Open to read about the Miracle of life and the hopes for a year of life!
What s Inside?
Dear Friend,
As we approach Rosh HaShanah, it is clear to all that our prayers will not be the same as last year. This year, the words “who shall live …” will have added urgency. This year we will all be at Yizkor. This year we will all be thinking of the many innocent lives that were brutally cut short by the savage Hamas beasts. In Israel and around the world, no eyes are left dry, as this tragedy and ongoing wave affected every family, every home. One of the thoughts that pains us in particular is how many stories, accomplishments, and celebrations have been cut short, how many dreams unrealized. While we mourn the loss of the precious souls taken this year, we are thankful to you, our donors and friends, for helping us bring over 88,356, new lives into this world. With your help thousands of mothers who were pressured into considering aborting their child were supported by Efrat, allowing them to continue fulfilling their dreams. Thousands of neshamot that were at risk of not being born were ultimately saved, and are being raised by their loving parents. You have helped create the miracle of life which is especially powerful in these dark times. In this war, countless heroic men and women continue to risk their lives to ensure the continued Jewish future. And thousands of these brave soldiers themselves owe their lives to your support, as they would not have been born if Efrat did not empower their mothers to be able to make the choice they wanted to make, instead of the choice they felt forced to make. In the following pages, you will read about different ways in which your support continues to impact the Jewish world, and you will meet some of the people that make it all happen. This year too many lives were lost. With your help we will do all we can to counter that by helping our more and more brave mothers bring more life to the world than ever before. Chazal said that Mashiach will not come until all the souls have entered a body. With the signs of Mashiach so evident, we look for ways to hasten his coming. This year we ask you to continue standing steadfast by Efrat so that we can ensure that no neshamah is lost. As we stand steadfastly committed to saving every Jewish child on the home front, we plead to Hashem at this time to protect all His children on the warfront and to bring the Geulah Sheleimah. In the merit of your help may you have a year where you live life to the fullest, in good health and happiness.
3. Larger Than Life 7. Embracing Life After Loss
10. Women Supporting Women 12. Bringing Hope Across Borders 14. From Madrid To Eretz Yisrael
Ketiva v’chatima tova,
Nir Salomon Executive Director, EFRAT
The unforgettable Dr. Eliyahu Yosef Schussheim zt”l
Crowning Achievement Dr. Schussheim wore many hats: he served as a physician at Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital and later opened his own private clinic. He was an expert in circumcision and chaired the government supervisory committee for circumcision. He founded the Neve Simcha Retirement Home, served as treasurer for the Jewish Institute for the Blind, and was the medical advisor for many non-profits. Without doubt, however, the project nearest and dearest to his heart was EFRAT, the organization dedicated to preventing unnecessary abortion through the empowerment of women. For 40 years until the day of his passing, he pursued this goal relentlessly, providing information and medical guidance, as well as emotional and financial support for women in untenable situations. Over the decades, Dr. Schussheim reached women through every type of media available, including printed material and delivering lectures in Israel and abroad. He was careful never to argue with anyone, saying that Israeli society had enough divisiveness as it was. Rather than telling women what he thought they should do, he sought to empower them so that they could make the best decision for themselves. Pro-Choice Always ahead of his time, Dr. Schussheim
embraced digital technology in the early stages, recognizing it for the powerful tool it would become for enhancing and disseminating EFRAT’s communications. His forward thinking was equally evident in how he presented his message. As the social climate became steadily more permissive, Dr. Schussheim never focused on an anti-abortion platform but on one of saving lives, and by extension, rehabilitating families. Unapologetically invoking the buzzword used by the liberal camp, he declared, “I am pro-choice!” He recognized that many women in financial distress felt compelled to abort, against their own conscience and their own desire. Beyond that, he learned that these women were painfully unaware of the ramifications – medical, physical and emotional — of such a decision, and thus saw his mission as showing women that a choice did exist. Dr. Schussheim’s words were backed in full, through EFRAT’s provision of information, medical guidance and a new baby package sent to women after birth, in addition to long-term economic support. To this day, that financial assistance comes hand in hand with emotional support in fulfillment of another iconic catch-phrase: “You don’t end a life for lack of funds!”
By Sharon Gelbach
It is hard to fathom that more than three years have passed since the world lost Dr. Eliyahu Yosef Schussheim, zt”l. For those privileged to have known him, the sorrow and disbelief linger, as the void left by his absence remains palpable. Dr. Schussheim was a multi-faceted individual, excelling in numerous fields with remarkable skill and knowledge. He was a whirlwind of vitality and purpose, his very essence defined by an unwavering commitment to the sanctity of life, a mission he pursued with unremitting passion and boundless energy.
