SEPTEMBER 2025

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 22 ISSUE VIII SEPTEMBER 2025

A Family Affair

FIVE COUSINS PURSUE

THEIR MEDICAL DREAMS AT

OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Featuring:

It Takes a Village

Nineveh Plains to Kabul

Torshi Girl

SEPTEMBER 2025 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

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4 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2025

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | MONTH 2025 | VOL. 22 ISSUE VIII

ON THE COVER

14 A Family Affair

5 Cousins at Oakland University

By Andrew Dietderich

FEATURES

16 It Takes a Village

A Chaldean journey to Kintsugi

By Sarah Kittle

18 Nineveh Plains to Kabul

A Chaldean in an Afghan Court

By Sheila Turabaz

22 From Kitchen to Classroom

CCF West expands programming

By Sarah Kittle

26 A Legacy of Counsel

Chaldean lawyers shaping tomorrow

By Eemi Toma

14

28 Mar Eliya Retreat Center

Sacred space in Oxford

By Mirna Ayar

DEPARTMENTS

6 From the Editor

Taking Care

By Sarah Kittle

8 Guest Columns

Sanctuary Cities

N. Peter Antone

9 Honoring Our Elders

Jacob Bacall

10 Foundation Update

Tigris Tower, Cooking Class, Scholarships

12 Noteworthy

Lawrence Kajy 40 Under 40, Christopher

Ammori joins Butzel, Born in Detroit

24 Religion

A Dream Fulfilled

By Michael Antoon

30 Culture & History

Jewish Shrines in Iraq Pt II

By Dr. Adhid Miri

35 Jewish Shrines in Iraq Pt II (Arabic)

By Dr. Adhid Miri

42 Chaldean Kitchen

Torshi Girl: Linda Abbo

By Z.Z. Dawod

44 Sports

Noah’s Arc

By Steve Stein

46 Health & Wellness

Back to the Roots

By Melissa Zetouna

50 In Memoriam

50 Obituaries

38 Not Done Yet

Rewriting the rules of retirement

By Paul Natinsky

40 Seniors at Risk

Spotting and stopping common scams

By Paul Natinsky

48 Remembering Hana

By Frank (Fouad) Manna

16


FROM THE EDITOR

PUBLISHED BY

Chaldean News, LLC

Chaldean Community Foundation

Martin Manna

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Sarah Kittle

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michael Antoon

N. Peter Antone

Mirna Ayar

Jacob Bacall

Z.Z. Dawod

Andrew Dietderich

Sarah Kittle

Dr. Adhid Miri

Paul Natinsky

Steve Stein

Eemi Toma

Sheila Turabaz

Melissa Zetouna

ART & PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Alex Lumelsky

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Taking Care of Family

As the days grow cooler and shorter, many

of us take time to reflect on what matters

most—and for Chaldeans, that often begins

with family.

Our cover story is a true family affair: five cousins

from the Thomas family—Alison (OUWB ’20),

Christina (M2), and incoming students Jackie,

Julianne, and Jacob—have all chosen to pursue

medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont

School of Medicine. Inspired by Alison’s experience

and the school’s supportive culture, each

cousin has followed their own path to the same

Mar Eliya is the first official retreat

center of the Chaldean Catholic

Diocese, with a history of peace

and spirituality, serving various

faith-based purposes for more

than half a century.

place, united by shared values of service and community.

This month’s guest columns examine the painful reality

of familial separation, whether through deportation or the

difficult decision to place a loved one in assisted living. Because

Chaldeans hold family above all else, these are serious

topics. We’ve provided advice and resources to help elders

stay active, engaged, and safe—from avoiding scams that

target seniors to recognizing that many in this generation

are far from done contributing to society.

We also share stories about nurturing the next generation,

including Hamsa Yaqo’s vision for Kintsugi Village, and

a woman whose research into her Afghan roots uncovered ties

to Tel Keppe and Michigan’s Chaldean American community.

At CCF West, the Chaldean Community Foundation’s

SARAH KITTLE

EDITOR

IN CHIEF

jewel in West Bloomfield, a new season of programming

is about to begin. From cooking and language

classes to senior wellness and cultural workshops,

Program Coordinator Farah Shammami is shaping

CCF West into a true hub for health, connection,

and heritage.

Other highlights include a feature on the remarkable

counselors in our community—from pioneers

to prodigies—plus updates on the Mar Eliya

Retreat Center in Oxford, a new Chaldean Catholic

church in Calgary, and the second installment on

Jewish Shrines in Iraq.

In this issue, you’ll also find Linda Abbo’s unique torshi

recipe in Chaldean Kitchen, Noah Manna’s accomplishments

on the court in Sports, and a Health & Wellness piece

that takes us “back to the roots.” We close with a heartfelt

thank you from the publisher’s father, written after the passing

of his beloved wife.

As we turn the page on another season, may we continue

to honor our families, support our elders, and guide the next

generation with love and purpose.

Sarah Kittle

Editor in Chief

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Join the

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As the publication of record for Michigan’s

Chaldean community, the mission of the

Chaldean News is to preserve and archive

Chaldean heritage and history, and to tell the

ongoing story of Chaldean contributions to the

communities in which we live and work — in Michigan

and around the world.

In the past five years, the Chaldean News has

substantially increased its readership and social media

following, introduced new digital and website content, and

expanded storytelling with the help of small grant funding.

With the generous help of individuals and organizations,

together, we can ensure that this vital resource continues

to educate and connect the community, while evolving to

meet the needs of future generations.

We truly appreciate your support of our efforts to expand

and strengthen our coverage of the Chaldean community,

both locally and globally. We are excited about the

opportunities ahead, and your support will be essential

in helping us grow our digital presence, preserve our

cultural heritage, and tell even more compelling stories

about the Chaldean community.

You can take part in helping to preserve your

Chaldean heritage by joining the Publisher’s

Circle today. Together, we can continue to

ensure that the Chaldean News remains a

vital resource for generations to come.

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To learn more, visit chaldeannews.com

or contact us at 248-851-8600

Let’s grow the circle.


GUEST COLUMNS

What is a Sanctuary City?

Policy has consequences for vulnerable communities

There is a persistent

misconception that

sanctuary cities allow

“criminal illegal aliens” to

roam freely and hide after

committing crimes. Basic

logic suggests this is not the

case — regardless of party

affiliation, elected officials

generally care about the

public and work to protect it.

Yet the myth endures. Even

those who oppose sanctuary

city policies should base

their positions on facts, not fiction.

The concept of a “sanctuary city”

in the United States began in the

1980s, when religious congregations

sheltered Central American refugees

fleeing civil wars, arguing that U.S.

immigration laws failed to recognize

their legitimate asylum claims. Some

cities adopted similar measures,

rooted in the belief that immigration

enforcement is a federal responsibility

and local resources should not be

used for that purpose. The rationale

was twofold: to protect undocumented

immigrants from deportation and

to encourage cooperation with local

police without fear of immigration

consequences — a factor considered

essential for public safety and community

trust. Over time, “sanctuary city”

came to refer more broadly to jurisdictions

that limit their involvement in

federal immigration enforcement.

N. PETER

ANTONE

SPECIAL TO

THE CHALDEAN

NEWS

In 2002, during George

W. Bush’s administration, a

policy known as Section 287(g)

was introduced, allowing —

but not requiring — local and

state law enforcement agencies

to enter into agreements

with federal immigration authorities

to help enforce federal

laws. Some cities opposed

the program, fearing it would

lead to racial profiling and

erode trust between immigrant

communities and police.

Those who believe sanctuary cities

shelter dangerous criminals should

consider the period before the 1980s.

Were all U.S. cities “sanctuaries” then?

Did undocumented immigrants who

committed crimes avoid prosecution?

In reality, undocumented immigrants

who committed serious crimes could

be — and often were — deported. Immigration

enforcement was handled

almost exclusively by the Immigration

and Naturalization Service, and local

police generally did not investigate immigration

status or report noncitizens

unless specific circumstances arose. If

a noncitizen — documented or undocumented

— was convicted of a serious

crime, they could be flagged for deportation

through federal channels, particularly

if they served time in federal or

state prison or if a judge referred them

to immigration authorities. Those who

avoided deportation were typically individuals

who committed minor offenses.

Sanctuary cities do not “cover up” or

“hide” individuals from federal authorities,

nor do they prevent federal immigration

agencies from making arrests or

pursuing deportation. Agencies such as

ICE retain full authority to act independently.

What sanctuary city policies do

Sanctuary cities do not grant immunity

from deportation. They set boundaries

on local cooperation with federal

immigration enforcement.

is limit the role of local police in serving

as agents of the federal government.

This distinction has real-world consequences

for vulnerable immigrant

communities — including the Chaldean

Americans of Michigan, many

of whom fled persecution in Iraq. A

memo sent to the Trump administration

in January 2025 warns that Chaldean

Iraqis currently have no federal

legal protection from deportation —

neither Temporary Protected Status

(TPS) nor Deferred Enforced Departure

(DED) applies to them. Without such

protections, ICE has continued deportation

efforts, allegedly including removals

in California despite the state’s

well-known sanctuary policies.

The memo from the Chaldean Community

Foundation describes how Iraq’s

Christian population has plummeted

from 1.5 million in 2003 to fewer than

200,000 today, due to decades of sectarian

violence and targeted persecution. It

urges the administration to grant TPS or

DED for Chaldeans through 2026, arguing

that deporting them now could return

them to a country where ethnic and

religious minorities remain unsafe.

Whether the current administration

will act on this request remains

uncertain. While the sanctuary city

framework can shield Chaldeans from

local police cooperation with ICE,

it cannot stop federal immigration

agents from making arrests or carrying

out deportations. In short, unless the

administration grants TPS or DED, the

Chaldean community remains legally

exposed — even in cities and states

that call themselves sanctuaries.

Ironically, sanctuary city policies

align with a traditionally conservative

principle: local control over local resources.

Yet many conservatives today

favor expanding federal power in this

area.

In summary, sanctuary cities do

not grant immunity from deportation.

They set boundaries on local cooperation

with federal immigration enforcement.

For the Chaldean community —

and others in similar situations — only

federal action can provide true protection

from removal.

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Honoring Our Elders

Building a Chaldean senior community in Michigan

If you ever find yourself

driving down Jamacha

Road in San Diego,

you might notice a modest

wooden sign that reads:

Good Samaritan Retirement

Center. Tucked into a quiet

residential neighborhood,

this Spanish-style building,

surrounded by well-kept

landscaping, may seem like

a hidden gem—and it is.

Since opening its doors

in 2000, Good Samaritan has

served the community with compassion

and care. What sets it apart is that

it’s operated by the Chaldean Sisters,

a religious order founded in Baghdad,

Iraq, in 1922. These devoted women

have dedicated their lives to service,

embodying the Christian values of virtue,

compassion and selflessness that

many of us were raised with.

San Diego’s Good Samaritan is

one of two facilities the Chaldean

Sisters operate, the other being in

Turlock, California, established in the

late 1980s. Both were made possible

through the tireless efforts of Sister

Alexandra Matti, who has been a driving

force behind their mission.

“I’m very motivated to help the

needy and the helpless, regardless of

where they come from,” says Sister

Alexandra—a sentiment that perfectly

captures the spirit of Good Samaritan.

Licensed as a nonprofit organization,

Good Samaritan welcomes all

residents who can afford to live there.

The facilities are professionally managed,

with administrators, marketing

directors, activity coordinators, dietitians,

healthcare providers and a full

kitchen staff—all under the close supervision

of the Chaldean Sisters.

“Our goal is not for us to make a

profit. God will provide,” said Sister

Lourde, the acting facility director.

The goal is not just to provide care,

but to create a warm, culturally familiar

environment where seniors feel at

home.

Despite the strong Chaldean presence

in metro Detroit—where the

JACOB

BACALL

SPECIAL TO

THE CHALDEAN

NEWS

community is known for

its resilience and tight-knit

bonds—we face a critical

gap: a senior living facility

tailored specifically to

Chaldeans. A place with an

on-site chapel, a communal

kitchen serving traditional

meals, and activities led by

fellow Chaldeans.

Our elders deserve more

than standard care. They

deserve to live out their

golden years in dignity and

joy—surrounded by familiar faces,

speaking their language, eating traditional

foods, listening to Arabic

music, and sharing stories in a faithcentered,

culturally rich setting.

Such a place isn’t just a convenience

- it’s a necessity. A dedicated

Chaldean senior living center would

allow our elderly to thrive, feel connected,

and live as one large extended

family.

The example set by Good Samaritan

in California shows what can

happen when faith, culture, and service

unite under strong leadership.

Here in Michigan, we already have

a solid foundation, a vibrant community,

dedicated families, and a

Church deeply rooted in service.

Recognizing this need, the Chaldean

Community Foundation is now

actively pursuing plans to establish

a Chaldean senior living facility in

Southeast Michigan. The vision is

not for a nursing home, but rather

an assisted living and memory care

center where elders can live independently

or with light support—close to

their families, their faith, and their

culture.

After all, we are the largest Chaldean

community in the world. What

Good Samaritan Retirement Center in San Diego, California.

we need now is a Chaldean-assisted

living and memory care facility—not

a nursing home, at least not yet, but a

place where elders can live independently

or with light support. A place

where they’ll recognize a relative, a

distant cousin or someone they once

went to school with back in Iraq.

Our community has shown incredible

generosity. In recent years,

we have raised more than $750,000

in a single event—multiple times.

If our parishes, community leaders

and business owners came together

with a shared vision, we could create

something extraordinary for our

elders here in Michigan.

Such a facility would not only

serve their needs but stand as a gift

of love, gratitude and duty to those

who came before us. Because caring

for them is not just our responsibility—it

is our honor.

Jacob Bacall is the founder of Bacall

Development and a real estate

developer who owns and operates

2 independent and licensed senior

living facilities in the downriver area

with his 2 sons.


FOUNDATION UPDATE

Preserving Our Language

CCF recently celebrated the completion of the teen Chaldean

(Sureth) Language Course at CCF West. Over the past six weeks,

Michael Antoon and Patrick Kakos taught students how to speak

Sureth – the language spoken by Jesus Christ. The celebration

included practicing their skills, testing their knowledge with a

lively game of Jeopardy, and enjoying delicious pizza and salads

from Saroki’s of Farmington Hills.

A heartfelt thank you to the Mar Ibrahim Library and our

amazing community for making this class possible. Together,

we’re keeping our heritage and language alive.

Tigris Tower Apartments in Sterling Heights.

Coming Soon

Tigris Tower’s on-site office is now open, Monday-Friday,

9:00am-5:00pm. Tours for the public

are now available. All interested applicants

are encouraged to fill out the form at tigristower.com/contact

or visit Tigris Tower in person at

43700 Van Dyke in Sterling Heights.

Some of the new updates include new grass

and landscaping, the Tigris Tower sign installation,

balcony installation and the new paved

parking lot.

For more information, visit tigristower.com

or call (586) 837-2380.

Students from the Sureth language class receiving their

completion certificates.

Exploring Our Culture

CCF West welcomed New Detroit’s Multicultural

Leadership Program participants for an

immersive experience, focusing on the history,

culture, and socioeconomics of Chaldean

Americans.

Participants from New Detroit’s Multicultural

Leadership Series enjoyed powerful stories

of two refugees who shared their personal

journeys of acculturation and professional

growth, sparking thoughtful dialogue around

the refugee experience. Attendees also toured

CCF West and learned about the many community

programs to come.

The day concluded at Shenandoah Country

Club, where the group enjoyed traditional Chaldean

cuisine and a tour of the Chaldean Cultural

Center Museum, which will soon have a new

home at the CCF’s West Bloomfield location.

Teen participants learn baking fundamentals.

Rising to the Occasion

Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen at CCF West buzzed with excitement

as young aspiring bakers gathered for a hands-on baking

class led by Genevieve Kashat, a standout contestant from

Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship.

Participants learned the art of crafting the perfect chocolate

chip cookie, measuring ingredients with precision, mastering

step-by-step recipes, and developing essential baking

techniques along the way. Some adventurous participants went

beyond the basics, whipping up creative cookie variations that

wowed their peers.

Working in pairs, the group honed teamwork and kitchen

skills mixed in with laughter and flour dust alike. Best of all, each

student left with their homemade treats to share with their families,

bringing a little extra sweetness home.

Stay tuned for more delicious experiences coming out of

Nana Bernadette’s Kitchen.

For details on upcoming programs at CCF West, contact Farah

Shammami at farah.shammami@chaldeanfoundation.org.

Below: New Detroit participants touring the Chaldean Cultural Museum.


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NOTEWORTHY

322 North Old Woodward in Birmingham.

Developer Doraid Markus Acquires Prime

Birmingham Office Building for $18M

A Chinese government-affiliated company, SAIC Motor

Corp., sold its largely vacant 41,000-square-foot office

building at 322 N. Old Woodward Ave. in Birmingham,

Michigan, for $18 million to local developer Doraid

Markus. The July 15 sale, at approximately $439 per

square foot, marks one of the highest per-square-foot

real estate deals in downtown Birmingham in 15 years.

SAIC, one of China’s largest automakers and a joint

venture partner with General Motors in Asia, had used

the property since 2012 but never fully occupied it. Due

to scaled-back operations and reduced need, the company

relocated to a smaller office in Troy.

The building drew eight offers and is considered

a “trophy property” due to its location and quality.

Markus, who pursued the building for years, now

plans to lease it to new office tenants. He is also behind

other major developments in Birmingham and

Livonia.

Born in Detroit Launches Restaurant and

Retail Space at Metro Airport

Born In Detroit LLC, a family-owned

lifestyle brand, opened Born in Detroit

Kitchen + Bar on June 27 at the

McNamara Terminal of Detroit’s airport

near Gate B6. The new space

combines a restaurant and retail

shop, offering Detroit-inspired cuisine,

Great Lakes Coffee, cocktails

made with 8 Mile Vodka, and Born

In Detroit-branded apparel. The

venture, in partnership with Delaware

North, operates daily from

6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (coffee service

until 9 p.m.). Co-owner Anthony

Tomey said the project highlights

the brand’s growth and aims to celebrate

Detroit’s culture.

