The Jewish Observer
News from Middle Tennessee's Jewish Community | Thursday, July 30, 2026
The Jewish Observer

B'nai Mitzvah, August 2026

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Avigail Reece Kerrigan will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, August 8, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. She was born on August 12, 2013, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents are Deborah and Jimmy Kerrigan. Her grandparents are Betsy and John Gensburg of Highland Park, Ill., and the late Ann and John Kerrigan. 

An eighth grader at University School of Nashville, Avi loves art and reading. 

For her mitzvah project, Avi is coordinating a donation project for Book'em, a Nashville-based non-profit dedicated to improving childhood literacy. 

Avi is in the eighth grade at University School of Nashville. She loves art and reading. 

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Raegan Marcenia Pounds will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, August 15, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. She was born on August 15, 2013, in Nashville, Tennessee. Her parents are Bridget Pounds (Josh) and Zachary Pounds (Olivia). Her grandparents are Sissy and Joseph Lawson of Carthage, Tenn., and the late Linda and Britt Pounds. 

A seventh grader at EA Cox Middle School, Reagan loves reading, art, music, car shows and spending time with her friends and family. 

For her mitzvah project, Raegan is volunteering at the local animal shelter and collecting donations for the shelter. 

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Theodore Lederer Carson IV will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, August 22, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. He was born on August 12, 2013, in Beaumont, Texas. His parents are Megan and Theodore Carson. His grandparents are Marian Winters of Tampa, Fla., and Cheryl Carson of Valrico, Fla. 

A seventh grader at Mill Creek Middle, Teddy enjoys football, basketball, baseball, and the Florida Gators. 

For his mitzvah project, Teddy is collecting gently used sporting equipment to sell to Play It Again Sports. All proceeds generated from the resale of these items will be donated to the Nolensville Stars Football Program to help cover registration fees for future players who may not have the financial resources to participate. 

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Peyton Hamaoui will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, August 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. She is the child of Aylene and Bert Hamaoui, the sister of Parker and Zachary, and the granddaughter of David and Mireille Hamaoui of San Francisco, Calif., and Richard Delson of Spring Hill, Tenn. 

A seventh grader at Heritage Middle School, Peyton is an avid dancer and is part of the “company” at her dance studio. Peyton also plays Basketball on her middle School team. 

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Eden Cooper Clarke will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, August 29, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. She was born on January 14, 2014, in Santa Monica, California. Her parents are Clare and Robin Clarke. Her grandparents are Carol and Henry Levy of Memphis, Tenn., Suzanne Clarke of Petaluma, Calif., and Jonathan Clarke of New York, N.Y. 

For her mitzvah project, Eden has been volunteering at MOVE Inclusive Dance, an organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to develop life skills through dance. She has been assisting with dance classes for younger students and has also organized bake sales to raise funds in support of this wonderful program. 

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Lucas Lopez will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, August 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. He is the child of Dr. and Mrs. Marcos Lopez and Amanda Snowden; the brother of Sofia; and the grandson of Marcia and George Snowden, Leticia Urteaga, and Hector and Mireya Lopez. 

A rising seventh grader at Ensworth School, Luke loves basketball, coding, animals, 3D printing, and is always up for an adventure. 

His mitzvah projects include supporting The Store, which provides free grocery support to families in Nashville, as well as the Nashville Humane Association where he adopted his dog, Ringo. 

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Zoe Lauren Zagnoev and Emma Brooke Zagnoev will be called to the Torah as a B’not Mitzvah on Saturday August 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at West End Synagogue. Zoe and Emma were born in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 14, 2013. Zoe and Emma are the daughters of Jennie and Brad Zagnoev, and sisters of Evan Zagnoev. Their grandparents are Goldie and Mark Shepard of Nashville, TN, and Noreen and Dudley Zagnoev of Los Angeles, CA via Johannesburg, South Africa. Zoe and Emma’s great grandmother is Sylvia and EB (z”l) Shepard of Nashville, TN, and Mildred (z”l) and Paul (z”l) Flexer of Nashville, TN. 
 
As seventh graders at University School of Nashville, where they have been since Kindergarten, Zoe and Emma both thrive and excel at sports (volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball). They enjoy spending time with their friends. Both girls love attending live concerts and sports games with their grandpa Mark, and traveling with their aunt Polly and uncle David has been a special treat. One of their favorite times of the year is summer since they get to spend that special time at their Summer Place- Camp Barney Medintz, where they have been going since they were 8. 

 

For their mitzvah project, Zoe and Emma are donating the centerpieces to Abe’s Garden Community for the residents to enjoy, as flowers bring sunshine and smiles to all. 

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