The SA Israeli Worker of the Year

NIA MAGOULIANITI-MCGREGOR

Not bad for the former Johannesburg-born electrician and glassblower who couldn’t speak a word of Hebrew when he made aliyah in 2009.

Thanked, along with other recipients in various categories, for “helping Israel grow and making a difference”, Scheftz described the award as “a humbling experience – a gift from G-d”.

When Scheftz heard a few months ago that he was to be presented with the award, he said: “I was at a loss for words. I thought after only seven and a half years in Israel, I’m taking my wife to see the president shake my hand. But I’d had something to prove.”

Before they landed in Tel Aviv in 2009, Scheftz and his wife Lorren, made a decision: “No matter how challenging it is, we’ll make it work. Well, we wanted a challenge and we got a challenge.”

Scheftz’s first job as an electrician in Tel Aviv meant a six hour commute every day to and from his Haifa home. He was also paid the minimum wage. His next job at Ready Mix Industries’ Lime & Stone subsidiary, looking after electrical machinery, saw him win 2014 Worker of the Year in the company.

“I think South Africans are hard workers and I had to work harder than most because I had a will to succeed and was determined to make a better life for my family. I went the extra mile.” Still, he had haphazard shifts – one day he’d work in the morning, the next in the afternoon, the next at night…

“Israel is a roller coaster, but then you start feeling it. You get into it.”

He was nominated Worker of the Year in September 2016, having joined international company Raphael Valve Industries as maintenance manager three years before. The company then put his name forward for the national awards via the Ministry of Works.

“In January this year a representative from the Ministry came to interview me. He asked me why I worked so hard. I told him: ‘because if I don’t do my job to the best of my ability, then the machinery might not be 100 per cent operational so that the next worker won’t be able to do his work’.”

A few weeks later, his human resources manager called him to say: “I hope you have a suit. You’ve going to the Worker of the Year award ceremony in Jerusalem.”

When President Rivlin shook hands with Scheftz, Scheftz said: “Sir, thank you. It’s been an absolute privilege and an honour.”

Rivlin replied: “No. Thank you. The pleasure is all mine.”

Scheftz has since taken up a new position of mobile technician for JLL, a commercial real estate and investment management firm.

“It wasn’t easy at first being in Israel, but I firmly believe that even if you’re on your knees, you should be standing.”