On , at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, the Winnipeg Chapter of Ben-Gurion University of Canada hosted a well-attended Canadian premiere of the 2022 documentary film Who Are the Marcuses?, directed by Israeli-American filmmaker Matthew Mishory.
The film tells the remarkable and inspiring story of Lottie and Howard Marcus, an unassuming Jewish couple from Long Island who, in 2016, made a transformative half-billion-dollar gift to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the largest single philanthropic gift in the history of the State of Israel. Their decision followed a conversation with their daughter, Ellen Marcus, who told her parents she required only enough resources to care for herself and her daughter, and that the remainder of the family’s wealth should be given away.
The Marcuses directed their gift toward advancing the study of water management, with the hope that innovations developed at Ben-Gurion University would benefit not only Israel but also neighbouring states, helping to promote regional cooperation and peace.
The documentary meticulously weaves together the life stories of Lottie and Howard Marcus, German Jews who survived the Holocaust and later lived quietly in a modest San Diego apartment. Both escaped Nazi Germany in the 1930s, an opportunity that many members of their families did not have. Their early lives were shaped by the devastation of the First World War, during which Howard experienced food insecurity, and both he and Lottie were financially decimated, like much of the German population at the time.
After immigrating to the United States, the Marcuses lived modestly and invested prudently, including with Warren Buffett. Their daughter Ellen was shocked to discover the extent of the wealth her parents had accumulated, something she only learned near the end of their lives. Howard Marcus, a dentist, passed away in 2014 at the age of 104; Lottie died less than two years later.
Beyond the extraordinary scale of their philanthropy, the film explores the deeper motivations behind the Marcuses’ generosity: gratitude for survival, a commitment to giving back, and a belief that their resources could help advance peace. The documentary also traces the development of Israel’s vital water technologies from the pre-state period to the present day.
The film features interviews and insights from prominent figures, including Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway; Yitzhak Herzog, President of Israel; historian Daniel Gordis; philosopher Micah Goodman; E. Randol Schoenberg; and author and activist Seth M. Siegel.
Ellen Marcus was present in Winnipeg to discuss the film and share her parents’ extraordinary story, making the evening especially meaningful for attendees.
While few people will ever have the means to give away half a billion dollars, Who Are the Marcuses? invites viewers to reflect on the causes they care about and how they might use their own resources—large or small, to make a lasting impact. The story of the Marcuses exemplifies not only a deep commitment to Israel and the Jewish people, but also how long-term vision and investment can shape institutions that serve generations to come.
In the spirit of accessibility and community engagement, Ben-Gurion University of Canada did not charge admission for the screening.
