Beena May Sharmat will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, January 4, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. She was born on January 9, 2012, in New York City, and moved to Nashville with her family in 2021.
Her parents are Samuel and Alissa Sharmat. Her grandparents are Judy Fein and the late Benjamin Fein of New York City, George Leskovac and the late Donna Bell of Louisville, Ky., Stephen Sharmat of Los Angeles, Calif., and Bruce Bell of Ajijic, Mexico.
A seventh grader at JT Moore Middle School, Beena likes to write music, read, design clothes, play video games, spend time with friends and is always singing and dancing.
For her mitzvah project, she is raising money and cooking meals for Nashville Launch Pad, an organization that provides emergency shelter and support services for LGBTQ+ youth.
Asher Thomas will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, January 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. He is the child of Sarah Thomas and Dylan Thomas, and the brother of Alaina Thomas.
A seventh grader at Brentwood Middle School, Asher is on the BMS competitive robotics team and plays club soccer with Aris.
Due to his love for soccer, his mitzvah project is raising funds to assist players in meeting the financial requirements of club level soccer. Additionally, he is collecting gently used equipment to support access to the sport.
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