APRIL 2019

VOL. 16 ISSUE III 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY APRIL 2019 

$ 

3 

www.chaldeannews.com 

ALL ABOUT THE 

RESURRECTION 

WHETHER CELEBRATED IN IRAQ OR AMERICA, EASTER IS 

THE HOLIEST DAY FOR CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE 

INSIDE 

ONE ON ONE WITH MARK HACKEL 

BUILDING MIRACLES 

IMPASSIONED CREATORS

4853 CN_4830 JN 3/20/19 11:58 AM Page 1 

Take a 

Look at 

Us Now! 

THE SPORTS CLUB OF WEST BLOOMFIELD 

SUPPLIED 

3 

The Sports Club of West 

Bloomfield has completed 

a $3.5 million makeover 

of its upscale health, sports 

and fitness complex. 

• NEW personal computer entertainment system 

on all cardio equipment 

• NEW state-of-the-art resistance and cardio equipment 

including the award winning Queenax system 

• NEW completely remodeled KidsZone under 

new management 

• NEW 30,000 square foot indoor Field House 

• FAR infrared yoga with purified air filtration system 

• Unlimited fitness and yoga classes included 

*New customers only. Restrictions apply. Offer expires April 30, 2019. 

FULL 

PAGE 

FREE MONTH * 

• FREE KIDSZONE WITH ALL 

FITNESS MEMBERSHIPS 

• NO CONTRACT REQUIRED 

• ZERO INITIATION FEE 

Hurry offer ends April 30, 2019. 

Call 248.626.9880 today! 

6343 Farmington Road 

West Bloomfield, MI 48322 

248.626.9880 

NEW - thesportsclubs.com 

Experience Complete Fitness 

APRIL 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2019

CONTENTS APRIL 2019 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 16 ISSUE III 

18 

32 

33 

34 

36 

37 

departments 

6 FROM THE EDITOR 

BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO 

A promise to God 

8 IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS 

BY MICHAEL SARAFA 

Chaldean lawyers rise to the occasion 

10 NOTEWORTHY 

12 CHAI TIME 

14 ECRC CORNER 

15 OBITUARIES 

23 CHALDEAN ON THE STREET 

BY HALIM SHEENA 

Spring break 

26 ONE ON ONE 

BY CHALDEAN NEWS 

A conversation with Mark Hackel 

28 DOCTOR IS IN 

BY DR. BRANDON SHOUKRI 

When to see an orthodontist 

32 EVENTS 

on the cover 

18 ALL ABOUT THE 

RESURRECTION 


Whether celebrated in Iraq or America, Easter 

is the Holiest day for Christians everywhere 

features 

20 BUILDING MIRACLES 

BY ASHOURINA SLEWO 

Teen spearheads project to 

help families in Mexico 

22 RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA: 

A BLURRED LINE 

BY BIANCA KASAWDISH 

24 IMPASSIONED CREATORS 


Women throughout the community 

turn their hobbies into businesses 


from the EDITOR 

PUBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News, LLC 

EDITORIAL 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Vanessa Denha Garmo 

MANAGING EDITORS 

Denha Media Group Writers 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Lisa Cipriano 

Bianca Kasawdish 

Halim Sheena 

Ashourina Slewo 

Sally Wenczel 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

David Reed 

Razik Tomina 

OPERATIONS 

Interlink Media 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 

Martin Manna 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Ashourina Slewo 

SALES 


SALES REPRESENTATIVES 


Sana Navarrette 

Tania Yatooma 

MANAGERS 

Vanessa Denha Garmo 

Martin Manna 

Michael Sarafa 

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $25 PER YEAR 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS 

30095 NORTHWESTERN HWY, SUITE 101 

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 

WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM 

PHONE: (248) 851-8600 

Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published 

monthly; Issue Date: April 2019 Subscriptions: 

12 months, $25. Publication Address: 30095 

Northwestern Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, 

MI 48334; Application to Mail at Periodicals 

Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post 

Office Postmaster: Send address changes to 

“The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern Hwy., 

Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334” 

A promise to God 

One of my first on-air reports for WJR 

was on Easter Sunday morning. I went 

to mass at Shrine of the Little Flower. 

I had already attended mass the night before 

to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ but this 

Sunday morning was to report on the “Holiest 

Day of the Year for Christians everywhere.” And 

that was a line I recited in my report. “Wearing 

their Sunday bests…” I said, “Catholics are attending 

Mass here at Shrine of the Little Flower 

in Royal Oak.” 

I remember it vividly. It was imprinted on my 

mind mainly because I was a new reporter and 

new to the airwaves. Of course, my dad got such a 

kick out of hearing me on the radio. At the time, I had no 

idea what I was really saying. I didn’t know what it meant 

at the time that Easter was the Holiest day of the year for 

Christians and I certainly didn’t know why it was the Holiest 

day. I said it because it was a fact and that is all I knew. 

Our cover story – featuring interviews both with Fr. 

Matthew Zetouna and Shamasha Khairy Foumia – remind 

us of the importance of this holiday for us Christians. 

As I get older and deeper into my faith, my understanding 

and appreciation for Lent grows deeper. I always knew 

that people giving up sweets or carbs during Lent to lose 

weight was so disingenuous. However, I often struggled 

sticking with my Lenten promises. As a kid, I remember 

giving up sweets with my sister Stephanie. I was so proud 

of myself for lasting the entire Lenten Season. I didn’t eat 

one piece of candy or sweets the entire time including on 

Sundays. I didn’t tell my parents until that Easter morning 

and I remember seeing the smile on my dad’s face as I told 

him while ripping open my Easter basket. 

A couple of times, I gave up television which was harder 

for me than sweets. In recent years, I began to understand 

that this season is about bringing us closer to Christ. Karam 

Bahnam clearly reminded me of that in his ECRC Corner 

column this month. His piece is such an important message 

for all of us. Even if you haven’t decided to do anything 

for Lent or if you failed along the way this season, it is not 

too late to do something. We are called to fast, pray and 

participate in almsgiving. It is also a time to repent. If you 

haven’t gone to confession, consider it. As Shamasha Foumia 

explained, we are cleansing our souls. 

This year, I added adoration to my Lenten experience. 

VANESSA 

DENHA-GARMO 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

CO-PUBLISHER 

It has been so freeing. I know we are not supposed 

to share with others what we give up or do during 

Lent. There is this belief by many that it should 

be between you and God. In fact, it is more than a 

belief, it is scriptural. “Whenever you fast, do not 

put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they 

neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed 

by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to 

you, they have their reward in full,” (Matt. 6:16). 

However, I think sometimes it helps others 

when you share what you are doing during Lent. 

Others have inspired me over the years. We are 

living in a divisive world. We are facing spiritual 

warfare. We are witnessing people celebrate murder. 

We need prayer. We need fasting. We need almsgiving. 

We need adoration. We need confession. We, the 

As I get older and deeper into 

my faith, my understanding and 

appreciation for Lent grows 

deeper … I often struggled 

sticking with my Lenten 

promises. 

world, need it all. Not just individually or collectively as 

a Chaldean community, we need it all as a human race. 

This Lenten commitment is very much a commitment 

that leads us to spiritual growth. After all, what you promise 

during Lent, is not about a promise to yourself; it is a 

promise to God. 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

vanessa@denhamedia.com 

Follow her on Twitter @vanessadenha 

Follow Chaldean News on Twitter @chaldeannews 

BAN MANNA 

EXAMINER 

STEVE SUOLAKA 

EXAMINER 

InternationalDriverTesting.com 

AUTOMOBILE & MOTORCYCLE TESTING 

Road Skills Testing for Adults and Teenagers 

30095 NORTHWESTERN HWY, SUITE 65A • FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 

DRIVER’S EDUCATION (SEGMENT 1 & 2) • TEENS & ADULTS 

WEST BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL 

4925 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD • WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322 

248-535-5855 • BanManna18@yahoo.com 

• FREE MARKET ANALYSIS 

ON YOUR HOME 

• FREE HOME WARRANTY 

• AGENT-OWNED VIRTUAL 

BROKERAGE 

JIM MANNA Broker/Owner 

C.R.S., G.R.I., A.B.R. 

(248) 763-2622 

CONTACT US TO JOIN OUR TEAM! 


Your goal 

is 5-Star 

care? 

Our’s too. 

Sleeth Rd. 

Commerce Rd. 

Union Lake Rd. 

Newton Rd. 

S. Commerce Rd. 

Richardson Rd. 

Green L ake Rd. 

Haggerty Rd. 

DMC Advanced Family Care 

of Commerce. 

Adil Arabbo, M.D. 

Family Medicine 

Fluent in Chaldean 

and Arabic 

Benstein Rd. 

Glenary Rd. 

S. Commerce Rd. 

Oakley Park Rd. 

Welch Rd. 

5 

4123 Martin Road, Suite 102 

Commerce Township, MI 48390 

Martin Rd. 

Pontiac Trail 

Walnut La 

We know you’ve got a choice of healthcare 

providers. That’s why we work so hard to make 

your experience with us as pleasing as possible. 

We listen carefully. We answer your questions. And 

we simplify the whole process, from getting an 

appointment to following up after you’re home. We 

strive to do more than keep you well, but keep you 

happy, too. So let us help with your health. 

Schedule an appointment today. 

A COMMUNITY BUILT ON TRUST 

DMCMedicalGroup.com 

248-366-3700 

DETR 04.00.19 TCN 5-Star1.indd 1 

DETR 04.00.19 TCN 5-Star1 

3/22/19 2:14 PM 


the LITTLE THINGS 

Chaldean lawyers rise to the occasion 

MICHAEL G. 

SARAFA 

SPECIAL TO THE 

CHALDEAN NEWS 

As I listened to 

Chaldean Community 

Foundation 

CEO Martin Manna 

lay out the various needs of 

Chaldean refugees, my eyes 

circled the room filled with 

Chaldean American attorneys. 

I tried to recall how 

many attorneys were in the 

community when I graduated 

from Wayne State 

Law School in 1997. Not 

very many. I began to think about the 

relatively brief but beautiful history of 

our attorney community. 

On one book-end is Jewel Haji, a 

third year Detroit Mercy law student 

and Editor and Chief of the Law Review 

who has already secured a job 

at the prestigious Detroit law firm, 

Honigman Law. At the other end is 

the late Salman Sesi who initially 

could not practice after law school 

in 1954 because he was not a citizen. 