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to accept his opinion. To their surprise, the doctor encouraged Rabbi Shapira to accept the appointment, saying that it would give him more strength and vitality. Indeed, the rabbi ended up serving a full 10 years, and lived many more years after that. Dr. Schussheim was also close to the Belzer Rebbe, for whom he served as personal physician upon the recommendation of a good friend, veteran Hamodia columnist Yisrael Katzover. After meeting Dr. Schussheim, the Rebbe personally thanked Katzover for sending him a doctor who was not only professional, but also “a real mentsch.” Henceforth, Dr. Schussheim would daven every Yom Kippur in the Belzer beis medrash, where he was given the singular honor of hagba’ah . On Sukkos, the doctor also regularly attended the Belz ushpizin tish on Yosef Hatzaddik’s night. The Rebbe would ask the gabbaim to keep shirayim for him on the side, as a token of his appreciation. Son of Survivors Dr. Schussheim was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1941. His parents had fled prewar Europe and subsequently lost all their extended family in the Holocaust. Earning a livelihood in Argentina was not easy for a Jew who refused to work on Shabbat, but the elder Shussheims opted for a life of poverty as long as they were free to observe their religion. When their son Eli told his parents that he wanted to study medicine, they were vehemently opposed, fearful that it would lead him astray. Eli proved them wrong. “While in med school, my Jewish identity actually grew stronger and more defined,” he wrote. By 1964, he’d earned his medical degree with a specialty in general surgery. That year, he married Shoshana, his wife of 57 years, and opened his own clinic. The future in Buenos Aires looked bright, yet he felt a yearning to live in Israel. This was no simple undertaking; he and his wife had no one in Israel and their entire families were in Argentina. Nevertheless, they packed up their belongings and-
could call on Dr. Schussheim in case of emergency at any time, even on Shabbos or Yom Tov. One Shabbos afternoon, Rosh Chodesh Adar 1977, Dr. Schussheim was studying the parshah with his sons when he was urgently summoned to the Gerrer Rebbe, the Beis Yisrael. Dr. Schussheim rushed to Geula to the home of the Rebbe, who was in great pain. A quick exam made it clear that the Rebbe needed to go to the hospital, but he refused, even after Dr. Schussheim, who understood the Rebbe’s hesitation due to chillul Shabbos , tried to convince him otherwise. Dr. Schussheim stayed by his side until Motzaei Shabbos, when the Rebbe agreed to be taken to the hospital. Early the next morning, on
‘His’ Children Since its inception, no matter how far-reaching EFRAT’s activities became or how busy he was, Dr. Schussheim continued to be involved in individual cases. “What stood out most about him was his selflessness,” says Dr. Chana Katan, a highly regarded gynecologist and EFRAT board member. “No matter how busy he was, he would take time to speak to individual women who were still wavering.”
Dana Regev, mother of 20-year-old Ilanit, speaks for countless women when she attributes her
Dr. Schussheim with Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef zt”l
daughter, the “light of her life,” to Dr. Schussheim. “I was one-hundred-percent sure that I had to have an abortion. But Dr. Schussheim took the time to speak to me, giving me confidence in myself and my ability to be a mother. I am eternally grateful!” Throughout the years, Dr. Schussheim worked on a completely voluntary basis, traveling to every corner of the globe to raise awareness for his cause of saving Jewish lives. On his last fundraising trip, when he was already approaching 80 years of age, he still refrained from traveling business class, claiming that it was forbidden to waste charity funds on luxuries. Personal Physician of Gedolei Yisrael Dr. Schussheim had a special relationship with many of Israel’s greatest rabbinic leaders. He served as the personal physician for over 40 Torah luminaries, including Chassidic Rebbes, Litvish Gedolim and Sephardic rabbis and mekubalim. He earned the implicit trust of Chief Rabbis Harav ovadia Yosef and Harav Mordechai Eliyahu, who saw him as a competent physician who was “ yerei v’shaleim ,” truly God-fearing.
2 Adar, the Rebbe passed away, leaving chareidi Jewry in deep mourning. As a token of their appreciation for his dedication, the Rebbe’s family presented Dr. Schussheim with a special gift: the Rebbe’s high yarmulke. The doctor cherished the yarmulke, wearing it every year on Seder night. In 1983, Rabbi Avraham Shapira was offered the position of Israel’s chief rabbi, but his wife felt that he too weak for such a high-pressure job. They sought the advice of Dr. Schussheim, undertaking
All of Dr. Schussheim’s patients knew that they
Dr. Schussheim with Harav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l
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View video here
EFRAT provides financial and emotional support to women in crisis through pregnancy and beyond. Your donation ensures one woman can bring her baby into the world with joy, dignity, and peace of mind. No mother should have to choose between having her baby and paying her bills. Save a life. Guaranteed.