Born in Detroit Kitchen + Bar at Metro Airport

Lawrence Kajy

Named to National

Trial Lawyers “Top

40 Under 40” in

Michigan for 2025

Lawrence Kajy, founder

and managing partner

of Kajy Law, PLLC in

Southfield, has once

again been named to

The National Trial Lawyers

Civil Plaintiff “Top

40 Under 40” list for

Michigan. The honor

recognizes outstanding

young attorneys for

Lawrence Kajy

their leadership, trial

skills, and dedication to justice.

Kajy focuses exclusively on personal injury

cases involving auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents,

securing millions in compensation for

clients. Selection for the list is based on peer

nominations, trial results, and legal community

leadership.

Butzel Expands

Immigration

Practice with

Addition of

Senior Attorney

Christopher J.

Ammori

Christopher J.

Ammori

Butzel has added Christopher

J. Ammori as a

Senior Attorney in its

Detroit office, strengthening

the firm’s immigration

practice. Ammori

brings extensive

experience in complex

corporate immigration,

advising both multinational

and closely held

companies on visa strategies

and compliance. His expertise includes a

wide range of nonimmigrant and immigrant

visa categories such as O-1, E-2, L-1, H-1B, EB-1,

PERM, and EB-5.

Previously, Ammori founded and led a Michigan-based

law firm focused on immigration and

business law. He holds both a J.D. and a B.S.B.A.

from Wayne State University and is active in the

Chaldean American Bar Association and the

American Immigration Lawyers Association.


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COVER STORY

From left, Julianne

Thomas, M1, Jackie

Thomas, M1,

Alison Thomas,

M.D., OUWB ‘20,

Christina Thomas,

M2, and Jacob

Thomas, M1.

A Family Affair

Five cousins chase their medical dreams at Oakland University

BY ANDREW DIETDERICH

For one group of past, current,

and future medical students

at Oakland University William

Beaumont School of Medicine, it’s

definitely safe to say that the school is

a family affair.

Chaldean cousins Jackie, Julianne,

and Jacob Thomas all officially begin

attending OUWB as members of the

Class of 2029 on Monday, August 18.

They join a fourth cousin, Christina

Thomas, who starts her second year

of medical school that same day.

And all four follow in the footsteps

of a fifth cousin: Alison Thomas, M.D.,

OUWB ’20, a practicing OB-GYN physician.

Ray Wilson, MSA, director, Medical

School Admissions, said “the fact that

OUWB is lucky enough to have a set of

siblings as part of our incoming class,

let alone twins is incredibly exciting.”

“When you add in their cousin (Jacob)

and that the three have a cousin

who is a current second year (Christina)

and one who is an alumnus of

OUWB (Alison), it really speaks to the

incredible culture that these individuals

were raised in,” he said.

“Even more impressive is that each

of these students gained admission

without us knowing of their relationship

to one another,” he added,

The family’s first real exposure

to OUWB happened in 2013, just two

years after the school welcomed its

first class.

That’s when Alison Thomas — as

a high schooler — attended a summer

outreach program hosted by the

school for youth interested in medicine

and careers in health science.

After high school, she attended

Wayne State University, where she

earned an undergraduate degree. But

for medical school, Alison started at

OUWB in 2016.

The West Bloomfield-native has

always considered what is formerly

known as Beaumont (now Corewell) to

be her dream hospital at which to work

— the collaboration between OUWB

and Beaumont made the school especially

appealing.

“I remember leaving interview day,

and I was so in love with the school,”

she said. “I knew I had to be here, no

matter what.”

The other major factor was the engaging

OUWB faculty and staff.

“It was something I didn’t see at

other schools – how much care they

put into making sure that we are on

the right path and that we have all the

resources we need,” she said.

Alison graduated from OUWB in

2020 but has remained connected to

the school and the friends she made.

In 2022, she attended an OUWB reunion

event held on campus.

When her classmate and close

friend Erfan Faridmoayer, M.D., unexpectedly

died in late 2023, Alison

helped organize an effort to establish

an OUWB endowment in Faridmoayer’s

name (she also helped organize a

memorial on the OU campus at which

she also spoke.)

Also, Alison has been involved in

the OUWB Alumni Chapter, most recently

serving as president elect.

And, of course, she served as a

kind of “unofficial recruiter” when she

learned her cousins were interested in

OUWB.

“I love OUWB,” she said. “I told

them how wonderful my experience

was and how supportive of a com-


munity it was and still is. It makes me

really happy and excited that they’re

able to join this community, too.”

Her first “family recruit” was Christina,

now an M2. The fathers of both

Christina and Alison were first cousins.

“Alison’s always been a role model…she

opened my eyes to OUWB and

made me realize that’s somewhere I

would want to go,” said Christina.

She recalled attending Oakland

University as an undergraduate and

seeing medical students with their

OUWB backpacks. At the time she

thought that it “seemed like such a

reach” but decided to talk to Alison

anyway.

“I told her that I loved the idea

of OUWB being in my future and

asked her if she thought it was the

right choice for her,” said Christina.

“She had nothing but good things to

say. She is the biggest cheerleader of

OUWB.”

“From that moment on I was laser

focused on figuring out what I had to

do to get here,” she added.

Christina said Alison gave her an

extra sense of security. She saw firsthand

the kind of success a person can

have at the school, even though she

knows full well that “everyone’s path

is going to look different.”

Now with one year of medical

school behind her, Christina said she

has seen that it wasn’t just talk.

“When everyone says OUWB is a

family and supports each other no

matter what…I’ve seen it and experienced

it,” she said. “It’s made me realize

I was told the honest truth, and I

really did make the right choice.”

Like Alison did for her, Christina

paid it forward with other members of

the Thomas family, starting with her

first cousin, Jacob.

Jacob graduated from high school

in 2020 and moved to North Dakota to

play junior hockey. He said he decided

he wanted to do something he was

more passionate about and sought “a

better way to have an impact on the

community.”

He moved back to Michigan and

earned an undergraduate degree in

biology from Michigan State University.

Jacob said he applied at about

20 medical schools but decided on

OUWB based on the opportunities to

do research and after speaking with

Christina.

Jacob said she’s already introducing

him to other students and helping

him along the way.

“She was like ‘All right, we’re going

to tell you what you need to do,

how you’re going to study,’” he said.

“It’s definitely an advantage to have

someone like that who’s been through

the same school.”

He won’t be alone as the newest

member of the Thomas family at

OUWB either. Christina and Jacob’s

second cousins, Jackie and Julianne

— who are twins — are also part of the

Class of 2029.

Julianne attended University of

Michigan for undergrad while Jackie

went to Michigan State University.

Both studied biochemistry and Jackie

said they have always felt a calling to

medicine and the decision to become

doctors was solidified after shadowing

an internal medicine physician

while in high school.

They also have experience volunteering

at local hospitals and serving

as medical assistants during a gap

year.

“I really can’t imagine a better career

than getting to come home each

night knowing that you helped make

someone’s life better,“ said Julianne.

Both said they were inspired

to pursue their dreams and attend

OUWB by seeing their family members

succeed, particularly Alison.

“Just watching her go to medical

school and accomplish her dreams…

it’s really inspirational,” said Jackie.

“We’ve been shown that we can put

in the work and accomplish our own

dreams.”

“I’m really glad we get to attend

OUWB together,” added Julianne.

All five Thomases said it makes

sense that they ended up at OUWB

because the school’s mission, vision,

and values largely align with that of

their family.

And with other younger Thomases

also considering their futures,

Jacob said he wouldn’t rule out still

more family members applying to

OUWB.

“We all have our own path, but

I think it all comes down to the core

values of wanting to help others and

enrich the communities that we come

from,” he said.

“And it’s pretty cool that we all get

to do that together.”


FEATURE

Paul Spiegelman and

Hamsa Yaqo, founders

of Kinsugi Village.

It Takes a Village

A Chaldean journey to Kintsugi

BY SARAH KITTLE

Traditions, especially food, remain

a thread of connection. “My

favorite is making kletcha with my

mom and dad,” she says. “We prep

an assembly line and use a recipe my

mom has followed for years. She mixes

dates and walnuts together, while

many people make them separately.

As a perfectionist, she never let me in

the kitchen when I was younger—but

now as an adult, I get to be part of it.

It’s one of my favorite ways to spend

time together.”

Those values of family, hospitality,

and resilience carry into her work

today. “Both of my parents are incredibly

hardworking and taught me and

my brothers the importance of kindness

and perseverance. For as long as I

can remember, they hosted people for

dinner—family, relatives, friends, and

even friends of friends. Everyone left

with full bellies and full hearts.”

That sense of warmth mirrors

the heart of Kintsugi. “Kintsugi celebrates

imperfections,” Hamsa reflects.

“As Chaldeans, many of us

have experienced war, hardship, the

immigration journey, grief, struggles

of starting a new life while balancing

two cultures, and pressures that still

exist today. But those experiences

give us perspective and allow us to

Nestled in Detroit’s historic

Corktown neighborhood,

Kintsugi Village is more than

just a school—it’s a living, breathing

ecosystem built on the idea that education

should nourish the whole child.

Set to open in October, the nonprofit

early childhood center blends learning

with art, food, nature, and community

connection. But perhaps most powerful

is the concept behind its name:

Kintsugi—the Japanese art of mending

broken pottery with gold, transforming

cracks into something beautiful

and strong. Founders Hamsa Yaqo and

Paul Spiegelman are doing just that

with a bold, healing vision for families

and the city itself.

“Our goal isn’t to open a traditional

preschool,” says Hamsa. “We’re building

an ecosystem that nourishes children

and families—emotionally, creatively,

and physically.”

Kintsugi Village draws inspiration

from the Reggio Emilia approach to

early childhood education—a childled

philosophy rooted in exploration,

creativity, and real-life experiences.

That means children will plant and

harvest vegetables, cook meals in a

teaching kitchen, create art alongside

local artists, and spend time in a

“pocket forest” designed to spark curiosity

and reflection. Classrooms are

fluid, natural spaces guided by kids’

own questions. “We see children as curious

and capable,” says Hamsa. “Our

job is to follow them on their journey.”

Inside the circled area is Kintsugi Village, close to Michigan Central.

From brokenness comes beauty

The theme of Kintsugi runs through

every part of the Village—not only

in its emphasis on growth through

imperfection, but also in the founders’

own stories. For Hamsa, Kintsugi

Village emerged from a deeply personal

place—grappling with infertility

led her to envision a space filled

with children, creativity, and healing.

“This project began with my desire to

be around kids,” she shares. “Then

we found Reggio Emilia, and it all

clicked—this was about life skills, family,

community, and joy.”

Her sense of family is deeply

shaped by her own Chaldean upbringing.

“I was born and raised in Baghdad

and moved to the States in 1991 when

I was 12 years old,” she recalls. “My

earliest memories of being Chaldean

were when we’d take trips up north to

Alqosh, where my dad is from, and visit

with the family in the village. My uncle

had twin girls who were my age—

we’d run around, build forts, laugh all

day, and then sleep on the roof under

the stars. Being in the village was very

different from being in the city—and it

was truly magical.”

appreciate what we have and what

we’ve overcome. Kintsugi is also

about joining and mending—and

that’s what family and community

do when times are tough.”

Food, art, and heart

Food plays a powerful role in the

Kintsugi model. Children and families

will grow vegetables and herbs in

a community garden, then use them

to prepare nutritious meals in an onsite

culinary kitchen. “Food is love.


Renderings include an outdoor garden space, classrooms and artist workshops.

It’s culture. It’s health,” says Hamsa.

“Especially in underserved areas, food

education is crucial.”

The campus will also include an

artist residency program and wellness

retreat center, bringing in creatives

from across Detroit to teach, collaborate,

and support the wider community.

Artists will not only create their

own work but teach in the school, host

community classes, and lead field

trips to places like Eastern Market murals

and Pewabic Pottery.

Kintsugi Village is committed to accessibility.

Discounts are available for

families living in surrounding zip codes,

and financial aid will be offered through

partners like the CDC. The school’s nonprofit

model blends tuition, grants, and

program fees with private donations to

ensure long-term affordability.

“Our goal is to be sustainable

while staying mission-driven,” says

Paul. “We’ve built multiple revenue

streams—from art classes to event rentals—so

we can grow thoughtfully without

losing sight of our core values.”

At the heart of Kintsugi Village

beats a rhythm of compassion, unity,

and purpose—captured in the acronym

HEART, which defines the five core initiatives

guiding the Village: Hospitality,

Education, Arts, Retreat, and Training.

More than just a framework, HEART is

a living expression of Kintsugi’s values.

It begins with Hospitality—welcoming

families, neighbors, and visitors

into a space where they feel truly

seen and cared for. It extends through

Education that honors each child’s curiosity,

Arts that give voice to creativity,

Retreat that invites rest and reflection,

and Training that empowers parents,

educators, and community leaders to

carry the mission forward.

A modern-day village

For Hamsa, the idea of “village” has

roots that run deep. “My grandparents

always said it takes a village,” she reflects.

“And it still does, even though

we’ve gotten away from traditional villages.

I think they’d be proud because

we’re bringing the best parts of that

back—focusing on kids, making sure

family and community are strong pillars

in their upbringing, introducing

them to food and nature so they understand

where it all comes from, and creating

an ecosystem where everyone can

co-exist, learn together, and support

each other. I hope they’d be proud.”

As construction continues and

programming takes shape, the team

sees this first year as just the beginning.

“Success won’t be measured by

test scores,” says Paul. “It will be in

the feedback we get—the stories from

families who say they feel seen, heard,

and supported. That’s when we’ll

know we’re making an impact.”

In a city that knows both hardship

and hope, Kintsugi Village offers

something rare: a place where brokenness

isn’t hidden but celebrated—and

where children grow not only to learn,

but to thrive.

For more information or to get

involved, visit kintsugivillage.org.


FEATURE

From the Nineveh Plains to Kabul

Uncovering a Chaldean in an Afghan court

BY SHEILA TURABAZ

For over 150 years, the remarkable

story of a Chaldean woman

from the Nineveh Plains who became

part of the ruling dynasty during

19th-century Afghanistan was largely

forgotten or perhaps intentionally concealed

in my family’s historical narrative.

Now, through the power of modern

genetic science, her story is being

rediscovered and brought to light.

As a second-generation Afghan

woman, born and raised in the West

but with roots that reach deep into

Afghanistan’s old aristocracy, I discovered

this hidden lineage not through

family records or archival documents,

but through the DNA I share with hundreds

of Chaldeans in the diaspora.

Most of these connections are with

Chaldean-Americans, with others scattered

across Canada, Australia, and

Europe.

While this finding is based on my

own family line, it raises the possibility

that Chaldeans have left traces in regions

and communities not previously

associated with their history.

My genetic genealogy journey

Although my family was compelled

to leave behind their homes and the

very foundation of their lives in Kabul

following the 1978 communist coup

d’état and subsequent war, our roots

lie predominantly in the Pashtun ethnic

group, long the dominant force in

Afghan society and politics. My exploration

into my family’s genetic origins

began with my maternal grandmother’s

paternal line, which traces back to

the Mohammadzai, a prominent subclan

of the Barakzai tribe.

The Barakzai are part of the larger

Durrani Pashtun tribal confederation.

From the early nineteenth century onward,

it was the Mohammadzai who

emerged as the most powerful political

force in Afghanistan. The Mohammadzais

established a royal dynasty

that shaped Afghanistan’s history

from 1826 until the 1970s, when the

monarchy was abolished after King

Mohammad Zahir Shah (1914–2007)

Ladies of Caubul (Plate 24, 1848) This image depicts Shakar Lab, known as

“Sugar Lips,” the favorite wife of a former governor of Bamiyan and niece by

marriage to Amir Dost Mohammad Khan. Credit: Colored lithograph by Lt.

James Rattray.

was deposed by his cousin Mohammad

Daoud Khan (1909–1978).

Daoud Khan then served as president

of the new republic until he was

overthrown and murdered along with

his family in a communist coup in

1978. This event marked the end of the

ruling dynasty and the beginning of

decades of violence and bloodshed in

Afghanistan. The Mohammadzais ultimately

became the most prominent

face of Afghan power in the modern

era, from the monarchy through to the

republic.

My grandmother’s third greatgrandfather,

Sardar Payinda Khan Mohammadzai

(1758–1799), was a chief of

the Barakzai tribe whose leadership

laid the foundation for his family’s rise

to power. Although his sons were still

young when he was executed in 1799,

they would go on to dominate Afghan

politics in the nineteenth century as

the founders of the Barakzai-Mohammadzai

dynasty.

Among his descendants were several

major rulers, including Amir Dost

Mohammad Khan (1792–1863). It was

under Dost Mohammad Khan’s leadership

that the country began to take

shape as a modern state. My grandmother’s

second greatgrandfather,

Sardar Said Mohammad Khan (1797–

1860), was the half-brother of Dost and

considered one of the influential “Peshawar

Sardars,” a group of brothers

who held semi-autonomous control

over Peshawar and its surroundings

COLORED LITHOGRAPH BY R. CARRICK AFTER LT. JAMES RATTRAY.

during the turbulent early nineteenth

century. Sardar is a Persian-derived

honorific meaning “chief” or “leader,”

historically used across Persia, Central

and South Asia for princes or nobles,

senior military commanders, and tribal

chiefs.

Remarkably, Dost Mohammad

Khan’s fifth eldest son, Sardar Mohammad

Azam Khan (1818- 1869), who was

our ancestor’s cousin, married the

daughter of the head of the Armenian

community in Kabul in 1847. This is a

rare and well-documented example of

intermarriage between the Afghan ruling

elite and a Christian woman.

At that time, the Armenian community

in Kabul was small but still notable,

with members serving as merchants,

translators, and artillery officers. It

is one of the few examples where the

identity of a Christian wife was actually

preserved in written records, providing

a rare glimpse into the social fabric of

nineteenth century Kabul.

Historian Dr. Jonathan L. Lee,

drawing on the observations of Sir

Herbert Benjamin Edwardes (a British

political agent involved in Afghan affairs

in the nineteenth century), noted

that other sons of the Amir also sought

to marry Armenian women in personal

communication with the author.

The big DNA discovery

The real breakthrough in my research

came when modern DNA testing revealed

a link that no source, oral or

written, had ever hinted at: my grandmother’s

paternal Pashtun Mohammadzai

lineage is genetically connected

to Chaldeans from the Nineveh

Plains region of northern Iraq.