Ultimately, he was sworn into 

the state bar in 1966 and became 

the first Chaldean lawyer in the 

United States. In between are three 

generations of Chaldean lawyers— 

represented by Mr. Sesi’s grandson, 

Julian and Julian’s father, Ramy— 

the only family in the community 

with lawyers from three generations. 

On Friday, March 22, a gathering 

of about 40 of the best and brightest 

in the community, Including Haji, 

came together for a luncheon meeting 

at the Chaldean Community 

Foundation to learn more about the 

legal needs of Chaldean refugees 

and indigent. The gathering included 

at least three lawyer-employees 

of the Foundation led by Foundation 

COO, Paul Jonna. But it also 

included Foundation immigration 

attorneys Athir Maroki and Carleen 

Jarbo, both more recent Detroit 

Mercy law graduates. On the other 

end of the spectrum were more senior 

attorneys including Shamel 

Halibu and Burt Kassab, who began 

their legal profession in the 1980s. 

Over lunch, I asked Attorney 

Halibu how many Chaldean attorneys 

existed when he graduated 

from law school. It was such a short 

list, he began to name them. (Note: 

I’m sure this list is not exhaustive, 

and I apologize to those I may miss). 

Salmon Sesi, Jalal Arabo, Pete 

Abbo, Paul Vincent, Karim Sarafa, 

Frank Yono he listed 

off the top of his head. 

Largely unknown is that 

the first woman Chaldean 

attorney was Mary Ann 

Binno (not my wife) who 

battled blindness onset 

by diabetes but nonetheless 

went on to work for 

the Securities Exchange 

Commission after graduating 

from Wayne State Law 

school in 1978. Jane Shallal, 

who was sworn into the State 

Bar after Binno, told me Binno was 

an inspiration for her bravery and 

accomplishment of being the first 

Chaldean female attorney. 

Among the first generation of 

attorneys are several from my own 

family including Melinda Sarafa 

who practiced white collar criminal 

defense in New York and is now 

General Counsel to a private equity 

firm and at least six other Sarafa’s 

including my late uncle and my late 

cousin, Derek Sarafa. There must 

be dozens of other Chaldean attorneys 

in California and Chicago and 

at least one in Texas that we know 

about (Steve Kherker). In Boston, 

Remi Kathawa works for a silkstocking 

law firm. 

Also present at the luncheon 

was Justin Hanna, an attorney at 

Jaffe Law whose spouse is also an 

attorney. At Justin’s wedding to 

Nora Youkhanna last year, Bishop 

Ibrahim who was presiding over a 

rare attorney to attorney wedding 

told the newlyweds that they had a 

special obligation to work for justice 

and to serve the community. 

This was consistent with the 

message to the attorneys that afternoon 

delivered first by veteran 

Judge, Diane Dickow D’Agostini 

who reminded the mostly under 

40-year-old crowd of lawyers that 

pro bono work was not only a moral 

imperative but encouraged within 

the rules of the State Bar. This 

theme was reinforced by Oakland 

Circuit Court Judge Hala Jarbou 

who reminded lawyers that the significance 

of the hurdles they overcame 

to become lawyers was even 

more reason to give back. 

Also attending were Oakland 

Circuit Court Judge, Lisa Gorcyka 

and Supreme Court Justice David 

Viviano. Justice Viviano, who is 

married to a Chaldean and had his 

toddler daughter in tow, put forth 

a path for pro bono work based on 

his significant experience doing pro 

bono work when he was in private 

practice. 

Attorney Burt Kassab, whose 

daughter is also an attorney, estimates 

that there are 300-400 attorneys 

from the community—with 

over 80% graduating after the turn 

of the century-- and 30 or 40 more 

graduating each year from Michigan 

based law schools and other law 

schools around the country. Kassab 

told me that the growth of the legal 

profession in the community is 

remarkable for its speed and depth 

with lawyers specializing in almost 

every possible area of law. 

In a collective and moving gesture, 

each lawyer present agreed to 

handle at least one pro bono case 

per year referred to them by the 

Chaldean Community Foundation. 

These cases typically involve landlord-tenant 

issues, family law matters, 

traffic misdemeanors and motions 

to set aside judgements. 

Judge Jarbou reminded those 

present that the disposition of these 

kinds of matters for the people that 

otherwise would not be well represented 

could be life changing events 

for them. 

The volunteer gesture is big, but 

just a handful of hours is a little thing. 

Yet to the beneficiaries of those donated 

hours, it could mean the world. 

We’ve come a long way and because 

of that, many people who need legal 

help are going to get it. 

Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the 

Chaldean News. 


PRESENTS 

CHALDEAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

16TH ANNUAL 

AWARDS DINNER 

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 / 6:00 P.M. / SHENANDOAH COUNTRY CLUB 

5600 WALNUT LAKE ROAD, WEST BLOOMFIELD, MICHIGAN 48323 

HONORING 

Business Person of the Year 

Zaid Elia 

CEO and founder of 

The Elia Group 

Humanitarians of the Year 

John and Ann Mansour 

Alexander & Gabrielle 

Mansour Memorial Fund 

Special Tribute 

Steve Kaplan 

Supervisor of 

West Bloomfield Township 

SPECIAL GUEST 

Ambassador Fareed Yasseen 

Embassy of the Republic of Iraq 

along with several other local, 

national and international dignitaries 

EVENT TICKETS 

MASTER OF 

CEREMONIES 

Mojo 

Channel 955’s 

Mojo in the Morning 

$175 per person 

$1,500 for a table of 10 

HONORARY CHAIR 

Joe Hurshe 

Ascension 

DINNER COMMITTEE CHAIRS 

Saad Abbo 

U.S. Ice Corp 

Jason Abro 

Renee Lossia-Acho 

KW Domain Luxury Homes International 

HOST COMMITTEE 

Ron Babbie 

Salam Elia 

Nada Jamoua 

CALL 248-851-1200 FOR DETAILS AND SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION 

SPONSORED BY

noteworthy 

Small Business 

of the Year 

W3R Consulting has been named 

the 2018 Detroit Lions Comerica 

Bank Small Business of the Year. 

Chosen among the eight Michiganbased 

Comerica Bank Small Business 

of the Game winners announced for 

each Lions’ home game in 2018, the 

award-winning talent and IT provider 

earned the top award based on 

overall contributions in the small 

business community and efforts to 

showcase its position as a Small Business 

of the Game honoree. 

“For nearly 25 years, w3r Consulting 

has built a valuable service and 

produced robust partnerships across 

several industries through talent and 

data management solutions that generate 

success for its clients,” said Kim 

Kersten, Comerica Bank Senior Vice 

President of Business Banking. “Eric, 

Keith, Patrick and their entire team 

represent the true spirit of a small 

business built from the ground up, 

and it is a privilege for Comerica to 

serve businesses like w3r Consulting. 

This recognition is well deserved.” 

Chief Executive Officer Eric Hardy 

and Chief Financial Officer Patrick 

Tomina founded w3r Consulting 

in 1995 and then partnered with Executive 

Vice President Keith Echols 

two years later. Since the mid-1990s, 

w3r Consulting has delivered results 

by building trusted, strategic partnerships 

in data analytics, talent 

solutions and technology consulting 

services. They have expanded their 

diverse reach into numerous industries 

such as automotive, financial, 

government, health care, insurance 

and retail. 

“Being selected from among our 

Michigan-based peers as the Comerica 

Bank Small Business of the Year 

is a genuine honor,” said Eric Hardy, 

Chief Executive Officer of w3r Consulting. 

“We pride ourselves for our 

integrity, accountability, innovation, 

and discipline and receiving recognition 

at this level from a long-standing 

partner indicates those values 

naturally radiate from our people.” 

“This award is especially meaningful 

because we have such a longrunning 

partnership with Comerica 

Bank,” said Keith Echols, Executive 

Vice President at w3r Consulting. 

“At the time, their organization was 

one of the first banks to provide our 

fledging business with a loan 24 years 

ago and we are committed to maintaining 

that relationship now and in 

the future.” 

Private Showing of Unplanned 

Fundraiser Benefitting Chaldean 

Community Foundation 

The University of Michigan’s Chaldean American Student Association has 

chosen the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) as this year’s charity to 

benefit from their annual Live from Babylon fundraiser. Honoring the foundation 

for the work they do throughout the Chaldean community, Live from 

Babylon bring CASA chapter from universities throughout Michigan together 

under a common cause. Raising $13,000, all proceeds will benefit the CCF. See 

more photos on events page 37. 

Senior Living 

Apartments Unveiled 

The Chaldean Diocese celebrated 

the unveiling of the newest senior 

living apartments with a ribbon cutting 

ceremony and mass on Tuesday, 

March 19. Taking residence next to 

Holy Martyrs Church in Sterling 

Heights, these apartments are the 

second senior living facility built by 

the Chaldean Diocese, with the first 

being Chaldean Manor. See more 

photos on events page 34. 

The Eastern Catholic Re-evangelization Center hosted a private showing of the newly released movie, Unplanned. 

Hosted at AMC Livonia, the showing was attended by members of the community who were eager to see this pro-life 

movie. Unplanned is the true story of Abby Johnson and her story of transformation. Involved in more than 22,000 

abortions, Abby counseled countless women about their reproductive choices. Her passion surrounding a woman’s right 

to choose even led her to become a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, fighting to enact legislation for the cause she 

so deeply believed in. Until something happened that changed it all. 


CHALDEAN COMMUNITY 

FOUNDATION 

Help Wanted! 

Please consider hiring one of 

our many new Americans. 

More than 30,000 Chaldean refugees have migrated to Michigan since 2007. Many 

possess the skills and determination to work hard for you and your organization. 

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) has a bank of resumes 

of candidates qualified to do a variety of jobs. To inquire about hiring a 

New American, call or email Elias at 586-722-7253 or 

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org. 

Chaldean Community Foundation 

Sterling Heights Office 

3601 15 Mile Road 

Sterling Heights, MI 48310 

586-722-7253 

www.chaldeanfoundation.org 


CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT APRIL 2019 

Saturday, April 6 

Philapalooza 2: The Escapades Continue 

with Philapalooza 2! The Philharmonic 

invites all to a big musical 

party highlighting local stars and music 

with an urban vibe on Saturday, April 

6 at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation 

Complex. Several of the orchestra’s favorite 

guests return to celebrate great 

music, including saxophone virtuoso 

Zach Shemon, who’s fresh off his tour 

with the Prism Quartet, and Detroit’s 

own composer Rick Robinson. Joining 

the band will be the local community 

band and the Michigan Philharmonic 

Youth Band. For more information or to 

purchase tickets, call (734) 451-2112 

or visit michiganphil.org. 

