THE MOON CAN WAIT - Telfed

N uptialsShira, daughter of Richard and Cheryl Shavei-Tzion toIdo, son of Esther andthe late Dov Tauber,all from Zarchi Streetin Jerusalem.Matan Lebanon, son ofMaty and Eric Lebanon ofRaanana, married ChayaGreenwald from New York, inJerusalem.Asaf, son of Rhona and the late Shlomo Maliniak of Ra’anana,married OFri, daughter of Michal and Ilan Eshed of New York.Yael, ex Port-Elizabeth daughter of AnnShlom and grand-daughter of Eli andDinia Shlom married Ran from Ashkelon.H.L. PAINTING LTD.Complete interiors and exteriorsIncluding special finishesRagging, Sponging, Washing etc.Floor polishing.Carpet & upholstery cleaning.General household repairs.RELIABLE • EFFICIENT • CLEANHYLTON SHER03-7320194 / 052-529437Noam, son of Joe and Judy Bernstein ofOmer, married Yael, daughter of ShirleyFrenkel of Rishon LeZion.38

Whether raising fundsfor the purchase ofland in pre-statePalestine or promotinghousing projects ...like Savyon andAskelon in the 1950’sand Kochav Yair in the 1980’s,Southern Africans have been at theforefront of rural and urban development.Companies such as API, Anglo-Saxon RealEstate Agency Ltd, Corex Mananagement& Investment Co., the David TepersonBuilding Company and the Garrun Groupare but a few of the most noted and high profileplayers in property started and staffed bySouthern Africans engraving their expertiseon the Israeli landscape.The newest kid on the block is BernardRaskin, a former Capetonian who is quick topoint out that “I was born in Rhodesia.” In lessthan a decade after acquiring the rights to theAmerican Real Estate behemoth, RE/MAX,Bernard has catapulted over his competitionin the residential real estate market. With oversixty offices throughout Israel, RE/MAX todayis the largest Real Estate agency in Israel. “Weovertook Anglo-Saxon, the largest local agency,(with approximately forty offices) some timeago.”With RE/MAX’s head office located atAirportCity, the company is centrally positionedto pursue its policy of expansion. One could beexcused for thinking that with so many officesin such a small country as Israel, RE/MAXwould have a presence in all the major centersthroughout Israel. “Not yet,” reveals Bernard.“We have still to open in Ashkelon, Bat Yam,south Tel Aviv and a few towns in the northusiness briefsBGoing through the roofand south of the country,” and while RE/MAXhave five offices in Jerusalem, “there are stillareas where we need to penetrate, like Gilo andBeit Hakerem.”AN UPSWING IN THE MARKETBernard is bullish about the direction of themarket. “Whereas a year ago it was a buyer’smarket, today the seller has the advantage. Ifbeforehand people did not buy unless they hadto, now the market perception is that pricesare going up and why sell today, if I will getmore tomorrow? ”So what is stoking the fire of revival in theproperty market? Explains Bernard. “Firstly,housing starts had been low for a number ofyears and concurrently every year about 2% ofageing residential property becomes uninhabitable.Coupled with a growing population and atsome point demand will outpace supply.”Secondly, there is a dramatic increase inbuyers from abroad. “Everyone knows aboutthe French, but the American and English communitiesare also climbing into the market.”Thirdly, Bernard refers to the psychology ofthe market. At some point there was a change inthe perception of the public about where priceswere going. The net result,” asserts Bernard,“is that expectations and prices are increasingand fuelling one another.”SOUTHERN AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONsBernard has only praise for his fellow SouthAfricans in the industry. He singles out bothFrank Garrun, who offered Bernard his firstjob in property after he lectured for ten years42

