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

RB was born in Jerusalem in 1951. He completed his military service with the Navy as a diver. He studied Middle East Studies at university. He is the owner of a diving school, works for a Polish company in the Sinai, and is a travel guide for sightseeing trips in Jerusalem. ; RB's parents alternately spoke German and Hebrew. When RB asked them about their past, his father only told a little, his mother didn't tell anything. His parents also did not speak about the past among themselves. RB's first visit to Germany was together with his parents in 1985. His parents often travel to Vienna and throughout Central Europe, his sister has never been to Vienna. RB prefers to travel to Germany, he feels more dislike towards Austria. ; RB has the impression that German and Austrian tourists understand his opinions on the political situation in Israel better than tourists from other countries. As a travel guide, he tries to convey the complexity of the political situation. He tries to give them balanced information. Because he studied Middle East studies RB also speaks Arabic well. He has personal contacts with Arabs, but one of his Arab friends cut off contacts because he was afraid of being suspected to be a spy for the Israelis. RB analyzes the growing radicalization on both sides, mainly on the ground of religious beliefs. The Second Intifada has reduced the mutual confidence once again, but idealism gives way to economical pragmatism. RB thinks that nowadays he is experienced enough not to claim his opinions are right. ; RB grew up in a humorous family. His father used to say RB behaved very much like a Sabre after his military service and lost all of his good education. RB's parents still feel very comfortable in Austria, because their behavior, their manners etc. are still very Austrian. RB thinks that the integration problems of Ethiopian Jews will soon cause less upset and that after a few more decades nobody will distinguish between the different ethnic groups anymore. His parents accepted his sister's Iraqi husband. ; RB does not want to live in Vienna or in Berlin, but he would understand anybody who decides to do so. He likes his Yekkish heritage and regrets to not have absorbed more. In his opinion the most important Yekkish virtues are idealism, loyalty, the sense of justice and cosmopolitanism. RB does not have any relationship to Eastern cultures, but he considers special virtues of the Eastern societies as positive. He hopes though that Israel will approach more to Western cultures.