Dr. Moise Shems

Dr. Moise Shems was born on September 5, 1936 to Dr. Nissim and Allegra Shems in Beirut, Lebanon where he studied at the Alliance Israelite Universelle and the College de la Salle. Dr. Shems then continued his studies at the medical school of Université Sainte-Joseph in Beirut, and moved to the United States for his residency in 1964.

During a visit back to Beirut in 1966, Dr. Shems became engaged after a three-day courtship to the love of his life, Batia Sasson. The two married and settled in Trenton, NJ, where he finished his internship and residency. Then in 1971, after completing his fellowship in urology in Chicago, Moise and Batia moved to Newton, MA, where Dr. Shems partnered with Dr. Joshua Hurwitz and practiced urology at Twinbrook Urological for over 40 years.

Dr. Shems was a well-loved and respected doctor who treated patients at the Waltham Hospital, Newton Wellesley Hospital, Marlboro Hospital and VA Hospitals. He was known for his kindness and gentleness; and caring for patients was one of his greatest joys.

Moise leaves behind his devoted wife, Batia, of over 56 years of marriage. He also leaves behind three beloved children and their spouses: Nessy and Alicia Shems, Ed and Bree Bernat Shems, and Joyce and Lior Sharon, as well as seven grandchildren whom he loved dearly and who filled him with joy: Matthew, Leah, Eyal, Ben, Leo, Yarden, and Cora. Dr. Shems is also survived by his three siblings: Dr. Albert (and Hugette) Chams of Chicago, Esther (and Benjamin z”l) Diwan of Montreal, and Rosette (and Victor) Tahan of Brooklyn, NY, as well as all of his beloved nephews and nieces.

Moise’s love for Batia and his family is his greatest legacy, while his love for gardening and his obsession with both the Red Sox and chocolate will never be forgotten.

Services will be held at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. They will be livestreamed at www.templeemanuel.com/livestream-links/?stream=chiel. Interment will follow services at Mohliver Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA.

Shiva will be observed on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, and Monday at 6:30-8:30 pm, as well as on Friday and Sunday at 11am-1pm, at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Dr. Moise Shems to Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA 02459 or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445 or via Dana-Farber.org.