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-boarded an ocean liner – there were no civilian flights to Israel in those days - for an arduous 21-day voyage to Israel. Shortly after their arrival, the couple moved into an apartment in Jerusalem and Dr. Schussheim began working at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. He subsequently served in the IDF medical corps, and was deployed to the Sinai during the Yom Kippur War, where he treated thousands of wounded soldiers. He miraculously evaded death on more than one occasion. Over the years, Dr. Schussheim wrote impassioned letters to his family, relaying his love for the land and its people. Sure enough, the relatives from both sides of the family eventually left Argentina and settled in Israel. “My father-in-law never took it for granted that he made it to Israel,” said Chagai Goldschmidt, his son-in-law and EFRAT CEO. “At every family occasion, he would tearfully give thanks to the Creator for this special gift.” 88,000 and Counting Dr. Shussheim took tremendous pride in the babies born with his intervention. He attended their brit milahs and kept thick albums of 'his children.' Anyone who hadn't seen Dr. Shussheim gazing at the photos of
Dr. Schussheim with with the Belzer Rebbe shlit”a
offices, as can be seen from letters and stories received from women who had their babies many years after hearing one of Dr. Schussheim’s lectures or seeing him on video – and those are the ones we know about… But it extends even further. As Dr. Schussheim himself used to say: “When you save one child, you are also saving all his future generations.” Truly, we are talking about a scope that is immeasurable – and it all began with one man.
the thousands of children who came into the world thanks to his big heart and selfless dedication never saw true joy. Dr. Schussheim had initially pursued a career in medicine in order to save lives. He founded EFRAT after realizing that preventing abortions in Israel was the most effective way to accomplish that goal – and to date, the organization is proud to advertise the over 88,000 babies it has been privileged to save. We know, however, that the real number can never be calculated. Dr. Schussheim’s reach went far beyond the EFRAT
born. She demanded that he rouse himself with newfound faith and have another child. The result was the birth of Moshe Rabbeinu.” Leah went on to tell me about a wonderful couple from Kibbutz Nir Oz: Nofar and Amit Gore. Their kibbutz suffered a brutal fate, with dozens murdered and kidnapped. This past August, Leah accompanied the Gores throughout the delivery of their newborn daughter, Eli. “I look at this photo every day in our hospital’s delivery room, and it gives me renewed faith in the future of our people. Perhaps it will give strength to others too.”
We’ve seen evacuees, women who survived the hell of October 7th, as well as women who were grieving the loss of family members. Assisting these brave women give birth, I was overcome by a flood of emotions, both joyful and sad. “Now, almost one year later, I sense something different in the air. The couples who are arriving have decided to bring new life into the world, specifically at a time of crisis. This is a choice that, from a certain perspective, lacks all logic. How is it possible to think about bringing new lives into such a world?” Ten months ago, Leah had told me that she draws her inspiration from the Hebrew midwives in Egypt. “Today,” Leah wrote, “I derive strength from the mothers themselves, these brave women who can see into the future with the same strength displayed by their forbears in ancient Egypt. I am reminded me of Yocheved challenging Amram, her husband, who refused to bring other children into that oppressive world of Egyptian exile after Miriam and Aaron were
By Sivan Rahav-Meir
I received the following letter from my friend, Leah Melamed, who works as a midwife at Soroka Hospital in Beersheva, and I’d like to dedicate its message to the wonderful, impactful work of EFRAT. Leah and I spoke shortly after October 7, and now, almost a year later, she reached out to me again with her observations: “Since the outbreak of the war, being in the delivery room has been an emotionally draining experience.
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As told to Tova Point Only after her precious daughter was murdered at the Nova Festival on Oct. 7 was Sandra able to fully appreciate the gift of a child born late in life
than I did, and asked, “What is the Ari?” I explained to him that he was a great rabbi
and that it is a segulah to immerse in his mikveh. Meanwhile, I sat on the steps
leading down to the cemetery. I felt that I was at a crossroads, facing two choices, neither of which I wanted. I raised my eyes to the heavens and cried out, "What are you doing to me? I don’t
When I was 15, my parents began their journey toward a more religious life, and I
want an abortion, but I also don’t want another child. What should I do?" Tears streamed down my face as I poured out my confusion and pain. I asked Hashem to send me a sign.
found myself attending an
Arachim seminar for single women. Dr. Eli Schussheim from the EFRAT organization gave a lecture about abortions, a topic that, at the time,
As we were leaving the cemetery, we saw a bus with a huge EFRAT ad on it. The sight of it made me even more upset. It felt like Hashem was mocking me, pushing me in a direction I wasn’t ready to go.
seemed distant from my reality. Little did I know that this lecture would have a profound impact on my life years later.
