Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/157038
RELIGION BRIEFS Laura Freedman, Temple Sinai's director of early childhood learning, and Sunny Brownrout, vice president, prepare to greet visitors at last year's Open House. Contributed photo SARASOTA-MANATEE SYNAGOGUE COUNCIL ANNOUNCES OPEN HOUSE The Annual Community-Wide Synagogue Open House will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m., organizers have announced. Nine of the area congregations — from Bradenton to North Port — will be welcoming prospective members. "This is a wonderful opportunity to tour their facilities and meet the clergy, staff and the lay leadership of these synagogues," a news release says. Representatives will showcase the various offerings, auxiliaries and programs that each Temple provides, the release adds. "It is a great way to get a taste of what each congre- gation is all about." The event is free, with no reservations required, and most, if not all, of the synagogues will offer refreshments. The nine participating congregations comprise the membership of the Synagogue Council of Sarasota-Manatee and represent various denominations and sizes. They are (in alphabetical order) Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Congregation Kol HaNeshama, Congregation Ner Tamid, Jewish Center of Venice, Temple Beth El (Bradenton), Temple Beth El (North Port), Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Emanu-El and Temple Sinai. Address-