Jonathan Bernstein died on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at his home on Martha’s Vineyard, surrounded by his loving family.
He was a film producer, business owner, and real estate agent. A man of warmth, gentle nature, passion, and wisdom, and an engaging conversationalist, Jonathan brought enthusiasm to everyone around him and his greater Island community. He loved storytelling, music, filmmaking, Broadway, and simple pleasures like enjoying the Vineyard’s pastoral charms and swimming in Seth’s Pond.
Jonathan played many roles in his community. He was a member of the Hebrew Center, serving as treasurer for five years, and was a valued real estate agent, Island guide, business owner, and friend. He cofounded Our Island Club (Buy Local MV), a membership card service for year-round residents of Martha’s Vineyard, that offers meaningful discounts to help make the local cost of living more affordable. Charity donations were made yearly on behalf of the club to Island organizations and scholarship funds. Since 2005, he managed Our Island Club along with his family and business partner. Jonathan served the Island community through his work with the Food Pantry, MVTV, and in real estate, initially at Tea Lane Associates, and most recently as an agent with Kendall & Kendall Real Estate. He founded a banking program at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School, to encourage financial literacy and planning for students.
Before moving to Martha’s Vineyard, Jonathan enjoyed a 30-year career as a filmmaker and producer. Born on Jan. 30, 1946, in Manhattan, he grew up in Westchester, where he became an avid moviegoer and TV viewer. Jonathan began working in the film industry in New York, and was accepted into the first class of the Directors Guild of America Training Program.
His first assignment as a DGA trainee was on the production of “A Separate Peace,” based on the novel by John Knowles. Jonathan went on to work as an associate producer, production manager, and producer on many television projects and films in New York and Los Angeles. Notably, he was executive producer of “The Chosen,” based on the novel by Chaim Potok (which won Best Picture at the World Film Festival); was associate producer of “Hopscotch”; and producer of the Academy Award–nominated film “Testament.” While in Los Angeles, Jonathan held the position of senior vice president of production at Fox Night at the Movies, and then senior vice president of special projects and research at Fox. From 1996 to 2002, he was chairman of the board of CyberSchool, Inc., an online education platform for students with learning disabilities and special needs. Jonathan himself was a late-diagnosed dyslexic, and overcame his challenges with the education system to forge his own career success.
Jonathan met his wife, Jill, while producing the miniseries “Roses Are For the Rich.” They were married in Miami in 1991. After many years in Los Angeles, they moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 2000 with their children. They lived in Menemsha before moving to their current home in West Tisbury. He loved living on Martha’s Vineyard.
Jonathan is survived by his devoted wife, Jill, and their three children, Jenna, Joshua, and Julian, as well as his sister, Susan Bernstein (Daniel Kleinman), and many adoring nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Barbara Melman Bernstein and Sidney Bernstein.
A beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, Jonathan was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life and memorial service will take place on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, 130 Center St., Vineyard Haven.