I got married young, at 19, and had three children, two sons and a daughter. At a certain point, my marriage broke down and we got divorced.
Despite the pressure from everyone around me to have an abortion, I ultimately couldn’t bring myself to go through with it. Every time I called the abortion clinic, I felt actual pain in my stomach. Suddenly, the memory of Rabbi Dr. Schussheim’s lecture resurfaced in my mind. I realized there was a living, growing being inside me, and I couldn’t ignore that. What I had seen and heard at the age of 15 was now influencing me almost thirty years later! In the end, I decided to have the baby. It wasn’t an easy pregnancy, but in the end, I gave birth to a beautiful boy. I raised him with love, but I admit that the feeling of frustration lingered. I hadn’t been ready, I hadn’t chosen this path consciously, and it was hard for me to accept.
After my youngest turned 17, I was ready to embrace a new phase of life, one where I could focus on myself and enjoy a newfound sense of freedom. It was then that I was shocked to discover that I was pregnant. It was a moment of deep turmoil for me. At 43, I had declared long ago that three children were enough for me. The idea of starting over with a baby felt like a heavy chain around my neck, pulling me back into a role I thought I had left behind. I consulted with friends, and their unanimous advice was to have an abortion. "Are you crazy?" they asked. "Why would you go back to this at your age?" Their words echoed my own fears. I felt trapped, as if a burden had been placed on my shoulders just when I
wanted my independence. It seemed unfair, and I was angry and confused.
One week after discovering my pregnancy, my boyfriend and I decided to take a vacation. It was at the height of Covid, and the only place we could find was in Tzfat. It wasn’t my first choice for a vacation, but since we were there, I suggested we visit the ancient cemetery. Though I’m not religious, I’ve always had strong faith, and the idea of visiting such a holy place felt right.
Three years later, tragedy struck. It was October 7, and my wonderful daughter, Moriah, zichrona livracha, had
At the cemetery, I suggested to my partner that he immerse in the mikveh of the Ari. He knew even less
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found a note among Moriah’s things. Among other things, she wrote that if we win the lottery, we
gone to the Nova party in Re’im. We searched for her day and night among the missing,
should use it to benefit the public. Well, a lottery isn’t always cash. Alongside the unbearable pain of losing a child, I feel that I’ve won a different kind of lottery—a lottery of strength, of life, of being blessed with such a pure soul who continues to bring light into our lives. And Moriah asked us to share that good with the public. It’s clear to me that Dr. Schussheim’s lecture was so powerful, it was able to influence me so many years later, ultimately guiding me to make the right decision. EFRAT’s ads, like the one I saw on the bus in Tzfat, are also very important for creating awareness. Also, I think it’s crucial that every woman understands the process of the embryo growing inside her, the reality of what it means to bring life into the world. When we’re informed, we can make choices not out of pressure, but out of a deeper understanding of what’s truly at stake. The lecture by Dr. Schussheim so many years ago that I remember impressed upon women the responsibility they have when they become pregnant — not only to the unborn child, but to themselves. It’s not just about getting an abortion and moving on. There are consequences! Everyone experiences it differently, but if they would be more aware, they would be more careful, especially if they don’t want to have an abortion. I can say with conviction, that had I gone through with the abortion, I would have been completely shattered by Moriah’s loss, to the point
where I don’t know how I would have
not knowing if she had been taken captive, until we received the horrible news that she had been murdered. The loss was excruciating. It was afterward that I began to understand the nature of the gift I had been given. What I had looked upon as a punishment, a burden, was actually a miracle. The child that I had reluctantly brought into the world became my light, my strength, the reason I could get up each morning and continue living after losing Moriah. I recalled things she had told me, “Ima, you are blessed. Please be grateful! When you are overcome by fear, it prevents you from seeing the good.” Moriah had very strong emunah. She believed that even when life is hard, it is for our good. Her words ring truer now than ever before. This child brought so much light into our home, and Moriah, especially, adored him. She would call just to hear his voice, to connect with him. Now, in her absence, he continues to be a source of light and life for all of us. Hashem takes a child and gives a child. I’m now in a place where I understand that nothing belongs to us, not our house, not our parnassah, not our very selves – everything is from Hashem, and whatever he does is for our good.
ever recovered.
My dear son is one of the greatest gifts of my life, the remedy that Hashem gave me before the tragedy.
