Temple takes swing for charity

Members of Temple Emanu-El headed to the greens at The Meadows April 7 to help raise funds for programs locally and in Israel.

In partnership with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, Temple Emanu-El hosted 96 golfers for the best ball scramble tournament, which was followed by a buffet lunch, awards ceremony, raffle drawings and a silent auction.

The event raised more than $33,000, which has been divided between charitable programs at Temple Emanu-El and Leket Israel, Israel’s national food bank. On hand to accept the donation to Leket Israel was Lauren Yoked, who serves as executive director of Leket and divides her time between Israel and New York.

Highlighting the round of golf was the spectacular hole-in-one made by Lakewood Ranch resident Andrew Hertzfeld, who dazzled his teammates with a 161-yard shot on No. 10.

Planned by Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood and Sisterhood, Barry Gerber and Ben Klein, of University Park, chaired the tournament.