Ellen Marcus: Generously Following In Her Parents’ Footsteps

In 2016, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev received a legacy gift believed to be the largest bequest on behalf of an Israeli university and possibly the largest single donation ever made to benefit any institution in the State of Israel–$500 million. But where did it come from?

It turned out that unassuming Holocaust survivors, Howard and Lottie Marcus, who passed away at ages 104 and 99 respectively, left the legacy gift thanks to their daughter, Ellen Marcus. When they told their daughter, Ellen, how much their investments were worth and that they planned to leave it all to her, she had other ideas.

“I decided immediately that no one person needs that kind of money,” she said. “At the time, it was worth $200 million. I asked them to leave me enough so that I would never be homeless or hungry, and enough that my daughter would never be homeless or hungry and to give the rest to charity.”

Now, Ellen is continuing her parents’ legacy. Since becoming involved in the mid-2000s, Ellen has made an immeasurable impact on Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU). Her work and dedication throughout the years will ensure the university can fulfill its mission to be a beacon of light in the Negev desert—and the world.

Inspired Leadership At Bgu

Since 2006, Ellen has served as a vice chair on BGU’s Board of Governors. She serves as a member of A4BGU’s national board and chairs A4BGU’s Austin chapter, where she lives.

In 2017, Ellen received an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University during the 47th Annual Board of Governors Meeting. At the ceremony, then-BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi said of Ellen: “She is an exemplary individual, generous of spirit and an ardent Zionist, whose family has tied its name to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for generations to come. She has demonstrated a profound commitment to the University and her faith in its bright future and pivotal role in the development of the Negev and the State of Israel.”

Ellen, who became one of the first master’s level genetic counselors and the first to open a private practice for genetic counseling in the country, has always been passionate about higher education. This contributed to her ardent support of BGU.

“The success of this university… already among the top research universities worldwide–inspires my passion and excitement about the future of BGU and the State of Israel,” Ellen said.

A Legacy Of Giving In The Marcus Family

When Howard and Lottie Marcus each escaped Germany and came to America, Lottie worked as a secretary in a Wall Street firm, where she met Ben Graham, the renowned “father of value investing.” Graham later became Warren Buffett’s MBA professor and mentor. After Howard and Lottie married and accumulated enough savings to invest, Graham introduced them to Buffett and they became some of his first investors.

“Having survived the Holocaust, they felt very strongly that they wanted to support the State of Israel as the Jewish homeland and as a refuge for our people,” Ellen said.

It is largely because of Ellen that, when Howard and Lottie passed away, A4BGU received the $500 million donation. This historic gift is profiled in the Matthew Mishory documentary “Who Are the Marcuses?” honored as an official selection of a number of recent film festivals, including the world-famous Santa Barbara International Film Festival, in addition to screenings at the Newport Beach Film Festival,

Omaha Film Festival, and the World Water Film Festival. The film features commentary from Warren Buffett and President Isaac Herzog, among others, as they explore how this gift will ensure leading-edge development in water science and hopefully improve regional peace through technology exchange.

Warren Buffett, who still keeps in contact with Ellen, told her he “salutes what you’ve done for the university. I salute the personal values that you carry. And I salute your parents for imbuing you with those qualities.”

For Ellen, it’s a matter of supporting the Jewish state and higher education, as well as carrying out her parents’ wishes and legacy.

“I follow in my parents’ footsteps,” said Ellen. “It feels wonderful to give back. I think I have achieved my life’s goal to leave this world a better place than when I got here.”