In June 2004, Burstein was appointed to serve on the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Burstein served as chair of the Education Committee, and as a member of the Election Law Revision Committee, the Capital Budgeting and Planning Commission, and the Public Employees Relations Study Commission.
[3] In what The New York Times described as a "surprising victory", Nicholas S. Mastorelli of Secaucus, New Jersey, won the Democratic primary in June 1978 for the nomination to run for the house seat of Harold C. Hollenbeck in New Jersey's 9th congressional district.
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2010, Burstein received the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for his bravery on the battlefield as a soldier fighting the Germans on French territory during World War II.
Burstein was also the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for his service in World War II.