Community mourns philanthropist and stalwart Stanley Roth
'There was no one with a greater heart, a greater generosity of spirit, or a deeper commitment to giving than Stanley'
Tributes have begun to flow for communal stalwart and philanthropist Stanley Roth, who passed away suddenly on Sunday.
Roth was a life member of UIA Australia, served on the Combat Antisemitism Movement Advisory Board and the AIJAC Rambam Committee, and through the Stanley & Charmaine Roth Family Foundation helped fund numerous not-for-profits and charities.
UIA NSW president Gary Perlstein said Roth’s passing was a devastating loss to the Australian Jewish community.
“Stanley held a position that was truly unique. There was no one with a greater heart, a greater generosity of spirit, or a deeper commitment to giving than Stanley,” Perlstein said.
“For Stanley, philanthropy was not transactional or theoretical. It was who he was. He gave with his whole heart, with his soul, with his time, and often with his tears. He did not intellectualise his compassion. If he felt something deeply, he acted.”
Perlstein said no one in the community felt the pain of the October 7 attacks more profoundly than Roth.
“He was devastated personally, emotionally, and spiritually. He loved Israel as one loves a child, and he loved the Sydney Jewish community in exactly the same way. His bond with Israel and with his community was visceral, unconditional, and enduring,” Perlstein said.
Perlstein said the timing of Roth’s passing was felt even more deeply following the Bondi Beach attack.
“For so many in our community, Stanley represented safety, certainty, and leadership. He was someone who made people feel grounded in moments of fear and uncertainty,” Perlstein said.
“We knew that when difficult moments arose, Stanley would instinctively know how we as a community needed to respond. He set the gold standard for what was asked of us and what was required of us, and his presence gave people confidence that we would find the right path forward together.”
Perlstein said Roth led not through title or position, but through example.
“If Stanley was ever criticised, it was only that he cared too much, that he wore his heart on his sleeve. But that was his greatness. There will never be another who loved his community and Israel with such authenticity, such intensity, and such openness of heart,” Perlstein said.
“In one of my final meetings with him, he said to me, ‘We can all do more. We can all give more.’ He truly believed that each of us carries a responsibility to step forward for our community and for Israel.”
JCA NSW president Ian Sandler called Roth “a man of remarkable integrity, generosity, and lifelong commitment to our local Jewish community as well as the State of Israel”.
“Stan’s leadership, vision, and quiet strength made a lasting impact on the JCA and the broader communal landscape. His dedication to strengthening Jewish life will be remembered with profound gratitude,” he said.
“His presence, wisdom and quiet strength will be greatly missed by all who knew him. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Stan’s wife Charmaine, their children and grandchildren. Rest in peace, my dear friend. You will always be remembered, and your legacy will live on in the communities you touched”
JCA CEO Alain Hasson said, “We mourn the passing of Stanley Roth AM, a deeply committed communal leader whose generous heart and unwavering dedication strengthened our community and enriched Jewish identity for generations.
“Stanley gave selflessly of his time, wisdom, and spirit, guided by a soul devoted to the Jewish people and to building a vibrant, caring, and connected community. His legacy will continue to inspire all who had the privilege to work with and learn from him. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Charmaine and family, may his memory be forever blessed.”
The Zionist Council of NSW said Roth was widely known for his Jewish and Zionist strength and principle, and for giving tirelessly of his time, resources and wisdom to support communal life.
“Through his leadership and philanthropy, Stanley demonstrated a profound sense of responsibility to the Jewish people, the broader Australian community and the State of Israel. He believed deeply in giving back and in strengthening the institutions that bind communities together,” the council said.
“He will be remembered as a generous, principled and caring man whose contributions will continue to be felt for generations.”
Never Again Is Now founder Mark Leach said Roth and his brother backed him to start up the organisation.
“He was manifestly committed to his family, to the greater good of Sydney, to the Jewish community and to Israel,” Leach said.
Combat Antisemitism Movement Advisory Board member Yigal Nisell said Roth was a natural leader – principled, generous and deeply committed.
“Stanley dedicated his life to the Jewish people in Australia, and his love and passion for the State of Israel were unwavering and inspiring,” Nisell said.
“We spoke often, shared ideas, hopes, and a belief that our work truly matters. His presence, wisdom, and quiet strength will be profoundly missed.”
The Central Synagogue’s Rabbi Levi Wolff wrote on social media, “The Australian community has lost a legend. A man of great principle, passionate and deeply committed to communal life.
Stanley gave tirelessly of his time, resources and wisdom, guided by a profound sense of responsibility to both the Jewish people, the broader Australian community, and the State of Israel. Through his leadership and philanthropy, he strengthened institutions, built bridges, and believed deeply in giving back and contributing to the wellbeing of society as a whole.”
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said he was “devastated” at Roth’s passing.
“He was the rare kind of man who lived three full lives at once, with equal intensity and purpose: loving fiercely as a husband, father and grandfather, building with brilliance in business and a lifelong commitment to the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” Leibler said.
“Stanley was deeply principled and completely genuine. He could be tough when the moment demanded it, but he was always soft-hearted underneath, always guided by responsibility and care. He was one of the first people I went to speak to before I took on the role of president of the Zionist Federation of Australia. He encouraged me, he steadied me, and over the last seven years we remained in close contact. He was a mentor and a friend.”
