By Andrew Coen
The party for the "Apprentice" finale was held on June 5, when the Five Towns was thrown into the national spotlight as NBC-TV twice cut in with live shots showing the crowd of more than 400 packed into the firehouse in an event that raised $1,965.
Trump ended up choosing Bienstock's competitor, Sean Yazbeck, a 33-year-old London native who now lives in the United States. The billionaire mogul's decision drew loud groans from the crowd gathered in the firehouse, which then went suddenly silent.
Thanks to community
Bienstock, the runner-up on the hit reality show, returned to his hometown on June 28 to present a $2,000 check to Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Chief Edward Koehler.
"This is really for the firehouse and in recognition of the firefighters and what they do for the community," said Bienstock as he presented the check to the chief.
Bienstock, a graduate of the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School, thanked the community for supporting him and pointed out that NBC officials told him the crowd gathered at the Lawrence-Cedarhurst firehouse on June 5 was five times larger than any other hometown party the reality show has filmed.
"Without their support, it wouldn't have been possible," said Bienstock of how the community helped contribute to his success on the show. "It was so amazing."
"Every dollar helps," said Martin Oliner, Lawrence village trustee and fire commissioner, referring to the donation. "The guys at the fire department are doing just an incredible job."
Bienstock majored in policy analysis and management at Cornell University, graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average. He was chosen to be on the reality show in March, along with 17 other candidates. Bienstock, who was born in Brooklyn and whose family moved to Lawrence seven years ago, arrived on the show only months after graduating from Cornell and landing a job as a business analyst with Merrill Lynch in Manhattan. He currently works as a global management analyst and has done numerous volunteer work in his young life, including assisting at a day treatment program for the mentally ill, offering time at soup kitchens and teaching fourth-grade children in an inner-city school. He lives in Manhattan but often visits his family in the Five Towns and attends services at his synagogue, Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence.
In an interview after presenting the check to the fire department, Bienstock said the weeks following the finale have been "overwhelming" with numerous media requests and speaking engagements. He said he has a lot of potential job offers, including one possibly working for Trump, who he has continued to stay in touch with. Bienstock is also writing a book about being young in corporate America and not holding anything back.
"People stop me in the street all the time," said Bienstock of the fan reaction he has received. "It's been more than hectic since the show ended."
Comments about this story? Acoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
