Elizabeth Levi Senigaglia was born and lived in the United States. Her studies were completed at the City University Graduate Center; and several summers at Yad Vashem seminars. She was an independent researcher specializing in Italian Jewry during the Shoah while simultaneously working in Jewish philanthropy and raising her family. The most interesting areas of her research, says Elizabeth, “found me traveling to Poland, Lithuania, Central Europe and very often Italy and Israel for archival material”.

In addition to doing research, Elizabeth enjoys archeology and has "dug" a few times in Israel. Her other activities include being an Italian buff and swimming in Lake Kinneret. In 2007 she and her husband decided to fulfill their dream of coming to live in Israel although this was extremely difficult since it meant leaving family including grandchildren. They bought an apartment in Tiberias from where says Elizabeth, “we see the Kinneret each day and the grave of Rabbi Akiva; a happy choice of location”.

Elizabeth flies to America during the year because missing loved ones is difficult for her.