Hi, I’m Dean Bratslavsky. When I had my Bar Mitzvah, I wanted to mark this important milestone by making a real difference. Instead of keeping the gifts I received, I decided to start Together With Dean — a nonprofit dedicated to helping children affected by conflict in Ukraine and Israel. I also decided that the right thing to do was to donate all my Bar Mitzvah money.

Growing up, I heard my parents’ stories about the hardships they faced immigrating from Ukraine, where they couldn’t even practice Judaism openly. That experience shaped me. When I had my Bar Mitzvah, I couldn’t imagine just keeping all the gifts I received when there were children out there facing struggles like the ones my parents lived through. Additionally, the ongoing struggles Israel and Ukraine have faced.

Through Together With Dean, all the money raised goes directly to providing essentials like school supplies, clothes, toys, and technology to children in need. It’s a way of giving back — a small act of kindness from me, and you, to bring hope and support to kids facing hardship.

Thank you for joining me on this journey to make a meaningful impact, one child at a time.