The Jewish Tower

Pros

• Jasmine greets residents with a big smile at the front desk and goes the extra mile to help them.
• The staff are very helpful, nice, friendly, and respectful, making residents feel like family.
• Connie Hill provides exceptional support and kindness, going above and beyond to ensure residents have what they need.
• The entire staff is friendly and helpful, with outstanding service from Jasmine, Erica, and Gal.
• Gal DaFonseca is an outstanding Activities Director who enhances residents' quality of life.
• Marla Feld is an incredible Service Coordinator who guides residents through challenges with care.
• JT, Momar, and Dewayne are responsive maintenance staff who meet residents' needs.
• The Jewish Home Life campus staff are dedicated and compassionate.
• Gal DaFonseca is described as a 5-star Activities Coordinator with a joyful, bright spirit.
• Latonya at Balser Tower is praised for managing the front desk exceptionally and resolving maintenance requests quickly.
• Marla Feld is a highly knowledgeable Director of Residents Service who helps residents navigate problems.
• Gal organizes memorable events, including a wonderful Holiday Gala.
• The Towers are lucky to have Gal as the Activities Director.
• The Jewish Tower at Buckhead is described as a well-kept secret of fine living, with an immaculate property and great staff.
• The property is immaculate and well-managed, with convenient on-site amenities and activities.

Cons

• Building filthy in majority of common areas and too many safety issues continue to be ignored.
• Management changed in 2018; staff no longer helpful or respectful.
• Regular maintenance issues ignored or improperly done.
• Definitely not where you want your family member to spend their last years.
• The renovation process is being just as badly non managed as rest of building.
• Inefficient, uncaring, unprofessional Director finally replaced.
• The elderly are treated like people who don't matter and who don't have any control over their living conditions.
• Rude people to deal with, especially if you lose a loved one.

Review

From the moment you step into the front desk at Zaban and the Jewish Home Life campus in Buckhead, you get a sense that you are entering a community that genuinely cares. Many residents sing the praises of Jasmine, the front-desk ambassador who greets everyone with a big smile and goes the extra mile to help, no matter the issue or question. One resident, D. Pandolph, describes moving in after a challenging time and finding a warm, welcoming environment, with special gratitude to Connie Hill for her exceptional support during the move-in process. The sentiment is echoed across the floor: the staff are not just helpful and friendly; they feel like a part of a supportive extended family that residents look forward to seeing each day.

Across the board, residents highlight a staff culture that is courteous, respectful, and consistently helpful. The impression is that the team isn't simply tending to needs; they are actively enhancing daily life. People speak of care that goes beyond the basics - employees who notice when someone needs assistance, who suggest activities, and who make it their mission to create moments of connection and joy. In addition to Jasmine, many residents give a nod to the broader team: Ms. Erica, Ms. Gal (the Activities Director), and others who contribute to programs and events that residents come to anticipate as part of their routine. The sense of being seen, heard, and valued percolates through countless stories of daytime routines and social activities that feel almost familial, rather than transactional.

The accolades for specific staff members form a recurring thread. Connie Hill stands out for her calm, capable guidance during the move-in process and her ongoing support, with one grateful resident calling her "magnificent" and noting that she went above and beyond to ensure comfort and access to essentials during the transition. Gal DaFonseca, long celebrated as an outstanding Activities Director, is repeatedly described as the person who elevates daily life - from leading engaging programs to guiding residents toward resources both on site and within the Atlanta community. Marla Feld, the Service Coordinator, is praised as knowledgeable and exceptionally capable at helping residents navigate problems and improve their quality of life, with one resident declaring Marla to be the most important person in handling life's challenges. The maintenance team - names like JT, Momar, and Dewayne - also receives frequent thanks for their responsiveness and reliability, underscoring how crucial timely service and communication are to residents' sense of security and comfort.

Residents repeatedly celebrate the breadth of on-site amenities and the rich calendar of activities that keep life vibrant. The campus offers practical conveniences and enjoyable diversions alike: buses that transport residents to grocery stores, dining spots, and events; a cafeteria serving freshly prepared meals; a mini-market for everyday needs; and an array of on-site activities - bingo, crafts, ceramics, painting, movies, and more. The sense of a full, active life is reinforced by mentions of weekly trips, dining opportunities, occasional outings to theaters, and affordable or complimentary in-house gatherings. The transportation service and accessible programming make it feel less like a residence and more like a well-supported, self-contained community designed to keep residents socially engaged and emotionally connected.

