All from the Boss

No Drama, Just Work

Name: Shlomo Pollak parliamentary assistant

My Boss: MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni

Duration: 12 years

Working under someone gives you a unique close-up view. As Rabbi Moshe Gafni’s employee, I would say that what defines my boss goes deeper than his political acumen and his astute grasp of the country’s economics as chair of the Knesset Finance Committee. It’s that he sees himself as a representative and a champion of the people. There is a constant stream of individuals beating a path to his door seeking help, and he relates to every petitioner, responding to even the most trivial of requests.

Early on, he taught me that “no” is also an answer. That means that if someone contacts Gafni’s Degel HaTorah office for assistance, and we can’t do anything to help them because the matter is beyond our remit, we don’t just leave them hanging. We still get back to them and explain that unfortunately, we can’t help. That’s something people really appreciate.

One of his mottos in dealing with both the political echelons and the secular public here in Israel has also become one of my own. “Anachnu chareidim aval lo metumtamim —We’re chareidim, but we’re not idiots.” Gafni is down to earth — he’s not easily taken for a ride. Of course, self-control is very important in his position, and I have watched him keep his cool and keep silent when provocative lines of questioning are opened on TV or radio. He knows how to keep his mouth shut and won’t respond to journalists’ efforts to draw comments on certain issues.

Politics here in Israel is a real roller-coaster ride, and we have certainly had major ups and downs during the past decade. Faced with setbacks, like an electoral loss for Degel HaTorah or a political failure, Gafni is very restrained. No great drama, no hysteria. Just keep working hard, and hope for better next time.