20 Israeli Officials To Set Sail From Sheepshead Bay

A group of Israeli government officials will lead a parade of boats out of Sheepshead Bay Friday for an afternoon trip meant to build stronger ties between Jewish communities in Brooklyn and Israel.

The seafaring parade is organized by the World Zionist Organization and American Forum of Russian Speaking Jewry. Eugene Lekakh, executive director for the American Forum of Russian Speaking Jewry, said the event is also celebrating last month’s Israel Independence Day and Jerusalem Day, which occurs on June 5.

“We just want to show that Russian-speaking Jews and Jews of New York are in solidarity with Israel,” Lekakh said.

Up to 40 private boats and jet skis will meet up and the Venice Marina (3939 Emmons Avenue) at 10am, and then join with the lead boat, which leaves Sheepshead Bay’s Pier 7 at 10:30am. The boats will travel along Brooklyn’s southern coastline and then turn at the Verrazano Bridge to the Statue of Liberty. The tour will then head up the Hudson River to Hudson River Park in Manhattan, where it the boats will turn around and return to Sheepshead Bay.

Lekakh said boat owners and renters are invited to join the procession. He said this is the first time this event has been organized.