The 49-year-old physiotherapist, a descendant of the notorious Hermann Goering, Adolf Hitler's right-hand man, is wearing a Jewish skullcap and a Star of David pendant.

After being brought up to despise Jews, he has embraced their faith and the cause of Israel. Though he has yet to convert, he keeps Kosher dietary rules, celebrates Shabbat and is learning Hebrew.

In a Jewish restaurant in Basle, Goering enthuses about Israel. "It feels like home, " he says. "The Israelis are so friendly to me." Even when they hear his name? "Yes, they're so thankful I've made contact."

Matthias is not the only Nazi descendant to feel drawn to Israel. Katrin Himmler, who published a book last year about the war crimes of her great-uncle, SS commander Heinrich Himmler, married an Israeli. Beate Niemann, daughter of SS major Bruno Sattler, made an award-winning film, The Good Father, and found herself seeking to apologise to camp survivors. Monika Goeth's father was Amon Goeth, the commandant played by Ralph Fiennes in Schindler's List. She too has spent years seeking rapprochement.

None of the Nazi offspring has tried quite so hard to actually become Jewish as Matthias Goering. Yet though he has made contact with Holocaust survivors, and works with the victims of suicide bombers, he says he doesn't feel any personal guilt.

"There is a spiritual guilt in our family, guilt in the German nation, and it is our responsibility to declare it openly, " he says. "I think God is taking this opportunity to use my name to change something in the hearts of others."