Known as Nellie, Elkali Bush was born in Philadelphia, the twelfth ofTabitha and Matthias Bush’s fourteenchildren. Her father was from Prague, one of the first knownBohemians in America, and was naturalized in 1749.A merchant,shipowner, and, during the French and Indian War, an army purveyor,Matthias was also a leader in congregation Mikveh Israel. He was asignatory to the Philadelphia Merchants Non-Importation Act.

In 1792 Nelliemarried Moses Sheftall, son of Mordecai andFrances Sheftall. The Sheftalls wereprominent in the small Jewish community of Savannah but following herfather’s imprisonment by the British during the Revolutionary War,they had settled for a time in Philadelphia. It was there, inPhiladelphia that the wedding took place, and the couple then madetheir home in Savannah. Nellie gave birth to ten children, and thefamily was active in congregation Mickve Israel, for which Moseshelped lead the effort to build a synagogue. A leading physician inthe city, Moses was twice elected to the Georgia State Legislatureand served as a judge on the county court.