I submitted DNA samples from

several relatives, including my grandmother,

mother, siblings, myself, and

my grandmother’s nephew, to various

commercial testing companies. The

results were undeniable: our family

shares clear DNA segments with more

than 265 individuals from the Chaldean

diaspora, especially those living

in Metro Detroit and San Diego.


A clear majority of these DNA

matches, commonly referred to as distant

cousins, trace their ancestry back

to Tel Keppe, Alqosh and Mosul, with

Baghdad representing a more recent,

internally driven relocation. To a lesser

extent, there are also ancestral links

to Tesqopa, Batnaya, Baqofah, Bakhdida,

Kirkuk and Zakho.

The pattern became even more

striking when I looked at their family

names. Recurring Chaldean surnames

that are well known in the community

appeared over and over again.

As Dr. Adhid Miri wrote in the 2024

article “What’s in a Name,” the study

of names is a powerful tool used in genealogical

research to gain insight into

the identity of one’s ancestors— and

in my family’s case, unveiling hidden

connections.

During my genealogical research, I

identified recurring common Chaldean

surnames such as Abbo, Abouna, Achoo,

Gammo, Hanna, Jajjo, Marogy, Matti, Putrus,

Saco, Shamoun, Tobia, Toma, Yaldoo,

Younan, and many others.

This kind of genetic overlap simply

cannot be explained by distant or ancient

connections between Pashtuns

and Chaldeans, since these two populations

have distinct genetic histories.

The sheer number of DNA matches,

the specific shared DNA segments,

and the recurrence of well-known

Chaldean surnames leave little doubt

about the origin of this connection.

In addition to commercial DNA

tests, I also submitted my grandmother’s

DNA for qpAdm analysis, a wellregarded

scientific method in population

genetics. The results confirmed

that the Chaldean ancestry in her DNA

most likely came from a relatively recent

ancestor.

The most convincing explanation

is that this Chaldean connection traces

back to a woman from the Nineveh

Plains who, by some unknown journey,

entered my family line. Since

the direct male lineage is well documented

and exclusively Pashtun, the

genetic evidence points strongly to a

woman whose story survives in our

DNA and forged this unexpected link.

All signs point to the wife of Sardar

Mohammad Husain Khan, my grandmother’s

great-grandfather who was

born between 1835 and 1845, as the

most likely source of Chaldean ancestry

in our family.

ANONYMOUS; MARION AND WILLIAM TROUSDALE COLLECTION, ALTADENA, CA.

Southeast quarter of the City of Kandahar (Plan A), 1840 — showing the “Mosuleeha” (Christian) quarter. This nineteenth-century

city plan marks a distinct Christian mahalla near the Shikarpur Bazaar — one of the rare cartographic

traces of Christian presence in Kandahar.

My grandmother’s family tree is

unusually well documented for Afghanistan,

where records were often

lost, intentionally destroyed or never

kept at all. Each generation on her

paternal side, going back to the 17th

century, is recorded in both historical

sources and personal family records,

except for one crucial link.

My grandmother’s third greatgrandfather,

Sardar Payinda Khan,

married women from both Pashtun

and non-Pashtun backgrounds to

secure alliances. His wives included

members of leading Pashtun tribes,

Persian Qizilbash (who were Shia Muslims)

Tajiks, and even a woman from

the Siyaposh people of Nuristan, who

at that time still practiced their indigenous

pre-Islamic faith.

By marrying across ethnic and religious

lines, Payinda Khan strengthened

his family’s ties throughout Afghanistan’s

diverse society. His son,

my grandmother’s second greatgrandfather,

Sardar Said Mohammad Khan,

also had wives from several major Pashtun

tribes as well as a Persian Qizilbash

wife, reflecting the elite custom of forging

alliances through marriage.

The next generation, Sardar Mohammad

Husain Khan, my grandmother’s

greatgrandfather, who was

a feudal landlord, is the exception.

His wife’s identity is missing from all

official and family records. We know

he had two sons, although one was

omitted from the official records due

to a mental disability, but nothing is

mentioned about their mother. The absence

of information hints that some

aspects of the family’s history may

have been quietly left out.

This gap is striking in a lineage otherwise

recorded with unusual detail. It

suggests that Husain Khan’s wife may

have been an outsider, possibly the

Chaldean woman whose DNA appears

in our family today. Unlike tribal Pashtuns,

who were famously endogamous,

the Mohammadzais regularly married

outside their lineage, using such alliances

to co-opt rivals and strengthen

political networks for example.

This more flexible approach made

it possible for individuals, especially

women, of diverse origins, including

non-Pashtun and non-Muslim backgrounds,

to enter Afghan households.

These identities were often omitted or

vaguely recorded in historical sources

and genealogies, sometimes noted only

as “a lady from X tribe or ethnicity”.

Was my Chaldean ancestor brought

to Afghanistan as a wife by choice, arrangement,

or captivity? Did other

Chaldeans also make their way to Afghanistan

at that time? It remains unclear

exactly how such women became

part of Afghan families.

In some cases, concubines or

women of slave origin had their children

recognized by the household; in

others, only children of officially recognized

wives were fully integrated

into the noble lineage. While we cannot

know the exact circumstances, it

is likely that an element of coercion

or lack of true agency was involved

AFGHAN continued on page 20


FEATURE

AFGHAN continued from page 19

for some women in these situations.

Whether my ancestor entered as a

wife or in some other capacity, her descendants

became part of privileged

Afghan circles. Sadly, her true origins

may have been concealed or gradually

forgotten over time.

COLORED LITHOGRAPH BY R. CARRICK AFTER LT. JAMES RATTRAY.

A note on identity

It is important to clarify how Christian

identity was recorded in nineteenthcentury

Afghanistan. In contemporary

sources, Christians of eastern origin

were most often described as Armenian

or Georgian, with little explicit

reference to other eastern Christian

ethnic groups. Until the mid-19th century,

the Ottoman Empire classified

Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Armenians

together as part of the Armenian millet,

meaning one general religious

community.

As a result, women who were actually

Chaldean Catholic Christians from

the Nineveh Plains region in Ottoman

Mesopotamia may have been recorded

as Armenian in historical sources. This

is not a minor detail. It shows how the

story of Afghan and Chaldean connections

could be hidden behind broad

labels, and why discovering this ancestry

today requires both science and

careful historical research.

Dost Mahommed, King of Kabul, and his youngest son. This is lithograph is taken from plate 2 of ‘Afghaunistan’ by

Lieutenant James Rattray. The decorations of this apartment were a facsimile of the Emir’s former audience hall in the

citadel of Ghazni.

A wider pattern?

While this began as a personal quest,

my genetic research revealed clues

that such connections may not be

unique. The evidence points to other

descendants of Pashtun nobility who

also share genetic ties with the Chaldean

community.

My case might be just one example,

raising the possibility that ties between

the Chaldeans and the Pashtuns

were not entirely unheard of, even if

the details have faded from collective

memory. Perhaps this is just one small

fragment of a much larger human story

of migration, adaptation, and unexpected

kinship.

As Chaldean American author and

filmmaker Weam Namou observes,

the very qualities that have long defined

the Chaldean community, such

as historical literacy, multilingualism

and cultural adaptability, may have

enabled displaced individuals to integrate

into new environments, including

elite Afghan households.

“This context helps explain,” Namou

notes, “how, despite adversity,

a Chaldean woman’s story could become

woven into an Afghan lineage.”

It is not very common to find references

to Christian communities

in Afghanistan from the nineteenth

century, the period connected to my

Chaldean ancestor. Kandahar was the

tribal homeland of the Afghan royal

families, but most kings ruled from

Kabul.

Yet in this era, a rare piece of evidence

appears: a detailed city plan

of Kandahar, likely drawn in 1840 by

a Muslim surveyor during the British

occupation, marking a distinct mahalla

or neighborhood associated with

Christians.

A few decades later, an almost

identical version of this map appeared,

suggesting that the idea of a Christian

quarter in Kandahar was recorded

more than once, though how long

such a neighborhood may have existed

remains uncertain. While there is no

direct evidence that links my ancestor

to this Christian quarter, the existence

of such a neighborhood suggests that

Christian minorities, possibly including

people with roots in Mosul and the

Nineveh Plains, were visible enough to

be recorded in the city’s layout.

“As anthropologist William B.

Trousdale notes in Kandahar in the

Nineteenth Century (2021): “Across the

Shikarpur Bazaar from the Hindus, in

the southeast quarter, are the ‘Mosuleeha,’

or Christians, possibly from the

Christian community at Mosul in northern

Iraq, but more likely Armenians

whose homeland is not far from Mosul.

While the Christians in Kandahar, as

well as in Kabul, at this time were Armenians,

the identification with Mosul

may simply have been synonymous

with Christians in Kandahar.”

A story still unfolding

This discovery has sparked both curiosity

and astonishment within my

own family, challenging our long-held

assumptions about our heritage. The

journey of tracing this lineage has

transformed the way I think about my

own identity.

It almost reads like a novel: a young

Chaldean woman from Ottoman Mesopotamia

becoming the ancestor of Afghan

nobility, only to be rediscovered

generations later by her descendant

through science. It serves as a powerful

reminder that our histories are

often interwoven in unexpected ways.

I carry a sincere admiration for the

Chaldean people, the indigenous sons

and daughters of ancient Mesopotamia,

who have managed to preserve

their faith and traditions through

countless generations against all

odds. It is a privilege to know that I

carry a part of this remarkable legacy.

While the precise route and circumstances

by which my Chaldean

ancestor became part of my family remain

unclear, I want to acknowledge

the uncertainties and honor her memory,

along with all those whose personal

stories have been lost to history.

This ongoing research is my attempt

to shed light on what little can

still be known, and I hope that, in

time, new details may emerge that will

further illuminate her journey and the

wider history it represents. Because

this story is still unfolding, new details

may yet come to light. If you have information

or even the slightest curiosity

that might connect to this history, I

would love to hear from you.

Long before my Chaldean ancestor

found her way to Afghanistan, legends

told of Saint Thomas and early Christian

communities traveling east across

Persia and into Central and South

Asia. My own family’s genetic connection

to the Chaldeans is one more

reminder that Christianity’s footprints

in Asia were as complex and surprising

as the Silk Roads themselves.

Although the details of her origins

and journey remain uncertain, I hope

she managed to hold on to something

of her Chaldean heritage, whether

a prayer, a custom, or a fragment of

memory. Through fate or through

force, her life became a thread in the

fabric of Afghan history, and the traces

of her life, carried by generations, still

linger in our DNA today.



FEATURE

From Kitchen to Classroom

CCF West expands programming to enrich senior and community life

BY SARAH KITTLE

The Chaldean Community Foundation’s

West location (CCF West)

will soon unveil a robust slate of

new programs designed to support seniors,

families, and community members

of all ages. From wellness classes

to cultural workshops and intergenerational

cooking lessons, the expanded

offerings reflect CCF West’s mission of

building connection, promoting health,

and celebrating heritage.

A thoughtful approach to

community programming

For Program Coordinator Farah Shammami,

the work begins with balance.

“A long time ago I read that a good rule

of thumb is to balance fun with purpose,”

she explains. “When planning

programs, there are several layers to

consider—understanding the audience,

incorporating intergenerational

opportunities, and always evaluating

and evolving.”

Her philosophy comes to life in everything

from language classes to cooking

demonstrations. “Learning a new

language may not always feel exciting,

but when students are asked to have a

simple conversation with one another,

that practice reinforces the language and

builds confidence,” she says. “And when

people gather in our demo kitchen,

they’re not just cooking. They’re team

building, holding each other accountable,

and having fun at the same time.”

This intentional design ensures

that CCF West’s programs do more

than fill a calendar—they create opportunities

for meaningful growth,

skill-building, and connection.

Senior Activities: Health, Fun, and

Friendship

A cornerstone of CCF West’s programming

is its commitment to community

elders. Shammami is especially excited

about expanding opportunities for

older adults, not only for social connection

but also to increase awareness

of valuable resources.

“Although many may have children

and grandchildren who help them,

there are amazing opportunities beyond

what family can provide,” she says. One

example is Community Transit services,

which in many communities allow residents

55 and over—or disabled individuals

16 and older—to schedule rides for

as little as $2 each way. These services

can take seniors to both medical and

non-medical appointments, from doctor

visits to trips to the post office or even a

favorite restaurant.

At CCF West, planned activities

for seniors will range from casual

card games and backgammon to movies,

music, and social hours. Creative

workshops in quilting, knitting, and

arts will provide space for expression,

while health and wellness sessions

will cover everything from blood pressure

checks and diabetes education to

stress management and arthritis relief.

Above:

Genevieve

Kashat, of

Kids Baking

Championship

fame, teaches a

class on baking

to a group of

teens.

Left: Michael

Antoon coteaches

a

teen class on

conversational

Sureth.

Specialized programs under consideration

include:

• Balance & Breathe – Gentle

exercise and chair yoga to improve

strength and flexibility.

• Memory Café – Dementia/Alzheimer’s

support with social and

educational components.

• Fall Prevention – Training in

safety, balance, and medication management.

• Diabetes Care – Practical workshops

on early warning signs and

treatment.

• Parkinson’s Support – Sessions

on diagnosis, treatment, and living

with the condition.

• Caregiver Support – Tools, resources,

and tips for family members.

• Stop the Scams – Fraud prevention

and safety education.

Additional offerings may include

PHOTOS BY JOSE MARRERO AND DAN MOEN

Stroke Smart education, technology and

social media training, and more artsbased

programming. Shammami adds

that family-focused nights—movies and

live entertainment by talented Chaldean

performers—are also on the horizon.

Kitchen Classes: A Taste of Tradition

Food will play a central role in

building intergenerational connections.

The CCF West demonstration

kitchen (Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s

Kitchen), will host an array of cooking

classes designed for couples, families,

and kids. From “Date Night” sessions

to parent-child experiences, the kitchen

will become a lively space for both

learning and bonding.

“When people cook in groups of

two or more, it’s about more than the

recipe,” Shammami says. “They’re

learning together, building teamwork,

holding each other accountable, and—

most importantly—having fun.”

The curriculum will celebrate Chaldean

heritage with dishes like takhratha,

biryani, bomya, kahi, gamar,

lahem ageen, potato chop, burag,

kubba, kleecha, and dolma. CCF West

also plans to welcome guest chefs and

community members, such as Genevieve

Kashat, who appeared on the

Food Network more than once and

recently used the CCF West kitchen to

teach teens how to bake her favorite

chocolate chip cookies.

Learning, Fitness, and Cultural

Exchange

Beyond senior and cooking programs,

CCF West is set to launch language classes

in September. Sureth classes for kids

(ages 8–15) and Arabic classes for adults

(18+) will run through December. Shammami

encourages community members

not only to participate but also to contribute:

“We’re looking for volunteers

to assist the chefs in the kitchen and to

help shape programs as they grow.”

The location will also support physical

activity with options like pickleball,

tennis, and basketball, encourag-


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ing community members to stay active

while enjoying social connections.

In the spirit of cultural exchange,

CCF West has partnered with the Jewish

Federation to explore joint programming

that highlights shared traditions

and promotes mutual understanding.

Building a Stronger Community

Together

While programming is still being finalized,

the vision is clear: CCF West will

be a hub for health, learning, connection,

and cultural pride. Shammami

summarizes the effort best:

“We want every generation—from

seniors seeking companionship to children

discovering new skills—to find

something meaningful here. CCF West

is a place where community comes together

to grow and thrive.”

Genevieve Kashat’s Cookies

Ingredients

½ cup light brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

1.5 sticks butter (melted)

2 eggs (at room temperature)

½ tbsp vanilla extract

½ tsp salt

2.5 cups baking flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

Optional ingredients:

Chocolate chips

Butterscotch chips

Sprinkles

Cocoa (chocolate batter)

Oreos (crushed)

Nutella**

**For Nutella stuffed cookies, make

dollops of Nutella on cookie sheet

and place in freezer while making the

dough.

Directions

Combine melted butter, white sugar,

and brown sugar in mixing bowl and

beat. Whisk in eggs, salt and vanilla

extract.

In a separate bowl, combine dry

ingredients: flour, baking soda, and

baking powder. Then mix with the

wet ingredients.

Dough can be split to make a

variety of cookies using the optional

add-ons. Shape into balls (or use

an ice cream scooper) and place on

cookie sheet, leaving 1 inch between

each cookie. Bake at 350 for 13 minutes.

Makes 18 cookies.


RELIGION

A Dream Fulfilled

St. John the Apostle Chaldean Catholic Church opens in Calgary

BY MICHAEL ANTOON

On June 18, 2025, history was

made in Calgary, Alberta,

Canada. For the first time,

after decades of dreaming, the Chaldean

Catholic community in that

region walked into their very own

church.

The consecration of St. John the

Apostle Chaldean Catholic Church

was more than just a ceremony, it

was the answer to years of prayers,

hope, and countless sacrifices.

The date itself carried deep

meaning. The church was opened

on the Feast of St. Ephrem—the deacon,

poet, and great teacher of the

Chaldean Church, whose hymns continue

to shape the faith of Chaldeans

through the Mass and other liturgies.

The consecration liturgy was led

by His Excellency Bishop Mar Robert

Jarjis, Eparch of the Chaldean Catholic

Eparchy of Mar Addai in Canada.

He was joined by His Excellency

Bishop Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim, the

first bishop of the Chaldean Catholic

Church in the U.S.A.; Bishop Mar

Thomas Meram, Bishop Emeritus of

the Chaldean Catholic diocese of Urmia,

Iran; Bishop Mar Ramzi Garmo,

Bishop Emeritus of the Chaldean

Catholic diocese of Turkey; and numerous

priests who had traveled

from across Canada and the United

States.

As the altar, tabernacle, doors

and walls of the Church were anointed

with sacred oil, many parishioners

could not hold back their tears.

It was a moment that captured decades

of longing, sacrifice, and unwavering

faith finally coming to life.

When the consecration ceremony

concluded, the celebration continued

outside.

Traditional Chaldean dances

could be seen, and the sound of the

traditional drum and flute (zorna

and tabil) could be heard as families

rejoiced over having a church they

could finally call their own.

The over 300 Chaldean families of

Fr. John Jwad in front of St. John the Apostle Chaldean Catholic Church in Calgary.

