"I WANT EVERY KID WHO’S EVER BEEN BULLIED TO KNOW THAT THEY’RE NOT ALONE, AND THAT THE EXPERIENCE WILL MAKE THEM STRONGER, KINDER, BRAVER, AND BETTER." - NATE NEUSTADT
When I was 13 years old, I wanted to do something different for my bar mitzvah project. I decided to write a book for kids like me who are victims of bullying and donate proceeds to an organization devoted to supporting the mental and emotional wellness of young people.
I'm thrilled that Bullied Not Broken: When The Bullies Don’t Win has inspired kids of all ages in the US, Canada and Australia with stories of famous entertainers, politicians, artists, and business icons who were bullied, all that they learned, and how it influenced the rest of their lives. In my book I also share my personal story of bullying that started in elementary school, how I dealt with it and ultimately triumphed. I'm proud that school administrators, teachers and librarians have made this book part of their curriculum and libraries.
Click the pic to watch a younger me talk about my passion project.
ABOUT THE FUNDRAISER
At the core of my idea for this book was a fundraising effort to support an organization devoted to helping tweens, teens and young adults thrive. After doing a lot of research, I chose Born This Way Foundation, founded in 2012 by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta. It builds action-oriented programs and useful resources for youth to thrive and drive change in their communities, and works with leading researchers and youth themselves to improve understanding of the factors that affect their wellness and empowerment. Profits from the first year following pubication were donated to this nonprofit. To learn more visit bornthisway.foundation.
ABOUT NATE NEUSTADT
I'm now a high school senior and passionate about conflict resolution and fighting bigotry through community outreach and education. I'm very active in BBYO, currently serving as the Regional Godol/President overseeing 18 chapters in Southern California. I'm a Kenneth Leventhal Intern with StandWithUs, an international nonprofit that supports Israel and fights antisemitism through education and recently was awarded SWU's Star of David Award for leadership. I spent the summer before senior year working on fluency in Hebrew and attending the American University School of International Service Community of Scholars Program, where I studied diplomacy and got a taste of what college life will be.
I remain proud and grateful that my bar mitzvah project continues to help kids, and the parents and educational professionals trying to help them deal with the bullying epidemic.
I live in San Diego with my parents Romi and John, younger sister Bebe and two doodles. In the fall I will attend The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs and major in Middle East Studies and Arabic. I plan on devoting my career to stabilizing the region.
My bullies didn't win.