Sunday, April 7 

Bookstock: Metro Detroit’s largest used 

book and media sale, Bookstock, is coming 

to Livonia’s Laurel Park Place from 

Sunday, April 7 through Sunday, April 14. 

Bookstock has more than 300,000 used 

books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and 

records for sale at bargain prices. Pre- 

Sale runs from 8:15 to 11:00 a.m. Sunday, 

April 7. There is a $20 admission 

charge for the Pre-Sale only. Bookstock 

runs Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 

Monday through Saturday from 10:00 

a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Join Bookstock for 

Monday Madness giveaways, Teacher 

Appreciation Day discounts on Tuesday 

and Wednesday, Bookbuster specials 

Thursday and Friday, and Cookstock 

featuring prizes and half-off cookbooks 

on Saturday. All books are half-price on 

April 14. All proceeds from Bookstock 

benefit literacy and education projects 

throughout metro Detroit. For more information, 

call 248-645-7840 ext. 365 or 

visit bookstockmi.org. 

Thursday, April 11 

Dining out for Life: Dine out and give 

back through this annual fundraiser 

benefiting Matrix Human Services on 

Thursday, April 11. Matrix Human Services 

has partnered with local restaurants 

and bars to leverage your dollars 

for Detroiters in need through the internationally 

acclaimed fundraiser, Dining 

Out for Life. Dining Out for Life is 

a delicious way to give back and help 

thousands of local children and families 

in need. Participating establishments 

have agreed to donate a portion of their 

proceeds on Thursday, April 11, only. 

These funds will stay local and go toward 

services for educating children, 

supporting families, and rebuilding 

neighborhoods. To make an impact, 

simply dine out at one of the participating 

venues. For more information about 

participating restaurants, visit www. 

diningoutforlifedetroit.org. 

Thursday, April 11 

Read to a Child: Join us Read to a 

Child Detroit’s annual gala from 6:00 

to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 

at Valentine Vodka in Ferndale on 

Vester Ave. Individual tickets can be 

purchased for $45, and proceeds will 

support spreading the joy of reading to 

underserved elementary aged students 

in metro Detroit. Founded on the belief 

that every child deserves to be read to 

regularly by a caring adult, Read to a 

Child fulfills its mission through its flagship 

Lunchtime Reading Program at 

public elementary schools across the 

country. The program matches volunteers 

with students to read aloud oneon-one 

during lunchtime on a weekly 

basis throughout the schoolyear. 

Wednesday, April 17 

Roadmap to Resilience: The Greater 

West Bloomfield Community Coalition 

is hosting the Roadmap to Resilience 

on Wednesday, April 17 from 7:00 to 

8:30 p.m. Hosted at the Henry Ford 

West Bloomfield Hospital’s demonstration 

kitchen, this event is all about balancing 

life and coping skills. A number 

of guest speakers will be present to 

talk about various topics, including the 

benefits of therapy, developmental assets 

for a child’s success, and providing 

unconditional love. 


Luncheon and Fashion Show: Join the 

Grace Centers of Hope for their 21st 

Annual Women Helping Women Luncheon 

and Fashion Show from 10:00 

a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 

at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. 

This event raises funds for the women’s 

programs for those that have been victims 

of homelessness, abuse, and addiction. 

This year’s event will feature spring 

trends from The Somerset Collection 

and will also include looks with fascinators 

and hats from Simply Marcella. The 

fundraising goal of $175,000 will allow 

the organization to continue its mission 

of transforming the lives of women who 

are addicted and hurting by providing 

life-saving services for them and their 

children. For more information, contact 

Olivia Jones at 1-855-HELP-GCH or 

ojones@gracecentersofhope.org. 


Spring Charity Open House: The Lingenfelter 

Collection in Brighton will host 

an open house to benefit The American 

Cancer Society from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 

p.m. on Saturday, April 27. Guests will 

enjoy viewing this collection of over 180 

vehicles that make up one of the greatest 

car collections in the world. The American 

Cancer Society funds and conducts research, 

shares expert information, assists 

patients, and spreads the word about 

cancer prevention. Guests attending the 

event support the organization by making 

a monetary donation at the door. Several 

activities are scheduled throughout the 

40,000-square-foot showroom, including: 

limited-edition event poster signing 

by Ken Lingenfelter; startup of the Enzo 

Ferrari; door prizes; and refreshments 

and food from vendors including Tony’s 

Dog. All event proceeds will be donated 

to The American Cancer Society. 

Tuesday, April 30 

Care for a Taste: The 3rd Annual 

CARE for a Taste will be held from 

6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 

30, at the GM Heritage Center in 

Sterling Heights. The GM Heritage 

Center is an exclusive venue that can 

only be visited through attendance 

at an event. In addition to participating 

in this exclusive event, spend the 

evening sharing the tastiest bites with 

distinguished community partners 

and leaders and hear powerful CARE 

stories of success and impact. Enjoy 

samples from over 25 of Michigan’s 

greatest restaurants and view the 165 

historic GM vehicles that call the GM 

Heritage Center home. All proceeds 

raised will go toward CARE programs 

and services, which help to strengthen 

and educate communities and individuals 

in living healthy, substance-free 

lives. To purchase a ticket today, visit 

www.careofsem.com 

Thursday, June 6 

Min Sharetha: The Right to Life of 

Michigan is hosting their 5th annual 

Min Sharetha Benefit Dinner at the 

Shenandoah Country Club. A part of 

the Right to Life of Michigan’s educational 

profile outreach within the Chaldean 

Community, this year’s Master 

of Ceremonies will once again be Fr. 

Bryan Kassa and the event’s special 

guest speaker is Tim Tebow’s mom, 

Pam Tebow. Her notoriety increased 

when her youngest son Tim, quarterback 

for the Florida Gators, became 

the first sophomore to win the Heisman 

Trophy. During the nationally televised 

Heisman broadcast, ESPN aired 

a portion of an interview that focused 

on her refusal to abort Timmy when 

she was advised to do so. Reservations 

for Min Sharetha are as follows: 

$50 per individual; $450 per table of 

10. To purchase a reservation or sponsorship, 

visit https://donationsef.rtl. 

org/min-sharetha-benefit-dinner/ 

JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM. 

The Chaldean News is looking for 

motivated candidates to fill full-time 

salaried sales positions. Qualified 

candidates should email a resume to 

info@chaldeannews.com. 


BUY ONE AREA OF 

TRUSCULPT 3D GET 

ANOTHER AREA 

50 % OFF 

BUY 30 UNITS 

OF BOTOX 

GET 5 

FREE 

$ 

500 OFF 

ANY COSMETIC 

TREATMENT WITH 

THE PURCHASE OF 

A RHINOPLASTY 

A FULL RANGE OF PLASTIC SURGERY AND NON-SURGICAL OPTIONS: 

Cosmetic Nose Surgery • Face Lift • Thread Lift • Eyelid Lift • SmartLipo TM 

• truSculpt 3D TM • Breast Augmentation • Botox ® • Injectable Fillers • Acne & Scar 

Therapy • Laser Skin Rejuvenation • Chemical Peels • Laser Vein & Hair Removal 

* LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. 

Free cosmetic consultation 

Dearborn and Birmingham 

866-487-3223 

www.masriclinic.com 

Like small dogs love 

acting tough. 

We love to help. 

How can we help you? Woodward north of 14 Mile 248.723.7200 boaa.com 

Member FDIC 


ECRC corner 

Lent: How to see the big picture 

KARAM 

BAHNAM 


CHALDEAN NEWS 

By the time you read 

this article, the Lenten 

season may be at 

its midpoint and many of 

us have forgotten, neglected, 

or given up most of our 

Lenten promises. Here we 

should be asking ourselves 

an important question: 

why? Is it because we always 

overpromise and underdeliver? 

Is it because of our 

hectic lifestyles that make 

it impossible to keep a commitment? 

Or is it because of a situation 

unique to each of us? I personally 

think the problem is not due to 

a circumstance or a lifestyle as much 

as it is with our inability to see the 

bigger picture. 

Lent for many of us is a time of 

the year when we give up certain 

types of foods or habits to please God 

and continue a tradition we inherited 

from our parents. We start off the 

season with some enthusiasm but as 

time goes on, our commitment level 

weakens and we start looking for 

loopholes around the system. Chewing 

sugarless gum for those who give 

up sweets, eating Masgoof for those 

who give up meats, and shopping 

online instead of going to the mall 

are some examples of this weakened 

commitment. These examples may 

seem funny and innocent, which 

they are, but they reflect a somber reality 

that we may not want 

to admit. The reality is that 

we do not understand the 

true meaning of Lent. 

Let us first start with the 

basics. Lent is a special season 

on the church’s calendar 

that intends to prepare the 

faithful for the great feast 

of Easter. Traditionally, the 

Church has focused on three 

main elements, rooted in 

sacred scripture, that would 

help us live this season properly: 

prayers, fasting, and almsgiving. 

The Gospel according to Matthew 

(Mt 6:1-18) highlights these 

three practices and offers us small 

tips as to how we should carry them 

on in our daily lives. When it comes 

to almsgiving, the Bible encourages 

us to be humble and not to blow a 

trumpet before every act of giving. 

Jesus says, “When you give alms, do 

not let your left hand know what 

your right hand is doing.” (Mt 6:3). 

Regarding prayers, scripture encourages 

us not to be hypocrites, 

meaning to be genuine in our intentions 

and conversations with God. 

Good prayers are not conditioned by 

length or place. Jesus says, “When 

you pray, go to your inner room, close 

the door, and pray to your Father in 

secret. And your Father who sees in 

secret will repay you.” (Mt 6:6). 

Finally, regarding fasting, the Bible 

encourages us not to look gloomy. 

This means not to use this practice 

as a means to show the entire world 

a willingness to be depressed for the 

sake of God. Jesus on the contrary 

says, “When you fast anoint your 

head and wash your face, so that you 

may not appear to be fasting, except 

to your Father who is hidden, and 

your Father who sees what is hidden 

will repay you.” (Mt 6:6). These 

three practices are foundational to 

Lent is a special 

season on the 

church’s calendar 

that intends to 

prepare the faithful 

for the great feast 

of Easter. 

the season of Lent, and yet they are 

still considered to be the small picture 

of what Lent encompasses. 