Dear Sivan, I met you at your lecture in Ramat HaSharon, and I gave you the sticker that we printed in memory of my niece, Moriah Or Suissa, Hy”d, who was murdered in October at the Nova festival in Re’im. This was the phrase that she chose to put on her WhatsApp and on all her social media profiles: The world was created for me, and I am but dust and ashes.
I decided to reach out to EFRAT with my story after I
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By Hadassah Bay
Nikki Kirshner is a woman on a mission, and her passion is palpable. “Someone asked me to organize an event to launch the EFRAT N’shei,” she recalls. “I said I am so on board, I'm obsessed with EFRAT. Let me help you.”And help she did. Nikki took on the challenge with full force, enlisting her mother-in-law, Tzipi Kirshner, to host the event in her home. The result? An incredible gathering of over 60 women who came to harness the power of sisterhood and community to launch N’shei EFRAT, helping women in distress to have their babies and rebuild their families. That event was preceded by a smaller, no less impactful gathering, hosted by Abbey Wolin, of Abbey & Co. Brand Strategist, and following the inaugural “soft launch” of N’shei Efrat at the Kleins in Monsey. The intimate BBQ brought together ten influencers who were prepared to leverage their platforms on behalf of EFRAT. The guest list featured a who's who of women with large social media followings, including Yaffa Palti, Rorie Weisberg (Fullnfree), Maya Namdar (mayasplace), Yocheved Gross, Shira Stern (swaddlebee), Galit Winer (kidichicusa), Shaindy Plotzker, Ahuva Gottdiner (homegrownkosher), Bracha Bard as well as the gracious hostess, Abbey Wolin. EFRAT’s Executive Director Nir Salomon addressed the group, providing background about the organization’s vital work, which in its four decades of activities has saved over 88,000 babies. “What sets
EFRAT apart,” he explained, “is that every donation guarantees that a life will be saved. With EFRAT, the direct result is another woman who gets to keep her baby – another life saved, guaranteed! Genuine pikuach nefesh. ” The impact was immediate, with influencers coming on board to promote Efrat. They were all excited to share the cause on their platforms. The Birth of a Sisterhood The main goal of these events is to create an EFRAT sisterhood, a network of hundreds and thousands of women each donating $125 monthly for a year for a
sum total of $1,500 – the cost of saving a baby. “It’s a pretty ambitious goal,” Nikki admits, “but when you think about it, each additional member means another baby saved.” The Monsey event alone saw 20 women pledge their support some of whom committed to helping more than one woman save their baby. With each woman committing to join the N’shei, another mother will be empowered to bring her baby into the world. The women who join this sisterhood are building a community of women supporting women, mother to mother. They aren’t just donors; they become part of a movement. Members of the sisterhood receive swag bags, monthly emails, invitations to exclusive events, and opportunities to hear inspirational speakers. Many leading companies have committed to sponsoring N’shei events and providing amazing swag. Why EFRAT? There are countless causes worthy of support, so why EFRAT? The answer lies in the impact of each individual donation. “EFRAT is so tangible,” Nikki explains. “You hear about the plight of these women, and you realize that with your donation, you are literally saving a life; you are helping a mother bring her baby into the world. When you really think about it, $1500 a year in monthly installments is so doable, and with that money, you are doing something in that moment – supporting a
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Yaffa Palti addresses the crowd.
is just the beginning. The success of these events is undeniable, and the impact is immeasurable. Women supporting women—it's a powerful force, and it's saving lives, one baby at a time.
Spreading the Message The power of social media can’t be underestimated. Influencers who attended the events are now posting about the initiative on their Stories and webpages, spreading the message far and wide. Nikki herself had not originally intended to become an ambassador for EFRAT. “The thing is, ever since I heard about EFRAT, I’m always talking about it. How are you not going to save a baby?” Nikki points out that many of the women at the previous events had no idea what EFRAT was or what role it played in wider Israeli society. “We were able to educate all these women about what EFRAT is and what it does. That is huge.” Awareness is key, and it’s spreading like wildfire. Whether through volunteering, organizing events, or, during trips to Israel, visiting EFRAT’s warehouse to see the scope of its activities, women are getting involved in any way they can. A Ripple Effect The ripple effect of these events is already being felt. One woman from the Skver community at the Monsey event was inspired to host her own event, ensuring that
mother. That is so strong, and it speaks to everyone.”
