Munich Jewish Community
Official Award Medal, 5743-1983
Jews first settled in Munich in 1210 and 75 years later the community was destroyed in the aftermath of a blood libel accusation. The history of the Munich Jewish community is marked by destruction and rebirth: 1346 - blood libel; 1390 - confiscation of property;1413 - libel of the desecration of a church; 1442 - expulsion and the conversion
of the synagogue to a church; 1556 - the prohibition of trading with non-Jews; 1715 - expulsion. In 1805, the "Law for Jews" gave the Munich Jewish community public status but retained many prohibitions.
Until the rise of the Nazis, Jews participated in the economic and cultrual life in Bavaria and Munich but anti-semitism was always close to the surface. The first concentration camp in Germany was built in Dachau, not far from Munich. Munich was the focal point for outbreaks of violence which engulfed all Germany in 1938.
Tragically, the community was exterminated during the Second World War. However, after the end of World War II, small groups of Jews, holocaust survivors, began to reappear in Munich.
Obverse:
The two Jewish community centers of Munich: a Senior Citizens' Home and a Youth Center. The words, in German: "Munich Jewish Community Youth Center" "Eisenberg - Munich Jewish Community Senior Citizen's Home". The date 5743-1983.
Reverse: The verse, "We will go with our young and with our old..." (Exodus 10:9) in Hebrew and German.
Edge: The Corporation's emblem and initials IGCMC - in Hebrew and English.
Designer: Nathan Karp
Mint: The Government Mint, Jerusalem