2023 Foundation founder Michael Scott mourned “a dear friend and mentor”.
“Stanley was a thoroughly decent man. In an age that rewards noise over substance, he was often pilloried by those who had never met him, yet deeply loved and admired by those fortunate enough to enter his circle of trust. He did not seek approval from the mob; he earned loyalty through character — quietly, consistently, and without performance,” he said.
“He was loyal to what mattered: to his family, his community, and his country, Australia. He carried a deep and enduring love for Israel, which is how our paths first crossed and our friendship began. From that foundation came guidance, encouragement, and a living example of what it means to stand firm without becoming hardened.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) expressed profound shock at Roth’s passing, saying Roth was “loved by all his family and greatly respected and admired by vast numbers of friends and colleagues in multiple communities in Australia and Israel,” and calling his loyalty “legendary”.
“Stanley was a true mensch in every sense of the word – a leader, contributor, mentor and activist and a magnanimous philanthropist supporting a great variety of worthwhile causes, including the ECAJ,” the statement read.
“His generosity benefited multiple causes within the Jewish community but also extended to some of the most notable charities in the wider Australian community and to people in need of many backgrounds in several other countries whose plight touched his heart.
“Stanley’s commitment to the causes he believed in was wholehearted. He gave as freely of his time as he did with his financial support. His passing is a huge loss to our community.”
Mark Leibler, who has known Roth for close to three decades said he was proud to have called him a friend.
“Stanley still had so much to give,” Leibler said in a statement to The AJN, attributing the success and strength of UIA NSW in the 1990s to Roth’s “brilliance, organisational ability and leadership. He was not simply a contributor. He was one of its principal architects.
“Stanley was never someone who stood back. He leaned in. He looked for solutions. He took responsibility.
“His commitment to Israel and to Zionism knew no bounds. He supported that cause with vigour, determination and principle, and he did so consistently, year after year. His philanthropy was legendary, not only because of its scale, but because it came with thoughtfulness, urgency and a deep sense of duty.
“Stanley was tenacious in the best sense of the word. If something didn’t look right, he would not let it go. He would keep asking, keep pushing, keep working until it was fixed. He was a man of total integrity, and he was unashamedly principled in everything he set out to do.”
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) described Roth as “a pillar of our Australian Jewish community”.
Roth was an active member of the committee of AIJAC’s Rambam Israel Fellowship Program since its foundation nearly 30 years ago.
“He was a man of unending commitment, service, principle, sage advice and encouragement. His passing will leave a massive hole in our community.”
Greg Shand, President of the Sydney Jewish Museum said Roth and his wife Charmaine have been part of making the museum stronger and more impactful, contributing to the future direction of the museum.
“Stanley was unique in being blessed with extraordinary passion, intelligence and judgement in equal parts. He was doer – not just a talker – and inspired others to follow his example,” he said.
Australian Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) president Tony Ziegler said, “Stanley’s generosity, compassion and unwavering commitment to Israel and Jewish life defined who he was. Together with his family, Stanley made a profound contribution to saving lives in Israel through his support of Magen David Adom, including the donation of a Magen David Adom Medicycle and support for MDA’s new National Blood Bank. These gifts reflect Stanley’s instinctive belief in action, responsibility and care for others, and they will continue to save lives for many years to come.
“Stanley led by example. He gave selflessly, loved deeply, and inspired those around him to do more for their community and for Israel. His loss is felt not only by his beloved family, but by all who were touched by his kindness and leadership.”
Federal Liberal MP Julian Leeser said, “Stanley Roth was an Australian patriot, a proud Jew, and a committed Zionist – clear in his views and strong in his convictions.
Stanley loved the opportunities this country had provided him, his family, and the Jewish people, and he gave back in spades.
Seeing Stanley in action was a masterclass. He was no armchair critic when there was work to be done. He was always prepared to put his shoulder to the wheel for a good cause.”
In a statement, Moriah College mourned the loss of Roth, a “devoted supporter” of the College for many decades.
“Stanley’s commitment to Jewish education was reflected in his leadership as co-chair of the College’s 1992 Capital Appeal, as well as through his ongoing generosity, loyalty and advocacy for Moriah over many years. His contribution helped shape the College and left a lasting legacy within our community.
“Stanley was also widely recognised for his dedication to Jewish communal life in Sydney and in Israel, alongside his beloved wife Charmaine, children Michael, Danielle, Ilana and their families.
“He will be remembered for the way he lived his Jewish values, his love of Judaism and Israel, and his devotion to his family.”
Born in Sydney in 1953 to Jewish refugee parents who had escaped Europe ahead of World War II, Roth qualified as a lawyer and worked in legal practice from 1977 until 1992. After his father, Henry Roth, died in 1993, he stepped away from the law to join his brother John in running the family firm, Henroth Investments.
While remaining a director of the business, Roth devoted significant energy to philanthropy and community engagement. Together, the Roth family carried on their father’s legacy through the Henry R Roth Charitable Foundation, which has supported a broad range of causes, including the University of Sydney, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Moriah College and many other charitable organisations.
He was a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Roth is survived by his wife Charmaine and children Michael, Danielle and Ilana.
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