A Legacy That Lasts: Honoring Ellen Arnovitz
July 3, 2026
When Ellen Arnovitz talks about Jewish philanthropy, she does not talk about obligation. She talks about ensuring the future.
That commitment to sustaining Jewish life for generations is one of the many reasons Ellen has been selected as Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s 2027 recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, the highest honor in Federation women’s philanthropy.
Ellen’s daughter PearlAnn couldn’t be more proud of the dedication her mom has poured into Jewish Atlanta. “She is a brilliant woman who could have done anything in life, and she chose to devote her passion and charisma to helping others—especially within the Jewish community.”
Presented through the International Lion of Judah Conference, the award recognizes women whose leadership, generosity and dedication have made a lasting impact on Jewish community.
For Ellen, that impact has extended far beyond her own giving.
A passionate advocate for Lion of Judah Endowments, Ellen has spent years encouraging women to make legacy commitments that will support Federation’s Annual Campaign long into the future. By establishing a Lion of Judah Endowment, donors create a permanent gift that ensures their philanthropy continues for generations to come.
“Not only is she personally ensuring our Jewish future through her philanthropy and legacy commitments, she’s helping other women do the same,” said Arielle Orlansky, Federation Major Gifts Officer. “Her impact is impossible to measure because it ripples through every person she inspires.”
Ellen’s commitment to Jewish community began long before she moved to Atlanta. Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, she was raised with the importance of giving back and became active in Jewish life at an early age.
After moving to Atlanta in 1970, she quickly became involved in the community she had admired as a teenager.
“I truly fell in love with this community in high school,” Ellen said. “As Southern Region B’nai B’rith Girls president, I came to Atlanta frequently for conventions and meetings, and it was through those experiences that I fell in love with the Atlanta Jewish community.”
Over the decades, Ellen has remained deeply engaged in Jewish Atlanta, helping strengthen the community she loves while inspiring others to do the same.
PearlAnn says her mother’s passion has set the stage within her family, “Through her commitment to Tikkun Olam, she has shown our family what it means to give generously, lead with purpose, and make a lasting difference.”
And the Women’s Philanthropy community agrees Ellen’s commitment is worth honoring:
Cathy Selig, 2006 recipient of the Award, says, “I can’t think of a more deserving person than Ellen Arnovitz to be our Federation’s Kipnis Wilson-Friedland Award Winner. She is an amazing leader, Ellen speaks up, stands up and shows up for those in need.”
Ellen Goldstein, 2019 Award recipient, says, “Ellen Arnovitz is the perfect recipient of this year’s Award. She continues to show up year after year with dedication and enthusiasm. Her involvement and leadership extend throughout our Atlanta Jewish community. Our community is so fortunate to have Ellen!”
For Ellen, receiving the award is both humbling and meaningful.
“This has been a core value of mine my whole life,” she said. “I do what I do because I love it, and to be honored for something you love is very, very special.”
Through her own generosity and her dedication to helping others create lasting legacies, Ellen is ensuring that Jewish Atlanta will remain strong for generations to come.
Ellen joins a deserving cohort of recipients of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award:
- 2004, Viki Freeman
- 2006, Cathy Selig
- 2008, Peggy Roth
- 2010, Carol Cooper
- 2012, Susan Arnovitz Saltz z”l
- 2014, Lois Blonder z”l
- 2016, Marilyn Shubin
- 2019, Ellen Goldstein
- 2022, Linda Selig
- 2025, Virginia Saul
Atlanta’s Lions of Judah and Pomegranates will have the opportunity to celebrate Ellen’s extraordinary leadership at the Lion of Judah/Pomegranate Luncheon on September 30. Save the date and join us as we honor a woman whose impact will continue to shape our community for generations to come.
To learn more about Lion of Judah Endowments visit our website here or contact Joel Ashner at jashner@jewishatlanta.org.