When Refael was first hired at his job, one of the owners called him in for a conversation that did not fall under the heading of standard job orientation. The reason was his religious appearance.
Name: Refael PerskyName: Refael PerskyAge: 43Children: 4Location: Lud
By Zalman Tzorfati
“Listen,” he said to Refael. “We accepted you for the job because of your skills but we want you to focus on the work exclusively. Don’t make this firm into a synagogue or mitzva center. We are a big company and our policy is not to allow religious activity.”
Refael nodded to indicate that he understood. He listened to his boss but was on fire inside. “I had always done mivtzaim at my previous jobs. After our meeting, I knew I had to work more quietly here and I prepared a spiritual program that would influence the company from within.”
The first stage of his plan involved checking the mezuzos. “I discovered that 25 doorposts lacked mezuzos. I sent an email to the Human Resources department. They passed it along to the administration which approved the budget. From the moment the mezuzos were put up the atmosphere changed.”
The new religious employee in the company stood out by his very presence. His encounters with other employees generated questions and short discussions about Judaism during breaks and near the coffee machine. Refael became the supreme religious authority among hundreds of employees at this hi-tech company.
Chanuka arrived. Considering what time he would end his work day made him realize that he would have to light the menorah in the office. He considered that a good thing. He asked permission to light his large menorah near the secretary’s desk. One of the employees who saw Refael preparing to light the menorah yelled at him, “Hey, why are you lighting alone?” Refael soon found himself with candle in hand, before all the employees on the floor. He said the bracha loudly and lit the menorah with everyone singing HaNeiros HaLalu.
Then they asked him to say something in honor of the holiday. Refael remembered a point from a sicha and spoke about it just as the boss, who had warned him about religious activity, passed by.
Refael thought it was his last day at the company but the smile on his boss’ face confused him. “How nice,” said the boss. “Why are you only lighting on this floor? Starting tomorrow, I want us to have a menorah lighting for all employees of the company in the large auditorium. Can I rely on you?”
There was a grand menorah lighting at the company led by Refael every day of Chanuka. This was the unofficial green light for Refael to start openly promoting Judaism at the company.
“The last night of Chanuka they had a big party and of course I was asked to light the menorah. In Russia I was a musician and I thought the time had come to use this talent of mine. I asked whether I could play something special for them. They agreed and I played the Dalet Bavos. They were all very moved; it touched their souls.”
***
“I am very careful that nothing comes at the expense of my work, not because I am afraid of the boss, but because if it is done without the explicit permission of the one in charge, it’s a form of theft. I try to concentrate all my hafatza activities during non-work times. I have a pair of t’fillin in the office and people come in every day to put them on. During the break I go around with the t’fillin and offer it to people.
“I also try to get permission for everything I do. Boruch Hashem, all my requests have been approved so far. A few years ago, in Elul, I asked permission to blow the shofar in the various departments and since then, it is something I do every year.
“Besides that, I have numerous conversations with employees. I try to help them where I can. Sometimes, I refer them to Chabad houses in their area. I consider what I do a shlichus from the Rebbe. I also have volumes of Igros Kodesh at the office and I often suggest that people write to the Rebbe.”
One of Refael’s original ideas is Kabbalas Shabbos. This idea has been adopted by the company.
“Every Thursday, toward the end of the day, we set up a model Shabbos table near the coffee room. I spread out a white tablecloth and put out a pair of candlesticks and challos. Some of the employees sit around the table and I tell a bit about the parsha and stories. All the employees on the floor pass by us as they leave. Some sit down for a few minutes and listen. Some take a slice of challa and some say ‘Shabbat Shalom.’ There is no question that the atmosphere of Shabbos prevails in the department every Thursday.
“The idea for the Shabbos table on Thursday has picked up steam. I was contacted by the Human Resources department – they are trying to arrange a Shabbos table like this for all the employees in the company.”