Second generation of immigrants from German speaking countries ("Yekkes")

Reuven Merhav grew up in Haifa, where he attended a private high school. He was a member of the Socialist youth association, and served in the military. He studied Middle Eastern Studies and studies of Turkish and Islamic History. RM has worked for a news service and for the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later he became State Secretary for Immigrants' Absorbation. Afterwards he worked as a diplomat in Ethiopia, Beirut, Iran and Kenya. Today he is the head of the Irgun Olei Merkaz Europa. He has three children. ; RM speaks about his parents' immigration, and gives a historical review of the Yekkish, Moroccan and Yemenite immigration. He talks about his father, his family and his profession. RM's paternal grandfather was a Zionist, his paternal grandmother was not. RM's never had a problem because of his Yekkish roots. Since his school days he liked the German culture and language and he estimates Yekkish virtues; he thinks those virtues helped him during his career. RM's second language English has influenced him more than German, he knows it perfectly. ; RM analyzes the Yekkish influence in Israel. He discusses his work for a research foundation on Yekkish history, which aims at passing on Yekkish tradition to the Israeli society. During the Yekkes' conference in Jerusalem 2004, RM noticed a tendency towards more sense of tradition among the 2nd generation. RM tells about his motivation to work as head of the Irgun Olei Merkaz Europa and his aims. Then he talks about his contacts with Germany and tells about the attractiveness of Berlin for the 3rd generation because of its multiculturality.