Calgary were not alone. Many visitors

came from across the Chaldean Eparchy

of Mar Addai in Canada, as well

as over 200 guests from Michigan

and California. Among the attendees

were many dignitaries from various

Chaldean associations from across

the globe such as the Chaldean Voice

Radio based in Detroit and the Qanat

Al Qiyama (Resurrection TV) Media

Network based in San Diego.

A Story Decades in the Making

The Chaldean presence in Calgary

began in the late 1980s and 1990s,

when families left Iraq searching for

safety, opportunity, and peace. Many

arrived as refugees, especially after

the tragedy of ISIS invading Chaldean

villages in northern Iraq in 2014,

which forced countless families from

their homes. Over time, many of those

families settled in Calgary, adding to

the 300-family strong community that

longed for a parish of their own.

For decades, the Canadian Chaldeans

relied on Canadian churches

or other Eastern churches in the city

to celebrate Mass and other liturgical

events. In 2007, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim,

then Apostolic Administrator,

assigned Fr. Noel Farman as the first

priest for the Calgary community.

Later, Fr. Hanni Joro, now serving in

Australia, also played a key role in

guiding the community.

In December of 2023, Fr. John

Jwad was assigned as Associate Pastor,

in assistance to the Bishop who

is listed as pastor of the parish. This

was his first assignment after being

ordained on November 1, 2023, and

he began with great hope and enthusiasm.

From day one he strived

to unite the very divided community

and plan for the future.

Fr. John notes, “The Chaldean

people take their strength and power

from the Church. The church gathers

the community.”

The Turning Point

The dream became reality through the

dedication of Fr. John Jwad. With the

support of family, friends, and generous

donors, he raised over $1 million

in his first year alone. The first

$200,000 donated to this fund were

from the ordination gifts that he received

on his ordination day, which he

and his family generously donated to

the Chaldean community in Calgary.

With cash in hand, finding a building

to purchase remained a challenge.

After visiting Sacred Heart Chaldean

Catholic Church in Saskatoon,

Fr. John learned how they had acquired

their church by writing letters

to church communities across the

city expressing interest in buying.

“I returned to Calgary, and we sent

letters to over 100 places of worship

throughout the city,” Fr. John said.

“Just a few weeks later, I received a

response from Prince of Faith Lutheran

Church. Within a few months, the

purchase terms were finalized.”

On November 1, 2024—exactly

one year after his ordination—the

purchase agreement was signed. By

the grace of God, the Chaldean community

in Calgary finally had their

own church.

Building Together

From November 2024 to June 2025,

the entire community came together

to prepare the church for worship.

Every hand was on deck—volunteers

painted, cleaned, renovated,

and contributed their skills, while

families donated materials and offered

support in countless ways. Fr.

John emphasized that no contractor

or company was involved; every

wall, every step of the renovation

was completed by the strong men of

the community. The result was more


than just a building— it was a home,

a place prepared with love and faith

for generations to come.

Honoring Those Who

Made It Possible

In the church lobby near the entrance,

two plaques honor individuals who

were very close to Fr. John and instrumental

in making the church a reality.

Shamasha (Subdeacon) Jarjees

Batto, who passed away in 2024, arrived

in Calgary early on and played

a key role in sponsoring many families

from Iraq. Fr. John recalls, “When

Fr. Hanni wanted to gather money to

buy land for a church, Shamasha Jarjees

went door to door to collect donations.

He dedicated his life to this

community and was like a father to

many families.”

The land they purchased—2 acres

still owned by the church—will be

preserved for future growth.

The second plaque honors Harry

Farouk Zeer, a friend of Fr. John. After

Harry passed away in 2024, his family

requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations

go toward the church.

Through a GoFundMe campaign,

they raised $130,000, helping make

the dream of a Chaldean church in

Calgary a reality.

First Mass & Communion

On June 19, the day after the consecration,

the parish celebrated its first

Mass on the newly consecrated altar.

That Mass also served as the first

Holy Communion celebration, where

25 children received their First Holy

Communion. Later that evening, the

parish held a Holy Hour and Eucharistic

procession in honor of the Feast

of Corpus Christi, celebrating the

body and blood of Christ.

A Church Full of Meaning

Fr. John explains that the symbolism

throughout the church helps parishioners

better understand their faith

and God. Surrounding the top of the

church are 14 Stations of the Cross. The

Chaldean cross above the altar features

a large central circle representing

Christ, surrounded by four circles

representing the Gospel writers, and 12

outer circles representing the apostles.

On the right and left of the cross are

icons of the Virgin Mary and St. John

the Apostle, commissioned by Mary

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA.

Above: Bishops, priests, deacons,

and nuns at the opening ceremony

of St. John the Apostle Church in

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Left: Painting above sanctuary in

new church.

Nisan from San Diego, California.

The mosaic on the altar depicts

the Last Supper, with the inscription

in Chaldean Aramaic: “This is my

body, and this is my blood.”

Above the sanctuary, one can see

our Lord sits on a throne, extending

his hand as a teacher. In his left hand

is a book with the Chaldean letters

Alap and Taw (Alpha and Omega). To

the right and left are four saints representing

the four villages of origin of

the Chaldean families who reside in

Calgary: Mar Rabban Hormizd representing

Alqosh, Mar Atqin representing

Umra, Mart Barbara representing

Karamlesh, and Mar Oraha representing

Batanya, Margasora and many

other villages.

To the upper left of Jesus is the

Gate of Babylon, honoring Chaldean

heritage, and to the upper right is a

depiction of Sacred Heart Church in

Telkeppe, representing resilience after

ISIS and the support of the Detroit

community. The antique Holy Gospel,

to the left of the altar, was gifted from

Mother of God Cathedral in Southfield,

Michigan, and the tabernacle

was not purchased but handcrafted

by a member of the parish.

Above the church entrance doors

is a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

with extended hands that was donated

by Safa and Fadwa Jundy. Fr. John

explained that it was placed there so

that as parishioners leave the church,

they are reminded that they should

draw closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

in their daily lives.

The church also includes four offices,

a sacristy, and a large church

hall in the basement.

More Than a Church

“For the Chaldean people, the Church

is more than just a place of worship

and prayer. It is truly a home for the

entire community,” said Fr. John. “For

many years, the Chaldean community

in Calgary was without such a home.

But today, we are filled with joy and

gratitude, as we finally have a Church

where we can come together to worship,

celebrate, and support one another

through both joyful and difficult

times.”

For Calgary’s Chaldeans, St. John

the Apostle Church is a symbol of resilience,

identity, and belonging.

“This is only the beginning,” Fr.

John reflected. “We have planted a

seed. With God’s grace, it will grow,

and this parish will be filled with life,

faith, and joy for generations to come.”

St. John the Apostle Church now

stands as a beacon of hope, faith, and

unity for Calgary’s Chaldean community

for generations to come.


FEATURE

A Legacy of Counsel

How Chaldean attorneys are shaping tomorrow

BY EEMI TOMA

The legal profession often reflects

the world it serves. At its most

honest, it mirrors evolving stories

of identity, justice, and perseverance.

For many Chaldean American attorneys,

entering this world is about more than

building a career. It means standing on

the strength of tradition while creating

something new for future generations.

This article highlights three attorneys

who have not only found success

in the legal field but also continue to

shape the spaces around them. Their

stories are rooted in experience and

guided by a shared commitment to

rise, serve and lead.

Each of them—Ziyad Hermiz, Jewel

Haji Boelstler, and Ronald G. Acho—

represent a different chapter in the

Chaldean legal journey. Their experiences

reflect where we are, where we

are going, and where we have been.

Where Business Meets Legal Strategy

Ziyad Hermiz did not grow up dreaming

of becoming a lawyer. The spark was lit

in a business law class during his undergraduate

studies at Michigan State

University. He quickly realized how the

legal system could shape, challenge, and

empower business. That realization took

him to University of Detroit Mercy School

of Law, where he graduated in 2008.

Today, Hermiz is a partner at Varnum

LLP in Birmingham. His legal

work brings him to the intersection of

business insight and legal precision,

where decisions carry weight and

strategy matters.

He did not begin as a litigator by design.

A summer clerkship with federal

Judge Avern Cohn altered his path. That

experience helped him see the court not

only as a place for argument but as a forum

for leadership where trust, preparation,

and clarity drive outcomes.

“I did not originally plan to start

my career as a litigator,” he says. “But

it just clicked.”

Much of what guides Hermiz today

can be traced back to the values he

grew up with. “My Chaldean upbringing

shaped my path in many ways,” he

From left: Ron Acho, Jewel Haji Boelstler and Ziyad Hermiz.

says. “I was raised around a strong work

ethic, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility

to family and community.”

Now, his focus includes mentoring

young professionals and helping businesses

navigate complexity. For him,

success is no longer just about winning

in court—it’s about being a trusted

adviser who brings calm to pressure

and structure to uncertainty.

To young Chaldeans thinking about

law, his advice is simple but powerful.

“Do not hold back. You do not have to

wait to see someone exactly like you in

a role before going after it.”

The Power of Poise and Purpose

When Jewel Haji Boelstler started college,

she envisioned a career in medicine.

But life, as it often does, nudged

her in a different direction. A series

of career assessments pointed her toward

law, and she never looked back.

She sought out internships and

hands-on opportunities to explore

the field. The more she engaged, the

more she saw law as a discipline that

pushed her intellectually and gave her

space to lead.

Boelstler graduated magna cum

laude from the University of Detroit

Mercy School of Law in 2019. Today,

she is a partner at Honigman LLP in

Detroit, practicing in commercial litigation

and white-collar defense.

Without lawyers in her immediate

family, she entered unfamiliar territory

and turned it into an opportunity. That’s

why mentorship is now central to her

work. She helped establish a program at

her alma mater pairing first-year law students

with alumni. “As a 1L, I didn’t always

have the answer,” she says. “Now I

can help others find theirs.”

Boelstler’s strength is in her clarity.

In a field that often values confrontation,

she has learned that composure

is not weakness. It is a strength in

another form. “Effectiveness is sometimes

measured by aggression,” she

says. “But I am most effective when I

am calm and collected.”

Her Chaldean roots gave her that

perspective. “Growing up in a minority

community reminded me that with

grit and resilience, you can conquer

anything.”

She believes Chaldean women

entering law already carry what they

need. “Challenge yourself every day,”

she says. “You are capable of more

than you know.”

A Foundation Of Faith, Counsel,

and Community

If Ziyad Hermiz and Jewel Boelstler

represent the next generation of Chaldean

legal leadership, Ronald G. Acho

stands as a pillar of its foundation.

Acho graduated from the Detroit

College of Law in 1974 and joined Cummings,

McClorey & Davis, where he

added his name and remains an equity

partner. His career spans over fifty

years, and the values that guided him

continue to guide him now.

He did not pursue law for prestige.

The 1967 Detroit riots were a defining

moment, showing him the urgency of

stability. He sought a profession that

would allow him to protect his family

and make a meaningful difference.

“I see being a lawyer as something

close to being a priest or a minister,”

he says. “We are here to help people.

But we must also build something that

can sustain itself.”

Acho’s leadership has always been

rooted in service. As a founder, he created

space for others to rise. He mentored

attorneys, cultivated diversity,

and built trust by leading with consistency.

That kind of leadership does not

chase attention. It earns it.

Though he avoided overt discrimination,

he has spent much of his career

advocating for those who did not.

Many of his clients have faced bias,

and his deep understanding of their

experiences drives his work.

“Chaldeans have faced discrimination

both in the old country and here,”

he says. “I have represented many people

who were victims of discrimination.

I relate to their experience deeply.”

To young attorneys, his message is

direct and enduring. “Be the very best

you can be, whatever your role. And

when you do find success, extend a

hand to the next person.”

Acho’s legacy is not only in the law

firm that bears his name. It lives in the

generations of attorneys he has encouraged,

the clients he has stood beside,

and the community that continues

to benefit from his quiet example.

A Story Still Being Written

One found his way through business.

Another pivoted from medicine. A

third built the road decades ago so

others would not have to walk alone.

Their paths may differ, but they lead

to the same truth. Leadership comes

in many forms, and it always leaves

something behind.

Hermiz, Boelstler, and Acho have

each redefined what it means to practice

law while staying rooted in Chaldean

identity. Their stories as more

than inspiration. They mark progress.

And to the young Chaldeans watching

from a distance, wondering if there

is a place for them in the courtroom,

the office, or the negotiating table—the

answer is already here.

Breaking barriers is not just about

being first, but making sure you are

not the last.


Big things, small things, life-changing things,

we’re here to make your health better.


FEATURE

Jacob Bacall

Jacob Bacall

Jacob Bacall was born in 1955 in Telkaif-Mosul, Iraq, into a Chaldean

Mar Eliya Retreat Center

A sacred space in Oxford

Jacob Bacall was born in 1955 in Telkaif-Mosul, Iraq, into a Chaldean

Christian family. He completed high school in Baghdad and pursued

studies Christian in Mechanical family. Engineering He completed in the high United school Kingdom. in Baghdad In 1977, he and pursued

immigrated studies in to Mechanical the United States, Engineering where he in joined the United his brother, Kingdom. Eddie, In 1977, he

in the immigrated family business to the operating United States, retail drug where stores. he joined Over time, his brother, BY Eddie, MIRNA AYAR

business the transitioned family business into real operating estate, where retail Jacob drug found stores. his Over true time, the

Jacob calling.

Bacall was born in 1955 in Telkaif-Mosul, Iraq, into a Chaldean

The Christian

business family.

transitioned He completed

into high

real school

estate, in Baghdad

where and

Jacob pursued

found his true story of Mar Eliya Retreat

studies calling.

Mechanical Engineering in the United Kingdom. In 1977, he

By the early 1990s, Jacob began investing in income-producing

immigrated

Jacob to the United

Bacall

States, where he joined his brother, Eddie,

Center begins in 1928, when

properties and quickly built a reputation as a successful and

in the

forward-thinking

By family the early business

entrepreneur.

1990s, operating Jacob retail

His business

began drug stores.

portfolio

investing Over

focuses

in time, income-producing

the

on real Detroit industrialist Arthur H.

business

estate properties transitioned into real estate, where Jacob found his true

development and property management, with investments

Need the and perfect quickly gift for built your a reputation clients, as a successful and

calling.

expanding forward-thinking over the entrepreneur. years to include His shopping business centers, portfolio office focuses Buhl on real purchased a picturesque estate

buildings, senior living communities, hospitality ventures, and multi-

estate colleagues, development family and or friends? property Explore

management, with investments


Oxford, Michigan. Originally defamily

residential properties.

properties expanding the latest quickly over books the built from years a reputation author to include and

as a successful shopping and centers, office

forward-thinking buildings, senior entrepreneur. living communities, His business portfolio hospitality focuses ventures, on real and veloped multifamily

historian, development

as Buhl’s private residence,

estate

Jacob has remained

residential Jacob and

deeply

properties.

property Bacall. connected management,

to his heritage with

and investments

is actively

involved in the Chaldean community. He has served in every the property eventually evolved into a

expanding over the years to include shopping centers, office

buildings,

leadership position on the board of the Chaldean Iraqi American

Association Jacob senior has of Michigan remained living communities,

(CIAAM), deeply the connected hospitality ventures,

oldest Chaldean to his heritage and multifamily

One residential hundred properties. percent of the author’s organization and is place actively of peace and spirituality, serv-

in the involved United States, in the founded Chaldean in 1943. community. Additionally, He he has has served served on

ing

every

various faith-based purposes for

Jacob the leadership boards royalties has remained of position the and deeply Chaldean proceeds on connected the Chamber are board to

donated his of heritage of Commerce, the to Chaldean and is actively Chaldean Iraqi American

involved Community Association in Foundation the of Michigan and community. the (CIAAM), Chaldean He Cultural the has oldest served Center. Chaldean in every organization over half a century.

various Chaldean non-profit organizations.

leadership in the position United States, on the founded board of the in 1943. Chaldean Additionally, Iraqi American he has served on

An author and historian at heart, Jacob has written three books: Today, the estate enters a new chap-

Association the boards of Michigan of the (CIAAM), Chaldean the oldest Chamber Chaldean of organization Commerce, Chaldean

in Chaldeans the in Detroit (2014), Chaldean Iraqi American Association of

Community To United purchase, States, Foundation founded please in and visit 1943. the Additionally, the Chaldean Mar Ibrahim he Cultural has served Center. on ter—as the first official retreat center of

the Michigan boards (2018), of the and Chaldean most recently, Chamber Chaldean of Commerce, Catholic Church Chaldean (2025),

Community co-authored Foundation with Bishop and Bawai the Chaldean Soro.

Cultural Center.

the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St.

An Library author in and West historian Bloomfield, at heart, Michigan Jacob has or written three books:

An Jacob author Chaldeans order resides and online historian West Detroit at Bloomfield, at amazon.com

(2014), heart, Michigan, Jacob Chaldean has with written Iraqi his wife, American three Anne. books: They Association Thomas of the Apostle—continuing a long

Chaldeans are Michigan proud in parents Detroit (2018), (2014), of and four most Chaldean children recently, Iraqi and American Chaldean grandparents Association Catholic to seven Church of (2025),

grandchildren.

and rich legacy of spiritual renewal.

Michigan co-authored (2018), and with most Bishop recently, Bawai Chaldean Soro.

Catholic Church (2025),

Jacob co-authored Bacall with was Bishop born in Bawai 1955 in Soro. Telkaif-Mosul, Iraq, into a Chaldean In 2022, through the generosity of

Christian Jacob family. resides He completed in West Bloomfield, high school Michigan, in Baghdad with and pursued his wife, Anne. They

studies Jacob resides in Mechanical in West Engineering Bloomfield, Michigan, in the United with Kingdom. his wife, Anne. In 1977, They

are proud parents of four children and grandparents to the seven Boji family, the property was ac-

are immigrated proud parents to the United of four States, children where and he joined grandparents his brother, to Eddie,

seven

grandchildren. grandchildren.

quired and donated to the Diocese in

in the family business operating retail drug stores. Over time, the

business transitioned into real estate, where Jacob found his true memory of Deacon Yousif and Najma

calling.