The bigger picture requires an understanding 

of Lent as a special time 

where we grow in our love with God 

through a sacrificial life. The concept 

of sacrifice is foundational in Christianity. 

God chose to show his love 

for us through sacrificing Himself on 

the cross to pay the price for our sins. 

Though this sacrifice is sufficient, 

God gives us the opportunity to show 

our love to Him through sacrifices as 

well. In his letter to the Romans, St. 

Paul says, “I appeal to you therefore, 

brothermen, by the mercies of God, 

to present your bodies as living sacrifices 

holy and acceptable to God, 

which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 

12:1). Love and sacrifice are two sides 

to one coin. There is no true love 

without sacrifices. The season of Lent 

help us assess our true love to God 

and grow it. Lent is a time when we 

take inventory of our spiritual lives. 

The sacrifices of almsgiving and fasting 

help us to detach ourselves from 

all that is hindering our relationship 

with God. It is a process of emptying 

oneself from the “I” and filling it with 

God through prayers. 

In summary, we can say that Lent 

is not a period of time when Christians 

have to deprive themselves of all 

their desires as much as it is a time of 

reconsidering our relationships with 

God, making decisions to enhance it, 

and vowing to live the remaining time 

of the year according to that promise. 

I, myself, have experienced that firsthand. 

Most of my daily religious habits 

such as Scripture readings, daily mass, 

rosary and other started on a Lenten 

journey some year in the past. Today, 

I can’t imagine my life without these 

daily religious routines. 

Karam Bahnam has a BA in 

Philosophy and is currently working 

on his MA in Theology; he is a 

co-founder of the Eastern Catholic 

Re-evangelization Center (ECRC). 


obituaries 

LET US DESIGN YOUR DREAM KITCHEN 

Mansour Khemerku Ayar 

Storage and 

Cleaning Special 

Save $ 10 

Save $ 3 

with pre-payment when you 

store and clean your fur. 

on pre-paid storage. 

Call for free storage pick-up 

in neighboring communities! 

FREE RESERVED PARKING 

Access our parking deck behind store on 

Peabody Street. 

July 11,1928 - March 6, 2019 

Mansour lived to be 91, a complete 

life with no shortage of unique, 

tragic and beautiful experiences. 

A Chaldean born in Telkape to a 

poor family, he was forced to grow up 

after the early death of his father and 

struggled to pull himself and his family 

forward. 

His brother, Hanna, was wrongly 

and unjustly executed for a crime 

he never committed, something not 

uncommon at that time and place in 

history. Rightfully fearful of guilt by 

association, he fled his home, leaving 

behind his young wife and his brother’s 

widow. 

As the dust settled, despite not 

being formally educated, he became 

an ambassador of the community. 

He used his foreign influence and 

business reputation to build bridges 

with the regimes of Kurdistan and 

Northern Iraq. 

He eventually migrated to the 

U.S., bringing with him his family, 

focus, grit and intelligence and continued 

the hard work of making his 

family’s name an icon of the Chaldean 

community and a thriving part 

of American Society. 

Death and tragedy defined Mansour 

Ayar’s life. He lost his brother and 

partner at the age of 33, death took his 

daughter Maha at 18, his nephew and 

best friend Zuhair Ayar at 60 and his 

grandson Branden Dallo at 21 but he 

somehow transcended all of it and became 

a legend in his own right. 

Mansour was my Father-in-law, 

a good friend to my late father, the 

grandfather to my kids, my older 

brother and best friend. 

Farewell to a great man, we all 

have something to learn from you. 

– Mike Dallo 

Full Remodeling Services 

FREE In-Home Estimates 

LaFata Cabinets manufactures high quality 

custom cabinets right here in Southeast Michigan 

Back door 

entrance, 

Enter 

parking deck 

off Peabody 

Street 

181 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 

Phone: (248) 642-1690 

CeresnieandOffenfurs.com 

Hours: Monday–Friday 10–6, Saturday 10–5 

www.lafata.com • 800.LAFATA.1 

Shelby Township • West Bloomfield 


obituaries 

RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS 

Elona 

Abdulahad Matti 

Feb. 21, 2011 - 

March 21, 2019 

Barbara Shabo 

Sept. 9, 1933 - 


Elizabeth Dickow 

Kallabat 

Dec. 2, 1949 - 


Maryam Kachocha 

July 1, 1922 - 


Salah Ayoob Polus 

Aug. 10, 1952 - 


Iklas N. Kato 

Nov. 20, 1954 

- March 14, 2019 

Ishaq Kauzal- Zaya 

July 1, 1931 - 


Kamel (Abed) 

Rammo 

July 1, 1947- 


Fuad Kako 

Dec. 8, 1959- 


Shahla Mikhael 

Hami 

Dec. 8, 1971- 


Sabah Kaji 

July 8, 1947- 


Robert Hawel 

July 1, 1945- 


Layla Thomas 

Abbo 

Nov. 25, 1938- 


Iman Marrogy 

Aug. 2, 1971- 


Nasir Yohana 

Jan. 1, 1965- 


Sabah Nisan 

Yaldoo 

Oct. 14, 1935- 


Ktrena Bahoura 

July 1, 1927- 


Riyadh Roumaya 

March 8, 1949- 


Mansour 

Khemerku Ayar 

July 11, 1928 - 


Mary Yaldo 

July 1, 1927- 


Yousif Qeta 

July 1, 1954- 


Khairi Dawood 

June 5, 1943- 


Evleen Kashat 

Dec. 25, 1924- 


Hayat Hermiz 

Alosachi 

July 1, 1932- 


George Taila 

Sept. 21, 1939- 


Antiwan 

Mansour Lossia 

March 18, 1937- 


Rejou Thomas 

July 5, 1935- 

Feb. 27, 2019 

Nabeel Koja 

Jan. 17, 1967- 


Mere Grigor Yono 

Feb. 22, 1923- 


Jamil Najor 

Nov. 15, 1939- 


Warde Shaboo 

April 19, 1927- 


Albert Aziz Abbo 

Jan. 8, 1932- 


Lisa Dalou 

Jan. 15, 1983- 


Faezah Khoshaba 

June 16, 1965- 


Shammama Ayar 

Kasmikha 

July 23, 1922- 


Warkaa Georgis 

Yono 

Oct. 12, 1973- 


Yousif Brikho 

July 1, 1939- 


Zarifa Kouza 

Saroki 

Nov. 1, 1921- 


Jamel Shathaya 

July 1, 1945- 


Shamamtah Al 

Sabagh Koki 

July 1, 1927- 



29201 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 330 

SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034 

(248) 327-6968 OFFICE 

(248) 809-3579 FACSIMILE 

MOTHER AND SON LAW FIRM 

SPECIALIZING IN IMMIGRATION AND 

NATIONALITY LAW WITH 26 YEARS 

OF LITIGATION EXPERIENCE. 

www.wbsd.org (248) 865-6420 #onlyWB 

The West Bloomfield School District educates 

students to be their best IN and FOR the world. 

Portrait of a West Bloomfield Graduate: 

Collaborator 

Communicator 

Contributor 

Critical Thinker 

Subscribe today! 

ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION: $25 

❏ 1 YEAR 

❏ GIFT SUBSCRIPTION 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

NAME 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

ADDRESS 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

CITY / STATE / ZIP 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

E-MAIL 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PHONE 

PLEASE MAIL THE FORM, WITH A CHECK PAYABLE TO: 

CHALDEAN NEWS, ATTN: SUBSCRIPTIONS 



PHONE: 248-851-8600 FAX: 248-851-1348 


All about the Resurrection 

Whether celebrated in Iraq or America, Easter is 

the Holiest day for Christians everywhere 


When Shamasha (Sub-Deacon) Khairy 

Foumia was a young boy, he and his 

friends and relatives used to keep kelacha 

(cookies) in their pockets on Easter Sunday 

morning so that as soon as Easter Mass finished 

and they ran outside, they would grab the cookies 

and eat them. “We couldn’t wait to eat the kelacha,” 

he said. 

Fasting from meat and dairy was very common 

in Iraq. “Prayers and fasting are both very 

significant in the Chaldean church,” said Shamasha 

Foumia. “Most of the words and prayers teach 

us fasting from some kind of food is not enough. 

That is only for the body. We also have to cleanse 

our souls. This is when we can become closer to 

God. It is spiritual. Typically, during Lent, we pray 

three times a day especially in the villages of Iraq. 

Those who lived in Baghdad and who worked, it 

was harder for them to pray.” 

They also colored eggs and played the egg 

cracking game. “I remember a story about a boy 

whose father was a carpenter. He carved an egg 

from wood and colored it. He played the egg 

cracking game with his friends and beat everybody 

and no one realized his egg was made of wood,” 

laughed Shamasha Foumia. 

Typically, in Telkeppe and other villages, prayers 

start around 2 a.m. for about three hours and then 

they would attend high mass in the morning for 

about two hours. “During the holiday season the 

high mass in Telkeppe is always the first mass of 

the Sunday,” said Shamasha Foumia. “But on the 

Sundays during the year, it was the third mass in 

Telkeppe.” 

Saturday was also a significant day of prayer. 

“We used to have a prayer in the afternoon on the 

Saturday before Easter and then a mass followed,” 

said Shamasha Foumia. “The mass started as soon 

as the sun would set. When the Shamasha celebrating 

mass says, “Bless Me Father,” and then the priest 

would come on the alter where the Shamasha was 

reading to announce Jesus has risen and the people 

would recite back. We don’t do this Saturday tradition 

in America. This mass is not typical in American. 

It is done in other masses in English.” 

After the Saturday prayers, one of the priests 

and a church board member would walk around 

the church and people would donate money to 

redeem the picture of Our Lady of Sorrows. “The 

priest used to actually announce how much each 

person donated,” he said. 

Chaldeans brought with them from Iraq their 

prayers written in Aramaic. “Years ago, Shamasha 

Sadik Barno translated readings from the 

Old Testament said on Sunday from written Aramaic 

to speaking Sourath for us,” said Shamasha 

Foumia. “It was at Mar Addai in Oak Park many 

years ago. He did a great job then.” 

Since then, Shamasha Foumia has updated 

those prayers in speaking Sourath. Today, they 

have translated everything to speaking Sourath. In 

around in 2004, Fr. Boji translated evening prayers 

and some of the Feast Day prayers for Sundays and 

major Feast Days. 

