The Almost Apprentice: An Interview With Lee Bienstock,Elliot Resnick, <i>Jewish Press Staff Reporter</b>

Donald Trump's "apprentice" an Orthodox Jew? Well, almost. On June 5, Trump made his choice from among two finalists on his NBC reality show "The Apprentice" and Lee Bienstock, a 22-year-old Orthodox Jew from Cedarhurst, N.Y., was one of the two.

Though the show aired from February through June, it was actually filmed months earlier beginning in October - the month of the Jewish high holidays. During episode 3, the entire country watched as Bienstock told his team that, due to Rosh Hashanah, he would be unable to contribute to the team's next task.

Bienstock spoke with The Jewish Press about himself and his experiences on "The Apprentice."

The Jewish Press: What's your background?

Bienstock: I grew up in Brooklyn and went to Yeshivah of Flatbush as a kid. Then when my family moved out to Long Island, I went to HAFTR. My mom is Yemenite-Moroccan. I have a chamsa around my neck which I wear all the time.

What made you decide to try out for the show?

I had always liked the show. When it first aired, everyone was telling me I'd be great on it. This is the first season I was even old enough to apply for it. I waited on line and lo and behold, the next thing I know, a month later I'm being cast on the show and I'm actually doing the tasks. Crazy.

Did you think you'd be chosen as one of the contestants?

You know, a million people apply. And they only choose 18. If somebody says, "I knew I was going to be chosen," he or she's a fool. But once I was moving longer and longer into the casting process, they were giving me more of an opportunity to display my characteristics, to tell them about myself, who I am, I'm like, yeah, I'm going to be chosen.

Why do you think you were chosen?

I think certainly my education. Also, I have this kind of New York, Brooklyn toughness about me that you don't really see on the show. I think the reason I made it to the end is because I think Trump liked it so much.

What did you do when you found out that one of the tasks was scheduled for Rosh Hashanah and how did the other contestants react to your decision?

When you have a task on Rosh Hashanah, that's it. You can't work, you can't do it. People were very understanding. But it made me a marked man. I had to deliver ten times more than everyone else on the rest of the tasks. It's possible that that could have weighed on whether I was hired or not.

Some people complained that you hurt the team and shouldn't have joined the show if you couldn't fully participate. What's your response?

I had no idea what the schedule was going to be. When they were filming the task on Rosh Hashanah, they had a hard time acquiring things. So many of these vendors were closed, especially in Long Island and New York City. So I didn't know it was going to be that much of an issue, but I was prepared for it. That's the reason why I stood up the most to be project manager. I wanted to step it up.

Was being observant on the show harder or easier than you expected?

It was certainly harder. I expected it to be difficult and that was one of my main concerns going in. People are going to know I'm Jewish, and given the nature of the show, you have to get the most money and you have to strategize - you know, all the stereotypes Jews have. I was very sensitive to that.

Kosher food - I lost 20 lbs on the show, and I'm a thin guy. I have no idea from where I lost it. In New York it's easy to get kosher food, but when you're doing a task you're not going say to your team, "Listen, I know there's a pizza store right at the corner but we can drive fifteen minutes and go get kosher food." You just can't do it. So I just didn't eat. That was very difficult. My fast this Yom Kippur was the easiest I ever had because I was used to not eating anyway.

Did you have kosher food in the Trump suite where you stayed?

Yes. They would bring in raw meat and I would cook it. They brought in a Foreman grill for me.

What was Donald Trump's reaction to your Orthodox observance?

He was very accommodating. Amazing. He respects the strength, respects the principle. It was very relieving, because at the end of the day if he wasn't receptive toward it, that's it.

Did you consider wearing a yarmulke for the show?

That was a difficult consideration for me. I really was sensitive. I really didn't want to be overt, like in people's face 24/7. Certainly people knew I was Jewish. I didn't need to remind them. A lot of businesspeople in New York don't wear a kippah and it's acceptable.

Some Jews worry when other Jews appear in the limelight. They feel non-Jews might become jealous, resentful, etc.

Lets face it. There were six Jews on the show. We're one percent of the population, yet we're a third of the cast of a show of successful business people in a corporate country. Even if I weren't Jewish, people are still jealous. I try not to think about that too much.

Do you see any tension in being an Orthodox Jew and a successful businessman?

I don't see it, to be honest with you. I have been working now, in corporate America, about 20 months. It's never really been an issue. In fact, people really respect it. At the end of the day, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, any of the chaggim roll around, I just use my vacation time.

Whom do you look up to for inspiration?

I look up to my parents. My parents are very supportive. Everything I have I owe to them basically. My upbringing was great, my education. They sacrificed everything for me.

In the past few years we've seen several Orthodox Jews in the public eye - vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman, schoolboy basketball star Tamir Goodman, reggae singer Matisyahu, etc. How do you view that development?

I think its great. When people learn about something, they become less ignorant about it, less hateful toward it. Matisyahu is a great example. He's just shattering barriers left and right and people love his music, respect him.

You recently spoke at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. What was your message to the students there?

You know, kids, when they are younger, try to make themselves similar to everybody else. And I kept telling the kids, if you want to be successful, you have to be different. If you are the same as everyone else, you are not going to be successful.

What are your plans?

I'll be going around speaking all over the country for various organizations, student groups, Jewish organizations, corporations. I'm fielding a lot of different job offers, Trump included. I'm actually going to be talking to him this week. And I'll be writing a book about living under pressure and being young and successful in business.

I'm the luckiest guy alive. I thank God every day for everything - especially for my great family who put a lot into me, who wanted me to reach my potential. I'm very thankful for that.

Read Comments (0)

The Almost Apprentice: An Interview With Lee Bienstock , Elliot Resnick, <i>Jewish Press Staff Reporter</b>