Zoe Tesser

Traditional Congregation

Zoe wanted to work with the elderly. She used to visit her great-grandmother in Florida and loved the times she spent with her. Great-Grandma Beatrice lived to be 100 years old and was in an assisted living center for the last six months of her life.

After reading about volunteer opportunities at the Crown Center for Senior Living in the Jewish Light, Zoe, daughter of Lori and Paul Tesser of Chesterfield, knew this would be the perfect mitzvah project for her, a way to honor her great-grandmother.

Spending every Monday afternoon at the Crown Center was the highlight of Zoe’s week. For seven months she helped set tables in the dining room, serve the residents their meals, as well as clean the trays and dishes after dinner. She also brought meals up to those residents that ate in their own room.

Zoe looked forward to seeing all the residents. Florence Schachter, Director of Resident and Community Services, said she related very well to all of them and they loved having her there. “Zoe was very comfortable speaking to all the older adults; she added a spirit to the atmosphere and was fun to be with,” Schachter said. Eventually, Zoe became friendly with the caterer, John Rubin, and he allowed her to be in the kitchen and assist with the prep work.

At times, Zoe would spend a few extra minutes with the residents she delivered meals to. She would help them open their milk cartons and assist them with whatever they needed. So, when one passed away, Zoe was very affected.

A student at Parkway Central Middle School, Zoe gained so much from her mitzvah project, including patience, generosity and compassion. “Being with these older people made me feel warm and fuzzy,” she said. “They made me feel like family, like I was connected to my great-grandmother. I knew that older adults should be respected and I realized how cute, funny, sensitive, and loving they are too,” she continued.

In addition to volunteering her time, Zoe also made a generous donation from her bat mitzvah gifts to the Crown Center. Her mother said that this was Zoe’s way of giving to a population that she feels comfortable with. “She honors my grandmother everyday,” Lori Tesser said.

The Gladys & Henry Crown Center for Senior Living, in University City, offers affordable apartments, utilities included, for senior adults who meet selection criteria. Amenities include an onsite beauty salon, library and computer center as well as kosher dining, bus transportation, and social services. Nikki Goldstein is the Executive Director.