A Legacy of Life: Dr. Eli Schussheim's Journey of Saving Thousands

During the joyous Shabbat Sheva Brachot for his grandson, the last month's Shabbat Mevarchim of Tammuz, Dr. Eli Schussheim, of blessed memory, led the Mussaf prayer for the last time in his life. "Just the Tuesday before, he was dancing and jumping like a child at the wedding," recalls his son, Dror Schussheim. "On Thursday, we had a particularly joyful Sheva Brachot party, our first significant family gathering after the long year of COVID. He stayed up late Friday night with family, sharing stories about the great Jewish sages he had treated. Who would have thought these were our last moments with him? During the prayer, my father suddenly fell and immediately said, 'I've had a stroke, call an ambulance.' Four days later, on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, he returned his pure soul to the Creator."

At the grandson's wedding a week before his passing

Throughout his life, Dr. Eli Schussheim served as the doctor for numerous Jewish leaders from various communities and backgrounds, such as Rabbi Aryeh Levin, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and the Gerrer Rebbes. Yet, his life's primary mission was with the Efrat organization, supporting pregnant women in distress. In this blessed work, Dr. Schussheim delivered countless lectures, providing guidance and support to thousands of women, all voluntarily. "Not many ascend to the heavenly realms with a trail of 80,000 saved souls behind them, but my father did," Dror reflects.

Exams or Shabbat?

Dr. Schussheim was born in Argentina in 1941 to parents who had emigrated from Poland. "He skipped two grades and began medical school at 16 while working to finance his studies independently," Dror shares. "His parents were against his pursuit of medicine, as no observant Jew had successfully completed medical school with their faith intact. He persevered, only to face a major test of faith when year-end exams were scheduled on Shabbat. At such a prestigious university, any request to reschedule was next to impossible. Just imagine asking to take a standardized test in Israel on a different date," Dror explains.

What could he do in such a situation?

"Despite knowing the odds, and aware the dean was not fond of Jews, my father asked to take the exams on a different day. The dean noted other Jewish students took the exams on Shabbat, but my father explained his observance prevented him from doing so. Returning home dejected, he seemed to have wasted two years of hard work. His parents were even angry at what they saw as squandered time," Dror recollects.

A few days later, everything changed. "The dean called my father back in, saying it was the first time he'd seen someone willing to sacrifice so much for their faith. 'Your action made a huge impression,' he said, granting permission for Friday exams with professors brought in specially, trusting him not to share the questions. Thus, he continued his studies, receiving rare permission to take weekday exams in his third year."

By 22, Dr. Schussheim was a certified doctor. "His parents and in-laws invested in a clinic in Buenos Aires," Dror continues. "But the clinic saw little use as my parents immigrated to Israel a year later. With my mother only 19, leaving comfort and support bewildered family, yet my parents were resolute. They knew their place was in Israel, offering a better Jewish education for their children than in assimilating Argentina. They embarked alone on a ship, visiting family only two years later very close to my elder brother's birth."

At the grandson's wedding

How did the family handle this choice?

"Over the years, almost all my relatives followed my parents to Israel. One brother, who now lives in Jerusalem, remembers monthly letters from my father encouraging him to make the move. His brother worried about livelihood, but my father reassured him that the same Hashem in Argentina would provide in Israel too."

In Argentina, a month after my brother was born and just before his redemption ceremony, a rush message came from Israel. "Calling him back due to the outbreak of the Six-Day War," Dror recounts, "he left right after redeeming his firstborn, to help the medical team in the land." His family would join six months later.

Even then, the young doctor's bravery and keen diagnostic skills were clear. "A soldier arrived with a severe leg injury, unanimously declared needful of amputation by all doctors but my father, then only 26, thought differently. Against senior professors, he argued fearlessly for saving the leg. Days into mourning, an 87-year-old's daughter thanked us, saying her father still valued his life and mobility because of Dad's boldness."

A year later, your father became the physician for the Knesset. How did such a young doctor achieve this position?

"His precise diagnosis and care made him renowned. Concurrently, he treated Rabbi Aryeh Levin and later numerous other Jewish luminaries spanning communities, like Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, and the Belzer Rebbe. They sought him for his skillful, quick care, bypassing bureaucratic hassles."

"I recall a Shabbat summons to treat the Gerrer Rebbe, the 'Beis Yisroel.' My father did all he could, but when the Rebbe's time came, throngs escorted him in final respect. The family gifted my father his yarmulke as gratitude, which he wore every Passover night."

