Steve Stein I Contributing Writer ive hours. That's how long it took David Jaffa to win the 15th Texas Hold'em poker tournament last month sponsored by the Pisgah-Zeiger and Bloch-Israel B'nai B'rith lodges. There were two 20-minute breaks to give the players some rest, but it was a grind. Jaffa, 67, won $700 for his night's work against 49 other competitors. But the Bloomfield Hills resi- dent didn't keep the money. He donated his win- nings a few days later David Jaffa to the new B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region college scholarship fund. "That was unbelievably generous:' said tournament spokesman Rick Sherline. "What David did wasn't expected nor anticipated. People who play in the tour- nament are already donating money by participating" The tournament is a fundraiser for B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region sports leagues. Jaffa donated his winnings to the scholarship program to help get it off the ground. He said it was an easy decision. "I'm blessed to be financially indepen- dent, and I played in the tournament to have fun and help B'nai B'rith," he said. "I was fortunate to win, so it was an honor and a pleasure to donate the money:' An ardent supporter of B'nai B'rith and a longtime member, Jaffa is a past president of the Harry B. Keidan Lodge. This wasn't the first time Jaffa won money at a poker tournament and donated his winnings. He made the final table last year in a fundraiser for the Temple Israel Brotherhood at the West Bloomfield synagogue and gave his $180 prize to the brotherhood. Three years earlier, he won a tourna- ment at Tam-O-Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield that raised funds for the Israel Defense Forces. He donated his $500 prize to the IDF. "In my last five tournaments, I've made the final table three times:' he said. What's his secret? "I'm a financial adviser, so I'm good with numbers:' he said. "I'm also patient, F and I know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em" Jaffa is the regional director for Financial Network Investment Corporation in Farmington Hills. He and his wife, Sheri, will celebrate their 45th anniversary in June. They have two daughters and five grandchil- dren. Sherline, who is on the B'nai B'rith scholarship committee, said the group "started from scratch with no money but good intensions." Now there are plans to award three scholarships of $2,500 each and two of lesser amounts to students entering col- lege in fall 2014. The recipients will be selected in early May, and they'll receive their scholar- ships June 2 at the annual B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region Golf Classic at Tam- 0-Shanter. "We're looking for future community leaders who also will be ambassadors for the scholarship program," Sherline said. For a scholarship application, go to www.bnaibrith.org/scholarship or call the B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region office at (248) 646-3100. The application and required docu- ments must be submitted by March 15. Businesses and individuals interested in donating to the scholarship fund or endowing a special scholarship should call the office. Hooping It Up Another B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region basketball season has tipped off at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. "We have four teams, the same as last year. We lost one, but we gained one," said Gary Klinger, region sports chairman. "It's a small league — we don't want to have less than four teams — but it's a viable and competitive league:' Klinger said. Games are played Sunday mornings at the JCC. After a 10-week regular season, there will be a one-day playoff. Downtown Fox, Great Lakes Region and Zeiger each had a 2-1 record through three weeks. Pisgah, the new team, was 0-3. "Pisgah is going through some grow- ing pains, but they're improving; Klinger said. "It takes time to learn to play together" Teams have eight or nine players. ❑ EMERY'S Creative Jewelers 30975 Orchard Lake Rd • Farmington Hills • 248.855.0433 emeryscreative@sbcglobal.net grq LIKE us on FACEBOOK Monday — Saturday 10am-6pm FEB 13TH OPEN TILL 7:30PM Chair Cover & Linen Rentals LED Lighting, Chargers and More Providing EXCEPTIONAL Nationwide service with 2 convenient locations in Michigan customer service from 6251 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 beginning to end 1110 Crescent Lake Road - St. A, Waterford, MI 48327 You only get one chance to make your event Fabulous, so call on Fabulous Events to make it happen 248-853-6800 fabulousevenfs.com Call us today for your no obligation appointment fabulous -FvF9fif,(1) Martial Arts Improves • Focus • Self – Esteem • Goal Setting • Confidence • Fitness 248.770.7457 BIRMINGHAM iKarateStudio.com 685 S. Adams Rd Send news to sports@thejewishnews.com. JN February 13 • 2014 49