Blaze Bernstein’s parents, heartbroken by the tragic m*rder of their son, have dedicated their lives to honoring his memory by spreading love and kindness and raising awareness about the dangers of hate and violence.
He was a vibrant, full-of-promise young man who found his creative and intellectual curiosity fostered from a very young age at the Orange County School of the Arts.
Highlights
- Blaze Bernstein was a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania and was a proud gay and Jewish person.
- His father, Gideon Bernstein, is working hard, advocating and fighting for his son.
- Bernstein’s mother, Jeanne Pepper, was a lawyer, but now she handles a podcast.
Bernstein was a very caring and humorous kid; his curious mind meant much to him, and he felt proud being gay and Jewish and inspiring others with this.
At the time of his tragic d*ath, he was a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was pursuing a pre-medical track while majoring in psychology.
This d*ath was an unnecessary shock to him and his family, as well as his community, yet served to point out some of the still-occurring hate crimes and extremism.
Blaze Bernstein was born to his father, Gideon Bernstein, an equity partner with leisure capital management
Gideon Bernstein is a father and a beacon of resilience and hope. He channeled his love for his late son, Blaze Bernstein, into a mission that inspires countless lives.
Moreover, the young man was a person with a passion for cooking and writing who tragically lost his life in 2018 to a senseless act of violence rooted in hatred.
Blaze Bernstein: A Diary of Hate (Part 2), is now available on all podcast platforms. We’re still waiting for this case to go to trial, but we’re thinking of Blaze’s parents and hoping they get their day in court soon. pic.twitter.com/P63ERgdBN9
— Crime Weekly (@CrimeWeeklyPod) April 8, 2022
Mr Bernstein and his wife transformed this tragedy into a powerful catalyst for change.
Through their son’s Memorial Fund and tireless advocacy, his dad works to inspire kindness, acceptance, and celebration of diversity so Blaze’s light will continue to shine.
Furthermore, the sophomore’s dad, from Costa Mesa, California, United States, became a voice against hate crimes, advocating for inclusion and speaking to communities, schools, and organizations.
Also, Mr Bernstein shared a heartfelt message on his Facebook, expressing his pain and sorrow for losing his son.
2555 DaysThat’s how many days it’s been since we lost Blaze.How do you measure seven years?Is it by what you’ve lost? Or what you’ve gained?Is it by the things you didn’t do? Or the things you achieved?Is it by the time wasted or time well spent?Is it by regrets or gratitude?
Jeanne Pepper: A Mother Of Blaze Bernstein Is Advocating For her Son Through “Blaze It Forward”
Jeanna Pepper Bernstein, a very devoted mother and Managing director of the “Blaze It Forward” movement, had turned personal tragedy into a beacon of hope.
After the tragic m*rder of her son Blaze Bernstein in 2018, she co-founded “Blaze It Forward” as a tribute to his legacy through compassion, creativity, and inclusiveness.
When the missing teen’s family discovers Blaze Bernstein last chatted with someone named Sam Woodward, they decide to take matters into their own hands and call him. Would they learn anything about their missing son?
Stream #ABC2020 “The Last Text” this weekend on Hulu. pic.twitter.com/ZTPEReFI7b
— 20/20 (@ABC2020) January 4, 2025
Mrs. Bernstein uses her platform to spark crucial social justice conversations about how hatred can only be combated by love, including podcast hosting, writing, and community involvement.
Also, Pepper leverages her legal background combined with communications to generate thought-provoking content and events to help others rally in a united front against h*te.
The boy’s mother, who is originally from the United States of America, works tirelessly to bring change to the community.
Whether hosting her podcast, “PepTalks,” or working with volunteer networks, Pepper’s work has ensured that her son’s light continues to shine in many lives.
Additional Information
- Blaze Bernstein was stabbed a total of 20 times: 14 in the left side of his neck, five in the right side, and even in the knee.
- The m*derer, Samuel Woodward, was linked to a neo-Nazi extremist group with strong anti-gay sentiment.
- Bernstein’s body was discovered in a shallow grave in Borrego Park, California, days after his disappearance.
