ABSTRACT
It was planned to hold the first Zionist Congress in Munich. Early in 1897 the individuals, organizations, newspapers, and periodicals interested in the subject were discussing the "Munich Congress." Hirsch Hildesheimer, the leader of the orthodox Jewry in Germany, was no longer taking an active part in the Zionist Congress preparations, for he thought that the political claim of a Jewish state might become a serious threat to the colonizing efforts in Palestine. Another supporter in Berlin, Willi Bambus, caused difficulties even earlier on the ground that the Jews of Munich were opposed to the Congress. Upon suggestion of Mr. Sigmund Raff, the executive committee of the Munich Jewish Community considered the matter early in June, 1897. A letter to the Munchner Neueste Nachrichten of June 14, 1897 maintained that a number of Jews in Munich were in sympathy with a Zionist Congress.