Many residents remember the place fondly over long stretches, with some reporting nearly two decades of residency and describing the property as immaculate and well-managed. A recurring refrain is that the property used to be run with a different tone and that recent changes have brought about promises of improvement. Some residents express cautious optimism, noting that while renovations and management changes in recent years have sparked debate, the facility still shines as a "best kept secret of fine living" and remains a place where people feel at home. The sense of renewal is tempered by the recognition that consistent, high-quality care requires ongoing commitment, but for many, the overall experience remains deeply positive and affirming.

Not everything is flawless, however. A portion of reviews paints a more critical, cautionary picture. Some residents describe the building as dirty in many common areas, with safety issues that have been overlooked for too long. They point to management transitions in 2018 and express concern that staff may not be as helpful or respectful as they once were. There are fears that the renovation process has been poorly managed and that some problems are left unresolved or addressed only superficially. Complaints include thoughts that the elderly residents feel neglected or not fully empowered to influence their living conditions, and that the tone of staff interactions can occasionally be dismissive or lacking empathy during difficult times, such as the loss of a loved one. While these concerns cast a shadow, they stand in contrast to the many stories of personal warmth and excellence, reminding readers that experiences can vary within the same community and that ongoing improvement remains a shared goal for residents and leadership alike.

In sum, the tapestry of experiences at this Buckhead campus blends deep appreciation, bright encouragement, and a few cautions. The staff - led by caring front-desk ambassadors like Jasmine and supported by Connie Hill, Gal DaFonseca, Marla Feld, and a dependable maintenance team - consistently elevates daily life through personal attention, responsive service, and a rich calendar of programs. The community thrives on connection, with residents celebrating the convenience of on-site amenities, the energy of regular activities, and the reassurance of thoughtful, capable leadership. Yet it is also clear that there is room for growth: sustained attention to cleanliness, safety, and respectful communication, especially during tough times, will help ensure that every resident feels consistently supported and valued. For many who live here, the balance of warmth, community, and opportunity makes this place feel like home - a place where kindness, effort, and shared moments add up to a genuinely meaningful life.

This part of Atlanta, Georgia, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With multiple hospitals nearby such as Northwest Medical Center and Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, residents have access to quality healthcare services. There are also various dining options including Chick-Fil-A, Houston's, Canoe, and more for enjoyable meals. Additionally, there are cafes like Starbucks and Panera Bread for a relaxing coffee break. Places of worship such as The Church of the Apostles and Second-Ponce De Leon Baptist Church provide spiritual support. Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy are easily accessible for medication needs. Parks like Peachtree Hills Playground and Cochran Shoals offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, while theaters such as AMC Parkway Pointe 15 and Silverspot Cinema provide entertainment options. Nearby physicians at Eye Consultants of Atlanta and Peachtree Orthopedics ensure medical care is within reach. Transportation options like MARTA stations make getting around the area convenient for seniors. Overall, this part of Atlanta provides a well-rounded community with essential services for senior living.

Hospitals

• Northwest Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Piedmont Atlanta Hospital (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.5 miles)
• Houston's (0.8 miles)
• Canoe (2.1 miles)
• Nuevo Laredo Cantina (2.2 miles)
• Mr Cs Bar & Grill (2.4 miles)
• Bold Monk Brewing (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• OK Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Cross Creek Cafe (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks ThD (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks Reserve (5 miles)

Places of Worship

• The Church of the Apostles (0.9 miles)
• Second-Ponce De Leon Baptist Church (2.5 miles)
• St John United Methodist Church (3.3 miles)
• The Temple (3.7 miles)
• Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Peachtree Hills Playground (2.9 miles)
• Fetch Park Buckhead (2.9 miles)
• Westside Park (4.1 miles)
• Cochran Shoals - Chattahoochee River (4.4 miles)
• Morningside-Lenox Park Tennis Courts (5 miles)
• Piedmont Park (5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Parkway Pointe 15 (3.1 miles)
• Phipps Plaza (3.9 miles)
• AMC Theatres Phipps Plz 14 (3.9 miles)
• Silverspot Cinema (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• Eye Consultants of Atlanta (3.2 miles)
• Peachtree Orthopedics (4.2 miles)
• Smyrna Eye Group (4.3 miles)
• Wellstar Medical Group Northwest Women's Care (5 miles)
• Atlanta Behavioral Care (5.1 miles)
• Smyrna Family Medicine (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• MARTA - Lindbergh Center Station (3.6 miles)
• MARTA - Midtown Station (4.7 miles)
• Brookhaven/Oglethorpe University MARTA Rail Station (5.3 miles)
• MARTA - North Avenue Transit Station (5.3 miles)