Wafia was born in in Kafr Kana, completing her high school studies at the Iben Rushd School in the village. She is the mother of two children and puts her family at the center of her life. She studied accounting type 1 and type 2 and computer literacy, but could not get a job in these fields due to lack of experience. Instead, she worked as a seamstress and is now a senior production worker at Sindyanna.
What do you like most about your job?
I have been working at Sindyanna since 2011. I really like the warm and pleasant atmosphere we have within the team. Every morning, when I come to work, my mood improves and I feel good.
How has your life changed since you started working at Sindyanna?
I have been a working woman all my life. From a young age, I worked at sewing factories, and work was a part of me, not just a means of livelihood, but a way to bring pride to myself and my family. Today at Sindyanna, I have a steady salary that helps support the house. Thanks to this, I feel like a true partner — both in terms of livelihood and in terms of building our lives. I not only support my children and husband, I also create our future with them. It gives me a sense of value, strength, and a lot of joy in my heart.
Tell us about a significant moment you experienced at work
One of the moments that changed me the most was when I moved from being a production worker to being a team leader in the production department. It wasn’t easy for me at first — it was a new world, with much more responsibility and challenges. But little by little, I discovered strengths in myself that I didn’t know I had. The role strengthened my self-confidence and forced me to use more Hebrew because I had to communicate with the management team every day. Over time, I felt how both my language improved and my confidence grew. I learned to stand up for myself, to lead, to listen to others. Today, when I look back, I see how far I have come — and it fills me with great pride.
What did you learn from your colleagues that you didn’t know before?
During my work, I learned to stay calm, even in stressful situations, and to act as part of a cohesive team. I learned how to work together, in a pleasant atmosphere, full of love and mutual respect. Today we are a cohesive team, working like a family. We not only collaborate at work, but also share our most personal secrets with each other, with full trust and an open heart.
What difficulty have you overcome which has made you particularly proud?
One of the most important difficulties I overcame is knowing how to admit when I am wrong. It used to be hard for me, but today I understand that making a mistake is not something to be ashamed of — it is part of the journey. I learned to stop, acknowledge the mistake, learn from it, and promise myself that I will not repeat it again. This is a process that has made me a better person and manager, with more humility, responsibility and maturity.
What values are you passing on to your children, and have they changed as a result of your work at Sindyanna?
In my work at Sindyanna, I feel respected all the time, and it is important for me to pass on the same respect to my sons at home. Work is indeed the center, but mutual respect gives it meaning. I know that I have the freedom to express any criticism and that my opinions are taken seriously — this is also something I want my sons to understand: always be transparent and open with others, and respect others. I hope they grow up with this awareness and understand the meaning of relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
What special family recipe do you like to prepare using Sindyanna oil?
I cook all my dishes with Sindyanna’s olive oil. I don’t bring canola oil into the house because I believe in olive oil, which is much healthier and enhances the flavors. Especially when it comes to my favorite dish which is grape leaves. The oil gives the dish a great flavor, and it’s one of the things that makes my food special.
What is your favorite olive oil variety and why?
Sindyanna’s organic olive oil is my favorite because I feel that its taste and aroma are very close to the Syrian oil that I am used to. I especially like its bitterness, which adds depth to the flavors. For me, it’s not just olive oil — it’s a memory, it’s a connection to a place and a tradition. I hope that Sindyanna will continue to develop, and that this will lead to the creation of additional employment opportunities. Especially during this time, I see Sindyanna as a living model of coexistence between Arabs and Jews, a living example of what can be achieved when we work together with respect and cooperation.