Michael Landa will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. He is the child of Diana and Jeremy Landa, the brother of Noah and Dylan Landa, and grandchild of Arthur Landa of Montreal, Quebec, Rosalyn and Steve McMahon of Nashville, and Susan and Carlos DaCunha of Nolensville, Tenn.
A seventh grader at Brentwood Middle School, Michael enjoys playing baseball and basketball. He also loves hanging out with friends, playing Xbox and watching YouTube videos.
Michael is supporting ShowerUp for his Mitzvah project. ShowerUp serves those experiencing homelessness and anyone in need by providing mobile showers and hygiene supplies.
Zachary Johnson will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. He is the child of Elana and Aaron Johnson, the brother of Nathan Johnson, and grandchild of Lili (z”l) and Ken Joseph, and Sue and Russ Johnson.
A seventh grader at Woodland Middle School, Zachary enjoys martial arts, soccer, skiing and playing percussion in school band.
Zachary is working on a Mitzvah project to make winter hats for people who are homeless.
Sylvie Ruth Mackler will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 11, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. She was born on June 6, 2011, in Nashville. Her parents are Rabbi Shana and James Mackler. Her grandparents are Sammy Goldstein and Bill Yahner of Orlando, Fla.; Carol and Neil Lisnow of Boynton Beach, Fla.; Don and Judy Mackler of Chattanooga, and the late Sandra Goldstein (z”l) of Boca Raton, Fla.
A graduate of Akiva Day School, Sylvie now is a seventh grader at University School of Nashville. She loves playing volleyball, ultimate frisbee and cheerleading at school, and enjoys baking and spending time with friends and family.
For Sylvie’s Mitzvah project, she raised money and collected donations for United Hatzalah, a voluntary emergency service in Israel, and the Hostage Family Forum. She sold bracelets with the names and ages of hostages to raise awareness. Sylvie also collected and donated to Book ‘Em, Second Harvest Food Bank and Unicycle, a school uniform recycling program supporting Metro Nashville Public Schools’ students and the HERO (Homeless Education Resource Office) program.
Yael Cohen will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 18, at 9:30 a.m. at West End Synagogue. Yael is a native Texan and moved to Nashville two years ago with her parents, Daniel and Dalia, and her brother, Alon.
A seventh grader at Harding Academy, Yale is looking forward to a summer of tennis camps, travel, and spending time with friends and family.
For Yael’s Mitzvah project, she is fundraising for Magen David Adom, a volunteer-based NGO that is Israel's Emergency Medical Services System, assuring emergency care for all Israelis regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or race.
Dexter Robins
Dexter Robins will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. He is the child of Jennifer Ghanem and Van Robins, the brother of Millie Robins, and grandchild of Kay and Bruce Robins of Nashville.
A seventh grader at JT Moore Middle School, Dexter enjoys music (guitar, piano), football, wrestling, video games and hanging with friends.
Dexter is working with the ASPCA for his Mitzvah project. The ASPCA works to keep more animals in loving homes by protecting animals from harmful situations through community engagement, preventative action and providing resources and care when needed.
Lyla Renee Banish will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 25, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. She was born on May 11, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla. Her parents are Jessica and Jeff Banish. Her grandparents are Susan Cohen of Nashville and Robert Cohen, Patricia Banish and Cyril Banish, all of blessed memory.
A graduate of Akiva Day School, Lyla is a seventh grader at Jewish Middle School. She is an avid reader and piano player. Her favorite school subjects are Judaic Studies, ELA and History. In her free time, she enjoys attending live concerts, making bracelets, collecting books and spending time with friends and family.
Lyla is supporting Lev LaLev, which provides critical support to orphaned, neglected, and abandoned children throughout Israel.
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