‘More in common than in difference’

NY man insists communication, kindness are needed for better world

By Anna Jauhola
Jonathan “Jonnie” Zoesman drove into Kittson County last week with no idea he’d quickly be the topic of conversation. His Tesla with a miniature satellite dish on top made him stand out in Hallock so much that a few phone calls landed him talking with the local police officer, and soon the local reporter.
The 72-year-old Petersburg, N.Y., man had just returned to the United States from a year of traveling Canada in his electric car, which he’d converted into a movie studio and living space. He is making a movie focused on great love and tragic loss, but his mission has morphed into something more profound.
While his Tesla was the immediate topic of conversation, his motive changed the narrative.
“I thought my story would end in Canada,” Zoesman said. “But parts of it are in Ohio and eastern Canada. But I don’t think my story ever ends. It keeps giving with all the beautiful people I meet.”
Connecting with people has been central to his journey over the last year. From relying on the kindness of strangers to charge his vehicle when there were no stations, to learning more about the homelessness epidemic, Zoesman is working to spread his message of living life to the fullest.
Jonnie’s Story
In the 1970s, Zoesman and his partner, Maggie Goldberg, were disenchanted with how ugly the world had become. They moved to the wilderness in Canada, near Dawson City, Yukon. They lived in a log cabin and found their own paradise.
In 1972, they were overjoyed when they brought a little boy into the world, under the Northern Lights and appropriately named him Aurora. Unfortunately, he was the first tragedy as the baby died. Later they discovered he had a congenital condition that cut his life short.
After Aurora was buried, Zoesman and Goldberg moved east into the Northwest Territories. On a fine summer’s day, the couple took a raft they built onto a nearby river and floated along until they happened upon a boat, which they boarded. When the boat caught fire, the couple were forced out and stranded on an island. Zoesman said they tried to cross the river, but Goldberg was taken by the undercurrent.
“She disappeared in the river,” he said. “I never saw her again.”
He has wanted to share this story for years. When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, Zoesman saw his opportunity. He had studied film on his own for years with this story as the focus. Taking that information, along with a passion for changing the world, Zoesman bought a Tesla, retrofitted it as part movie studio and part camper. He has a Macbook Pro for editing, a camera for video and stills, tripods and so on. He insulated the vehicle for extra warmth, included a bed and even a coffee pot and cooking burner.
Then he headed back to where his story began.
He had never been to his baby’s gravesite, which is near Whitehorse, Yukon. He gathered at least 10 people and said a Jewish prayer on the anniversary of Aurora’s death. This began his journey through the Arctic in a Tesla in the dead of winter, which makes quite a bit of sense as there are free electric vehicle charging stations throughout the Yukon, he said.
He has traveled 2,800 miles without paying for power, between the charging stations and people who allowed him to charge at their homes when there wasn’t a station, he said.
Along his journey, Zoesman found resolution and peace for himself. But he also found unexpected connections with people who offered their help and friendship. The further west he traveled, there were fewer charging stations and he often “relied on the kindness of strangers” to let him charge his vehicle, offer him a meal and some companionship.
“It taught me to connect to the present,” he said. “How to talk to people, and learning how to bring them closer together.”
Finding another passion
A part of his journey took him into Alaska where he saw a terrible homelessness problem, particularly in Anchorage. In speaking with several people, Zoesman found homelessness is a vicious cycle. Someone loses a job, so they lose their home, then on the street they lose their identification so they can’t receive benefits, find housing or get another job. Many develop addictions and can’t get help because they have no identification and can’t get a job.
“The government’s mentality is the homeless have to pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” he said.
In complete contrast, as he began his journey home through Canada and met a disabled man who had five people caring for him. These caregivers were assigned to him through the Canadian healthcare system, Zoesman said. In visiting with one of his caregivers, Zoesman found them to be happy caring for the bright, uncommunicative man who would otherwise be in an institution.
He said that’s the type of caring we all need to share with each other to make the world a better place.
“We need each other. We need to talk to each other,” he said.
Heading Home
As Zoesman got closer to the U.S. border, he thought he’d make his way across Ontario, but found there weren’t many electric vehicle charging stations. He stopped at Tolstoi, Manitoba, where he visited with many people in the community. But in his queries and internet searches, he found it would be better to cross back into the U.S. at Pembina and head south.
On Sunday, April 7, Zoesman made his way to C&M Ford in Hallock where he charged his vehicle at the dealership using one of their free chargers. This led to a coffee shop visit on Monday, April 8 and initiated many conversations.
“I really like the people,” he said. “New York isn’t as cozy. Here, if you pass someone on the street, generally if you smile at them, they smile back. But in New York, people would just as soon not look at you at all.”
He spent the morning in Hallock and then made his way to Lake Bronson to see the Kittson County Museum, and then made his way south. He hoped to visit the homeless shelter in Fargo to learn more about their mission. Then he’ll make his way home to see his wife, Jean.
“We all have more in common than we do in difference,” he said. “We just need to look for it.”
He hopes his movie can help spread the message of coming together and leaning on one another to make the world better.