2018
A compendium of History & Trivia from local (and other places), plus musings of the editor.
Editor: Bob Shankman
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THE ROTARY CLUB OF MUNICH
The Munich Germany Rotary Club was founded in 1928 and was the 4th club established in Germany.
The most famous member was Thomas Mann. He was a novelist that won the 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature. When the club marked the event, Mann used the occasion to express his support for Rotary.
However, it was only 4 years later (1933) when he and several other Jewish members were removed from membership for views unacceptable to the Nazis.
For several years the Nazi Party had made no secret of its aversion to Rotary. In 1933, several German Clubs disbanded because of this. For several years, after that, the club tried to negotiate a coexistence.
However, In 1937, after four years of negotiations, the Nazi party prevailed. All Clubs, then knew it was time to dissolve , including Munich.
Immediately, all German Rotary files were confiscated by the Gestapo. These files were found by the Red Army, in 1945 and they were brought to Moscow. They were eventually returned to East Germany in the 1950 and 60’s and later to Berlin after reunification.
Meanwhile, members of the Munich club met privately during the 1937-1948 period. The club was “permitted” to exist in 1948 and was comprised of several former members as well as some newer members.
In 1949, R.I. renewed the charter. The club has since expanded and flourished.
The club had its first woman member in 1991. Meetings are held at the Hilton Hotel on Monday evening at 8 PM
In 2002 it was renamed the Munich International Rotary Club and it consists of members from many nations. English is the primary language spoken in the club, however.
Visiting Rotarians are welcome and encouraged to attend.
