Zoe Shoshana Sparks became a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, August 31, at West End Synagogue. Zoe is the daughter of Jason and Abby Sparks and the sister of Sam Sparks. Zoe was born and raised in Nashville.
An eighth grader at Meigs Magnet Middle School, she loves dancing and performing with Dance In Bloom, playing cello, listening to music, spending her summers at Camp Ramah Darom and spending time with the family dog, Penny.
For Zoe’s Mitzvah Project, she is supporting the Friends of Warner Park. She volunteered doing trail maintenance in Percy Warner Park and is fundraising to support efforts to preserve and protect the Warner Parks. She will also establish a B’nai Tzedek Fund with the Jewish Foundation of Nashville.
Max Frank will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 7, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Mich. Max is the child of Nic Frank and Liz Baumgarten, the brother of Eliana Frank, and the grandchild of Steve and Debbie Frank off Ohio, Mary Baumgarten of California, and Max Baumgarten (z'l).
An eighth grader at J.T. Moore Middle School, Max is a member of the basketball team. His favorite subjects are math and social studies. Outside of school Max enjoys fishing, playing video games with his friends and traveling with his family.
For his Mitzvah Project, Max will be organizing a clothing/supply drive to support Room in the Inn.
Asher Kroser will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 7, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. Asher was born June 29, 2011, in Springfield, Tenn. His parents are Dr. Jonathan and Ryan Kroser, and his grandparents are the late Drs. Albert and Lila Kroser of Philadelphia.
A seventh grader at Sumner Academy, his special interests include sports and animals.
For his Mitzvah Project, Asher volunteered at a charity to end domestic violence.
Kai Dizgun will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 14, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. Kai is the child of Holli Drummond and John Dizgun, the brother of Maya and Max Dizgun, and the grandchild of Sandra Drummond of Alabama and the late Jack Drummond, and Elaine Dorfman Dizgun of Montreal and the late Harold ‘Diz’ Dizgun.
An eighth grader at Bowling Green Junior High School, Kai enjoys soccer, hockey, basketball, science, math and history. He especially loves 6 Points Sports Academy Camp.
For his Mitzvah Project, Kai will be volunteering in his local Bowling Green, Ky., community to help support youth sports (largely soccer and outdoor ice hockey). He will focus on teaching and mentoring younger children and helping with the preparation and clean-up of community facilities.
Finn Clemmons will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 21, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. Finn is the child of Tamara and John Ray Clemmons, the brother of John and Henry Clemmons, and the grandchild of Joy and Len Baxt of Washington D.C., Millie and Jeff Williams of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., and John M. Clemmons of Lebanon, Tenn. An eighth grader at J.T. Moore Middle School, Finn loves spending his time playing baseball.
For his Mitzvah Project, Finn will be supporting the Nashville Food Project. The Nashville Food Project's mission is to bring people together to grow, cook and share nourishing food, with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city.
Henry Corts will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 21, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. Henry was born on August 30, 2011. His parents are Andy and Jenny Corts, and his grandparents are Peggy and Dudley Richter and Mary Ann and Tom Corts, all of Nashville, and the late Ginna Corts.
Seventh grader at Montgomery Bell Academy, Henry is very interested in sports, particularly soccer, basketball, tennis and pickleball. He loves football and being with his friends. Henry and Sam Tomichek (see below) are cousins, born a day apart and very close – a special day for the Richter, Corts, and Tomichek families.
For his Mitzvah Project, Henry is working with Sports 4 All Foundation, a nonprofit that supports people with disabilities by enabling them to fully participate in sports and health related activities.
Evans Bernard Segall will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 28, at 9:30 a.m. at West End Synagogue. E.B. is the son of Josh Segall and Quin Evans Segall and big brother of Sammy and Lena Segall. His grandparents are Bill and Sue Evans of Nashville, and Bobby and Sandy Segall of Montgomery, Ala.
A seventh grader at the University School of Nashville, E.B. enjoys playing ping pong, baseball and soccer and attending live sporting events.
For his Mitzvah Project, E.B. volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank, where he helped inspect, sort and pack donated food and other items so it can be used by Second Harvest Food Bank and its partner agencies.
Reed Joseph Smith will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 28, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. He was born in Tampa, Fla., on March 23, 2011. His parents are Ryan and Lisa Smith, and his grandparents are Linda and the late Joel Gleicher of Westport, Mass., Janet and Eddie Grose of Glendale, W.Va., and Ron and Delores Smith of Sardis, Ohio.
An eighth grader at Meigs Academic Magnet Middle School, Reed’s special interests are theater, singing, art, basketball, bike riding and writing. He also loves spending time with family and friends.
For his Mitzvah Project, Reed is working with animals at the Nashville Humane Association. He has a love for animals and enjoys helping them.
Samuel Tomichek will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 21, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. Samuel “Sam” Scott Tomichek was born on August 31, 2011, in Nashville. His parents are Ashley and Scott Tomichek, and his grandparents are Peggy and Dudley Richter and Emilie and Richard Tomichek, all of Nashville.
A seventh grader at Montgomery Bell Academy, Sam is kind, empathetic, and passionate. The ultimate team player, Sam has a gift for sportsmanship. He loves football, especially the Georgia Bulldogs and Seattle Seahawks. He loves dogs, pizza and chicken tenders and steak, playing video games, biking, but most of all hanging out with his friends.
For his Mitzvah Project, Sam is collecting gently used and new sports equipment for underprivileged children and donating them to Level the Playing Field and The Predators Foundation.
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