The emotional connection is undeniable. When you provide diapers, wipes, and formula, you're not just giving money; you're giving life. You become a part of the story, a woman helping another woman through one of the most challenging experiences of her life. Charismatic Torah educator and wife of Rav Nisso Palti, Yaffa Palti uses her platform to communicate Torah concepts and impart Jewish values. When speaking to the group of N’shei EFRAT, Yaffa expounded on the extent of the blessing that every new baby brings into the world. “You think you’re giving life to that baby, but that baby is actually giving life to you. You think you’re saving a baby’s life, but really, that baby is saving your life! When you help a mother save her baby, you are bringing brachah into her life, into your life and into the entire world.” Maya Namdar spoke about EFRAT as the organization that most concretely works toward bringing Mashiach soon. “Chazal tell us that Mashiach will not come until all the souls will enter a body,” she said. “EFRAT is the organization that can make that happen. Especially during these times, our yearning for Mashiach needs to be complemented by actual work – to make sure every single baby is given a chance at life.” Creative Fundraising Two women in Monsey came up with an ingenious way to raise funds right after Tisha B'Av: they sold delicious homemade soup and sourdough bread to break the fast, raising over $3,000 in the process—enough to save two babies. Another woman from Wellesley Hills made the decision to cut back on her monthly budget in order to donate the monthly dues. “At first, I thought that I couldn’t afford that amount,” she said, “but then I decided that I can really do without some of the extras I buy in order to save a baby! How could I not?”
If you are interested in signing up just go to: https://www.cribefrat.org/nsheiefrat. We are looking for Pioneer women! If you are interested in bringing N’shei Efrat to your neighborhood, write to info@cribefrat.org.
the message reaches even more women. And two girls in Monsey organized a bake sale for EFRAT, demonstrating that every effort, no matter how small, makes a difference. As the movement continues to grow, with events planned to spread to the neighboring cities of Brooklyn and Lakewood and beyond, one thing is clear: This
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The Inspiring Journey of EFRAT's Expansion to the US
By Hadassah Bay
In February 2023, a new chapter began for EFRAT when they ventured overseas and established a U.S. office in Florida. Under the passionate leadership of Iris Mizrahi, the Operating Director, this office is not just a branch—it’s a lifeline extended across borders, replicating the life-saving services EFRAT provides in Israel to women across the United States and beyond. Even now, before the full launch (scheduled for 2025), Iris and her team of volunteers are assisting pregnant women who are being pressured to have an abortion and have nowhere else to turn, embodying the relentless dedication that defines EFRAT's mission. In the next stage, EFRAT will be opening a safe house in Hollywood, Fla. This facility will be equipped to accommodate up to four women during their pregnancies and up to six months after birth. The house is currently finalizing procedures to ensure comprehensive care, but meanwhile, it has already become a hub of community and support. "We have been using the space to provide lectures and workshops on subjects related to pregnancy and motherhood," Iris explains. “The topics are diverse: doulas, breastfeeding, childbirth, exercise, and nutrition, and are led by wonderful professionals. We’ve also invited community rabbis who speak on the spiritual dimensions of motherhood.” These intimate gatherings, typically involving up to 15 participants, foster a sense of community where women feel comfortable sharing their experiences and challenges. Why a US Branch? EFRAT opened its U.S. office in response to an urgent need identified by EFRAT Executive Director Nir Salomon. While networking with a Christian center for pregnant women on the West Coast, Salomon met the director who mentioned that they receive over a dozen
A group of women at the EFRAT shelter on Rosh Chodesh Sivan
cherishing life; we have to give the woman or the couple the right to choose. That is the message of EFRAT. Just as the Ribono shel Olam gives people a choice, but recommends life — U’vacharta bachayim — we help bring new life into the world, while allowing and giving space and understanding to the
Jewish women each year. The director admitted that these women clearly felt uncomfortable in the Christian atmosphere but they simply had nowhere else to turn. “After I related this very incident at a shul where I was invited to speak, an individual approached me and shared that they had received help from that Christian center,” Salomon relates. “When I asked this person why they didn’t seek assistance from a rabbi or Jewish communal services they replied, ‘On issues of abortion, the Jewish services don’t care and are not willing to help.’” Deeply concerned by this information, Salomon reached out to various Jewish family organizations across the US. “I asked them what they do to help a woman who is contemplating an abortion, and they said that they offer help to fund the abortion. When I asked what they offer to a woman is considering keeping her baby, the message I heard over and over was: ‘If the situation is problematic, they should just have the abortion.’”
deliberation of a woman in distress.” Reaching Beyond Borders
Since opening its doors, EFRAT’s U.S. office has extended support to women across the United States, from Florida to Delaware and Philadelphia, and even beyond U.S. borders. “We’re international,” says Iris, citing two recent cases involving a woman in the UK and another in Peru. Iris and another volunteer provided both women with emotional support via video call. When it came time to send the EFRAT baby package to Peru, Iris took extra steps to ensure its safe arrival. The package includes everything a new mother needs for her baby: from large items like a crib, bathtub and stroller, to outfits, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, formula and more. To ensure that she would receive everything intact, Iris coordinated shipping with the local Chabad House. The delighted mother received the package just in time, and shared her joy with Iris during their next video call.
