Frances Durst Schub '55

From the time Fran was six years old, she traveled from the Bronx to Manhattan with her sister on the train every day to attend Ramaz - and she loved being a part of the School from the moment she arrived.  As Fran shared, "it was very special to be able to attend Ramaz."  Fran enjoyed learning Gemara (it was her favorite subject in 7th grade!) and Hebrew, and loved the Zionist spirit of the school - she has vivid memories singing Hatikvah and even remembers the words to the last lines of the anthem before they changed them to what they are today.  Fran was involved in the Service Squad, was captain of the basketball team, chaired the Fall Frolic, and was editor in chief of the Class of '55 yearbook. 

Following graduation, Fran went on to college and studied modern European history and then got a job as a social investigator at the Bureau of Child Welfare for the City of New York.  She met Marty and after they were married moved to North Carolina while he was in the service.  The Schubs came back to New York in 1965 where Fran spent her time raising their children and began her career as a "professional volunteer."  Fran taught Hebrew at KJ and was involved in the shul. When the family moved to Englewood, NJ a few years later, she quickly became involved in the community there.  When it was time to send her children to school, Ramaz was the obvious choice, and Fran quickly became involved in the Parents Council. She eventually chaired the Bazaar and Annual Dinner and soon became an integral part of the school community.  No job was too big or small for Fran.  As she said, "volunteerism became my life."   

David '00 and Jeremy Parker '03

Right now, David and Jeremy Parker's business, Vowch, is all the rage!  Vowch, an iOS App launched a bit earlier this fall (Android App coming soon), is one of the hottest new social networks to hit the scene and has been continuously noted as one of the best new apps in the social networking category by Apple since last month.  Even better, Apple put them on the homepage of the App Store and noted Vowch as one of the best new apps in the entire App Store.  Yishar Koach!

Vowch gives users the ability to share their personal recommendations

(likes) - about books, films, TV shows, music, food, brands, actors, singers and anything and everything in between - with the world.  You also have the ability to follow people who interest you and who will attract followers who are interested in what you "like" as well.   Since launching, the app has received a lot of attention in the tech world and of course interest among users, including a number of celebrities.  As David shared, "people are getting addicted to 'vowching' as a way to represent their taste, influence others and discover other 'cool' things."  CLICK HERE to read an article featured in Business Insider where Vowch was noted as one of the 18 best startups launched in 2013.

David graduated from Ramaz in 2000 and went to Columbia University, majoring in applied math, and then to Harvard Business School; a few years later, Jeremy graduated from Ramaz in 2003, went off to Boston University and majored in film production.  In between school and work they co-produced, along with Daniella Kahane '00, the documentary film One Per Cent, which includes Rebecca Nanasi '00 and hip-hop star Russell Simmons, and won the Audience Award at the Vail Film Festival in 2006.  At the same time, both were interested in starting their own companies, utilizing the Internet and "crowd sourcing."  David started the company Tadcast and Jeremy started Vote for Art under the Weatherproof Garment Company/MV Sport a few years after college.  Jeremy later joined David at Tadcast. In 2011, they met Jesse Itzler (also in the hip-hop scene) and eventually had the brainstorm for Vowch.  As a side, Jesse is the co-founder of Marquis Jet, an early partner of Zico Coconut Water and is married to Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. 

Jeremy Parker '03, Jesse Itzler, David Parker '00

David is married to fellow classmate Joanna Schachter Parker '00; they have two children, Stanley and Eleanor, and live in Englewood, NJ.  David credits Upper School faculty member Ellen Rosen for inspiring his 'inner artist' and

encouraging him to think differently, and Alaine Gorfinkle for encouraging him to take honors math instead of the lower math.  "I would never have gone to Columbia Engineering School or majored in math had it not been for that experience...my life would be completely different."  Jeremy fondly recalls his time at Ramaz and has great memories from his days playing basketball and soccer, and says his closest friends today are the ones he made back at Ramaz.  "Ramaz is an incredible and very unique community and we are lucky to be alumni of the school."

CLICK HERE to download the Vowch app!

CLICK HERE to see an article featured in Complex Magazine where Vowch was noted as one of the Top Ten Apps of 2013.

Thursday, January 23, 2014 | 7:00 pm

Shir Hadash | Cheyl Nashim #4, Jerusalem

Join friends, fellow alumni, and teachers to reminisce and celebrate Ramaz alumni living in Israel.  Kenny Rochlin '86 will be visiting from the States to participate in the program.

CLICK HERE to RSVP by January 16 and to complete your contact information for the Israel Alumni Directory.

10, 15, 20 YEAR REUNION | CLASSES of '04, '99, '94

Sunday, January 26, 2014 | 4:00

Ramaz Upper School

An afternoon you won't want to miss!

Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dessert & good cheer.

Suggested Class Gift: $36.00 per person

Join the festivities!  

• Click here to register by January 20
• Join the Facebook event to see who else will be there:               10 Year-2004 |15 Year-1999|20 Year-1994
• Don't forget! Take a few moments to submit your Reunion Journal entry: 10 Year-2004 |15 Year-1999 |20 Year-1994
  (due January 20). 

Sunday, March 9, 2014 | 11:30 am

Ramaz Upper School

Reunion Facebook Events: 30 Year-1984 | 35 Year-1979 | 

40 Year-1974 | 45 Year-1969 | 50-Year-1964

Thursday, June 12, 2014 | 7:00 pm

The Terrace | Ramaz Upper School

Saturday, November 8, 2014 | 7:30 pm

Ramaz Upper School