Boji. Their gift honors a legacy of faith


properties and quickly built a reputation as a successful and and service, and their contribution has

forward-thinking entrepreneur. His business portfolio focuses on real

paved the way for what is now the Mar

estate development and property management, with investments

expanding over the years to include shopping centers, office Eliya Retreat Center.

buildings, senior living communities, hospitality ventures, and multifamily

residential properties.

Named in honor of the prophet Elijah—Mar

Eliya means “Blessed Elijah”—

Jacob has remained deeply connected to his heritage and is actively

involved in the Chaldean community. He has served in every

the center reflects the profound spiritual

leadership position on the board of the Chaldean Iraqi American

Association of Michigan (CIAAM), the oldest Chaldean organization

ONLINE tradition Elijah represents. Revered for

in the DOESN’T

United States, founded in 1943. Additionally, he has served on

the boards of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, Chaldean foretelling the coming of Christ and

Community Foundation and the Chaldean Cultural Center.

appearing alongside Moses and Jesus

MEAN ON

An author

YOUR

and historian at heart,

OWN.

Jacob has written three books:

at the Transfiguration, Elijah’s legacy

Chaldeans in Detroit (2014), Chaldean Iraqi American Association of

Michigan (2018), and most recently, Chaldean Catholic Church (2025), makes him a fitting namesake for a place

Whether you’re running co-authored a business with Bishop or Bawai Soro.

managing a full household, Farmington Public

of deep reflection and sacred encounter.

Jacob resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan, with his wife, Anne. They

Schools offers trusted are Kindgergarten–12th

proud parents of four children and grandparents to seven

grandchildren.

A Modern Spiritual Oasis

grade online options that fit your family’s life.

Renovations, led by Kalabat Construction

Company, were completed in June

CHOOSE FROM:

Live Remote Classes: Daily structure and

2025. As the property manager and

real-time instruction

interior designer, I had the joy and

Self-Paced Learning: Learn anytime,

privilege of designing each detail with

anywhere

care, creating a modern sanctuary that

blends the tranquility of a retreat with

ALL STUDENTS GET:

the comfort of a boutique hotel.

Full Support: Certified FPS Teachers,

counselors, and tech help included

Each of the 40 guest rooms includes

two queen beds, a private bathroom,

and thoughtful, elegant décor—

A Trusted Path: Earn a Farmington Public

Schools diploma

meant to encourage rest, reflection

Flexible Online Learning.

and renewal. The goal is simple: allow

Real Support For Your Child.

guests to focus fully on their spiritual

journey, while we take care of the rest.

The retreat center spans approximately

98,000 square feet of usable

interior space, which includes:

• 40 fully furnished bedrooms

• Two large gathering halls

farmington.k12.mi.us/online

• Eight breakout rooms for group

Jacob Bacall

Jacob Bacall

Scan Code to Purchase

Jacob’s Books on Amazon







discussions or small sessions

• Two chapels for private prayer and

liturgical celebrations

• Multiple lounge and reading areas

• A library filled with spiritual literature

• A basketball court

• Quiet rooms and scenic viewpoints

for meditation

Outside, the beautifully landscaped

grounds feature a peaceful pond, walking

trails, outdoor seating areas and panoramic

views of nature—ideal for solitude,

prayer or simply soaking in the serenity.

A Mission of Holiness and Hospitality

Mar Eliya is more than just a retreat

center—it’s a sacred space where every

visitor is invited to open their heart

and encounter the Lord in a personal

and profound way.

Spiritual artwork, historical statues

and a 24-hour tabernacle in the

small chapel create an atmosphere of

reverence and quiet beauty. The mission

is clear: to refresh the soul, renew

the heart, and rekindle a deeper

awareness of God’s presence.

Just as the prophet Elijah encountered

God not in the earthquake, wind

or fire—but in the “still small voice” (1

Kings 19)—this center invites guests to

step away from the noise of daily life and

listen for that same voice in the silence.

Mar Eliya offers a sacred pause. A

place to retreat. To rest. To be reminded

of who we are and whose we are.

As Scripture says in Mark 6:31:

“Come away with me by yourselves to

a deserted place and rest for a while.”

Mar Eliya is that place—an oasis of

silence, beauty and sacred encounter.

Grand Opening Celebration

Mar Eliya Retreat Center will celebrate its

grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony

on Friday, September 5, beginning

at 5:00 PM. All are welcome to attend

and experience the center firsthand.

The Mar Eliya Retreat Center is now

open and accepting reservations.

For more information or to book your

retreat, please call (248) 266-5596 or

email retreat@chaldeanchurch.org

and visit MarEliya.com.


VISIT LTU.EDU TO APPLY TODAY


CULTURE & HISTORY

The tomb of high

priest Joshua

Cohen Gadol.

Jewish Shrines in Iraq:

A Shared Heritage

BY ADHID MIRI, PHD.

Part II

For 2,600 years, Jewish life flourished

in Mesopotamia—modern-day

Iraq—stretching back

to the time of Babylon, where the Jews

composed the Babylonian Talmud,

and to the city of Ur, birthplace of the

Prophet Abraham. Across centuries,

Jewish communities left an indelible

mark on the country’s cultural and

spiritual landscape, building synagogues,

schools, and shrines that became

intertwined with the heritage of

Iraq’s diverse peoples.

From Baghdad to Mosul, these

sites once anchored vibrant neighborhoods.

Shrines dedicated to biblical

figures such as Ezra, Ezekiel, Jonah,

and Ubaidiya drew pilgrims for generations,

each community weaving its own

traditions into the rituals of veneration.

In Mosul’s Jewish quarter, the Sassoon

Synagogue stood as the heart of a thriving

congregation, while the nearby

Shrine of the Prophet Ubaidiya reflected

a rare interfaith reverence—Jews

gathering inside to pray during the

Feast of Weeks, Muslims offering petitions

from outside its eastern window.

Today, these sacred places face a

stark reality. War, neglect, and looting

have left many in ruins; others have

been repurposed or erased entirely. Yet

their memory endures, carried by the

few who remain and those who work

to preserve what is left. Together, these

shrines and synagogues tell the story of

a once-prominent community whose

history is essential to understanding

Iraq’s religious pluralism—and the

fragile hope for peace amid diversity.

Burial Place of Joshua Cohen

Gadol - Baghdad

In Judaism, the High Priest of Israel (Hebrew:

, Cohen Gadol; Aramaic:

Kahana Rabba) was the head of the Israelite

priesthood and the holiest position

in the faith. From the time of Aaron until

the destruction of the Second Temple,

the High Priest oversaw the Temple service

and served as the spiritual leader of

the Jewish people. His most sacred duty

was entering the Holy of Holies on Yom

Kippur, when the holiest time, place and

person converged.

For Iraqi Jews—known as Yahadut

Bavel ( )—the burial site of

Joshua Cohen, the High Priest (Yehoshua

ben Yehotzadak), is located

on the western side of Baghdad in the

Junaid al-Baghdadi Cemetery, near the

shrine of Sheikh Marouf Al-Karkhi.

Built by Jews in the sixth century BCE,

the shrine was a place of prayer and

blessing for generations.

Historical accounts confirm the

shrine’s long-standing importance. In

1847, traveler Benjamin II described a

small building shaded by eight large

palm trees, divided into two sections—

one containing the High Priest’s beautifully

decorated tomb, mentioned in the

Book of Zechariah (3:1). Other notable

Jews are buried in the shrine’s courtyard,

including Rabbi Yaacov (Jacob) Bar Yosef,

the physician, buried in 1851, and

Rabbi Abdallah Somekh, buried in 1889.

For Iraqi Jews, the Baghdad shrine

of Joshua Cohen Gadol stands as both

a spiritual landmark and a testament

to the community’s deep roots in

Mesopotamia. It remains a symbol of

shared reverence, where Jewish and

Muslim traditions intersect.

From Baghdad’s bustling heart,

our journey moves northward through

the Nineveh Plains toward the mountains

of Alqosh, where another prophet’s

resting place—one spared from

destruction—continues to unite Iraq’s

diverse faiths.

Shrine of Nahum Al-Alqoshi

North of Mosul, in the Chaldean town

of Alqosh, lies the tomb of the Prophet

Nahum—one of the most important

surviving Jewish pilgrimage sites in

Iraq. The shrine, nestled among rows

of stone houses 45 kilometers (28

miles) from the city, has endured centuries

of change and, in recent years,

near destruction.

The complex centers on a synagogue

housing Nahum’s tomb, surrounded by

subsidiary buildings and a courtyard.

The Bible records Nahum as one of the

Twelve Minor Prophets, believed to have

been born and buried in Alqosh. An inscription

over his grave in Hebrew states

that the current structure was renovated

in 1796 by Abdullah Youssef and Sassoon

Saleh Daoud, ancestor of Iraq’s

prominent Sassoon family. The shrine

has long been revered not only by Jews

but also by Christians and Muslims.

Nahum’s biblical words—“And everyone

who sees you will flee from you

and say, Nineveh is destroyed! Who will

mourn for it? Where shall I seek comforters

for you?”—resonate with the site’s location

just north of ancient Nineveh. In

2014, ISIS destroyed the tomb of Jonah

in Mosul, erasing centuries of shared

heritage. Had the militants reached

Alqosh, Nahum’s tomb would almost

certainly have met the same fate.

For centuries, the shrine was a focal

point of Jewish life. Each summer,

thousands of Jews traveled from across

Iraq to mark Shavuot there, reenacting

the giving of the Torah on nearby

mountain peaks. This tradition ended

abruptly in the mid-20th century. The

Farhud pogrom in 1941, followed by

a rise in antisemitism, forced most of

Iraq’s Jews to leave. By the 1950s, the

shrine stood empty. Local Christians

maintained it as best they could, viewing

it as a “jewel” of the town and a

symbol of interfaith ties.

By the 2010s, the tomb was in severe

disrepair. In 2017, the Alliance for

the Restoration of Cultural Heritage,

with funding from the U.S. government,

the Kurdistan Regional Government,

and private donors, launched

a stabilization and restoration effort.

Traditional 18th-century stonework

was preserved, Hebrew inscriptions

were cleaned and revealed, and green

iron gates were installed around the

tomb, now draped in silk. A prayer

book in Hebrew and English rests atop

the tomb, illuminated by warm light

through latticed windows.

Today, Nahum’s shrine once again

draws pilgrims and visitors of all faiths.

Church bells ring faintly in the distance,

a reminder of the shared cultural

landscape it inhabits. While its physical

beauty has been restored, its long-term

future remains uncertain—its survival

dependent on both continued preservation

and the willingness of Iraq’s diverse

communities to protect this rare

testament to their intertwined histories.

Shrine of Jonah (Yunus) – Mosul

Yunus ibn Matta يُوْنُس ٱبْن مَتّىٰ‏)‏ ), known

in English as Jonah, was a Jewish prophet

and the son of Amittai. He is one of the

12 Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible

and the Christian Old Testament and

is the only one of them mentioned by

SHRINES continued on page 32


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CULTURE & HISTORY

SHRINES continued from page 30

name in the Quran. His story appears in

the Book of Jonah in Christian scripture

and in the prophetic collection known

as the Twelve in the Jewish canon. In

the Quran, he is referred to as Yunus,

“an apostle of God,” and as Dhu l-Nun

“The One of the Fish”). The ‏,ذُو ٱلنُّوْن)‏

Quran’s 10th chapter bears his name.

Biblical references, including

2 Kings 14:25, suggest Jonah lived

around 785 BCE, during the height of

the Assyrian Empire — one of the most

feared powers in Mesopotamia. While

his narrative is set in this period,

scholars believe it was written later,

in the 5th or 4th century BCE, after the

Babylonian exile, when memories of

Assyrian cruelty still lingered.

According to scripture, God commanded

Jonah to warn the people of

Nineveh — a major Assyrian city — to

repent. Jonah, unwilling to see his enemies

spared, fled west to the port of

Joppa and boarded a ship to Tarshish.

A violent storm threatened to sink the

vessel, and the sailors determined Jonah

was the cause. At his urging, they threw

him overboard. Swallowed by a great

fish, Jonah spent three days and nights

in its belly before being delivered to

shore. Chastened, he went to Nineveh,

where the king and people repented,

sparing the city from destruction.

The city of Mosul, believed by

many to be the burial place of Jonah,

is home to the Nabi Yunus site. The

shrine was revered by Jews, Christians

and Muslims. The Al-Nabi Yunus

Mosque (1365–2014) was built over the

traditional burial site, which had earlier

been marked by an Assyrian Christian

church. Archaeological evidence

indicates the mound also contained

the remains of an Assyrian palace built

by King Esarhaddon (681–669 BCE).

The mosque’s tomb was believed

by many to hold the prophet’s remains

and, according to some traditions,

even a tooth from the whale that swallowed

him. The site resisted conversion

to exclusive use by any single faith for

generations. In 1924, a Turkish architect

added a minaret to the mosque. Its

alabaster floors, conical ribbed dome,

arched prayer-room entrances inscribed

with Quranic verses, and wooden dharih

(tomb enclosure) made it a landmark.

Local Jewish tradition held that Jonah

died during the Feast of Tabernacles,

which begins each year in mid-October.

Jews from Mosul visited the shrine

during the festival, erecting a canopy for

visitors after paying an entrance fee to

the site’s caretaker. Non-Jews were not

permitted to approach the green coffin.

Other claimed burial sites of Jonah

exist in Israel, the Palestinian West

Bank, Lebanon, Turkey, and elsewhere.

During Saddam Hussein’s rule, the

mosque was renovated and guarded as

a holy site. For centuries, it attracted

Muslim pilgrims honoring the prophet.

On July 24, 2014, during its occupation

of Mosul, the Islamic State of Iraq

and the Levant (ISIL) demolished the

shrine, calling it a place of apostasy. Locals

had pleaded for its preservation, regarding

it as a jewel of the city that united

different religious communities. Satellite

images taken days before and after confirmed

the destruction, and later images

showed the site cleared of rubble.

In March 2017, after ISIL was driven

from Mosul, archaeologists discovered

an extensive network of tunnels — more

than 50 in total — beneath the site.

Many contained Assyrian reliefs, carvings,

and structures, providing further

evidence of the area’s ancient origins.

The Sasson Synagogue - Mosul

In Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city

and long a crossroads of ethnic and

religious diversity, the ruins of the Sasson

Synagogue sit tucked into a bend

in an alley. Colorful paintings still

mark its walls, but its collapsed ceiling

vault reveals weathered arches and

stone columns surrounded by rubble,

scrap metal and garbage.

For centuries, Mosul — which encompasses

the site of biblical Nineveh

— was home to Arabs, Turks, Kurds,

Sunni Muslims, Chaldeans, Assyrians,

Yazidis and Jews. But mid-20th century

anti-Semitism, coupled with Baghdad’s

pro-Nazi stance during World War II

and the founding of Israel in 1948, led

to the deportation of most of Mosul’s

Jews and the confiscation of their land.

In the 1950s, Jewish shrines dedicated

to the prophets Ezra, Ezekiel and

Jonah were converted into mosques,

and hundreds of synagogues vanished.

Only Baghdad’s Meir Tawieq

Synagogue remained in use. In Mosul,

no Jews remain, yet the historic

Sasson Synagogue — the city’s main

synagogue in the 20th century — still

stands, though badly damaged.

An artist’s depiction of Jonah’s ship.

Built in 1902, the Sasson Synagogue

once served a thriving Jewish

community of 6,000 and was the heart

of the city’s Jewish Quarter. Since the

U.S. invasion in 2003, it has been left

to decay: its mikveh turned into a

horse stable, its interior crumbling,

the Torah ark steps falling apart, and

its once sky-blue, columned sanctuary

exposed to the elements. Trash and

debris fill the property, while looters

have removed cultural artifacts.

After Mosul’s liberation from

ISIS in 2017, 80% of the city’s cultural

heritage — including the Jewish

district — was found destroyed,

according to UNESCO. Yet efforts to

preserve the synagogue persist. Iraqi

expatriate Jews are working with international

organizations to save the

building and safeguard Mosul’s Jewish

legacy. The Swiss-based Alliance

for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict

Areas (ALIPH) has signaled support

for a potential renovation, and

in January, the U.S. consulate in Erbil

announced $500,000 to restore the

small Ezekiel Synagogue near Akre.

Jewish life in Iraq stretched back

2,600 years to Babylon but was decimated

by repression and mass emigration

after Israel’s creation. By the mid-

1970s, nearly all Iraqi Jews had left,

and most Jewish heritage sites were

neglected, repurposed or demolished.

The Sasson Synagogue, like the

few Jews who still live in Iraq — some

keeping their faith secret — remains a

fragile reminder of a community that

once shaped the nation’s culture. Preserving

it is not only about protecting a

building, but about honoring a history

of religious pluralism and the possibility

of peace amid diversity.

Shrine of the Prophet Ubaidiya –

Mosul

The Shrine of the Prophet Ubaidiya

is located in what was once a Jewish

neighborhood of Mosul. Tucked inside

a dark crypt, the coffin is draped

in a green velvet cloth. Historically,

the shrine held special significance

for the city’s Jewish community, who

would visit during the Feast of Weeks.

Visitors would enter the crypt and lie

down beside the grave in an act of devotion

and supplication.

Muslim residents of Mosul also

revered the prophet but followed a

different custom. Rather than entering

the shrine, they would stand outside,

speaking their prayers through a

window set into the eastern wall. This

quiet exchange—Jews inside, Muslims

outside—was a reflection of the intertwined

yet distinct religious practices

that once coexisted in Mosul.

Conclusion

Though the Jewish population in Iraq

has largely vanished, their physical

and spiritual legacies endure in these

holy sites—fragile yet resilient markers

of a once-thriving community.

Each shrine and synagogue tells a

story not only of faith but of coexistence,

cultural exchange, and shared

history across religious lines. Preserving

these sacred places is essential

not only to honor the memory of Iraqi

Jewry but also to affirm the broader

values of pluralism and tolerance in

a region too often marked by division.

As restoration efforts continue and

awareness grows, these shrines may

yet inspire new generations to recognize

and celebrate Iraq’s rich, diverse

heritage.


