Jewish HomeLife recently renamed one of our HUD-subsidized independent living communities at a ceremony on Sunday, May 19. Formerly known as The Jewish Tower, the 200 apartment high rise in Buckhead was renamed The Meyer and Roslyn Balser Tower, in honor of one of its founding families and true pillars of Atlanta’s Jewish community.
The renaming of the 46-year-old building follows a transformational renovation undertaken by Jewish HomeLife after assuming ownership in 2019. Underwritten by HUD, Phase One renovations covered enhancements to individual apartments and structural items, such as roof, HVAC and plumbing. Phase Two begins this fall and includes updates to all common area spaces and elevator lobbies.
Jewish HomeLife quietly launched a fundraising campaign to underwrite the cost of Phase Two, which is not covered by HUD. Atlanta business icons and philanthropists Ron and Barbara Balser recognized an opportunity to fund the work in honor of Ron’s parents, Meyer and Roslyn, who identified a need in the Jewish community for independent senior housing nearly five decades ago.
Jewish HomeLife has been taking care of Atlanta’s older adults since 1951 with the opening of The William Breman Jewish Home, our flagship Medicare and Medicaid skilled nursing home. Since that time we have grown the breadth and depth of our support services as the needs of Atlanta’s aging population have evolved. Guided by Jewish values like Honoring our Mothers and Fathers, we serve all, regardless of income level, religion, race or ethnicity.
Meyer Balser served as President of The William Breman Jewish Home from 1974-1977. During his tenure, he and other board members made multiple trips to Washington D.C. to secure HUD funding to build this much-needed facility. In 1978, the Jewish Tower opened with Meyer serving as President for the next 20 years, creating a legacy that ensures high quality housing for seniors at any income level will be available for generations.
Ron Balser recalls fondly, “When Dad was in his 90s, he would get in his car with that famous Meyer Balser smile on his face and say…’ I’m going down to the Jewish Home to sign checks and talk to the old folks.’ He did this for 20 years.
According to Ron, his dad would say this gift… “is a gift from the heart, not from the pocketbook.”
This magnanimous donation truly demonstrates the generosity of a historic Atlanta family. Ron and Barbara Balser and the entire Balser family will help make a dream come true for hundreds of seniors in Atlanta. This gift makes it possible for Jewish Homelife to recommit to providing high-quality housing for independent seniors, no matter their income level, for generations to come.
