MAY 6 • 2021 | 15

ing, so everyone’s working 
from home. I felt that since the 
building was closed and, since I 
had ample time to get all of my 
work done and I’m working by 
telephone anyway, I looked at it 
and said, ‘what’s the difference?’
“If I’m doing it from my 
apartment in Birmingham or 
if I’m in the UAE, it’s the same 
phone, and all I’m doing is 
talking on the phone. If you’re 
asked to stay because what 
you’re doing has meaning, I 
just thought what would be the 
reason to come home if I’m just 
going to sit in my living room?”
Bernstein says the idea he 
had no plans to leave Dubai was 
not at all correct. 
“I was there for a specific 
mission to do specific work, 
and then as soon as that work 
was completed, I moved on to 
Israel.
”

AIDING THE DISABLED
Now in Israel, Bernstein says 

the plan is to do the same thing 
as in the UAE, getting people 
excited about the relationship 
with the Emiratis, with disabil-
ity work as the conduit to that 
happening.
Once that happens, the plan 
is for an official delegation from 
Access Israel, a non-govern-
mental nonprofit helping people 
with disabilities better integrate 
into society, to return to the 
UAE and start implementation 
of new programs and services 
for those with disabilities in the 
Arab world. 
Bernstein doesn’t know if he’s 
going back with them but is 
happy to help sign the official 
memorandum between Access 
Israel and the UAE if asked to 
do so. 
Bernstein also said he may 
travel to Uzbekistan and other 
countries as part of the mission 
to promote further opportuni-
ties.
No matter what, when 

the courts open back up in 
Michigan, Bernstein said he’ll 
be there in person.
“Everyone that’s connected 
with the work we’re doing 
understands that the absolute 
second we do anything in per-

son, I’ll be there. This is over, 
and I’m done.
” 
Bernstein is also up for 
reelection next year and plans 
to go full force with the “same 
energy and enthusiasm” as his 
efforts in the Middle East. 

Justice Bernstein visit-
ing Shalva with Kalman 
Samuels. Shalva is the 
Israel Association for Care 
and Inclusion of Persons 
with Disabilities. 

 

People's 
Attorney

The

The role of Michigan’s Attorney General 
in today’s world. 

Thursday, May 20
Thursday, May 20 • 6pm
6pm

Join Legal Referral Service, 
a program of Jewish Family Service, 
as we welcome

Michigan Attorney General
Michigan Attorney General 
Dana Nessel

for a timely discussion on the role of the 
Attorney General and how it impacts us as 
citizens of the state of Michigan.

Q&A to follow

To register for this Zoom event and submit a question, visit jfsdetroit.org/LRS
or contact Emily Croitori at 248.592.2317 or ecroitori@jfsdetroit.org

This program wouldn’t be possible without the
 generosity of the Oakland County Bar Foundation.