For Salomon this was a defining moment. “I realized that we have an obligation to raise the voice of
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A Fairy Tale Come True With a background in psychology (BA) and social work (MA), and with experience working for Jewish community non-profits since she was just 16 years old, Iris Mizrahi is well-suited to serve as the head of EFRAT’s US office, a position she sees as a privilege. Her first case involved a 23-year-old unmarried woman from the New York area. During a trip to Israel to attend a friend's wedding, she suddenly discovered that she was pregnant. Her parents were ashamed of her and wanted nothing to do with her plight, and as soon as she returned home, she faced immense pressure from her boyfriend and his mother to terminate the pregnancy. Abandoned by her parents, shunned by her boyfriend, and with no support, she felt trapped and hopeless. Her one ray of hope was the EFRAT volunteer, who was in daily contact with her, providing her with crucial emotional support, and subsequently also helped her find housing and a job. In a heartwarming twist, after the woman gave birth to a boy, the baby’s father fell in love with their son —and eventually with her. He took upon himself all the preparations for the brit, and soon afterward, they married. Today they are happily married and expecting their second child. “Nothing better sums ups EFRAT’s Iris shares another powerful story that emerged just weeks later, when a woman from Florida reached out to her. She had been suffering from kidney issues exacerbated by COVID-19, and was unexpectedly pregnant. Due to her pre-existing condition, the woman’s nephrologist warned that her pregnancy could be life-threatening. Desperate for guidance and unwilling to abort without sufficient reason, she turned to Iris, who quickly mobilized a network of doctors in the U.S. and Israel to review her case. Through a whirlwind of consultations and appointments obtained in record time, the doctors concluded that the pregnancy was definitely not life-threatening, and that the woman could carry to term, with certain restrictions. Despite immense challenges—four other children, a husband recovering from a car accident, and homeschooling—the woman gave birth to a premature baby girl, Odelia Margalit. Iris remained by her side throughout, providing unwavering support through video calls, visits, accompanying her to the doctor, and by leveraging existing community resources to provide basic assistance. Looking to the Future As the reach of EFRAT’s US office continues to grow, Iris reflects on the future. Her vision is clear: “Moving forward, we need to build more awareness that we exist, provide more programming, and increase our volunteer base.” life-changing impact,” Iris observes. A Lifesaving Network
women while also spreading the word of EFRAT further afield, ensuring that no woman will be left alone to face her challenges. As is the case in Israel, some of the women who have been helped by EFRAT, like Odelia Margalit’s mother, go on to become volunteers themselves, eager to give back to the organization that gave them so much. The stories of hope and resilience told by Iris and other volunteers serve as powerful reminders of the profound impact that compassion and support can have on lives in crisis. In Israel, and now in the US, EFRAT does not just give women a choice by providing immediate aid, it creates lasting change, saving families from breakdown and supporting women so that they can face their challenges, empowered and with renewed confidence.
Doula Dolly gives a session on birth and breastfeeding at the EFRAT shelter.
Iris Mizrahi
Trivia Night with Reb. Sterna Bronstein at the EFRAT shelter
Iris with Coach Moran Reiter at the EFRAT shelter.
EFRAT’s volunteers are its lifeblood; these dedicated individuals assist by providing support to individual
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In 2009, after Dr. Schussheim reached out to Rabbi Garzon, the latter organized a groundbreaking meeting in Madrid with about a hundred community members who came to hear about EFRAT. “Dr. Schussheim moved us all with his particularly vibrant speech, as he outlined five primary objectives,” Rabbi Garzon recalls. Those objectives, foundational to EFRAT, included providing emotional, financial, medical, and physical support to pregnant women in distress, and empowering them to confidently continue their pregnancies. Additionally, Dr. Schussheim proposed that Rav Gazrzon and his community members promote the work of EFRAT in Spain as well as in other Spanish speaking countries. “The notion that fired us up and really captured our imagination was the lofty Torah ideal of contributing to the demographic growth of the Jewish population in Eretz Yisrael,” explains Rav Garzon. “As soon as we heard Dr. Schussheim’s impassioned plea to help save Jewish babies and support their mothers’ decisions to continue their pregnancies, we introduced the doctor to additional communal leaders who became equally enthused.” That conference, held over 15 years ago, led to the creation of a legal framework for Rabbi Garzon’s multi-pronged life’s work on behalf of EFRAT: the EFRAT Foundation, Spain, which enjoys state supervision and thus inspires greater confidence in its donors. The Rav’s core group became trustees and ambassadors for EFRAT, drawing upon their contacts with presidents, CEOs, and influential people across various communities, and inviting them to participate in the cause.
