Alexander Schechter’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to making a meaningful impact in people’s lives. His journey began in the former Soviet Union, where his passion for the medical field took root at a young age.
At just 16, while still in high school, Alexander took a position as a nurse aide in the oncology department’s post-op room. This pivotal role gave him firsthand experience of compassionate care’s power. He saw healthcare providers’ critical role in a patient’s recovery, deepening his desire to pursue a medical career. Alexander hoped this path would eventually lead him to become a doctor, but life had different plans.
At the age of 18, Alexander decided to emigrate to Israel. There, he continued his education in Jerusalem. However, as he progressed, he realized dentistry wasn’t his calling. A brief internship in the United States confirmed that Alexander was destined to help people on a broader scale.
Alexander took on various jobs to support himself, including construction, moving, and working at a furniture store. His time at the furniture store ended with an unexpected twist: one of the store owners, in a moment of candid encouragement, told Alexander, “I’m firing you so you can do something more significant with your life.” This dismissal pushed Alexander to seek a new, more fulfilling direction.
That pivotal moment came when a friend, who was leaving a translating job at a home healthcare company, recommended Alexander for the role, knowing his fluency in Hebrew and Russian and recognizing his medical background. This position, translating for a certified home healthcare agency in Massachusetts, changed everything. Accompanying a nurse on home visits, Alexander helped bridge communication gaps for patients, many of whom struggled with language barriers. Alexander truly understood the unique challenges ethnic communities face in accessing quality healthcare.
Recognizing the pressing need for culturally and linguistically competent care, Alexander developed a groundbreaking idea: to create specialized care programs tailored to various ethnic communities. His employer allowed him to lead this initiative, and Alexander built a network of referral partners while recruiting nurses who understood their patients’ language and culture. The program became a huge success, resonating deeply with patients and families.
Even as Alexander thrived in this role, life took another turn when he was invited to join the marketing department of a high-tech engineering company. Although unfamiliar with the field, Alexander embraced the challenge, improving his computer skills and understanding of the industry. When his supervisor left to work at a new company, he invited Alexander to join his team. Unfortunately, after just two years, the startup went out of business, leaving Alexander again at a crossroads.
Around this time, Alexander identified a burgeoning market: sunless tanning. Initially, he planned to buy and resell sunless tanning products in Russia and Eastern Europe through a chain of cosmetic stores. However, after testing various samples, Alexander found the quality of the products lacking. Determined to make a difference, he collaborated with a friend who owned a small biotech company, spending six months developing a superior product from scratch. Their efforts paid off, and within two years, their sunless tanning products were being sold in over 20 countries, establishing them as leaders in the professional sunless tanning market.
Despite this success, Alexander couldn’t shake the feeling that his true calling lay in healthcare. In 2008, he decided to return to the field, sold his cosmetic manufacturing company, and founded Ezra Home Care in Newton, MA. His mission was simple yet profound: to provide exceptional care by treating clients as he would his loved ones.
Starting a business from scratch in the highly competitive home care industry was no easy feat, but Alexander was fully committed. He was involved in every aspect of the business—from building partnerships and cold calling to scheduling shifts and stepping in as a caregiver when needed.
In 2010, Alexander founded the Meir Schechter Holocaust Survivor’s Program to honor the memory of his beloved grandfather—the program aimed to assist Holocaust survivors with complex physical, mental, and emotional needs.
One story from Ezra’s early days stands out. When a caregiver missed a shift, a quadriplegic Jewish client was left without assistance on Passover. Understanding the urgency of the situation, Alexander stepped in personally to help. What began as a stressful moment became a memorable and meaningful Passover celebration, highlighting Alexander’s unwavering dedication to the people he serves.
In 2017, Alexander expanded his vision by founding another home care company in the Springfield area of Massachusetts, which focused on serving multicultural communities.
Alexander Schechter’s journey—from a young boy studying dentistry in Russia and Israel to the founder of successful senior home care companies—demonstrates the power of resilience, adaptability, and purpose. His story reminds us that even life’s unexpected turns can lead to profound opportunities. As the demand for senior care continues to grow,
Alexander’s journey inspires as an example of what is possible when you dedicate yourself to serving others with compassion and commitment. But Alexander’s work, like the mission of Ezra Home Care, is far from finished.
