But the Merseysiders were heading for defeat when Matt Feingold and Jonny Berens struck for the visitors in either half.
With time running out, Shiffman seized on a defensive mix-up to snatch a point in the 85th minute.
Haroldeans player-manager Jamie Harris said: "Adam came to our rescue again and he will score a bagful agains this season.
"But I believe both teams deserved something out of this game.
"We were happy to take something out of the game as we were missing a lot of players so we will only get stronger."
Maccabi's mix of rookies and veterans almost reaped its rewards and boss Andy Hatton is buoyed by his side’s prospects.
He said: "There were encouraging signs which filled me with confidence.
"On another day we could have won. But nobody wants to start off with a defeat so we take that and move on."