usiness briefsBDavid Kaplan reportsin Criminology at Bar Ilan University and theother, Joe Hallis, who he served under whenworking for Ladbroke on the Mamilla Projectin Jerusalem. “I learned a lot from both of them.I had a good position and a great salary at thetime, but felt that if I did not start my ownbusiness soon, with each passing year, it wouldbe more difficult to take the plunge.”Acquiring the rights at roughly the sametime as two otherlargeAmericancompetitors - ERAand Century 21 -entered the Israelimarket, Bernard says,“Neither of them hastaken root. There arenow four Americanproperty companiesin Israel today thatare collectively smallerthan RE/MAX.”“We plan on selling afurther twenty franchisesover the next year, but wealready have an urgent need to recruit a lot morenew agents. We prefer good people with noreal estate experience. That way we can makesure that they become real estate professionalswith our know-how.“We have a few former South Africans doinga great job and I would like to see more in ourranks. On average they out-perform the Israelis.”Inviting an explanation for this phenomenon,Bernard suggests, “The English-speaking econ-omies havealways emphasizedquality service. It’sin our culture, I suppose.”Bernard Raskin (second from left) after signing afranchise agreement with new franchisees for theBaka and Moshava areas of Jerusalem. Mark Fisher,originally from Johannesburg is on the left and isthe deputy managing director of the company.ON-LINE SERVICEHaving studied and lived in America - Bernardhas a PhD from the Wharton School ofBusiness in Philadelphia – he understandsthe “American wayof doing business.” Avisit to the RE/MAXwebsite, is a displayof hi-tech professionalism.Type in the city ortown where you wantto buy a home, specifythe size of the propertyand your price rangeand, pronto your screenturns into an ‘oracle ofinformation’ listing thenumber of propertieson sale in the area withdetails and pictures ofeach one and the agent to contact.Despite the ongoing tumult in the politicalarena, Bernard is upbeat about the future. “Evenin the difficult times, when there were roughly70 thousand transactions a year, down from 140thousand during the peak period of the Russianaliyah, we did well.”Looking to the future? -“We are number oneand still expanding. The future looks great!” •43

i n memoriamThe Chairman, Executive members and staff of the SAZF(Israel) offer sincere condolences to the bereaved families of:Joe Lewis, Kfar SabaManfred Halberstadt, Petach TikvaPhillip Nathanson, Tel AvivPhillip Lanesman, PretoriaNatie Bortz, S. A.Edele Chaskalson, NetanyaIrene Ellert, HerzliyaJulius Gurwitz, RaananaMarcus Efrioken, HerzliyaWulf Sebba, Tel MondSam Matus, Kfar SabamFortune Sorrel, Tel AvivIsaac Shull, RaananaHymie TeperAdolf Leon, JerusalemRenee Bernstein, Kfar SabaMaurice Freedman, Tel AvivShlomo Miller, ItamarHarold Latinsky, NetanyaNicky Dunsky, Hod HasharonLily Levin, Kiryat OnoGideon Susser, Kfar SabaWithin a few weeks of his aliyah, Adolph Leon passed away. Seriouslyill, he was allotted precious little time to fulfill his dream of settling withhis family in Israel. But his illness did not impede his inspiring role incontinuing a quite unique record of CAZOChairman who set the exampleof making aliyah.In paying tribute at the funeral, Israel’s CAZO Chairman, Dave Bloomrelated that when going through photographs starting from the 1940’s documentingthe once thriving Zionist community in what was Rhodesia, “I was struck throughout by•Hardware and software repairs•Small and medium businesses networking support•Home networking support•Special deals for new computers and accessories•Fast and reliable service guaranteedWinX - Computers andnetwork supportFor further information,please contact us:www.winx.co.ilinfo@winx.co.ilOffice (09)7744770Selwyn Hare (052)505049Tal Almog (052)85197544

