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

Oded Cohn spent his childhood and school years in Kiryat Motzkin. He served three years in the air force. Afterwards he studied Computer Sciences at the Technion in Haifa for seven years and got a master's degree. He met his wife Noga there, who is also a specialist of computer sciences. His professional career he worked at IBM Israel, by the time of the interview he is director of IBM's Research Laboratory in Haifa. The couple has 2 children. ; OC's mother is proud of his good German, but OC replies that he only uses it in private situations. In his professional life he only uses English, even in Germany. He explains that the elder children in Yekkish families often spoke German with their parents, but that most of them switched to Hebrew when they came to kindergarten. OC's parents spoke German only among each other. At present they are using more German again, they mainly speak German when they talk about their homelands. They don't use it for topics concerning present time though. ; In OC's family there were hardly ever talks regarding the past, the parents wanted to spare their children's feelings and OC did not really want to ask. He has the impression that the Yekkes did not use German very often because their language was stigmatized. Although he considers himself as an Israeli, OC is proud of his origin. His parents were young when they immigrated and they learned Hebrew very quickly, they felt as an element of the melting-pot. They were not typical Yekkes (e.g., they did not visit any concerts). His father is more a Yekke than his mother, who has some character features of East European Jews inherited from the roots of her family. OC mentions the German and Israeli directness. OC came to Europe and Germany (Hannover) for the first time as a student. He went to see German friends of his parents. He felt comfortable in Germany and did not have serious reservations. He appreciates the advantages of the “new Germany”, e.g. the richness of the cultural life in comparison to Israel. ; OC's mother-in-law came from Russia. In her family often there are open discussions about the Holocaust. OC analyzes the danger of a stereotypic way of thinking. He thinks the Yekkes' relationship with the Germans is still difficult, but increasingly open. The new generation dares to ask many questions and the old immigrants feel more encouraged to talk about their fates. ; OC's children have roots in several European countries, although they have not taken European passports. OC does not have a German passport himself either. OC says he was very proud of Israel until 1967, but the political developments during the last decades have changed his feelings. He was proud of the Israeli vision and the mixture of cultures. OC thinks Israel is more and more becoming a radical society and that military conflicts would not be necessary. OC analyzes the situation in Gaza Strip as an example of the unnecessary radicalization, he criticizes the opponents' aggressive and unpragmatic attitudes. He thinks the root of the conflicts might be the attitude that anything that is good for the Palestinians must be disadvantageous for the Israelis, and vice versa. OC does not think that the immigration waves are the only reason for the changes in the Israeli society. Intolerant religious people are one of the mayor problems, according to OC. He still thinks though that economic reasons are more important to young Israelis that leave the country. He points out that there is also immigration of young people. OC would appreciate closer diplomatic relations to Germany and Europe. He analyzes the complicated foreign-policy relations of Israel. ; OC has been working for IBM since 20 years. He has relationships with German colleagues, they are internationally and professionally minded. OC wants to perceive the individuals, not their national background. To OC's children the understanding of history and tolerance are important when it comes to their relationship to Germany. They want the Israelis to try to maintain their relationships with Europe. OC thinks that lacking relationships are more a German than an Israeli problem/task. He repeatedly states his pragmatic ideal and criticizes any „nationalist“ ideology.