Since then, Shamasha Foumia with the help of 

Bishop Ibrahim, has translated all the prayers for the 

entire year per the request of Bishop Francis. 

Also, during the mass, a play about an angel and 

the thief is performed. “It used to be an after-midnight 

prayer but now it is a play during the mass before 

the Gospel,” said Shamasha Foumia. “We also 

recite another special prayer just before the Gospel.” 

This play is typically performed during the High 

Mass. Whether Chaldeans are celebrating Easter in 

America or Iraq, it is the holiest day for Christians 

everywhere. “The Resurrection is the center of our 

life,” said Shamasha Foumia. “It is the center of our 

faith. Jesus died for us. He rose from the dead. This 

is what our faith entails. Its everything.” 

Although things are slightly different in America 

than they are in Iraq, the liturgy is the same. 

There are no Easter bunnies or Easter egg hunts 

in Iraq, but prayers are still a focal point of Lent. 

Chaldeans start Lent on Monday and not Ash 

Wednesday and they also abstain from Fasting on 

Sundays. 

“The tones of the prayers that we use for the 

first Sunday of Lent are the same tones we use for 

the joyous feasts of Christmas and the Epiphany,” 

said Fr. Matthew Zetouna, parochial vicar at St. 

George Church in Shelby Township. “We are joyful 

during this time. We are looking forward to the 

transformation that will occur at the end of Lent 

when the resurrection is our sign of victory. Instead 

of showing a public demeanor of fasting with 

ashes like the Latin Rite, the Chaldean Church is 

actually positive in our approach to Lent. We try 

to maintain positivity in the face of all of the persecution 

we’ve experienced because we are confident 

that Christ is already victorious.” 

Lent becomes a joyful time for Chaldean Catholics. 

“We have hope in our faith,” said Fr. Matthew. 

“This approach is consistent with who we 

are as hopeful Christians.” 

This same reason is why Chaldeans do not celebrate 

Ash Wednesday. “We should not get into 

the trap of comparing ourselves to the Latin Rite,” 

said Fr. Matthew. “We look at the Latin Rite as a 

standard because we live in the West but there are 

22 other standards as well. Our Rite is also a standard. 

We have our own ancient and unchanged 

traditions.” 

There are liturgical differences between the rites, 

“but it goes deeper than that,” he noted. “How we 

praise God and pray is considered. We don’t want 

the Rites to be boxed in. We are all one diamond 

and each Rite is a different viewpoint to the center 

of the diamond. It is a different facet, but Christ is 

still at the center. We all can see the center. We all 

see Christ.” 

The Chaldean Church calendar is typically in a 

seven-week cycle for each liturgical season. Seven 

weeks of Lent, seven weeks of Easter, seven weeks 

of summer, seven weeks of Elijah, in addition to 

other seasons. “We begin the season of Lent in the 

interest of being consistent with the structure with 

our yearly calendar.” 

In addition to honoring both the Eastern Rite 

and Latin Rite traditions, individuals can start 

their own traditions, like watching Passion of the 

Christ on Good Friday or reading particular scripture 

verses daily. “I know some people visit many 

of our churches on Good Friday and recite a decade 

of the Rosary at each church,” said Fr. Matthew. 

“Some might recite a decade of Sorrowful 

mysteries or read the Passion Narrative of John. 

These are all good personal options to bring yourself 

closer to Christ.” 


Simply delicious food served 

by the finest Professionals 

SOCIAL SECURITY 

DISABILITY 

Attorney Randall Mansour 

Social Security Disability and 

Veterans Benefits Attorneys 

CASUAL DINING AT ITS BEST 

Authentic Italian style restaurant featuring cut to order steaks, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and pizzas and several salad options. 

Spacious Banquet rooms available perfect for corporate events and meetings, family celebrations, weddings and showers. 

5600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan 

248.813.0700 ◆ www.loccino.com 

BY LINA HAISHA 

PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATED TEAM 

LAW OFFICES OF 

Kelly, Riggs, & Mansour 

625 E. BIG BEAVER STE. 204, TROY, MI 48083 

• Specializing in Social Security Cases (SSI/SSD) & VA Benefits 

• We’ve won thousands of cases 

• Assistance with the initial application process 

• Help from start to finish with the entire claim 

• Free Consultation 

• No fee unless we win 

• Fluent in both Arabic and Chaldean at our office 

DISABILITYLAWGROUP.COM 

248-838-3000 

TOLL FREE 

800-838-1100 

• Painless Light Sheer Lasers • Hydrafacials 

• Laser Training Classes • Microblading 

by Kristen Danyal (Brows by KD) 

• Microneedling with the Rejuvapen 

• Teeth whitening 

FREE CONSULTATION 

WE MATCH COMPETITORS’ PRICES 

WE SPEAK ARABIC & CHALDEAN 

www.BeautyClinicMI.com 

(586) 553-9951 

38908 Dequindre Road 


(South of 17 Mile Road) 

Subscribe today! 

ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION: $25 

❏ 1 YEAR 

❏ GIFT SUBSCRIPTION 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

NAME 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

ADDRESS 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

CITY / STATE / ZIP 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

E-MAIL 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PHONE 

PLEASE MAIL THE FORM, WITH A CHECK PAYABLE TO: 

CHALDEAN NEWS, ATTN: SUBSCRIPTIONS 



PHONE: 248-851-8600 FAX: 248-851-1348 


Building miracles 

Teen spearheads project to help families in Mexico 


“ 

I 

have gotten the chance to really 

make changes in lives and 

I have never done anything 

where I feel like I am really doing 

something,” said Daniella Benitez, 

14. “Getting to make long lasting relationships 

and see lives change are 

things I will always hold on to.” 

Working with the San Diego nonprofit 

Build a Miracle and a team of 

volunteers, Benitez has dedicated her 

summers to building homes for needy 

families in Mexico. This decision 

came after the high school freshman 

had the opportunity to build a home 

with a group of volunteers comprised 

of her peers from her middle school 

Notre Dame Academy. 

“I first heard abound Build A Miracle 

in seventh grade when my P.E. 

coach at Notre Dame Academy had 

told us about this nonprofit organization 

and had motivated us to work as a 

whole school to raise the money for an 

NDA sponsored house,” she explained. 

After working to build the home 

sponsored by her middle school, 

Benitez was inspired to continue 

working with Build a Miracle and, at 

just 13 years old, committed to building 

one home every year for families 

in Mexico. 

“I couldn’t believe what $16,000 

could do in changing an entire family’s 

life,” said Benitez. “The reactions 

of the family that we built that 

house for were priceless and were the 

main cause of my motivation to keep 

building miracles.” 

Fueled by the work she had been 

a part of with her peers from school, 

Benitez wasted no time in creating 

a plan and assembling a team to get 

started on her second home. 

Proud and moved by her daughter’s 

dedication, GG Benitez encouraged 

her daughter to take on the 

task, with one condition – she would 

have to head the project without any 

help from her mother. 

As a wife, mother, and CEO of 

GG Benitez & Assoc. Public Relations, 

Inc., GG already had enough 

on her plate and she wanted to encourage 

her daughter to see the project 

through on her own abilities. 

“I got tears in my eyes and felt 

so proud that my daughter was so affected 

by what we had seen and had 

built, and that she had so much empathy 

for others at such a young age,” 

explained Benitez’s mother. “At 

the same time, I was skeptical that 

she would be able to see her desire 

through. She was always shy, and I 

didn’t know she had the ability to be 

such a strong leader. She clearly had 

found her passion.” 

Following through with her commitment, 

Benitez says the process 

was simple. She started by gathering 

a group of 15 other volunteers, 

each tasked with raising $1,000 during 

the summertime. With $16,000 

collectively raised, Benitez went to 

the founders of Build a Miracle who 

found a family in need in Mexico. 

“Within two months, we went 

down to Mexico for the day to build. 

On our first trip down, we met our 

new family, and together with my 

team and volunteers in Mexico, we 

mixed the cement and poured the 

pad,” she explained. “On our second 

trip down, we paint the inside and 

outside of the house, added furniture, 

and then surprised the family.” 

The family knew that Benitez 

and her team were in town to build 

them a home, but were unaware the 

home would also be fully furnished, 

surprising them during the reveal of 

the home. 

Heading the project, Benitez was 

given the opportunity to hone her 

leadership skills. “I had to make sure 

that I was constantly checking up on 

everyone and making sure they were 

doing well with raising their money 

and that they knew all of the details 

of when we are going to build and so 

on,” she said. 

Through working on this project 

with his sister, Benitez’s younger 

brother, Gabriel, was inspired to go 

on and head his own project. He also 

committed to building a home. 

“When he saw that it wasn’t so 

difficult for his older sister to build a 

team and raise the $16,000 needed 

for a home, he decided to challenge 

himself and do the same,” GG said. 

“He has just finished raising the 

money for his 2nd team home.” 

Empowered by her ability to bring 

people together and behind a goal, 

Benitez is committed to building one 

home every year. 

“I am intent on building at least 

one home a year. Last year, I actually 

headed up the building of one; then, 

my little brother was inspired and 

headed up his own; and, then we had 

an anonymous donor match my brother 

and me for a third home last year,” 

she explained. “This year, we are also 

doing the same: three more homes.” 

While the project is headed by 

Benitez, it is through her ability to 

bring people together that she was 

able to see the project to fruition. 

“…my kids wouldn’t be able to do 

this without their fellow volunteers 

who dedicate their time and money 

to help completely change other 

people’s lives for the better,” said 

GG. “All of our lives have changed 

through this process for the better, 

and I hope we can motivate others to 

get involved.” 

Going beyond what she initially 

expected, GG is proud of the impact 

Build a Miracle has had in the lives 

of her children. 

“There is nothing in the entire 

world that could bring me more pride 

than having a child that feels empathy 

for others, and gives back like 

this,” she said. “It is important to me 

to raise children with big hearts; I’m 

thrilled that Daniella has found the 

answer to the question of how to find 

fulfillment in life by giving back, and 

is so impassioned to do so.” 

As far as the future, Benitez is 

not sure what it holds or what will 

happen next, “…but I do know that 

I will always work to provide to others,” 

she said. “I have such a strong 

passion for charity and I know that 

as I grow in age, my capabilities will 

only grow, as well.” 