All classified advertisements must be paid for in advance.Cheques are payable to SAZF (Israel), 19/1 Schwartz St.,Ra’anana 43212. The basic charge is NIS140 for up to30 words. For an additional sum of NIS 25 your ad canalso appear on our website. One free ad will be grantedto new olim from Southern Africa within the first yearafter arrival.ACCOMMODATIONHoliday Apartments - Ra’anana: modern,central, fully-furnished and equipped. Sleeps6/8, 2 bathrooms, central air-conditioning. Shorttermrentals available. Contact Ralph or Wendy:(054)429-1455/6, (09)749-3399, Not Shabbat.Holiday Apartments - Ra’anana: Furnishedand air-conditioned 2 and4-roomed apartments.Available for short or long-term. Tel. (09)774-2303, Fax (09)771-7202. Not Shabbat.Ra’anana: Rooftop privacy! Beautiful room forcouple/single (non-smokers). En suite shower/toilet. Kitchenette equipped for light meals. Leadsonto gorgeous roof-garden. A/C, TV. Short letsof 1-4 weeks only. Tel. (09)771-2781, e-mail:shalevs@netvision.net.ilRa’anana studio apartment, fully furnished andair-conditioned, for short-term rental. Ideal fortourists. Tel. (09)771-2341, (054)490-6805.ANTIQUE CLOCK REPAIRSAntique Clock Repairs: I repair and makenew parts to your old or antique clock. I am aspecialist in this field! Countrywide Service.I also buy and sell classic and unique clocks.Susan (09)772-9222, (052)430040.BEAUTYManicures and Pedicures: done by a professionalmanicurist just arrived from South Africa.Call Rene: (054)318-3232, (03)648-5589.c lassifiedsBOOKS-BUYING AND SELLINGHalper’s Books - 50,000 quality EnglishBooks. 87 Allenby Street, Tel-Aviv, Tel/Fax(03)629-9710, halpbook@netvision.net.ilCATERINGShirley’s Deli: Home made cooking, includes:Fish, Herrings, Soups, Salads, Meats, Turkey,Roast Beef, Brisket, Chopped Liver, Kugels,Pies and Puddings. Delvery every Friday toRa’anana and herzliya Pituach. 8 Nitza Blvd.,Netanya (09)887-5043/4.Fonda’s Catering - Stylish and deliciouscatering for all occasions. Certified Koshercatering available. Call Nicky (052)848-8678.Essence - Indian, Vegetarian Cuisine.Samoosas, Chilli bites, Rice Dishes, Curriesand much more. Call Bharti to place orders,(09)771-4404.Karen’s Kichel - extra thin, delicious, an idealherring-aid, for individuals, Kiddushim andSmachot. Contact Karen (052)860-2683.CLEANING SERVICESNew Upholstery and Carpet CleaningMachines! We use the most advancedmachinery available - upholstery and carpetsdry in a few hours! 3M Scotchgard applicator.Owner/worker - 12 years experience. AtlasCarpet and Upholstery Cleaners. Michael(052)275-2594 or (09)767-2453.47

COUNSELLINGCompassionate, Effective Therapy with Dr.Bracha Tova Gross – 25 years experience,treating women and teenage girls: self esteem,depression, anxiety. Aliya adjustment, emotionaldifficulties and trauma. Discount to Telfedmembers. (09)771-4955.ELECTRICIANShimon’s Services - All electrical work, alsoceiling fans, in Jerusalem, Modi’in, Beit Shemeshand Sharon Areas. For friendly and reliableservice, call Shimon Zack- Mobile: (057)735-3717, (052)295-3717, Tel. (08)972-7194, Fax(08)972-7219 (Not Shabbat).EMPLOYMENTTelfed Employment Service - Newsflash - Telfedin-house service now in Ra’anana only. Call Naomi,(09)744-6110 x219FURNITURE STORAGE & MOVINGStore-It-All, Ltd. American-operated,full service, courteous storage and movingprofessionals. Clean, “mini-storage” facilityunits in all sizes for personal/business needs.Tel. (03)966-9682, (08)869-2491.GIFTSDebbie’s Stained Glass Art - Decorativeitems for the home: hot houses, jewelryboxes, candlesticks, Judaica and much more.Stained glass windows and doors, feng-shui,windchimes. Mazkeret Batya (08)934-8664,(054)494-7691.HANDYMANYour handyman for all your home maintenancerequirements in the Sharon Area:•Painting •Plumbing •Electrical •Carpentry•Fencing •General Repairs •Pergolas. For afree quotation, call Craig (052)867-5235c lassifiedsPHOTOGRAPHYSeymour Rosen, photographer: ChildrenPhotography Specialist. For appointment(050)724-6838.Photographic Trips - Regular one-daytrips and workshops including Northern andSouthern Cyprus. Moshe (052)229-4115,(03)687-5638.SATELLITE TVM-NET: for South Africans crazy about theirsport - live coverage! Installation, Maintenanceand Service. Contact: Menachem (052)869-3111or Eddie (052)420-7619. A significant reductionfor two or more users in the same building.TAXI SERVICEEli’s Taxi Service. Finally a N.Y. cabbie inIsrael. Polite and Reliable. 24 hours service.All over Israel. Specializing in Airport Service.Tel. (09)746-0015, (050)869-7093.VETERINARIANSDr. Bernard Hurwitz: is pleased to announcethe opening of hisnew cliinic on MoshavYanuv near Kfar Yona/Netanya. 24-hourService. Discount prices. Tel.: (09)898-5773,(09)8948001.WE WANTAny China, household goods, tableware, silverplate, glassware, bric-a-brac or small furniturethat you can live without? Or moving house?We’ll make you an offer you can live with. CallSol or Lorraine, Gallery Lauren, 83 SokolovStreet, Ramat Hasharon. Tel. (03)540-9481.48