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CULTURE & HISTORY

انبياء اليهود يف بالد الرافدين – مواقع ومراقد وقصص واساطري - الجزء الثاين

بقلم د عضيد مريي

سجالت التاريخ يف بالد ما بنّي النهرين ‏)العراق(‏ تبنّيّ‏

انه بعد 2600 عام من االستيطان اليهودي املتواصل

يف املنطقة التي وُلد فيها النبي إبراهيم،‏ وسُ‏ جل فيها

عهد بابل حيث كَتبَ‏ اليهود التلمود البابيل،‏ انتهى

وجود املكون اليهودي العراقي يف وطن اجدادهم

بعد احداث الفرهود واسقاط الجنسية العراقية

عن هذا املكّون األصيل يف النصف الثاين من القرن

العرشين.‏ ورغم ذلك،‏ ال يزال هناك تراث مادي

وتاريخي يستحق التذكري به ومواقع دينية وأثرية

مقدسة مهملة،‏ ومرتوكة ملعول الزمان ومهددة

باالنقراض تنتظر الرحمة والعناية والرتميم.‏ لقد

حددت أبحاث أجراها أثريون وأكادمييون 27 موقعًا

يف العراق ال تزال قامئة،‏ ولكنها معرضة للخطر

واالندثار وهي يف حالة بالغة السوء.‏

لقد عاش اليهود العراقيون بالد الرافدين ويف

أرضٍ‏ ارتبطت تاريخيا وثقافيًا بالنصوص الدينية

املركزية املقدسة لليهودية،‏ وتعترب بابل يف بالد ما

بنّي النهرين القدمية ‏)العراق الحديث(‏ جزءٌ‏ ال يتجزأ

من الرتاث التورايت،‏ فهي وفقًا للتقاليد اليهودية،‏

كانت جنة عدن وتقع بنّي نهري دجلة والفرات يف

منطقة خصبة مليئة بالحياة.‏

وكان ومازال املسلمون واليهود العراقيون

يقدسون مواقع القبور املحلية املرتبطة برؤساء

وأنبياء الكتاب املقدس مثل ‏)دانيال وحزقيال وعزرا

ويونس وناحوم(،‏ وكذلك أرضحة النبي يونس

‏)يونان(‏ يف املوصل وعزرا ‏)العزير(‏ يف العامرة

واسحاق الكًعوين يف بغداد وغريهم من األنبياء

التوراتينّي الذين كانت اصولهم من بالد الرافدين.‏

خالل الحكم العثامين،‏ شكل اليهود 40٪ من سكان

بغداد،‏ إذ بلغ عددهم 150,000 يف عام 1948 عند

تأسيس الدولة العربية وخالل السنوات الثالث التالية،‏

وكنتيجة للهجرة غادر 96٪ منهم العراق بسبب

الضغوط والتقلبات السياسية وحملة تسقيط الجنسية،‏

وتوجه معظم اليهود العراقينّي إىل الدولة العربية،‏ التي

تضم حاليًا 220,000 يهودي من أصل بابيل عراقي.‏

ويف وقت من األوقات،‏ كان يف العراق 118 معبدًا

يهوديًا،‏ و‎48‎ مدرسة تلموديه،‏ وتسعة أرضحة لألنبياء

ورجال الدين،‏ وثالثة مقابر يهودية ولليهود يف العراق

مقاماتٌ‏ وأرضحةٌ‏ عريقةٌ‏ يزورها اليهودُ‏ يف األعياد وغريها

من املناسبات.‏ وباعتبار اليهودية ديانة توحيدية،‏ يؤمن

أتباع اليهودية بإله واحد أعلن نفسه من خالل األنبياء

القدماء،‏ مبن فيهم إبراهيم وإسحاق ويعقوب،‏ وموىس،‏

وسليامن،‏ وغريهم.‏ وبعضُ‏ هذه املقامات مقدسٌ‏ لدى

املسلمنّي أيضً‏ ا إذ يتوافد مئات الحجاج املسلمنّي إىل

األماكن واملراقد املقدسة كل عام لتكريم هؤالء األنبياء

مثل عزرا ‏)العزير(‏ قرب العامرة وحزقيال ‏)ذا الكفل(‏

قرب الحلة الذي تحمل البالطات فوق مدخل قربه،‏

نقشً‏ ا عربيًا يقول:‏ ‏“هنا قرب سيدنا حزقيال”.‏

كان النبي حزقيال ‏)ذو الكفل(‏ ينحدر من

الحلة يف وسط - جنوب العراق،‏ ويقع مزاره يف

ناحية الكفل يف محافظة بابل،‏ وسميت الناحية

نسبة إىل هذا املزار.‏ واملنطقة التي يقع فيها املزار

كانت معروفة بتواجد كثيف لليهود حتى نهاية

األربعينيات من القرن العرشين،‏ قبل هجرتهم من

العراق،‏ ويُعتقد أن النبي حزقيال هو نفسه املذكور

يف التوراة والقرآن،‏ ويوجد يف مدينة الكفل خانات

يهودية ومنازل وسوق يعود تاريخها إىل فرتة تواجد

اليهود يف املنطقة،‏ وتعترب املنطقة من األماكن

املقدسة لدى اليهود.‏ كام تضم مناطق العراق

األخرى مقامات النبي يونان يف نينوى ودانيال يف

كركوك،‏ وناحوم يف القوش.‏

يف أعقاب عمليات التهجري اليهودية يف

خمسينيات القرن املايض،‏ حُوّلت أرضحة أنبياء

الكتاب املقدس عزرا وحزقيال ويونس إىل مساجد،‏

واختفت مئات املعابد اليهودية،‏ باستثناء كنيس

مائري طويق يف بغداد.‏ ومبعجزة،‏ نجا كنيس ساسون

يف املوصل،‏ ولكنه ترضر بشدة.‏

وبالرغم من تعرّض الجالية اليهودية لالضطهاد

جراء القمع الشديد لليهود الذين بقوا يف العراق،‏

فإن مستوى القمع تذبذب مع مرور الوقت،‏ وبحلول

منتصف سبعينيات القرن املايض،‏ تُركوا إىل حد كبري

إلدارة شؤونهم الدينية واالجتامعية واالقتصادية

بأنفسهم.‏ ولكن بعدما غادر جميع يهود العراق

تقريبًا،‏ انتقل معظم الرتاث املعامري اليهودي العراقي

الجامعي إىل سيطرة الدولة العراقية،‏ التي أهملته،‏

أو أعادت توظيفه،‏ أو سلمته إىل أفراد الستخدامهم

الخاص أو إلعادة تطويره.‏ ونتيجة لذلك،‏ تدهور

معظم الرتاث اليهودي العراقي بشكل كبري،‏ أو خضع

لتعديالت جوهرية،‏ أو هُدّم بالكامل.‏ ولكن مع ذلك،‏

تبقى ذكريات يهود العراق،‏ تذكري مهم لفهم التعددية

الدينية وأهمية السالم يف ظلّ‏ التنوع املجتمعي

والديني يف الوطن الواحد.‏

يف الجزء األول من هذه السلسة الذي نرش

يف عدد شهر حزيران 2025، تناولنا ثالثة أرضحة

يهودية بارزة يف العامرة والحلة وبغداد ‏)عزرا،‏

حسقيال،‏ كًاعون(.‏ ويف هذا الجزء الثاين سنتناول

خمسة مواقع إضافية يف محافظة نينوى :

-4 رضيح الكاهن األعظم يوشع

كوهني جادول

يف العربية ‏“رئيس كهنة إرسائيل ‏”‏‎باللغة

الرومانية:كوهنّيجادول،تعنيحرفيًا“الكاهناألعظم”‏

وباآلرامية ‏“كاهنا رابا”‏ هوالكاهنالكبري و

شغل كوهنّي جادول،‏ أقدس منصب يف اليهودية،‏

وامتد دوره عرب التاريخ من عهد هارون يف العصور

القدمية حتى دمار الهيكل الثاين.‏ وكانت مهمة

كوهنّي جادول اإلرشاف عىل خدمة الهيكل والعمل

كقائد روحي للشعب اليهودي ومسؤوليته األبرز

دخول قدس األقداس يف يوم كيبور،‏ عندما يلتقي

أقدس األوقات واألشخاص واألماكن.‏

بالنسبة لليهود العراقينّي ‏)يهود بابل(‏

) يف مقربة

يقع رضيح رئيس الكهنة (

جنيد البغدادي،‏ وبُني الرضيح عىل يد اليهود يف القرن

السادس قبل امليالد ويقع بالقرب من رضيح الشيخ

معروف الكرخي يف الجانب الغريب من بغداد،‏ واعتاد

يهود العراق زيارته كمكان للصالة والتربك.‏

ويحظى القرب باحرتام وتبجيل العرب واليهود ويُقال

إن جثامن رئيس الكهنة موجود يف صندوق كبري،‏ وفوقه

وضعت لوحة مصنوعة من النحاس مكتوب عليها

باألحرف العربية ‏“يوشع كوهنّي جادول”.‏ ويشبه القرب

صندوقًا حجريًا ضخامً‏ ، يف رأسه صفيحة نحاسية،‏ عليها

نقوش عربية بارزة،‏ كالتايل:‏ ‏“يهسوده كوينجادش”،‏ أي

‏“لوسواه الكاهن األكرب”.‏ ويقولون إنه كان قديسً‏ ا يُجله

الجميع بسبب املعجزات التي أجراها الله بواسطته،‏

إذ يذهب اليهود إىل الرضيح شهريًا لسامع نصوص

وكتابات الكاهن األكرب وبعد االنتهاء من القراءة،‏

يُنشدون الرتانيم،‏ ثم يجتمعون يف مكان غري بعيد عن

القرب،‏ ويقيمون نزهة عائلية.‏

وهناك شهادات ألشخاص يف عصور مختلفة عن

األنشطة اليهودية يف الحرم وعن الكلامت العربية التي

كانت جزءًا من زخارف القرب والجدار.‏ ووفقًا للمؤرخ

الزائر بنيامنّي الثاين،‏ فإن الرضيح املذكور عام 1847 يقع

عىل بُعد ساعة من بغداد،‏ يف مبنى صغري تُظلله مثاين

نخالت كبرية،‏ ومقسّ‏ م إىل قسمنّي،‏ أحدهام قرب الكاهن

العظيم يوشع،‏ املُزخرف بشكل جميل،‏ واملذكور يف سفر

زكريا )٣:١(. ومن بنّي مشاهري اليهود اآلخرين املدفوننّي

يف فناء رضيح يوشع،‏ الحاخام يعقوب بار يوسف،‏

،

(، املدفون

،)