At the grandson's wedding

Life-Saving Moments

How did your father join Efrat?

"One day, a woman consulted him after a doctor suggested abortion on medical grounds. My father reviewed her tests and thought the fetus was fine. Because of that simple diagnosis, she kept the pregnancy and birthed a healthy child. This kindled his passion for saving lives. With the abortion law then legalizing non-medical terminations, he recognized the need to offer financial aid to expectant mothers in distress."

"Efrat was born from this conviction, founded with Holocaust survivor Hershel Feigenbaum, whose children perished in that tragedy. The intent was to encourage birth to 'replace' lost children. The topic was taboo and discussing it was daunting, so he wasn't popular for addressing it," Dror candidly puts it.

How did he handle the criticism against him?

"Women's groups, frequently spotlighted by media, opposed him. But fears never stopped him; backlash confirmed he was on the right path, and even negativity spread awareness of Efrat's mission. Within legal confines, no actions against him stuck. Successful expansion led to 3,000 volunteers today, many former beneficiaries or women who regretted past terminations, now helping others."

"During our mourning, letters and grateful calls poured in. 'We're alive because of your dad,' was oft-heard from many kids. A hospital director once asked us 'How many lives have you saved?' Me and my brothers save lives as medics, one also as a gynecologist, but he conveyed, 'None of your efforts match your father's life-saving impact.' His reach was beyond measure."

"Recently, during a client call, she inquired 'Is Dr. Eli Schussheim your father?' Moved, she explained her now 9-year-old daughter was alive thanks to him. 'Financial struggles almost led to an abortion,' she confided, 'but your father aided me, and I'm forever grateful.' Her story touched me deeply. I pray we continue amplifying his monumental work, empowering women to choose life."

Sad Soldiers

Rabbanit Dr. Chana Katan came to know Dr. Schussheim years ago through a case that reached her clinic in a small Shfela town. "A visibly upset young woman had just received a positive pregnancy test, worried due to her husband's job loss, crammed in a tight house with three children. Unsure how to assist, a nurse mentioned 'Have you heard of Dr. Schussheim? I'll get his number.' His reassuring call kept her pregnancy, and later, she invited him as her baby's mohel."

At a baby's circumcision

What led you to join this effort?

"Years earlier, during hospital training, I often dealt with soldiers ending pregnancies, sometimes repeating the choice. Seeing their sorrow, I wondered, 'Why isn't anyone intervening? Why aren't they helped?' Sad burdens led me to contribute, grieving not knowing earlier about groups like his."

Speaking of the doctor himself still brings hesitation. "He had uniquely bright eyes, his enthusiasm unending. Many gynecological colleagues disliked him for fear of interfering in lives, yet he persisted. He couldn't ignore pleas for aid, believing every child born wanted and never regretted. Though economically unreasonable, children remained wanted; hence supportive avenues should flourish, without ending nascent lives."

"Ruth Tidhar, Efrat's aid director, echoed this. "His eyes brimmed with energy, and humility characterized him. 'I'm nothing without our volunteers and donors,' he'd say. Overjoyed upon hearing of more anti-abortion organizations. His countless volunteer hours, school and troop lectures saved many."

"A pivotal call told of these talks' power. 'Never consider abortion,' pledged one resilient after financial ruin post-husband's heart attack terminated both careers. 'I heard his words at seventeen, and they still resonate twenty years later. Just help through our tough days,' she requested, and aid flowed."

Devotion as a Disciple

Israel Katzover, a veteran journalist at Hamodia, recounts a half-century friendship with the good doctor. "Years ago, I suggested Dr. Schussheim to the Belzer Rebbe, wary of impersonal doctors. From that moment, he became the Rebbe’s trusted physician."

"The Rebbe valued his skill but loved his 'mensch' character, always direct and reassuring. However, their early association weighed one discomfort – his gartel presence. As a humble chassid, Dr. Schussheim prayed tied traditionally, entering his Rebbi's chamber similarly, showing humble devotion despite medical prowess. Yet the Rebbe sought camaraderie, not worship."

"A slight gap concluded their shared Shabbat, ten days before Dr. Schussheim ascended. Sharing untold family, Argentine childhood, medical tales, it felt like a life review. Visiting his mourning family, his wife handed me their memorial book, urging words of remembrance."

"Facing the task, only two words served – 'Unique Soul.' That encapsulates his essence, an exemplary man of unparalleled stature worldwide."