Continuing in her commitment, 

Benitez continues to raise money to 

build homes. For those who would 

like to contribute to her project, a 

GoFundMe fundraiser has been created 

for donations. You can donate at 

BuildingWithDani. 



Recreational marijuana: A blurred line 

BY BIANCA KASAWDISH 

First came medical marijuana 

licenses, and people were 

quickly desensitized to the idea 

of marijuana and the stigma that it 

once had. In a Mom to Mom show 

hosted by Lisa Denha brought by the 

Eastern Catholic Re-evangelization 

Center (ECRC) and shown live on 

the Chaldean Moms of Metro Detroit 

Facebook page, two experts 

share their thoughts on the legalization 

of recreational marijuana, and 

what it really means. 

Judge Linda Davis, District Judge 

in Clinton Township 

Judge Davis deals with cases involving 

marijuana, alcohol and other 

drugs, and also educates all over about 

addiction and drug use. She shares 

she was not surprised when recreational 

marijuana was legalized, but 

it was done too fast. “We softened to 

the idea of medical marijuana being 

a medical drug and I think because of 

that, the barriers were broken down 

and people got confused about the 

difference between medical and recreational,” 

says Judge Davis. 

Judge Davis believes this opens 

up many possibilities for use with 

younger people, with dispensaries offering 

it in so many different forms. 

Another point brought up is that we 

still do not know enough about the 

effect it has on someone. “I think 

we passed this law before we knew 

enough about marijuana. We need 

more studies done on how second 

hand smoke affects children, how 

it affects the brain in young people, 

what long-term effect it has on mothers 

when they’re pregnant,” she says. 

“Your brain doesn’t fully develop 

until you’re 25. Young people are 

much more susceptible to it. This 

could have a real impact on their future 

if they start using it at such 

a young age. It’s the same thing 

with any substance.” 

She shares that marijuana 

use is not a healthy lifestyle, and 

the hope is that people smoke 

it responsibly and it does not 

become a habit. When people 

buy it medicinally, another 

option is a pill form. A risk 

for those buying it on the street 

for medicinal purposes is that the 

pill may be laced with another substance. 

However, one positive aspect 

of its legalization, she says, is that 

dispensaries are a place where people 

can safely purchase marijuana products 

without the worry of it being 

laced. 

“We have a problem with people 

wanting to be numb. We have bred 

a culture that relies on medications. 

We want everything instant, now. 

Kids just want to feel good 24/7 and 

that’s not life. We need to teach kids 

coping skills,” explained Judge Davis. 

“It’s a much deeper problem than 

just legalizing marijuana.” 

When it comes to consequences 

for smoking marijuana in public, 

Judge Davis shares that currently 

they are minimal with people being 

charged a fine. But, she believes it is 

going to change down the line. 

Stephanie Nofar, licensed professional 

counselor, Hope in Counseling 

in Sterling Heights 

Nofar specializes in drug and alcohol 

counseling and shares she did 

see a larger population of people using 

recreational marijuana more often 

than they probably should have, 

and when medical marijuana was legalized, 

people were getting medical 

marijuana cards under false pretenses. 

“Anything in excess is going to be 

a bad thing. A harmful substance is a 

harmful substance,” she says. 

“When it comes to young people, 

the younger children start using 

it, the more addictive it will be,” 

she says. “A good age to explain this 

to children is as soon as they’re exposed 

to it.” 

The larger issue to look at is the 

question of why people need to 

have a mind-altering drug. This 

is where the line is blurred. She 

shares that if you have symptoms 

of depression and anxiety, 

it’s hard to tell and treat 

what came first because it is hard 

to measure if someone is self-medicating 

because of these issues or if 

the marijuana actually caused these 

symptoms. 

“Trauma is hitting people a lot 

harder now. We need to have the 

ups and downs, we need to be able 

to handle those things. And if don’t, 

we need to have the right resources, 

like counselors and teachers, friends 

or family to go to instead of these 

other unhealthy things. It is addictive,” 

she says. 


chaldean on the STREET 

Spring break 

BY HALIM SHEENA 

Spring is finally here! As everyone prepares for another vacation, we wanted to reminisce about spring breaks past. 

We asked community members about their favorite spring break. 

My favorite spring break trip was this past one. My 

best friend and I took a trip to New York City to visit 

my sister. It was the most memorable because I had 

the opportunity to be with two of my favorite people 

in my favorite city. 

– Lindsay Mattia, 20, Rochester Hills 

One time, on Easter Sunday, our mom decided 

last-minute that we were leaving to Florida the next 

day. We told some friends and they all came with us. 

It was completely spontaneous and I think that was 

what made it so fun and exciting! 

– Tamara Mechael, 18, Farmington Hills/Burbank CA 

My favorite spring break trip was when me and family 

headed up north to Mackinac Island. While we were 

up there, we all rode our bikes around the entire island 

during the day which was amazing. Our trip included 

looking for Petoskey Stones with my little sister. 

– Brian Verville, 18, Clarkston 

My favorite spring break was last year, spent at 

Camp Chaldean in Brighton. My cousins and I were 

together volunteering for a youth camp. We may have 

almost froze to death (it was a cold march!) but we 

made amazing memories. Most of our nights were 

spent starting a campfire and talking all night! 

– Leeza Haddad, 25, West Bloomfield 

I haven’t been on spring break since the good old 

school days. I went on a Carnival cruise ship not only 

with my sisters and cousins, but with my mom and 

aunt too (who decided to crash). The best part was 

the company of my loved ones, the three beautiful 

islands we visited, and of course my tan! 

– Sonia Petros, 31, Kalamazoo 

My favorite spring break trip was to California, when I 

got to spend some quality time with my sister Lynette 

who lives in Santa Monica. We went to a Lakers game 

and got to hang out on the pier. Family time is the best 

time especially when your family is thousands of miles 

away. Spring break is not about partying and getting 

drunk! Stay close to the ones you love. 

– Ryan Toma, 26, West Bloomfield

Impassioned creators 

Women throughout community turn their hobbies into businesses 


There is no shortage of creative 

spirit within the community. 

This is the case for Berta Rihan 

who began making custom rosaries 

when she was 16 years old. Started 

as a hobby, her passion grew into 

a way for her to help her church’s 

youth group. 

“I started selling pieces at events 

that were hosted by St. Mary’s Assyrian 

Church of the East in Warren, 

Mich. to help raise money for 

our youth group,” Rihan explained. 

“Most of my support comes from 

my church’s youth group, so I have 

always vowed to help them raise 

money by selling some of my pieces 

for them.” 

About a year ago, Rihan decided 

she wanted to extend her product 

offerings to Etsy, a platform that enables 

crafters to sell their items to 

people from all over the world, and 

Beads by Bee was born. 

What originally started with personalized 

rosaries has grown to include 

a number of different of items, 

including bracelets and necklaces. 

With the majority of her offerings 

being personalized, Rihan offers her 

customers one of a kind pieces. 

“My bracelets can be personalized 

by adding an initial, flag, or by adding 

any desired charm,” she explained. 

Most recently, Rihan has been 

working to produce Aramaic/Sureth/ 

Assyrian name plates. “The necklaces 

have been a hit so far because 

they are very unique and an exclusive 

product because as an Assyrian, 

I can’t simply walk into any store 

and request a name necklace in my 

mother language,” she said. 

With her mind on continuous 

growth, Rihan hopes to introduce 

Rosary necklaces in the near future. 

In addition, her hope is for 

Beads by Bee to physically extend 

to California. “God willing, though 

global, Beads by Bee will physically 

be extending to California to explore 

more territory,” she explained. “I 

want this business to keep growing 

by bringing in unique and differentiated 

products.” 

Beads by Bee 

Beyond her ability to offer distinctive 

personalized items, Rihan 

believes her passion is just one facet 

that sets her apart, with the work she 

does with her church’s youth group 

being the other part. 

“I like to use my skills and talent 

to make items to help raise money 

for my church’s youth group,” said 

Rihan. “Because of my involvement 

with the Assyrian Church of the East 

Youth Association (ACEYA), I have 

been able to connect with other 

youth groups who collaborate with 

me in order to help raise money for 

their youth group.” 

While most of her customers are 

from the Assyrian and Chaldean 

communities, Rihan has had the 

opportunity to work with customers 

from all over the world. From Germany 

and Sweden to Costa Rica and 

Brazil, she has been able to collaborate 

and create pieces for customers 

from all walks of life. 

“A lot of my inspiration comes 

from my customers. I love collaborating 

with my customers to create one 

of a kind pieces,” said Rihan. “I make 

each and every piece with love and 

with my clients and their reactions 

in mind. Enjoying what they have 

ordered means everything to me and 

I do anything to accommodate them 

with the best experience.” 

Beads By Bee can be found across 

social media platforms under the 

same moniker or on Etsy. 

Treasuring Life 

Also impassioned to make rosaries is 

founder of Chloe’s Treasures, Mervit 

Toma. Born as an escape where she 

could find peace, Toma started making 

rosaries after suffering a miscarriage. 

Falling into depression after 

the loss, the only thing that helped 

her was praying the Rosary every day. 

“I fell into a deep depression and 

it got really bad; it actually got to the 

point where I couldn’t take care of 

Chloe for two or three years,” explained 

Toma. “I became very sick and this was 

a combination of losing the baby and 

the actual chemical imbalance. That 

mixture became out of control.” 

Seeking the help and guidance of 

priests in the community, Toma was 

encouraged to continue her prayers. 

“Fr. Frank at the time, would meet 

with me about four times a week to 

just talk and help me because I didn’t 

want to be on medications for the depression,” 

she explained. 

As a religious and prayerful woman, 

she took this advice and found 

that praying the Rosary brought 

her what she calls an “indescribable 

amount of relief” and left her feeling 

like she could finally breathe again. 

In addition to encouraging prayer, 

Fr. Frank, now Bishop Francis, suggested 

Toma find something to occupy 

her time. “He said to me, ‘you’re 

either going to get very sick and God 

forbid something’s going to happen 

to you, or you can find something to 

keep you busy’,” she explained. 

Still grieving and looking to continue 

her journey of healing, Toma 

made a Rosary for her then one-year 

old daughter Chloe. In more ways 

than one, her daughter served as her 

inspiration. 

“I was showing the Rosary I made 

to friends on Facebook and so many of 

them responded asking where I got it 

and that’s how I got started,” said Toma. 

More than 11 years later, Toma 

continues to make rosaries and has 

even introduced a variety of necklaces 

to her store. 

