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Supporting Israel in the Skies of NY – Flight Instructors to do “Fly By” on Aug 24

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The skies of Manhattan and the Israeli flag make their special connection in a fly over on Sunday, Aug 24
The skies of Manhattan and the Israeli flag make their special connection in a fly over on Sunday, Aug 24
As the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer culminate in their final days many beachgoers are just aching to catch a few more rays of sun while having a terrific time doing so.  Well, a grand surprise is in store for those who are not only New York and New Jersey beach aficionados but for those who support Israel during these troubling times of international conflict.

Both Israeli and American pilots will be climbing into the cockpit and taking to the skies on Sunday afternoon, August 24th to display their support for Israel during Operation Protective Edge; (the defensive war that Israel has been fighting against the onslaught of thousands of Hamas rockets from Gaza).

Flying 15 airplanes with a banner attached to the tail of the aircraft that says, “WE LOVE ISRAEL” along with the Israeli flag painted under each wing, these pilots from all over the United States have volunteered their time to express their sentiments.

The “Fly By” project is the brainchild of two Long Island flight instructors who are no strangers to aerial shows for Israel.  As a native of Israel but someone who has lived in the United States for many years is Robert Keleti, a certified flight instructor at the New York Flight Club based in Farmingdale, New York.   Along with his partner Edi Tchernomordik, we met at the offices of The Jewish Voice to discuss the upcoming project.

With a palpable passion in his voice, Mr. Keleti says, “Every year we organize a fly by on Israel’s Independence Day in the New York/New Jersey area and are very proud of that. Now, however, when Israel is under constant attack by the terrorist Hamas organization and under attack by the media and world opinion, we felt it is important to show not only our support for Israel but to show that countless others support Israel.”

For many years Mr. Keleti has been training El Al pilots from Israel’s national airline along with student pilots for their private and commercial licenses at his school in Farmingdale.

“We are so very excited that pilots from such places as Indiana, Salt Lake City and other cities and towns across the United States have contacted us and expressed their desire to join us as they to want to support Israel, “ said Mr. Tchernomordik. He added that, “We’ve also received lots of calls from El Al captains who normally join us on other flights and we think that both American and Israeli pilots flying together is a wonderful statement of unity and purpose.”

“The ‘We Love Israel’ flight will begin in Farmingdale and fly over Jones Beach, Long Beach, Coney Island, the entire Jersey Shore and of course, Manhattan,” said Mr. Keleti with a broad smile.

As to sponsorship, the two aviation enthusiasts say that thus far they have signed up 20 passengers who have paid a fee to have the privilege of being on one of the 15 planes for the two and a half hour flight.

Right now, however, they say that critical monies are still needed in order to get this project off the ground (no pun intended).

“We are still raising funds for the airplane rentals,” said Mr. Tchernomordik, adding that “we hope that this will be a historic event and we know that so many people out there are with us.”

So, mark your calendars folks, and make yourself known at the beach or in the streets of Manhattan on Sunday August 24th to catch this spectacular air show.

If anyone wishes to contribute, please contact either Robert Keleti at 929-500-8004 or by e-mail at: [email protected] or Edi Tchernomordik at 646-286-4382 or [email protected]

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