A good many of Southern Brooklyn’s most important elected officials turned up in person or spirit as the Bay Democrats, one of South Brooklyn’s most important and influential political clubs hosted its’ Fourth Annual Awards Dinner, Dec. 17 at the famous National Restaurant, 273 Brighton Beach Avenue in Brighton Beach.
The Bay Democrats represent the 45th Assembly District and proudly serves the communities of Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Homecrest, Midwood, Gravesend and Marlboro.
Democratic District Leaders Ari Kagan and Margarita Kagan (no relation) created the Bay Democrats as a neighborhood club opened to all constituents, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, income, race or social status.
In 2017, the Bay Democrats hosted monthly meetings, celebrations of American Independence Day, Thanksgiving luncheons, forums for judicial candidates, Jewish concerts, and many other successful political and cultural events.
Besides elected officials, the Bay Democrats Annual Awards Dinners always attracts important community leaders from all over Southern Brooklyn including candidates for political positions, activists and advocates. This year, Bay Democrats honored attorney Petro Zinkovetsky, Dr. Marika Cherfas, City Council Member Chaim Deutsch, and community leaders Pervez Siddiqui and Sam Tsang.
Bay Democrats Dinner Honorees were chosen for:
Petro Zinkovetsky, Esq., The Attorney Of The Year Award; Councilman Chaim Deutsch (48th District), The Legislator Of The Year Award; Dr. Marika Cherfas, Internal Medicine, The Doctor Of The Year Award; Pervez Siddiqui, President of Apna Brooklyn Community Center, member of Community Board 13, The Community Leadership Award; Sam Tsang, businessman and a great leader in Asian American Community at Sheepshead Bay, member of Community Board 15 and 61st Police Precinct Council, The Community Service Award.
Besides Deutsch, other elected officials that attended the dinner were Assembly Members Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) and Bill Colton (D-Bath Beach, Gravesend, Bensonhurst), City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) and former Council Member Michael Nelson.
The elected officials congratulated the distinguished honorees and praised the Bay Democrats leaders and members. Many current judges and judicial candidates, as well as Russian, Pakistani and Chinese media outlets also attended the event.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn, Coney Island) and State Senator Diane Savino (D-Coney Island, Sunset Park, Staten Island) were not able to attend the club dinner, but sent financial contributions and commendations to all honorees.
District Leaders Margarita Kagan and Ari Kagan thanked all participants of the dinner and presented Bay Democrats certificates to the most active club volunteers.
National Restaurant was beautifully decorated for Chanukah, Christmas and New Year holidays. The atmosphere of the dinner was warm and festive. Bay Democrats plays an important role in uniting grassroots leaders for the benefit of the entire community.
