Profile Text
Birth Name: Louis Bernstein
Date of Birth: August 25, 1918
Place of Birth: Lawrence, Essex, Massachusetts, U.S.
Date of Death: October 14, 1990
Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
Leonard Bernstein was an American conductor, composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian.
Leonard was the son of Jennie (Resnick) and Samuel Joseph Bernstein, who owned The Samuel J. Bernstein Hair Company; which was popular, and held exclusive distribution rights to the Frederick’s Permanent Wave Machine. His parents were Jewish emigrants, from Rovno, Russian Empire, now Ukraine. He legally changed his first name to Leonard when he was eighteen.
He was married to stage and television actress Felicia Montealegre, until her death, with whom he had three children. Felicia was born in San José, Costa Rica, to an American father, who was of half Ashkenazi Jewish and half English descent, and a Chilean/Hispanic mother. Felicia converted to Judaism when marrying Leonard.
Leonard’s paternal grandfather was Yehuda Yudel/Idel/Judka/”Judah” Bernstein (the son of Bezalel/Betzalel “Charles” Berenstein/Bernstein and Chaia/Chaye Lemberg). Yehuda was born in Ozeran/Ozeryany, Dubno, Volhynia.
Leonard’s paternal grandmother was named Dina Malamud/Melamed (the daughter of Israel Melamed/Malamud). Dina was born in Pereezd, Novgorod Oblast.
Leonard’s maternal grandfather was named Samuel Simcha Resnick (the son of Joseph Resnick). Samuel was born in Wolhynien.
Leonard’s maternal grandmother was named Pearl/Perel Zorfas (the daughter of Louis Eliezer Zorfas and Charna). Pearl was born in Wolhynien.
Source: Genealogy of Leonard Bernstein – https://www.geni.com