Ellen Shindelman Kowitt
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Ellen Shindelman Kowitt is President of the JGS of Colorado. She is responsible for representing the group and conducting meetings of the Society. Ellen also serves as webmaster and teaches the Jewish Family Tree Initiative: Workshop and Mentoring Series. Ellen was editor of the Society newsletter, Chai From Colorado, and she has participated in Society indexing projects.
Ms. Kowitt joined JGS of Colorado in 2002, having previously been a member and president of the JGS of Greater Washington, DC. She led group trips to shtetls in Ukraine, organized the translation of two Yizkor memorial books, created JewishGen Shtetlinks websites for Lyubar and Polonnoye, published articles in Avotaynu: The International Journal on Jewish Genealogy, served three years on the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Board of Directors, and held leadership roles in many of the annual international conferences on Jewish genealogy. Currently, she is contracted to write nine chapters of a reference book on Jewish genealogical resources in North America including material about records in Colorado.
Ms. Kowitt received her B.A. in political science, with a minor in business administration, from Alfred University. Raised in New York, she worked professionally in marketing management on the east coast for 12 years and now operates as a freelance contractor. Married with two daughters, Ellen also enjoys outdoor activities, interior design and spin class. Her roots were grown in Ukraine, East Prussia, the Carpathian Mountains of Hungary, Poland, England and other parts of Western Europe.

Ellen Shindelman Kowitt is the Immediate Past President of the JGS of Colorado. She consults with the board of directors on administration of the Society and shares in representing the group to the broader community. Ellen coordinates publicity and assists the webmaster and Enews editor. She enjoys teaching beginning genealogy classes and mentoring.

Ms. Kowitt joined JGS of Colorado in 2002, having previously been president of the JGS of Greater Washington, DC. She has led group trips to shtetls in Ukraine, organized the translation of two Yizkor memorial books, created JewishGen Shtetlinks websites for Lyubar and Polonnoye, published articles in Avotaynu: The International Journal on Jewish Genealogy, served three years on the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Board of Directors, and held organizing roles in many of the annual international conferences on Jewish genealogy. In 2009, Ellen received the Denver Jewish Community Foundation Linda Fenner Young Women's Scholarship in recognition of her leadership of JGSCO.

Ms. Kowitt received her B.A. in political science, with a minor in business administration, from Alfred University. Raised in New York, she worked professionally in corporate marketing management on the east coast for 12 years and is now Director of Communications and Membership Engagement for Congregation Har HaShem in Boulder. Married with two daughters, Ellen enjoys outdoor activities and interior design. Her roots were grown in Ukraine, East Prussia, the Carpathian Mountains of Hungary, Poland, England and other parts of Western Europe.