الطبيب (

عام 1805، وعبد الله سوميخ (

املدفون عام 1889

ومع أن اسم كوهنّي جدول هو ‏)يوشع(،‏ فيجب

عدم الخلط بينه وبنّي ‏)هوشع ابن نون(‏ من سبط

افرايم ووفقًا للكتاب املقدس،‏ وهوشع،‏ حرفيًا يعني

‏“خلّص”‏ لكن موىس سامّ‏ ه ‏“يوشع”‏ عندما وُلد يف

مرص قبل الخروج،‏ ويُعرف باسم ‏)يشوع ابن نون(‏

وبقيادته بني إرسائيل إىل أرض امليعاد بعد وفاة

موىس.‏ ولكيال نخلط بنّي األسامء واملواقع،‏ فهناك

SHRINES continued on page 37

Nabbi-Yunus (Jonah) Mosque


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CULTURE & HISTORY

العديد من التقاليد اإلسالمية التي تُحدد مواقع

أخرى لقرب النبي يوشع يف دول رشق أوسطية تشمل

‏)تل يوشع(‏ يف إسطنبول،‏ تركيا،‏ ومقام النبي يوشع

يف األردن،‏ وقرية ‏)النبي يوشع(‏ يف صفد التي هي

أعىل مدينة يف الجليل واألرايض املقدسة،‏ ويف كفل

حارس بالضفة الغربية،‏ وفقًا لتقليد سامري سُ‏ جّل

عام 1877 يُعرف رضيح كفل حارس،‏ الذي يعتربه

اليهود قرب يوشع،‏ ويسميه املسلمنّي باسم ‏)مقام

يوشع بن نون(‏ ومقام خادم صالح الدين باإلضافة

إىل مواقع أخرى يف إيران ولبنان.‏

-5 مقام النبي ناحوم األلقويش

عىل بُعد خمسة وأربعنّي كيلومرتًا )28 ميالً‏ ) شامل

املوصل،‏ يقع مقام النبي ناحوم يف بلدة القوش

شامل العراق،‏ ويعود تاريخه إىل القرن الثاين عرش

امليالدي،‏ وكان موقع حج مهم للمجتمع اليهودي

يف املوصل والعراق خاصة خالل عيد األسابيع.‏

كان ناحوم نبيًا يهوديًا،‏ سُ‏ جِّلت نبوءته يف سفر

ناحوم،‏ وهو السفر السابع من سلسلة األنبياء

الصغار يف الكتاب العربي املقدس ‏)املعروف أيضً‏ ا

باسم العهد القديم(،‏ واشتهر بنبوءته املتعلقة

بسقوط اإلمرباطورية اآلشورية وعاصمتها نينوى.‏

ويُعتقد أن هذا السفر كُتب بعد الهجوم اآلشوري

عىل ‏)طيبة(‏ وقبل سقوط نينوى عام 612 قبل

امليالد.‏ وكتب ناحوم يف الكتاب املقدس عن نينوى:‏

‏“كل من يراك يهرب منك ويقول خربت نينوى فمن

سيندبها؟ وأين أطلب لك معزين؟”‏

ال يُعرف الكثري عن ناحوم،‏ الذي تنبأ بسقوط

نينوى يف العهد القديم،‏ ووفقًا للكتاب املقدس،‏

يُعترب ناحوم أحد األنبياء الصغار االثني عرش الذين

يُعتقد أنهم ولدوا وماتوا يف مدينة القوش لكن قربه

كان جزءًا أساسيًا من الحياة اليهودية يف املنطقة

وكان اليهود العراقيون يزورون القرب باآلالف خالل

عيد األسابيع ‏)وهو عيد يحتفل بنزول التوراة عىل

اليهود بعد سبعة أسابيع من نفيهم من مرص(،‏

ويعيدون متثيل مشاهد جبل سيناء عىل القمم

الشامخة فوق املدينة.‏

يقع هذا املوقع أسفل طريق متعرج مير عرب

القوش،‏ بنّي صفوف املنازل الحجرية يف هذه

البلدة الكلدانية وكان املجمع يضم يف السابق

مدرسة يهودية وكنيسً‏ مركزي مع قرب النبي ناحوم

وسلسلة من املباين الفرعية املرتبة حول ساحة الفناء

الوسطية.‏ وعىل قرب النبي ناحوم وقربه نقشٌ‏ بالعربية

يشري إىل أن املبنى الحايل قد جُدد عام 1796 ميالديًا

عىل يد عبد الله يوسف وساسون صالح داود ‏)الجد

األكرب لعائلة ساسون اليهودية الشهرية يف العراق(‏

وبالقرب منه،‏ تقع مغارة السيدة سارة،‏ شقيقة

النبي.‏ وال تقترص قدسية هذا املقام عىل اليهود

فحسب،‏ بل متتد إىل املسيحينّي واملسلمنّي.‏

وبينام عاش اغلب اليهود يف مدن العراق الجنوبية

مثل بغداد والحلة والبرصة،‏ كانت املناطق يف

الشامل مثل املوصل ودهوك موطنًا لليهود الناطقنّي

باآلرامية،‏ ويُقال عنهم غالبًا إنهم ينحدرون مبارشة

من قبائل إرسائيل املفقودة.‏ ومع أن املسلمنّي واليهود

واملسيحينّي يُجلّون النبي ناحوم،‏ إال أنه لو حصل

ودخل داعش القوش،‏ لدمّروا قربه كام دمّروا قرب

النبي يونان يف املوصل ‏)نينوى القدمية(‏ يف 24 يوليو/‏

متوز 2014. إذ كان داعش مُصمّامً‏ عىل محو التاريخ

املشرتك للطوائف الدينية املتنوعة التي عاشت

يف املوصل،‏ واستبدال مفهوم الطوائف املختلفة

بأيديولوجية ضيقة،‏ إجرامية قرسية قاسية ال ترحم،‏

وال قيمة عندهم ألي يشء سبق اإلسالم.‏

ويف مدينة املوصل التي تقع عىل بُعد أقل من 50

كيلومرتًا من القوش،‏ كاد الرتاث اليهودي يف املوصل

ميُ‏ حى من عىل الخريطة،‏ إذ دمّرت جامعة داعش

اإلرهابية قربي النبينّي يونان ودانيال،‏ وكان ناحوم النبي

الوحيد الذي نجا من همج داعش،‏ لكن رضيحه كان يف

حالة سيئة للغاية،‏ بعد ان تُرك املوقع خاليًا لعقود منذ

رحيل يهود العراق يف خمسينيات القرن املايض.‏

حاول املسيحيون املحليون الحفاظ عىل الرضيح

بعد رحيل الجالية اليهودية،‏ وكان املوقع محور جهود

الحفظ الدولية عىل مدار العقد املايض،‏ وتم إجراء

بعض أعامل التثبيت يف أواخر عام 2017، بواسطة

الوكالة األمريكية للتنمية الدولية والتربعات األمريكية

الخاصة لرتميم قرب النبي ناحوم مبقدار 500 الف

دوالر ، وبدأ مرشوع الرتميم لحفظ الرتاث الثقايف من

قبل حكومة الواليات املتحدة وحكومة إقليم كردستان

واملانحنّي من القطاع الخاص وأعادت مبادرة أعامل

الرتميم القرب إىل مجده املتواضع السابق باستخدام

نفس األحجار التقليدية املبعرثة حول املوقع.‏

تفتح األبواب الخشبية عىل مرقد القرب،‏ بينام يطفو

ضوء ذهبي دافئ عرب النوافذ الشبكية.‏ وتصطف

النقوش العربية،‏ التي كانت مخفية سابقًا تحت

قرون من تراكم الرتبة واملعادن والصدأ عىل الجدران.‏

ويوجد كتاب صالة،‏ باللغتنّي اإلنجليزية والعربية،‏ عىل

القرب،‏ محاطًا ببوابات حديدية خرضاء،‏ ملفوفة بحرير

أخرض،‏ وعادة يُقرع جرس الكنيس بهدوء بعد الظهر.‏

ويف السنوات القليلة املاضية،‏ أصبح رضيح النبي

ناحوم،‏ بعد ترميمه،‏ ملتقىً‏ للسكان املحلينّي من

جميع األديان،‏ ومزارا للحجاج والزوار والضيوف

األجانب،‏ إذ انه موقع تاريخي وديني مفتوح للزوار،‏

مع حاميته يف الوقت نفسه،‏ لقد رُمم رضيح النبي

ناحوم ليعود إىل مجده السابق،‏ ولكن مستقبله

وأمنه يبقى غامضاً‏ ومجهول.‏

-6 مقام النبي يونس ‏)ذو النون(‏ -

املوصل

يونس بن متى ‏)يُوْنُس ٱبْن مَتّىٰ‏ ) أو النبي يونان

‏)جونا(‏ كان نبيًا يهوديًا يُعرف بأنه ابن أمتاي.‏

وكان أحد األنبياء الصغار االثني عرش يف الكتاب

املقدس العربي والعهد القديم املسيحي.‏ تُعد

سريته جزءًا من كتاب أكرب،‏ وهو كتاب االثني

عرش،‏ يف الرشيعة اليهودية.‏

ويونس هو االسم العريب للنبي يونان ويحظى

موقع النبي بتبجيل اليهود واملسيحينّي واملسلمنّي

إذ أن يونان هو النبي الوحيد من بنّي األنبياء االثني

عرش الصغار يف الكتاب املقدس العربي الذي ذُكر

اسمه يف القرآن الكريم،‏ وسُ‏ ميت السورة العارشة

من القرآن الكريم،‏ باسمه ‏)سورة يونس(،‏ كام وذُكر

يونس يف القرآن الكريم عدة مرات كرسول من رسل

الله،‏ وباسم ذي النون ‏)ذو النون(.‏

وبناءً‏ عىل املعلومات التاريخية الواردة يف سفر

امللوك الثاين،‏ يُحتمل أنه عاش حوايل عام 785 قبل

امليالد.‏ يف ذلك الوقت،‏ كانت اإلمرباطورية اآلشورية

واحدة من أكرث.‏

SHRINES continued from page 35

بادر بتمویل

مستقبل ابنك

بھبات نقدیة للدراسة الجامعیة

أو التدریب المھني!‏

منحة میشیغان للإنجاز تُمو ِّ ل جمیع الخریجین،‏ في جمیع المسارات

الدراسیة،‏ بغض النظر عن معدلھم التراكمي.‏ كما أنھا أقل اعتمادًا

على الدخل مما تظن.‏ فإذا كان ابنك في السنة الأخیرة من المرحلة

الثانویة أو من حدیثي التخرج،‏ فمن المحتمل أن یحصل على ھبات

نقدیة لما یلي:‏

الدراسة في كلیة مجتمعیة

الدراسة في جامعة عامة أو خاصة

التدریب المھني

امسح الكود للاستزادة أو تفض َّل بزیارة:‏

mi.gov/ACHIEVEMENT


FEATURE

From left: Jacob Bacall signing

books at his book launch

earlier this year. Ron Acho in

his office at his law firm.

and worked into his 80s. George said

everyone was invited to his retirement

party—it would be his funeral.

Not Done Yet

Seniors rewrite the rules of retirement

BY PAUL NATINSKY

If a quick glance around the office

reveals more silver hair and sensible

shoes, it’s no illusion. Older

workers are sticking around—and in

greater numbers.

Nearly 20% of people 65 and older

are working, according to 2023 data

from the Pew Research Center—double

the share from 35 years ago. In

that same period, wages for this demographic

have nearly doubled.

The reasons vary. Some seniors

remain on the job out of financial necessity,

while others continue working

for social connection, stimulation,

or a sense of purpose.

“This is a very timely topic because

the reality is people are living

longer. As people are living longer,

they should do more with their lives

rather than sitting around watching

TV,” said Ron Acho, 79, an attorney

who has practiced law in Metro Detroit

for 51 years following a few years

working for Ford Motor Company.

Acho has noticed that retired

friends of his who are active mentally

have stayed sharp, but has watched

as others without activities to keep

them going have deteriorated mentally

and physically more quickly.

In some ways, Acho’s late work life

is reflective of broader general trends

in the older segment of the workforce.

He is educated with at least a fouryear

college degree, spends much of

his time working from home and enjoys

a flexible schedule.

Jacob Bacall, a 69-year-old property

developer, is another senior who

abhors the idea of a purposeless tour

through his golden years.

“I don’t see myself sitting home

and watching TV. That’s not me, man,”

he says, imagining himself eventually

beginning to argue with friends and

family.

Like many in the Chaldean community,

Bacall’s roots are in the grocery

business. He says he is a merchant

with a merchant’s mentality. All

of his life has been spent either going

to school or working or both.

Continuing that cycle keeps Bacall

surrounded by life, youth and opportunities,

that in turn keep him stimulated

in body and mind.

“To be honest with you, I have no

plan to retire fully.” It’s hard for him to

stay away from the office, but he’d like

to come in around 10 o’clock after having

breakfast with his wife, work four

or five hours, go for a walk and then

spend time reading.

“That would be an ideal way of life

for me,” he says.

He still works more hours than he

wants to. He hates to see negligence

and when he does, it bothers the heck

out of him.

Work itself has changed

In addition to work moving increasingly

out of the office and into people’s

homes, the information age has made

it less physical and more accessible to

people as they age.

“More people are working at desk

jobs that don’t require much physical

labor,” Gal Wettstein, a senior research

economist at the Center for Retirement

Research at Boston College told CNN

business in 2024. “That contributes to

people’s ability to work longer.”

“The reality is that a lot of people

are not physical laborers,” said Acho.

“You don’t see a lot of welders or concrete

people work late. It’s too hard for

them. A lot more service jobs, professional

positions, reporters. Why would

you stop? It’s not like you can’t do it.”

Lifestyle—or survival?

For Acho and Bacall, working past typical

retirement age is lifestyle choice,

but for many grinding it out into their

golden years is a matter of survival.

Rising healthcare costs, later eligibility

for Medicare benefits and the change

from defined benefit retirement plans

(pensions) that guarantee payment to

less certain 401(k) plans have pushed

some into working longer than they

had planned.

On the bright side, people are living

longer and are healthier than ever

before. These trends help older workers

remain in the workforce later, maximizing

Social Security income and

offsetting the cost of living they will

incur when they can no longer work.

Fifty years ago, Acho represented

workers in workers comp cases at the

Rouge Industrial Complex. All of them

died before age 65. With modern medicine

and medications, people are living

longer, he said. “People were 65 and

they were old. Now, 65 is young and you

see people (living into) their 90s and

even 100s—which was unheard of.”

Acho tells the story of Mike George,

a famous Chaldean who he says was,

at one time, president of 24 companies

A different work ethic

Like many Chaldeans of their generation,

Acho and Bacall grew up with

fewer resources and worked harder for

life’s basics. Saving two years to buy a

TV, paying out of pocket for job training,

or traveling overseas to purchase

a washer and dryer were not unusual.

Even taking that into account, Bacall

says he sees America getting fat and lazy.

Today, more than ever. “You see three

people doing the job of one person.”

Acho said he still commands respect

in the courtroom, sometimes

even more so when judges realize he’s

older than they are. Integrity, he added,

remains central at his firm, Cummings,

McClorey, Davis & Acho.

All these years later his firm still

teaches attorneys to have a lot of integrity

so that when they go into court,

they are respected. “Not that they are

always going to find in your favor, but

at least they will believe you are being

straight with them.”

Still, he sees two troubling trends:

too many lawyers in metro Detroit—

about 500 Chaldean attorneys now,

compared to just four when he began—and

a decline in civility among

younger lawyers.

“As an officer of the court, you’re

supposed to be honorable and decent,”

he said. “Some lawyers are foulmouthed,

abusive, just not polite. Unabashedly

uncivil.”

Looking ahead

When asked if he has any personal

goals left, Acho laughs and says his

goal is “to live as long as I can.” Still

laughing, he cited an interview response

from actor Tony Danza interview

a few months ago:

“He turned 73 and the reporter

asked what it was like being older.

(Danza said), It’s like walking in a dangerous

neighborhood and you’re afraid

something bad’s gonna happen.”

Dark humor aside, both men insist

attitude matters. Staying busy, maintaining

connections, and holding on

to purpose—whether through work or

other pursuits—are increasingly recognized

as keys to aging well.

And for many, a job they enjoy is

the best way to do just that.


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FEATURE

Seniors at Risk

How to spot—and stop—common scams

BY PAUL NATINSKY

With increasingly realistic

deepfakes arriving by

email, text, phone and

even mail, everyone is vulnerable to

fraudsters. Seniors, in particular, are

prime targets.

My wife and I—not quite seniors

yet—learned this the hard way. A couple

of years ago, while trying to sell a couch

on Facebook Marketplace, we were

scammed out of $300 through Zelle. It

wasn’t Facebook’s or Zelle’s fault. The

fraudsters spun a convincing story,

moved quickly and took advantage of

our trust. We felt foolish, and aside from

reporting it, there wasn’t much to do except

chalk it up as a hard lesson.

But some scams are so slick that

even the wary can fall for them. And

it’s almost impossible to avoid the

channels fraudsters use to reach us.

The FBI’s website says, “Seniors are

often targeted because they tend to be

trusting and polite. They also usually

have financial savings, own a home,

and have good credit—all of which

make them attractive to scammers.”

The Bureau also says seniors are

sensitive to being duped and having

relatives question their ability to manage

their affairs.

There are thousands of scams,

but most fall into a few common categories.

The FBI and the National

Council on Aging (NCOA) maintain

detailed resources on the most prevalent

schemes, along with tips on how

to avoid and report them.

Common Scams Targeting Seniors

The “Grandparent” Grift: Scammers

pose as a child or grandchild in immediate

financial need, often demanding

money through gift cards or electronic

transfers. AI technology allows scammers

to create very realistic scenarios

involving fake government or law enforcement

personnel and even fake

voices. The scams prey on the emotional

vulnerability of a grandparent and

move the mark through the scenario

quickly creating a sense of urgency.

Financial Services Swindle: These

scams are easy to fall for because the

perpetrators impersonate legitimate financial

institutions and ask for seemingly

innocuous personal information,

which they then use to access the senior’s

financial information, and, in

turn, their accounts.

Tech Support Scams: According to

the NCOA, these scams prey upon the

doubts and discomforts that many

people have around computers. In

fact, when it comes to fraud committed

against older adults, tech support

scams top the list. How do they

work? Typically, a person’s computer

or phone screen will freeze or go blank.

A pop-up message will appear with a

phone number to dial for help. When

the user calls it, the scammer on the

other end will ask for permission to

log on to the device remotely. This fake

“tech support” representative also may

demand a fee to repair the “issue.”

Government Impersonation Hustles:

In this fraud, callers pretend to be

from the Internal Revenue Service

(IRS), Social Security Administration,

or Medicare. They threaten to arrest

or deport the person who picks up the

phone if they don’t pay their “unpaid

taxes.” Or they may threaten to cut off

Social Security or Medicare benefits

unless the person provides personal

details. This information can then be

used to commit identity theft. As with

other scams, government imposters

may demand prepaid debit cards,

cash, or wire transfers as payment.

Using special technology, they often

“spoof” the actual phone number of

a government agency or call from the

same ZIP code (202 for Washington,

D.C., for example). This can trick some

people into thinking the caller is from

a valid source.

Other Schemes

Romance scams: Promise companionship

while siphoning money or

personal details.

Lottery/sweepstakes ruses: Demand

payment to “claim” winnings.

Home repair hustles: Collect deposits

for work that’s never done.

TV/radio rip-offs: Advertise bogus

services such as reverse mortgages or

credit repair.

Protective Measures

The FBI recommends several precautions

to avoid becoming a victim:

• Recognize scam attempts and

end communication immediately.

• Create a family password or phrase

to confirm identities in emergencies.

• Search online for names, emails,

phone numbers and offers—others

may have already flagged them as

scams.

• Resist pressure to act quickly;

scammers rely on urgency.

• Call police immediately if you

feel you or a loved one are in danger.

• Be cautious of unsolicited calls,

mail or door-to-door offers.

• Never provide personal or financial

information to unverified sources.

• Keep anti-virus and security software

up to date. Enable pop-up blockers.

• Disconnect from the internet if

a suspicious pop-up or locked screen

appears.

• Be cautious with email attachments

and downloads.

• Contact financial institutions immediately

if you suspect compromised

accounts.

Reporting Fraud

The FBI urges victims to report scams—

not only for themselves but to protect

others and help law enforcement track

emerging schemes.

Complaints can be filed at the Internet

Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov.

When reporting, include as much

detail as possible, such as:

• Names of the scammer or company

• Dates and methods of contact

• Phone numbers, emails, mailing

addresses and websites used

• Payment methods and destinations

(including account numbers, if

applicable)

• Descriptions of interactions and

instructions received

• Keep original documentation,

emails and logs of communication

whenever possible.

Stay Alert

An ounce of prevention is worth a

pound of cure, so paying attention

to news about scams and proceeding

cautiously in online communications

helps avoid being a victim.


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CHALDEAN KITCHEN

Torshi Girl

In search of the perfect recipe, Linda Abbo

may have discovered the Holy Grail

BY Z.Z. DAWOD

Thousands of Chaldean families

reside in Metro Detroit, and

there are likely almost as many

torshi recipe variations. A pickled-vegetable

staple in Middle Eastern homes,

the crunchy treat livens up any meal

and can even be enjoyed as a standalone

snack.

A Family Staple

Linda Abbo, a.k.a. “Torshi Girl” is very

passionate about making her unique

blend of torshi. Her mom first taught

her the basics when she was just a girl,

helping out in the kitchen. Since then,

the recipe has evolved, resulting in a

unique blend that truly stands out.

The core vegetable ingredients can

vary depending on what’s available

or different preferences. Linda says,

“Vegetables that go into the torshi is

what your family prefers and likes.

There’s no right or wrong way.” The

staples for Linda’s family are cabbage,

cauliflower, carrots, English peas, cucumbers,

olives and celery.

When Linda was growing up, making

torshi was a weekly routine, especially

if guests were expected. Many

Chaldean families kept a similar tradition.

According to Linda, “Everyone

has their own method, and everybody

has their own unique story.”

Over the years, as different ingredients

became available, the process has

evolved. For instance, Linda recalls

that, in the old days, people didn’t use

apple cider vinegar and they didn’t use

apple juice. Instead, recipes relied on

sugar and water to balance the acidity.

For Linda’s mom, one common

practice was to heat up the mixture on

the stove, to speed up the fermenting

process. This is one step that Linda

has since eliminated. Leaving the jar

on the counter for an extra day before

refrigerating yielded the same results

and greatly reduced the number of

pots that had to be washed afterwards.

Down to a Science

Since those early days, Linda has experimented

with the recipe extensively,

streamlining it further. “I remember

(as time went on) we tweaked it a little

bit, to make it a lot easier, and it still

comes out the same,” she reminisced.

In addition to process-related suggestions,

Linda offers additional helpful

tips. When adding the curry, she

stresses that it is important to wear

gloves because the curry contains a lot

of turmeric. “It gets under your nails

and stains your hands, so gloves are

important,” Linda cautions.

After years of experimentation, the

process eventually evolved into the

recipe she uses today and shared here.

Bringing On the Heat

Most ingredients in Linda’s recipe

are fairly typical, but one ingredient

makes her recipe unique, and it’s directly

related to her family’s history.

In the 1930s, members of Linda’s extended

family migrated from Telkeppe

to Ixtepec, Mexico. Their goal was to

eventually reunite with family already

living in Detroit but when immigration

limits halted the process, lives were established

in Ixtepec.

Years later, some of her Chaldean-

Mexican cousins came for a visit and

introduced jalapeños to the recipe.

Hesitant at first, Linda confesses that

the result was delicious. “It was unbelievable.

With a little bit of heat,

the jalapeños kicked it up a notch and

took our torshi to the next level, as the

blending of cultures frequently does.”

An Age-Old Process

In an effort to preserve their food, people

around the globe have developed

a variety of pickling techniques that

date back thousands of years.

In the Middle East, vinegar has

played a key role. Archaeologists have

found that cucumbers may have been

pickled in the Tigris Valley as far back

as 2030 BCE, and the practice is believed

to have first originated in ancient

Mesopotamia around 2400 BCE.

People around the world share a basic

need for reliable food preservation

and pickling is a process that lies at the

intersection of many traditions. Rooted

in Mesopotamian cuisine, torshi carries

a rich history among the many varieties

to have evolved across cultures.

PHOTOS BY ALEX LUMELSKY


RECIPE

Torshi

Recipe shared by Linda Abbo

Ingredients

1 gallon mason jar (wide mouth)

1/2 head of cauliflower

1/2 head of cabbage

1 large carrot

3-5 cucumbers

1/2 cup of green olives (pitted)

1 jalapeño pepper

1 celery stalk

1 cup of sugar snap peas

3 slices of lemon

1/2 bunch of parsley

1 tablespoon of curry

1 tablespoon of salt

1 part of apple cider vinegar

2 parts of apple juice

1 pair of latex food grade gloves,

to protect against curry staining

(optional)

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Directions

Chop vegetables, any shape or size

to your preference, place in a bowl

and give a good toss. Assemble all the

vegetables in the mason jar, except for

the lemon and parsley. Sprinkle the

salt and curry. Pour apple juice and

apple cider vinegar over the assembled

vegetables. Once the vinegar and juices

have been added, press to compress

the veggies down a bit and top off with

the parsley and lemon slices. Close the

lid and flip jar upside down a couple of

times to give it a good mix.

A new jar of torshi should remain

on the countertop for two to three days,

then refrigerate. During the fermenting

time on the counter, give the jar a flip

or two to mix up the liquid and curry

that has settled. The longer it stays out

of the fridge, the softer the vegetables.

It’s a matter of preference.


SPORTS

Noah’s Arc

From novice to Michigan’s first Chaldean

All-State boys volleyball player

BY STEVE STEIN

Noah Manna joined the new

Walled Lake Central High

School boys volleyball team

when he was a sophomore with very

little experience in the sport.

“I’d only played volleyball in gym

class,” he said. “The girls in my gym

class when I was a freshman who had

played volleyball before were amazingly

good at it, and the sport looked

like fun, so I gave it a try. I’m so glad

I did.”

When he graduated from Walled

Lake Central this past spring, Manna

left behind a legacy on and off the volleyball

court.

