Wall of Testimony

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A NEW SEASON IS BEGINNING - "My Tribute to the late Norman J. Bernstein" 

Norman was more than just a man who happened to be Jewish. He was my friend, a brother in the faith, and my spiritual uncle (as a Mordechai) and mentor. --He was “a precious gift and soul” from our Lord to both Jew and Gentile in this life. After all these years I am still learning to understand why we came into each other's lives, but the convergence and intersection of events are finally here. 

His ministry of the Ruach was "to counsel the whole man” - body, soul, and spirit, as he would always say, and poignantly coined, and he did just that. Giving up his legal position as town attorney in Windsor, CT, and leaving secular affairs to evangelize the gospel from Vermont to Florida, Norman was a relentless and tireless servant of Christ who received donations in lieu of a prosperous suburban life to share his unique presentation of the Gospel, which was both didactic and dynamic in nature. 

His artistic literature, which always included scriptures and a call to salvation - was shared on highways, at gas stations, diners, parks, and basically anywhere that people could be found. Norman met and touched countless lives with the Gospel throughout this country and even from the seat of his minivan! Traveling the eastern seaboard with only his little doggie, Laddie, as a companion, after the death of the love of his life and late wife, Rebekah Bernstein (d. 2006).

It was the spring of 2008, just after returning to the state of CT from a “tour of duty” that his worn-down van ran out of steam in front of my community building, at that time, in Hartford. I remember the staff running upstairs saying, “There’s this guy out front that needs help, we think his car ran out of gas!” My first thought was, “What else is new, everyone needs our help that’s why we’re here.” I had absolutely no idea who this guy actually was, after such a fuss, but it would turn out to be a providential, God-ordained appointment in real-time.  

As he slowly made his way up a couple flights of stairs, I absolutely couldn’t believe that it was Norman Bernstein who walked into my office. This was a man whom I had met only once, just months after giving my life to Christ in 2001, and was known as an angel on two legs to many, as someone who helped with high profile cases - taking only donations for services - and who prevailed in victory when juxtaposed to the infamous and notorious Judge Howard Scheinblum of Enfield Superior Court (Enfield, CT). This is no small thing! Our new journey would now officially begin. 

Norman was born in New Haven, CT on March 22, 1926, and he would frequently tell me jokes and stories of his early years growing up in a non-observant Jewish home, never really knowing anything about his spiritual lineage or cultural inheritance as a Jewish boy. He mentioned briefly that his father was absent and he loved playing football, still even at the age of 82 (in 2008). He also had to have enjoyed ‘charming the ladies’ after seeing him in action during his golden years. 

Norman received his degree in Chemistry from Yale University (New Haven, CT) in 1948 and was also a classmate of the late President George H. W. Bush. He would later earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law in Hartford, CT. A lifetime memory for me was being invited by him to attend his 2008, 60th-year class reunion at Yale. 

My most cherished memory was the precious classmates, who still remained so witty and elegant in their late seventies and eighties, showing me so much love, even though I was the only person of color in the entire facility at the time --who was not serving food! :) They raised several million dollars that night for their endowment within just a couple of hours, however, being with Norman to help him share our faith together was absolutely priceless. (I love and miss him so much!❤️)

As both Attorney at Law and evangelist of Jesus Christ, Norman was a scribe, an artist, a poet, a minister, and a man of letters who was determined to preach and evangelize the gospel to every creature who would listen - and by any means, he did. 

Most especially important to him, which he would scream and shout about (and even at me) on a regular basis was that “God wants 6,155,000 Jews back in Israel right now!” to which I had very little response or answer as a young 'Gentile' minister in training! (We'd have much more to talk about now! lol)

He also asked for, "One first-class ticket to Tel Aviv!" after Obama was elected, to which I wished I could join him. He also insisted that Biden's very name meant judgment in Hebrew. (He was quite a prophet too!)

Norman also introduced me to Robert Murray M’Cheyne who had a tremendous impact on him and was a source of great inspiration in ministry. Norman left us all not only a legacy, but a charge to share his life’s work with the world when he joined his late wife Rebecka in "that great cloud of Witness" he would always refer to, in 2010. As the divine timing of the Lord has finally arrived, "to spring forth!" this will be an exciting and revelatory experience in which I hope you will join in and participate. www.shalompublishing.com

With deep gratitude and love,

Deborah