By Chana Weissman When Dr. Eli Schussheim zt”l joined EFRAT in 1977, he could not have anticipated that one of the organization’s most dedicated allies would emerge from an unlikely source: Rabbi Baruch Garzon, then the Chief Rabbi of Madrid. This connection was remarkable not only because Rabbi Garzon was Madrid’s first Chief Rabbi since the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, but also because of his formidable background. Born in Tetuan, Morocco, Rabbi Garzon is a man of extensive Torah and secular knowledge, deeply involved in various communal activities, and strongly committed to the well-being of a Jewish community spread thin across Spain. In the 1970s, Spain’s Jewish community numbered a total of 15,000 people scattered across 17 different communities, all united under the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain. Given his numerous responsibilities, it would have been understandable if Rabbi Garzon had declined to take on additional burdens. How, then, did such a leader and his community become such staunch champions of EFRAT’s holy work? EFRAT Reaches the Shores of Spain
“Over time, we extended our work to North and South
An EFRAT benefit concert in Madrid
Rav Baruch Garzon
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America, in Miami, Mexico, and Caracas. We produced posters and videos, organized conferences and dinners, and hosted a range of awareness and fundraising activities,” relates Rabbi Garzon unassumingly. His modesty belies the enormous successes that the Spanish Jews have brought to EFRAT in the form of respectable sums raised annually and with all expenses assumed by generous patrons, such that all funds elicited have been channeled to the organization in full. Rabbi Garzon’s dedication didn’t wane after making Aliyah in 2013. He continues to lead EFRAT Spain from Raanana, while also serving as president of Agudat Moreshet Yahdut Sefarad and Yagdil Torah Raanana. The Response: A Soldier Fallen, a Baby Born In the wake of the tragic events of October 7, 2023, Rabbi Garzon’s commitment only grew stronger, culminating in the launch of a new campaign. Titled “A Soldier Fallen, A Baby Born,” this initiative was a response to the profound grief over the loss of soldiers during the war. In line with EFRAT’s mission, Rabbi Garzon and his team sought to find hope amid despair, and their campaign resonated deeply within the Spanish Jewish community and beyond. Through videos, social media, and fundraising events, EFRAT Spain has brought its message of hope and renewal to Jews around the world. The campaign pays tribute to fallen heroes while inspiring others to support EFRAT’s mission. Rabbi Garzon, ever modest, attributes the campaign’s success to the dedication of his community and the unwavering support of EFRAT Israel. A Moving Message for Women in Crisis Over the past 15 years, Rabbi Garzon has remained focused on the core of EFRAT’s mission: supporting mothers in crisis. EFRAT has saved over 88,000 pregnancies, and Rabbi Garzon has witnessed firsthand the joy that these lives bring. His message for women in such crises is caring and clear, delivered with love: To all my Jewish sisters: HaShem has entrusted you with the sacred mission of ensuring the continuity of life, equipped you with exceptional physical and emotional means, and endowed you with a very particular spirit of endurance in the face of challenges that even the strongest of men do not possess. Dear sisters, make good use of your gifts and give a new son or daughter to HaShem who gives us everything, and to your people Israel who are so deserving after being decimated throughout a long and painful history. In your freedom to decide lies our future.
on Jewish communities worldwide. He is unafraid to appeal directly to potential donors, reminding them of the power they hold: “You hold in your hands the life of a new Jewish baby, a life full of potential that might otherwise go unfulfilled due to financial constraints. Listen to your conscience and participate generously in EFRAT’s sacred work. Remember the words of our sages: ‘Whoever saves one life in Israel is as if they have saved the whole world.’ May HaShem reward your efforts and fulfill the desires of your heart.”
Rav Garzon presents a certificate affirming the rescue of a Jewish baby in commemoration of a fallen IDF soldier.
To create miracles in the memory of our fallen soldiers, visit https://www.cribefrat.org/one-more-life. For more information contact us at info@cribefrat.org and visit www.cribefrat.org
Rabbi Garzon’s tireless efforts have not only advanced EFRAT’s mission but have also had a profound impact
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EFRAT has helped bring over 88,232 precious souls into this world by providing nancial and emotional support to enable each woman make the choice of life she wants to make, instead of the choice she feels forced to make.
This year, let’s ensure no more lives are lost.
When you donate, you become an integral part of welcoming each new neshamah into the world and building a stronger Jewish nation.
954-953-2858 Visit or call to donate today cribefrat.org
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