2023
Hello friends and family,
It’s that time again, remembering Debbie through your donation to the JVS Debra J. Roth Family and Friends Tribute Scholarship for students pursuing degrees in higher education. Last year’s fundraising was so successful, thanks to you, that we were able to raise over $27,000 to provide scholarships to eight young women. These women are undergraduate students, some in medical school, in Ph.D, programs as well as graduate programs in speech therapy and education. Debbie would be very gratified and proud, being that she was a smart and gifted student, as are her daughters.
Barb remembers:
I was the teacher and Debbie was the student. I was 6 or 7 years old and Deb was 3 or 4 years old. That was the start of Debbie’s commitment to education. It was in the basement of our home in Cleveland and I was the teacher at the blackboard. Debbie was the student sitting at her desk. She honestly did everything that I asked of her and was reading on her own after several of our sessions in the basement. As her big sister, I believe that this “training, learning to read and write at a very young age, provided the basic foundation for her future education. I was and am always in awe of her achievements professionally and personally.
Ellen remembers:
I very vividly recall the summer of 1977, when Deb was studying for the LSAT before her last year at the University of Florida. The dining room table was covered with books, notebooks, papers – all the accouterments of a scholar. As a fifteen-year-old, I couldn’t imagine having the focus and discipline she applied to her task. It all seemed so boring to me, but Deb had a goal in her sight, and worked tirelessly to achieve it. And achieve it she did, enrolling at Stanford University Law School a year later.
I was always so proud of her successes: sports and student government in high school, an undergraduate degree in three years, and a fruitful law career. Her success extended to the friendships she maintained, and the family she loved. She is forever my brilliant big sister.
On behalf of Debbie’s family and of all of the recipients, we want to thank you again for your ongoing support of the JVS Scholarship Program. By supporting the Debra J. Roth Family and Friends Tribute Scholarship, you are making a significant and meaningful difference in their lives.
Thank you, as always, for your consideration and support,
Barbara and Ron Lang
Ellen and Mike Agronin
Read a prior-year letter:
2022
Dear Friends and Family,
During these challenging times, we want to write to express our appreciation and gratitude for your generosity and support of the scholarship remembering our sister, Debbie. In the past two years you have helped to make a significant difference in the lives of deserving graduate students. I’ve attached thank you letters from Ariela and Kira who, for the second year in a row, were the recipients of the Debra J. Roth Family & Friends Tribute Scholarship.
When you read their letters, you will see what a difference your support has made. Your personal and continued commitment to the Debra J. Roth Friends and Family Scholarship means the world to us.
We look forward to the coming year as one of healing, health and calm. Debbie’s family is doing very well despite the current circumstances. Alana is a veterinarian and recently began her internship at a large medical center outside of Denver. Lauren is in Oakland, has recently moved into a new apartment and has been busy baking and experimenting with breads. The rest of us are doing the best we can, “working from home”, teaching, trying to maintain some sense of normalcy. But the financial needs of students continue and our commitment to honoring Debbie moves forward.
This scholarship program is the largest one serving Jewish students in the area. This past year, with the help of family and friends, we were able to raise over $8,000, providing renewal scholarships to two young women as they work towards their future careers.
We know that this scholarship is an appropriate and respectful way to remember our beloved Debbie. We can’t believe that it’s been fourteen years since we lost her. She would so approve of this program. Hopefully you will join us by honoring Debbie’s memory with a gift to this program. No matter the size of your gift, we will appreciate your support. It will make a difference in the lives of deserving students.
✅ To learn more about JVS Scholarship Program click here.
Thank you, as always, for your consideration and support.
Barb and Ron
Ellen and Mike
2021
Dear Family and Friends,
We constantly ask ourselves, “how can it be 16 years that our beloved sister, Debbie, is gone. Where has the time gone?” Each day we try and remember the wonderful memories, and it’s made all the easier when we see how Alana and Lauren have grown and come into themselves during these years. Alana and Mathew are in Minneapolis where Alana is in the midst of completing her residency in veterinary oncology. Lauren and her boyfriend, Chris live in Oakland, where she is working several jobs, freelance video editing and playing guitar and drums in two bands. Debbie would be “kvelling” at the accomplishments of her girls.
As the fall and winter holidays approach, we are again writing to extend our gratitude and thanks for your kindness and continuing support of the Debra J. Roth Family & Friends Tribute Scholarship. This year, four diverse young women were awarded funds to help with their continuing undergraduate and graduate studies.
Here are a few comments from two of the women after receiving news of their scholarships.
Polina is embarking on year four at UC Santa Cruz, working towards a degree in Cognitive Science.
She writes:
“I would like to sincerely thank you for your generous contribution towards my education this past year. Since the last time I wrote to you, a lot has changed in my life, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. In the past year I have grown so much on a personal level and have truly learned to love my life for what it is. I attribute a lot of this to the support I’ve received from people like you who have put their trust and investments into me and my education. This gave me the boost I needed to get myself through some of the serious hardships you face as a student in college classes”.
Rachel is embarking on year two of a master’s degree and is preparing for a career as a Physician Assistant.
She writes:
“Thank you very much for your generous donation. I aspire to be a compassionate physician assistant who works collaboratively with my healthcare team in underserved communities in order to help provide high quality healthcare to those in need. With your help, I am one step closer in achieving this goal. I intend to return this favor by donation to this program so that future Jewish scholars can also receive the assistance they need to achieve their goals. I want to be a leader and mentor …in my Jewish community and continue our legacy.”
We know in our hearts that this scholarship is an appropriate and respectful way to remember Debbie. She would so approve of this endeavor. Hopefully you will join us by honoring Debbie’s memory with a gift to this program. No matter the size of your gift, we will appreciate your support. It will make a difference in the lives of deserving students.
One of the buzz words of this season and world seems to be kindness. We thank you in advance for yours.
“Love and kindness are never wasted.
They always make a difference.
They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”
– Barbara De Angelis
To learn more about JVS Scholarship Program click here.
Thank you, as always, for your consideration and support.
Barb and Ron
Ellen and Mike