by Chani Ezagui

My Mother, Basha Shuchat, OBM

I am still in shock and pained by the recent loss of my mother, Mrs. Chaya Basha Shuchat of blessed memory. It is not just me, as well thousands of people that she has touched. While we were sitting shivah we heard countless stories told by those she has inspired and continues to inspire.

While growing up in my parents’ home we never sensed there were differences between people. To our parents everyone was equal. My parents warmly accepted people into their home and treated them as family, regardless of their background or situation. Our home was truly the home of Avrohom and Sara, open from all four directions.

While sitting shivah in the dining room of my mother’s home, I thought to myself, “I can’t believe we hosted so many guests in this small room.” I imagined it to be so much larger. I guess it was like G-d’s home, the Beis Hamikdosh. No matter how many people were there, there was always enough space for everyone.

My mother wasted no time. My phone in Florida would ring at the crack of dawn. It was Ma telling me to call someone or do something that was important, or to relate to me someone’s sorrows or simcha and act upon it. She wouldn’t let go; she would call back until things got done.

You would think that after my dear father, Reb Kalman Shuchat, OBM, passed away, my mother would slow down, but that wasn’t the case. She increased in vigor to help and teach others.

My mother always made me feel like I was an only child and I am sure she made my siblings feel the same. She would hang up the phone with the words “My Chanala, I love you.” I take her life to heart and she will always be alive for me by continuing the life that she pursued.

As mentioned, my parents did tremendous amount of hachnasas orchim, opening their home to everyone and anyone. For many people who came to Crown Heights for the first time to experience a Shabbos, their first stop was at our home. She received many beautiful letters about her work in organizing children’s Shabbos gatherings (mesibas Shabbos), which she was very involved in even before she got married.

I was lucky to have my mother come to us in Palm Beach, Florida, three times this year for simchas. She didn’t just come. She was actively involved, she became friends with people in our community and called them when she went back home. She taught children when she saw we needed help.

My mother would always say,” Did you take care of it already?” There is no time to waste. We need to vigilant in doing good for another, for your neighbor, your friend and even someone you do not know. Do not push it off for later, do it now.

Where did my mother get this passion for others and enthusiasm?

Her connection to the Rebbe was commendable. While I was sitting with her in the hospital, her eyes opened for a moment. I played the song “Sheyiboneh Bais Hamikdash” with the Rebbe and other niggunim (Chassidic melodies), and she gave a big smile and then cried. Niggunim always made her happy. When we were children she schlepped us to every farbrengen (Chassidic gathering) and anything that had to do with the Rebbe. She wanted to instill in us a strong sense of identity, as chassidim of the Rebbe. She has had loads of correspondence with the Rebbe even before she was married. That’s why she was driven in every area of her life, to open her home, to bring Jews closer to their creator, wherever she went and in any way.

To share your memories or take part in a project in her memory, you could reach me at chanipb@aol.com.

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8 Comments

  • esther Michael

    She will be sorely be missed. She always had a smile on her face and always cared for alot of people.

  • Beautiful!

    What a beautiful article on your Mom.
    How lucky for you and your children to blessed with such an amazing Bubby.May her neshomo have lots of nachas from the legacy she leaves behind.

  • fp

    We lived downstairs for over 22 year’s she was a wonderful caring wife mother grandmother I always meet people who when I told them where I lived told me wonderful stories how they were welcomed into her home one girl who ate there told me after she got married had sheva brochas there she was so proud of her children and there success when her husband became ill she went every day to be by his side. She was a beautiful lady inside and out with her what you saw was real and genuine. Over the years I have heard many stories of her compassion and open home. When I go to shul I will miss seeing her smile and warmth she lit the way for her entire family with her smile may the end of golous reunite us with all our loved ones.

  • Thank you for sharing

    I was a Machon Chana kallah, and your mom made sheva brochos for us too! She was so sensitive to insist I invite a number of my friends so I would be more comfortable.
    Just seeing these pictures reminded me what a special woman she was and her gracious hachnoses orchim, which you and sisters exemplified back then as well.

  • Vehachai Yitten El Liboi

    We must learn from her SIMCHA! The Shechina rests where theres SIMCHA!

  • Fraddy Kalman from the year 5732

    I was one of those “daughters” that lived by your parents OBM. I really learned a lot of hashkofosh from her. All around, she was a yiras shomayim in all the things she did. Tznisis, kasharus and anything with a TRUE frum “bren”. Lubavitch only has to look to your mother as the perfect example of a what every girl should grow up to be. I often bumped into her when she would, on occasion, shop in Boro Park. Min HaShomayim. I think of her always. It was a pleasure to have met and known her. Regards to Leah, Sterna, Nachama Dina and Sholom Ber. And to you, Chani, I also shep nachas on following your stories and only wish that all your children will follow in you parents footsteps and help bring Moshiach soon.