Princeton-bound Isaac Bernstein hopes to continue making change
'My life motto thus far has been just find things that I really am passionate about, and try to impact people and make change in those areas'
An Upper St. Clair student dedicated to education and advocacy is heading to Princeton University this fall. Before getting there, Isaac Bernstein, 18, will continue imparting the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Last summer, Bernstein was one of 20 American students selected to join 20 peers in Japan.
The High School Diplomats program enabled participants to “really talk about cultural differences,” he said.
Among the primary differences between the U.S. and Japan, is “intensity,” according to the teen.
“America is definitely a more intense place. People are really inspired to go where they want to go and they’re not afraid to kind of push and shove to get there, in a sense, both literally and physically,” he said. “What was really honorable about [people in] Japan — and that I’ve tried to adopt in my own life in a sense — is they know they’re going to get where they need to be, and they’re very relaxed, they’re very respectful. They don’t talk in public places on the phone.”
Bernstein told the Chronicle that he’s trying to “be more grounded.”
At the same time, he is focused on increasing awareness about food insecurity.
The City of Pittsburgh maintains that “food insecurity exists when a family is unable to provide enough food for each member of their household to live a healthy, active life.”
Within the city, one in five residents is food insecure, according to officials.
Bernstein, who was bar mitzvahed at Temple Emanuel of South Hills, has combated the issue since April 2020 by operating Plates for Pitt.
To date, he’s raised nearly $46,000 — the equivalent of 206,000 meals — for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, he said.
Bernstein’s efforts were among the reasons he was named a 2024 Coca-Cola Scholar. The honor, which involved a celebration in Atlanta weeks ago, comes with a $20,000 college scholarship.
Bernstein and the other 149 awardees were selected from an initial pool of more than 103,800 applications, according to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Recipients not only “exemplify superior leadership, service and academics, they are change agents, positively affecting others in their communities.”
The suburban teen, who was also recognized by the Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame last week for his accomplishments in inline hockey, told the Chronicle the accolades are humbling.
“I’m very fortunate to be able to have the resources to involve myself in such activities,” he said. “My life motto thus far has been just find things that I really am passionate about, and try to impact people and make change in those areas.”
Bernstein begins a new journey this fall but said he doesn’t expect to alter course: “What I will continue to do for the rest of my life is find things that I really strive to become involved in, and just try to touch and impact people.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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