He was the boys volleyball team’s

captain and starting setter as a junior

and senior, and he was named a thirdteam

Division 2 All-State player by the

Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball

Coaches Association in his senior year.

He was the first Chaldean to earn

an All-State honor from the MIVCA.

Setter is a hugely important position

in volleyball. It’s akin to a quarterback

in football. Like a QB, a volleyball

team’s offense runs through the setter.

Lindy Shedlowsky, Walled Lake

Central’s coach all three years Manna

was on the boys volleyball team,

wasn’t surprised that Manna emerged

from the shadows to become one of the

best players in the state.

Because there were so many older

players on the team when Manna was

a sophomore—he was the only sophomore

on the team, as a matter of fact—

he rode the bench most of the season.

But he earned a spot in the starting

lineup as a defensive specialist by the

end of the year, and the rest is history.

“Noah had a lack of knowledge

about volleyball when he started playing

it, but no lack of desire and an intense

work ethic,” Shedlowsky said.

“He put in tons of work on his own

time ear-round so he would keep improving.”

Manna said he played volleyball

three or four times a week during summers

and attended clinics to sharpen

his skills.

Selecting Manna as the team captain

for two years was an easy decision

for Shedlowsky.

“Noah is going to go far in this

world and I’m so proud to be part of

his journey,” she said. “He’s a kind,

sweet, funny, salt of the earth young

man. As a captain, he did a great job

bringing the team together. He was

always positive, never mean or judgmental.

“But he also could get on a player

if he thought the player wasn’t being

seriously competitive. That’s also a

captain’s job.”

Another job for Manna as captain

was finding players for the team.

“I did a lot of recruiting,” he said.

Walled Lake Central had a successful

team during Manna’s captaincy.

This past season, the Vikings went

21-3 during the regular season, won a

regional championship, and advanced

all the way to the Final Four in the Division

2 state tournament.

They lost to eventual state champion

and No. 1-ranked Lowell in the

state semifinals in June. Walled Lake

Central was ranked No. 3.

“I wouldn’t have believed it if you

had told me when I was a sophomore

Left: Noah Manna and his mother,

Julie, show off Walled Lake Central’s

regional championship plaque.

Above: A White Lake Lakeland

player (left) can’t stop Noah Manna

at the net.

that I’d be All-State and our team

would do so well in only its third year,”

Manna said.

Boys volleyball was a club sport

for the first seven years of its existence

in Michigan. That’s why it was run by

the coaches group. It will be Michigan

High School Athletic Associationsanctioned

sport starting this season.

After having four boys volleyball

teams in western Michigan in 2018,

there were nearly 100 teams statewide

this past season.

“It’s people like Noah who are responsible

for the growth of the sport in

our state,” Shedlowsky said.

Volleyball wasn’t Manna’s only extra-curricular

activity at Walled Lake

Central. He also was a member of the

Chaldean American Student Association,

National Honor Society, Science

National Honor Society, and the Red

Cross Club.

So what’s next for Manna?

He’s attending the University of

Michigan, where he’s on a pre-med

track and thinking of playing volleyball

at the intramural level if it can be

worked into his class schedule. Academic

are his No. 1 priority.

Michael and Julie Manna are Noah’s

parents. The family lives in Commerce

Township.


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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Back to the Roots

Ancestral farming for healthy mind, body and SOIL

BY MELISSA ZETOUNA

If you grew up in Telkaif, Alqosh,

Batnaya, Karamles, Qaraqosh,

Tesqopa, Duhok, or other villages

near the Nineveh Plain, you were

familiar with many families maintaining

their own agriculture and

livestock. And if you were Americanborn

like me, you heard stories from

your loved ones about the happy,

church-centered, simple life back

home, back then.

My mother grew up in Telkaif

with a garden, chickens, sheep, and

a cow. Besides her usual farmhouse

chores, she also made Geymar (Iraqi

clotted cream) in bulk for the townsfolk.

Our land—the Fertile Crescent,

the cradle of civilization and agriculture

for millennia—produced dates,

grapes, grapevines, wheat, barley,

figs, olive trees, and other vegetable

crops effortlessly through a self-sufficient

process of regenerative farming.

For health and environmental

reasons in the United States, it’s

making a comeback.

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic

farming approach that requires

minimal human intervention for crops

and livestock. This year-round process:

Restores soil health, temperature

and moisture using leaves as natural

mulch.

Protects soil microbes, worms

and fungi, which release enriching

byproducts into the soil.

Shields soil from erosion, including

damage caused by snowmelt that

can disrupt natural balance.

Maintains crop root systems yearround,

supporting soil microbe diversity.

Uses crop rotation to balance

nutrients and build microbial resistance

to pests and disease.

Integrates livestock — such as

cows, horses, goats, sheep and

chickens — for ecological balance,

with manure serving as a rich fertilizer.

Encourages compatible crop diversity

to enhance resilience.

King Nebuchadnezzar II, Neo-Babylonian ruler from 605 – 562 BC, engineered

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, pictured in the background, which is one of

the Seven Wonders of the World. The portrait, by artist Reni Stephan (2025), currently

hangs at Chaldean Community Foundation – West in West Bloomfield, MI.

Minimizes soil disturbance by reducing

tilling and emissions.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

incorporated many principles that

foreshadowed regenerative agriculture,

including advanced irrigation,

water conservation, crop and animal

diversity, integrated fish farming

and the use of water runoff for soil

enrichment.

Regenerative farming is gaining

momentum as conventional agriculture

continues to degrade soil in

many parts of the world. Synthetic

fertilizers strip nutrients and contribute

to erosion. As soil deteriorates,

it loses the microbes and fungi

that feed plant life, the minerals that

support root systems year-round,

and its resilience against drought.

In the United States and many

other countries, water restrictions

are enacted every summer to prepare

for droughts or wildfires. Regenerative

farming practices help retain soil

and plant moisture, making them

part of a broader climate solution.

Crops grown regeneratively contain

higher levels of vitamins—such

as B2, E and K—along with more minerals

like calcium, zinc and phosphorus,

and greater concentrations

of antioxidant phytochemicals, including

beta-carotene. Eating a diverse

range of nutrient-dense foods

can improve digestion and metabolism

while reducing inflammation

linked to impurities in the diet. The

functional medicine community refers

to this as “leaky gut syndrome,”

a term later adopted in conventional

medicine as “gut permeability.”

The Green the Capitol sustainability

program, launched in 2007

by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, ensures

that, whenever possible,

cafeteria food in the U.S. Capitol

is organic, free of trans fats and locally

sourced. Among its suppliers is

Polyface Farms, a regenerative farm

in Virginia whose slogan, “Healing

the land one bite at a time,” speaks

to its mission. Politicians, functional

medicine experts and everyday

Americans alike are recognizing the

benefits of clean eating.

Amid growing health and environmental

concerns, more people are

seeking alternatives to conventionally

grown foods. This shift is visible

everywhere—from shoppers at

farmers markets to home gardeners

cultivating crops, to poultry enthusiasts

raising backyard chickens. The

regenerative agriculture market was

valued at $162 million in 2020 and is

projected to quadruple by 2030.

One of the key pillars of the

“Make America Healthy Again” initiative

is advancing regenerative

agriculture to reduce chemical dependency.

Under the plan, the Department

of Health and Human Services

will work with the Department

of Agriculture to:

• Support policies that incentivize

sustainable farming practices,

improve soil health, reduce chemical

use and increase biodiversity.

• Ban synthetic pesticides, including

glyphosates, from farming

practices.

• Redirect crop subsidies to support

healthy, nutrient-dense crops.

The Health and Human Services

secretary says America is facing a

health crisis, driven in large part by

exposure to known toxic chemicals.

Reports say ADHD medication use

doubled from 2006 to 2016, with nearly

one in four boys diagnosed by age

17. Antidepressant prescriptions for

adolescents rose 1,400% from 1987

to 2014. Antipsychotic use among

children increased 800% between

1995 and 2009. Asthma prescriptions

climbed 30% from 1999 to 2008.

Many see a correlation between

chemical exposure and chronic illness.

Today, 70% of children’s calories

come from ultra-processed foods

high in added sugar, preservatives

and unhealthy fats—a stark contrast

from 100 years ago, when such products

were virtually nonexistent. More

than 40,000 synthetic chemicals are

approved for use in U.S. consumables,

far exceeding the number allowed in

other nations with significantly lower

rates of chronic illness. Pesticides,

microplastics and other toxins have

been detected in U.S. adults, pregnant

women and children.

HHS is laying the groundwork to

shift health care away from the current

“sick care” model toward one

that prioritizes prevention. Plans call

for devoting half of the National Institutes

of Health budget to research


PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS

Authorized Agent for:

Phone: (248) 851-2227

(248) 851-BCBS

Fax: (248) 851-2215

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Professional Insurance Planners

Individual & Group Health Plans

Medicare Supplement Plans

31000 Northwestern Hwy. • Suite 110

Farmington Hills, Ml 48334

Over 46 years of experience.

Gabe Gabriel

Associate Broker,

Certified ABR, SFR

29444 Northwestern Hwy, ste. 110

Southfield, Michigan 48034

Office (248) 737-9500

Direct (248) 939-1985

Fax (248) 737-1868

Email MortgageGabe@aol.com

Angela Kakos

Producing Branch Manager - VP of Mortgage Lending

o: (248) 622-0704

rate.com/angelakakos

angela.kakos@rate.com

2456 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 48310

Guaranteed Rate Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit

nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Conditions may apply • Angela Kakos

NMLS ID: 166374

Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service

Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service

TOP 1% OF REALTORS

2015 REAL ESTATE

TOP IN OAKLAND

ALL STAR -

TOP 1% 1% OF OF REALTORS REALTORS IN

2015 2023 REAL ESTATE

OAKLAND COUNTY COUNTY 1993 – 2015 - 2023

HOUR MEDIA ALL STARS –

IN OAKLAND

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Proudly servingHOUR Birmingham, MEDIA

Bloomfield, Proudly Farmington serving Birmingham, Hills, Bloomfield,

Each office Each office is independently

is independently

West Farmington Bloomfield, Hills, the Lakes West Bloomfield, the

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Bloomfield, Farmington Hills,

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(248)752-4010

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Office 737-6800 (248)737-6800 • Mobile (248)752-4010 (248) 752-4010

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JACQUELINE RAXTER, LMSW, LPC

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

PROGRAM MANAGER

ELIAS KATTOULA

CAREER SERVICES MANAGER

3601 15 Mile Road

Sterling Heights, MI 48310

TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

jacqueline.raxter@chaldeanfoundation.org

www.chaldeanfoundation.org

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TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

phone: 248-851-8600 fax: 248-851-1348

maryana.shabo@chaldeanfoundation.org

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101


Farmington Hills, MI 48334

SANA NAVARRETTE

Membership Director

248.851.1200 office

248.925.7773 cell

chaldeanchamber.com

snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com



3601 15 Mile Road


TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org


MARIAM ABDALLA

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STACY THERAPIST BAHRI

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER

3601 3601 15 15 Mile Mile Road Road

Sterling Sterling Heights, Heights, MI MI 48310 48310

TEL:

TEL: (586) (586) 722-7253 722-7253

FAX:

FAX: (586) (586) 722-7257 722-7257

mariam.abdalla@chaldeanfoundation.org

stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org



alternative health care approaches

that support disease prevention.

As primary care physicians emphasize

prevention, privately run health insurance

companies—the “middlemen”

of the system—may be slow to embrace

the change. To give patients more control

over their care, expanding Health

Savings Accounts (HSAs) is also under

consideration, allowing more personalized,

prevention-focused spending.

Looking ahead, the future of

American health may depend heavily

on habits from the past: eating

nutrient-dense, organic, unprocessed

foods. For U.S. farmers, that

means practicing regenerative methods

to produce nutritious crops responsibly.

For Chaldean Americans,

it serves as a reminder to reinforce

our cultural identity, reconnect with

food-growing traditions, uphold

the stewardship of our land and

strengthen the sense of community

we have long valued.

Melissa Zetouna is a practicing

Physician Assistant of 20+ years,

founder of iMed, a health and wellness

tele-platform at www.iMedoncall.com,

and active in Make America Healthy

Again (MAHA).

WWW.GRANDVIEWRESEARCH.COM


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الجالية الكلدانية من الرجال والنساء والشباب والشابات،‏

وكل الذين حرضوا القداس التأبيني للمرحومة والدتنا ‏’هناء‘‏

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OF HOPE DEDIC

H o p e H e a l i n g P e a c e

GARDEN OF HOPE DEDICATION

Join us in a heartfelt gathering to honor and celebrate our

H o p e H e a l i n g P e a c e

precious children safe in the Hands of Jesus.

Families of all faiths who have experienced the loss

of a baby during pregnancy or childbirth are invited

eartfelt gathering to honor and ce

to RSVP and provide their child's first name for

inclusion on the memorial monument. As part of

the CFCS Precious Lives Mission Program, there is

no cost for adding your child’s name to the

us children safe in the Hands of Je

memorial.

H o l y S e p u l c h re C e m e t e r y

Saturday, September 13, 2025

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Most Rev. Arturo Cepeda

Prayer & Music Service

Butterfly Release

Donate a book in Memory of your child

Candle Lighting & Reading of Names

Ribbon Decorating

Ribbon Cutting & Dedication

Hospitality & Fellowship

To participate and/or add your child’s name to the

memorial monument, please scan the QR code, call

our office at 248-350-1900, email us at

Families outreach@aodcemeteries.org, of all faiths or visit our who websitehave e

at cfcsdetroit.org/mission-programs.

of a baby during pregnancy or ch

to RSVP and provide their chil

inclusion on the memorial mon

the CFCS Precious Lives Missio

no cost for adding your chil

memorial.

To participate and/or add your

Garden of Hope Memorial Monument

memorial See above monument, to include your child’s name. please sca

our office at 248-350-190

outreach@aodcemeteries.org, o

at cfcsdetroit.org/missio

(248) 350-1900

25800 W. 10 Mile Road | Southfield, MI 48033


IN MEMORIAM

OBITUARIES

Lazar Hanna

Gorial

Sep 21, 1938 -

Jul 22, 2025

Issam Jarjis

Jul 1, 1950 -

Jul 23, 2025

Faraj Jarjis Bashi

Nov 2, 1934 -

Jul 24, 2025

Mary Antoon

Mar 10, 1936 -

Jul 25, 2025

Maurice Michel

Mar 25, 1937 -

Jul 25, 2025

Sahira Louis

Mikhaeel

Mar 10, 1959 -

Jul 25, 2025

Hana Yousif Manna

Sydney Odisho

Jan 17, 1976 -

Jul 25, 2025

Suhaila Jameel

Murad Al shaikh

Feb 7, 1933 -

Jul 29, 2025

Hadeer Siba

Feb 12, 1971 -

Jul 26, 2025

Wesson

Alkasmikha Gappi

Apr 30, 1973 -

Jul 29, 2025

Munkida Dikhow

Kalla

Apr 1, 1948 -

Jul 27, 2025

Sameer Alyas

Toma

Apr 6, 1965 -

Aug 3, 2025

Mary Dawood

Mezy

Jun 5, 1944 -

Jul 29, 2025

Sabeeha Burtus

Dawood Somo

Jul 1, 1936 -

Aug 6, 2025

Nadira Oraha

Seba

Jul 1, 1951 -

Jul 29, 2025

Madlin Istifo

Hermiz

May 15, 1946 -

Aug 8, 2025

Sana Kasmikha

Mar 1, 1960 -

Jul 29, 2025

Janfaya Jajou

Jul 1, 1945 -

Aug 9, 2025

Hana Yousif Manna, devoted wife,

mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother,

passed away on August

22, 2025. Born in Iraq on April 6, 1943,

she married Frank (Fouad), in 1959.

Ten years later, they immigrated to

the US, where they built a life rooted

in faith, family, and service. Hana

worked for the Oak Park School District,

where she was known as a second

mother to many, always offering

kindness, guidance, and love.

She is survived by her beloved husband,

Frank, and their eight children:

Jibran (Ban), May Denha (late Roy

Denha), Alan (Jennifer), Vinos Kassab

(Robert), Qais, Robert (Jennifer), Leila

Kello (Johny), and Martin (Tamara).

She was the cherished grandmother

of 26 and great-grandmother of 11.

Nazhat Toma

Marougi Kattola

Jan 1, 1932 -

Aug 9, 2025

Imad Shika

Jul 1, 1951 -

Aug 9, 2025

Hawa Gorgees

Hirmiz

Jul 1, 1957 -

Aug 10, 2025

Shahira Mancini

Oct 28, 1950 -

Aug 10, 2025

Essam Shango

Sep 2, 1957 -

Aug 11, 2025

Ramzi Yousif

Yacoub

Apr 15, 1943 -

Aug 12, 2025

Laith Joseph Manni

Wadiah Boliss

Halaq

Jul 10, 1951 -

Aug 13, 2025

Putros Hanna

Putros

Aug 1, 1948 -

Aug 13, 2025

Haithm Nafia

Karumy

May 25, 1962 -

Aug 15, 2025

Naima Mizo

Jul 1, 1932 -

Aug 15, 2025

Thuraya Yacoub

Kassab

Sep 20, 1940 -

Aug 16, 2025

Adhid M Sirrey

Nov 2, 1946 -

Aug 17, 2025

Laith Joseph Manni was born on July 2,

1964, and peacefully entered the gates

of Heaven on July 12, 2025. He was the

cherished husband of Suhair Katoola

Manni for 31 years and the devoted

father of Brandon, Brenda, Dylan, and

Destiny. Laith’s greatest joy in life was

his family, whom he loved unconditionally.

May he rest in peace.


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importance, including when the company is on the line and a

comprehensive legal strategy from an experienced lawyer is required.

HONORS & RECOGNITION

Super Lawyers (Business Litigation, Michigan)

DBusiness Top Lawyers (Business Litigation)

Avvo Rating: Superb (highest rating)

Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent (highest rating)

Go To Business Litigators, Michigan Lawyers Weekly

Oakland County Executive Elite 40 Under 40

Up & Coming Lawyers, Michigan Lawyers Weekly

Attorney on the Rise, Chaldean American Bar

Special Tribute Recipient from the Michigan Legislature

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Business Litigation

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