The Rotary Club of Beverly Hills will celebrate its 100th anniversary. A few weeks ago, I reflected on the unique role that the Club plays in our city.

Beverly Hills Rotary is a local service organization with 164 active members and 22 honorary members and is part of Rotary International, the largest service organization in the world with 46,000 clubs and 1.4M members. Members uniformly try to live their lives in keeping with the Rotary creed: “Service Above Self”.

Beverly Hills Rotary makes charitable donations of approximately $100,000 annually to organizations such as The Maple Counseling Center, Special Olympics, Vista del Mar, The Wallis and Theatre 40 as well as BHPD and BHFD. Club members (Rotarians) also support Rotary International’s work around the world. It is not just a lunch club.

As we approach the centennial, I asked a number of Beverly Hills Rotarians to tell us what BH Rotary means to them.

Here is what they said:

Greg Barton (President, Beverly Hills Rotary; Chief BHFD): Rotary is a global charitable organization where members unite to serve communities, whether locally or internationally, embodying the motto “Service Above Self”. As the Beverly Hills Rotary Club celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, we honor a century of giving back and remain committed to making a difference for the next 100 years.

Barry Bernstein: The club gives me the opportunity to participate and contribute to my City and make new lasting friendships!

Frances Bilak: Rotary has meant camaraderie and service to me. Collaboration with other community builders to achieve change…one day at a time.

Charles Black (past President Beverly Hills Rotary): The Rotary Club of Beverly Hills, with its motto of ‘Service Above Self,’ has been a beacon of community service and leadership for a century, embodying the spirit of giving back and making a difference. Personally, it represents a commitment to putting others first and strengthening the bonds within our community.

Howard Fisher (Beverly Hills City Treasurer): I love the Beverly Hills Rotary Club for its incredible sense of camaraderie and the way it brings together like-minded individuals dedicated to making a difference. The engaging speakers always provide fresh insights, enriching our understanding of the world. Moreover, the club’s commitment to impactful charitable work, both locally and internationally, exemplifies the spirit of service and community, making every meeting a meaningful experience.

Lori Greene Gordon: My favorite part of Rotary is that it brings diverse members of our community into a collegial group with the goal of doing good deeds.

Myra Lurie (past President Beverly Hills Rotary): Active membership in The Rotary Club of Beverly Hills has been an important part of my life for twenty years, affording me meaningful opportunities to be of service locally and globally and to develop wonderful friendships throughout the community. I’m especially grateful for our club’s support of The Beverly Hills Treble Makers, the joyful weekly music program that Steven Weinglass and I produce at Roxbury Park for seniors and those with cognitive issues as a free community service.

Michael Lushing (past President Beverly Hills Rotary): It’s a wonderful combination of meeting weekly at a historical hotel, spending time with like minded community members and friends, and knowing we’re all there for the same purpose of service above self. I joined Rotary in 2010 just having returned to LA from Salt Lake City and wanted to get reconnected to the local business community. Fourteen years later, I’ve been President of our Club (when Covid broke out in 2020) and now serve as Assistant District Governor to several Clubs in the district. I joined Rotary for the wrong reasons (making it about my business) and stayed for the right reasons (being of service in my local and surrounding communities).

Judy Manouchehri (Board of Education member): Rotary of Beverly Hills has been a source of learning and gratitude for me, and those are the two factors which provide the most satisfaction in my personal life - That I can continue to learn about others, their experiences and perspectives, really inspires me. And next, to be aware of, remember and give to those who are less fortunate than ourselves, is a reminder of all that I have in my life and should be grateful for.

Shahram Melamed: Every time I pass by the Beverly Hills sign at the Lily Pond, I am reminded of the work that Beverly Hills Rotary has done in enhancing our community. Globally, the fact that Rotary has been instrumental in almost eradicating polio warms my heart.

Sharona Nazarian (City Council Member – former Club President): During my time as president of Rotary especially during the challenges of COVID, I was deeply moved by the way our Rotary family came together. We were able to provide much-needed masks and hand sanitizer to our most vulnerable seniors when these items were hard to come by. It wasn’t just about the supplies—it was about the sense of community and care we fostered during a time of great isolation. Being part of this effort reminded me of the true spirit of service above self.

Lynda Oschin : The Rotary Club of Beverly Hills is an amazing organization that brings together people who want to make our world a better place. Each week we celebrate and learn, and recommit to doing all we can and I am so very proud to be a part of it.

Sandy Pressman: Rotary is a community working for the greater Community. It is a joy to be a part of a diverse collective that cares.

Lillian Raffel (Past President BH Rotary; past member School Board): It was my honor to be the 100th BH Rotary President. Rotary is an international service organization, and in that regard, our club has participated in international projects such as providing clean water, helping with Polio vaccinations and providing other services to countries in need. Locally, our club has provided for kids in need, families that are struggling, and people who are just having a tough time. Also Rotary has contributed to the city. My two favorite projects are the renovation of the Lily Pond and the creation of the 9/11 Memorial Garden.

Alissa Roston (Past President BH Rotary; past Board of Education member): With my background in international affairs, I value our Club’s dedication to international service, which fosters global understanding and addresses humanitarian needs across borders. While we’ve always supported local initiatives, our international giving has significantly increased in both dollars and member participation. I’ve been a member for over twenty years and am grateful to be part of a community where friendships and connections have flourished.

Amie Sherry: Being that this is my home town, I didn’t know that the word “community” could run so deep. Becoming a part of the Rotary family has extended my roots to such wonderful people who selflessly give their time to others.

Mary Wells (City Council Member; past Board of Education member) : The Rotary Club is a wonderful place for fellowship, service and inspiration. I am honored to be a part of this group of dedicated and caring community members, and to continue the legacy of service established by those who came before me.

Happy Centennial Anniversary, BH Rotary and best wishes for the next century.

Peter Ostroff is a retired attorney and former Beverly Hills Planning Commissioner.