Jewish Tower to Be Renamed Upon Completion of Historic Renovation
Jewish HomeLife will rename one of its HUD-subsidized independent living communities at a ceremony on Sunday, May 19. Currently known as The Jewish Tower, the 200 apartment high rise in Buckhead will become The Meyer and Roslyn Balser Tower, in honor of one of its founding families.
The renaming of the 46-year-old building follows a transformational renovation undertaken by Jewish HomeLife after assuming ownership in 2019. Phase one of the renovation was underwritten by HUD, which covered renovations 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.
A fundraising campaign has been quietly underway to help Jewish HomeLife 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.
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.
“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,” said President and CEO Jeffrey A. Gopen. “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.”
Ron Balser recalls fondly, “When Dad was in his 90’s, 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.
This is what my Dad would say about the gift…’it is a gift from the heart, not from the pocketbook.’”