“I love doing what I do each and 

every day,” said Toma. “Every message 

and every comment from clients 

from all over the world make me so 

happy.” 

Toma offers a variety of rosaries 

perfect for any occasion, including 

weddings and communions. Most 

pieces by Toma are customizable, 

from the color of the beads to adding 

individual names. 

Since starting Chloe’s Treasures, 

Toma has experienced an influx of 

encouragement from the community 

and beyond. Through her business, 

she has been able to share her creations 

with a variety of people, from 

the Chaldean community and beyond. 

Most notably, Toma has made 

rosaries for actor Mark Wahlberg 

along with Catholic talk show host 

Teresa Tomeo’s husband Deacon 

Dominic that was gifted to him when 

he became a Deacon. 

Looking to the future, Toma will 

continue to share her creations with 


her customers and as a whole continue 

to grow. 

“In my mind, I truly believe God 

wanted me to go through the miscarriage 

to get to where I am at today,” 

Toma said. “I feel like God wanted me 

to make these rosaries to help others 

grow in their faith the way I did.” 

Chloe’s Treasures can be found 

online or by appointment at Toma’s 

new storefront on West Bloomfield. 

That’s My Name 

Inspired by a close friend’s creative abilities 

and driven by a lost beach towel, 

Loreen Lossia Yaldo is the founder of 

That’s My Name Towels. She makes 

“customized, high quality, hand made 

name towels.” From the color to the 

name, each towel is special. 

“Jennifer, a friend of mine, used 

to make these beautiful towels and 

stopped doing so about four years 

or so ago,” explained Lossia Yaldo. 

“Having been given these for my 

own three kids, I also loved giving 

them as gifts, so when she stopped 

making them, I started thinking 

about taking over.” 

This was just a fleeting thought, 

though, until Lossia Yaldo’s son lost 

the towel her friend had made. 

“…I just put it in the back of my 

mind until my youngest son forgot 

his name towel at the pool at the end 

of this past summer and it was lost for 

good,” she said. “I then started thinking 

about making them once again.” 

With encouragement from friends 

and family and direction from Jennifer, 

Lossia Yaldo made her very first 

custom name towel in August 2018. 

With an inclination for crafts, Lossia 

Yaldo knew that making these towels 

would be a good time for her. What 

she did not expect to find out was 

just how helpful making these towels 

would be for her own headspace. 

“I consider myself to be a crafty 

person so this was right up my alley,” 

she explained. “What I didn’t expect 

is how therapeutic making these 

towels is for me. It’s quite relaxing 

to just retreat to my workspace and 

work on these towels.” 

The time-consuming process to 

create each towel is one she looks 

forward to. 

Since making her first towel in 

August, Lossia Yaldo has launched 

an Instagram account that serves as 

hub for her business. Through her 

Instagram account and the word of 

mouth, she has enjoyed plenty of opportunities 

to make customers happy. 

Lossia Yaldo offers a personalized 

and durable product meant to last for 

years. Each item is as individualistic 

as its recipient. 

“I offer many different towel 

colors and fabric options to choose 

Chloe’s Treasures 

That’s My Name Towels 

from,” she explained. “Whether superheroes, 

hunting, boating, sports, 

or butterflies are your thing, there 

is something for everyone. If I don’t 

already offer what you are looking 

for, I am also happy to take on a new 

theme at the customer’s request.” 

That’s My Name Towels can be 

found on Instagram. 

Fascination and Passion 

For LeeAnn Kirma, mosaics have always 

been fascinating, from the various 

techniques to the end result. Like 

most, making mosaics started as a 

hobby before Kirma decided to make 

a business out of it about 12 years ago 

when she founded Lulu’s Mosaics. 

Making a mosaic, says Kirma, starts 

with the customer and understanding 

what they want. With a grasp of what 

the customer wants, she begins “shopping” 

her shelves and stacks for china 

to create the mosaics. 

The process can be laborious, 

but well worth the wait, says Kirma. 

“Timing to create a piece varies by 

size and what is wanted. My standard 

8x10 Birth Announcement mosaic 

take roughly six to seven hours total 

but over roughly three days to allow 

dry time. It’s a messy process but the 

end result is beautiful.” 

Most of Kirma’s clients are women, 

with 70 percent of her customer base 

coming from Michigan and 30 percent 

from out of state. Her pieces have 

reached beyond the United States. 

“I have pieces that have been 

gifted to people as far as Germany 

and Dubai,” she said. 

Lulu’s Mosaics is driven by word 

of mouth alone. “I do not advertise,” 

explained Kirma. “My clients are all 

from word of mouth or people who 

received one of my pieces and now 

wants to gift a piece of their own to 

someone. Almost all of my clients 

are repeat clients.” 

Making mosaics isn’t all business 

for Kirma. In fact, she finds 

great peace throughout the process 

of making each piece. “I find great 

peace and it being a stress reliever 

while making a mosaic,” she said. “I 

can work for hours and just lose track 

of time. It’s my “me” time. I am grateful 

that I am able to do something I 

truly enjoy and love.” 

With a knack for crafts, Kirma, 

alongside her sister Deanne Kirma 

Toma, has moved into stitching in addition 

to mosaics. Using embroidery, 

she personalizes towels, blankets, and 

much more. “It’s amazing how creative 

you can be with stitching.” 

Looking to the future, Kirma 

hopes to continue making a great 

product that will last a lifetime. 

Lulu’s Mosaics can be found on 

Instagram. 

Lulu’s Mosaics 


ONE on ONE 

A conversation with Mark Hackel 

We had the opportunity 

to ask Macomb County 

Executive Mark Hackel 

questions as they pertain 

to both the Chaldean 

community and the 

immigrant community 

at large. 

What are you doing to work with 

the large and growing Chaldean 

population in Macomb County? 

Macomb County is attracting an 

increasing number of immigrants, 

including our growing Chaldean 

population. OneMacomb, an initiative 

that promotes multiculturalism 

and inclusion, was created in 

2012 and actively works to build a 

welcoming community for all who 

make Macomb their home. For instance, 

OneMacomb has a webpage 

with many resources to help our 

Chaldean and other foreign-born 

residents succeed. OneMacomb 

also provides access to language 

classes, jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, 

while hosting citizenship 

workshops, naturalization ceremonies, 

immigration basics courses 

and diversity summits. 

What is being done to make the county 

more inclusive to the diverse growing 

population? 

Recently, we hosted a refugee resource 

fair with interpreters at the 

Chaldean Community Foundation 

in Sterling Heights. The fair 

featured several topics - from jobs 

to health-related information, and 

civil rights information. We also 

partner on an annual Breakfast of 

Nations event that promotes newcomers 

to our county and shares 

immigration stories, including the 

stories of our youth. 

Outside of events, we provide 

Skype-like video remote interpreting 

services and installed Arabic 

signage on all health and family resource 

buildings in the county. We 

also value our strong relationship 

with the Chaldean American Chamber 

of Commerce and the Chaldean 

Community Foundation and attend, 

partner on and promote their events. 

How would you like to see people get 

more involved in government? 

We have more than 200 executive 

appointments to various boards 

and commissions and need the 

Chaldean community represented 

– so we welcome their participation. 

There are also many elected 

and appointed positions throughout 

Macomb County’s 27 cities, villages 

and townships and we encourage 

any community member interested 

in a public office to run. Finally, we 

recommend attending public meetings 

and events so that your voice 

is heard, appreciated and welcomed. 

What do you see as Macomb County’s 

biggest asset? 

Several things. We have a diverse 

community with more than 100 

languages spoken that continually 

attracts immigrants who then 

make Macomb their home. Then 

there’s jobs. According to the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Macomb 

County recently experienced the 

largest manufacturing job increase 

in the nation. Our close proximity 

to Detroit is also an asset, so sporting 

events, attractions and major 

expressways are easily accessible. Finally, 

we have incredible natural resources, 

including water recreation 

on Lake St. Clair and the Clinton 

River. 

What are some of the major issues you 

are facing today? 

Talent is a critical area of focus for 

the county, because when we ask 

businesses to tell us their greatest 

need, the answer is almost always 

workforce related. In fact, there 

are more than 15,000 unfilled jobs 

here in Macomb. So, we are working 

closely with industry and educational 

partners to develop solutions 

that will fuel our talent pipeline. 

Another very important issue 

that we are actively working to address 

is infrastructure, and more 

specifically, our roadways. This past 

year, we completed 34 major roads 

projects and invested $32 million 

in construction and repair. But that 

alone won’t solve the problems, 

so we’re developing creative solutions 

with local municipalities and 

elected officials. For instance, we 

worked together to secure a $97.8 

million U.S. Department of Transportation 

Infrastructure for Rebuilding 

America grant for the Innovate 

Mound project. This will completely 

rebuild Mound Road and equip it 

with a smart infrastructure network 

while improving traffic flow, sidewalks, 

pedestrian bridges and better 

wayfinding. When it’s complete, 

Mound will be a shining example of 

the future of our roads nationwide. 

Many of our community members are 

small business owners and developers, 

how can they learn about business opportunities 

in the county? 

I would direct them to the Macomb 

County Department of Planning 

and Economic Development. We 

have a great business development 

team that helps new and existing 

companies by providing services 

like assistance with marketing, financial 

analysis and planning, strategic 

planning, management and 

operations. To learn more about 

these resources and to get in touch 

with our team, visit macombbusiness.com. 

Elite Toppers llc 

CUSTOM CAKE TOPPERS & MORE 

At Elite Toppers llc, we believe that your occasions should refleft your own personal 

style. Elite is dedicated to helping our customers discover their own design personality. 

TEL: (226) 260-4753 or (248) 752-1210 

INSTAGRAM: elite_toppers WEB: www.etsy.com/shop/elitetoppers 

Top it to the next level. 


Ciao 

Italian Bistro & Wine Bar 

6199 Orchard Lake Road 

West Bloomfield MI 48322 

T / 248-862-6374 

F / 248-862-6389 

www.ciaoitalianbistro.com 

HOURS: 

Monday – Thursday 11 am - 10 pm 

Friday 11 am - 11 pm 

Saturday 12 pm - 11 pm 

Sunday 12 pm - 9 pm 

Our philosophy is simple… “Manja Bene” (Eat well). 

OUR BANQUET 

HALL HOLDS 

120 PEOPLE 

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST | NEVER MISS AN UPDATE 

Get Payment Plan 

TEXT 

ALERTS! 

Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree introduces 

“Project Tax Message,” a free text messaging service designed 

to remind taxpayers about upcoming payments. 

Get Enrolled, Call (313) 224-5990 

Visit Treasurer.WayneCounty.com for more information. To ask a question, please email the Treasurer’s team at 

TaxInfo@WayneCounty.com or call 313-224-5990. 


DOCTOR is in 

When to see an orthodontist 

The American Association 

of Orthodontists 

(AAO) 

recommends that a child’s 

first visit to an orthodontist 

be no later than age 

7. By the time your child 

reaches the age 7, he or 

she has enough permanent 

teeth to be evaluated. If 

developmental or interceptive 

treatment is not 

recommended, an orthodontist 

will continue to monitor your 

child’s growth pattern and dental 

development at regular check-up appointments 

until your child is ready 

for treatment. 

Below are dental and skeletal issues 

orthodontists commonly treat in 

their offices: 

Excessive Spacing: Results when 

teeth fail to erupt (grow in) or there 

is a difference between the size of the 

jaw and the size of the teeth. Excessive 

spacing allows teeth to shift affecting 

the bite and dental midlines. 

Crowding: Results due to a lack 

of space for teeth to fit normally 

within the jaw; there is a difference 

between the size of the jaw and the 

size of the teeth. Crowding could 

lead to other issues such as impacted 

teeth, abnormal eruption of teeth, 

trauma to neighboring teeth, or periodontal 

(gum) issues. 

Open bite: Insufficient vertical 

overlap of the upper and lower 

front teeth. Open bite may lead to a 

number of unwanted habits such as 

tongue thrusting where the tongue 

protrudes forward when swallowing 

or speaking. The mismatch in 

DR. BRANDON 

SHOUKRI 


CHALDEAN NEWS 

growth of the upper and 

lower jaws or a constant 

thumb sucking habit that 

lasts beyond the age of 5 

are common contributors 

to an open bite. 

Underbite: The positioning 

of the lower teeth 

and jaw extends too far 

out, causing the lower 

front teeth to sit in front of 

the upper front teeth. This 

problem can be fixed with 

braces or dental facemasks, which 

help bring the upper teeth forward in 

front of the lower teeth so they fit in 

a stable and comfortable position. 

Overjet (protrusion of upper 

teeth): The upper and lower front 

teeth do not come together when 

biting. This could be the result of 

oral habits (e.g. thumb sucking), a 

skeletal discrepancy (e.g. improper 

development of the lower jaw in 

relation to the upper jaw), or a dental 

issue (e.g. missing a single lower 

tooth or multiple lower teeth). 

Deep Overbite: The upper front 

teeth cover the lower front teeth excessively, 

which could affect lower 

jaw development and movement, 

lead to excessive wear of the front 

teeth or trauma to the tissue covering 

the roof of the mouth. 

Crossbite: The upper teeth sit 

inside the lower teeth or there is a 

misalignment of the dental arches. 

When individuals with crossbite try 

to close their mouth, they tend to 

move their lower jaw forward or to 

the side when closing. This incorrect 

bite may lead to craniofacial asymmetry 

and/or other lower jaw issues. 

My child was born without permanent 

(adult) teeth; is this common? 

More than 20 percent of adults fail to 

develop at least one of the thirty-two 

permanent teeth. Research studies 

have shown that congenitally missing 

teeth are associated with genetic factors, 

a result of a syndrome, or a sporadic 

issue. The most common congenitally 

missing teeth are: wisdom teeth, 

mandibular second premolars and 

maxillary lateral incisors. With a simple 

panoramic x-ray, an orthodontist 

would be able to provide you with information 

on which permanent teeth 

are present in the oral cavity. This will 

give the orthodontist an opportunity 

to determine how to achieve the best 

results in the most efficient way. 

Am I too old for orthodontic treatment? 

Absolutely not! There is no age limit 

for orthodontic treatment. The opportunity 

for you to achieve a healthy 

and beautiful smile is always available 

to you. Over 25 percent of the patients 

of most orthodontic practices are over 

the age of 18. You can have the smile 

you’ve always wanted no matter what 

your age is. If you are worried about 

esthetics; you have the option of having 

tooth-colored braces, braces that 

go behind the teeth, and plastic-like 

aligners (e.g. Invisalign ® ). It is important 

to know that not every type of 

appliance is suitable for correction of 

every kind of orthodontic problem. 

It is in your best interest to visit your 

local orthodontist to evaluate what 

your options may be. 

Dr. Brandon Shoukri is a Diplomate of 

the American Board of Orthodontics. 

He is an orthodontist at Berkman + 

Shapiro Orthodontics in Commerce 

Twp, MI. He is also an adjunct clinical 

assistant professor at the University 

of Michigan School of Dentistry 

and serves on the board of Michigan 

Association of Orthodontists. If you 

have any questions, you can reach out 

to Dr. Shoukri at bshoukri@gmail.com. 

Going Green? 

Read Chaldean News online at 

www.chaldeannews.com 


Promoting Wellness and Breast Health 

Clinical Services: High Risk Consultations | Genetic Risk | Surgery 

Clinical Trials | Multidisciplinary Care | Imaging & Diagnostic 

Our Mission 

Comprehensive Breast Care is a surgical practice with 100% 

dedication to the care of the patient with breast disease. Whether 

benign or malignant, coordinated and efficient care plans are critical. 

Our mission is to navigate patients via evidence based 'care plans' 

to achieve a diagnosis and treatment plan. 

Drs. Linsey Gold and Eric Brown 

4967 Crooks Road Suite 210 

Troy Michigan, 48098 

248-687-7300 | Fax: 248-687-7305 

www.compbreastcare.com 

JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM. 

The Chaldean News is looking for 

motivated candidates to fill full-time 

salaried sales positions. Qualified 

candidates should email a resume to 

info@chaldeannews.com. 

where extraordinary 

happensevery day 

248.646.7717 | www.dcds.edu 

explore the possibilities. 

GRADES PK3 - JK 

Maple Road Campus 

GRADES K - 2 

Village Campus 

GRADES 3 - 8 

Hillview Campus 

GRADES 9 - 12 

Thirteen Mile Campus 

22412 DCDS ad Chaldean News 4.375 x 5.875 Mar 20.indd 1 APRIL 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 3/13/19 29 7:28 AM

Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C. 

Attorneys and Counselors at Law 

Ronald G. Acho 

racho@cmda-law.com 

Robert L. Blamer 

rblamer@cmda-law.com 

Strength AnD exPerienCe to 

fight for your rightS 

• Automobile accidents 

• Wrongful death claims 

• Truck accidents 

• Motorcycle accidents 

• Insurance claims 

• Dog bites 

• Pedestrian accidents 

• General negligence 

• Liquor liability injuries/ Dram Shop 

• Construction site accidents 

• Burn Injuries 

• Slip-and-fall injuries 

• Social Security Disability claims 

• Workers’ compensation claims 

A TTORNEYS & C O UNSELORS AT LAW 

(734) 261-2400 • www.cmda-law.com • racho@cmda-law.com 

Content Creators & Communication Strategists 

Our team will create your communication 

strategy; we will clearly and concisely pen 

your message for your various platforms. 

• Websites 

• Newsletters and Publications 

• Blogs 

• Op-eds 

• Press Releases and Advisories 

• Social Media Sites 

• Speeches, talking points or 

brief remarks for events 

• Presentations and reports for 

sales people, experts and CEOs 

• Brochures, programs, marketing 

and public relations material 

• Multi-media production such as 

marketing videos, commercial scripts, 

podcasts, on-hold messages and voice-overs 

As an award-winning 

journalist for both 

broadcast and print, 

founder of Denha Media 

Group, Vanessa Denha 

Garmo has an adaptable 

writing style and has 

trained members of her 

team on various writing 

techniques. 

“You have to know how 

to tell your story if you 

want others to care 

about your story and if 

you want the media to 

cover your story.” 

— Vanessa Denha Garmo 

FREE 30-MINUTE MEDIA MAKE-OVER 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo is offering a free 30-minute consultation for any subscriber to the 

Chaldean News. It’s a Media Make-over, customized to provide feedback on a wide-range 

of areas including your company’s website, blogs, newsletters, as well as how to get an 

interview and how to be interviewed. Denha Media Group specializes in content creation 

and content marketing. To set up a meeting, please contact Vanessa at 248-702-8687 or 

send an email to: vanessa@denhamedia.com 

info@denhamedia.com 248.702.8687 

It’s a great time 

to purchase 

or refi nance 

your home. 

INTEREST RATES ARE 

AT AN ALL TIME LOW! 

Experience the difference with 

someone experienced. 

Always the lowest rates, 

best service and most trusted! 

Sally Denha LaFave 

Mortgage Lender 

NMLS ID 140725 

Offi ce: 248 593-9900 Ext 222 

Cell: 248 752-1722 

Email: slafave@yorkloan.com 

Serving the Chaldean Community Since 1990 

CALL TODAY! 

248 593-9900 

Ext 222 


PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS 

Your Home 

Guaranteed 

or I’ll Buy It! 

844-SOLD-BY-Z • SoldByMarkZ.com 

Phone: (248) 851-2227 

(248) 851-BCBS 

Fax: (248) 851-2215 

rockyhpip1@aol.com 

ROCKY H. HUSAYNU 

Professional Insurance Planners 

Individual & Group Health Plans 

Medicare Supplement Plans 

31000 Northwestern Hwy. • Suite 110 

Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 

Over 39 years of experience. 

Palladium 

Financial GrouP, llc 

MOrTGaGE brOKEr NMLS 128686 

GabE GabriEl 

NMLS 128715 

30095 Northwestern Hwy, ste. 103 

Farmington Hills , Michigan 48334 

Office (248) 737-9500 

Direct (248) 939-1985 

Fax (248) 737-1868 

Email MortgageGabe@aol.com 

www.palladiumfinancialgroup.com 

Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service 

Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service 

TOP 1% OF REALTORS 

TOP 

TOP 

1% OF 

1% IN OAKLAND REALTORS 

OF REALTORS 

IN 

COUNTY IN OAKLAND 1993 – 2015 

OAKLAND COUNTY 2018 

COUNTY 1993 – 2015 

2015 REAL ESTATE 

ALL2015 STAR 2018 

REAL - REAL 

ESTATE 

ESTATE 

HOUR MEDIA ALL ALL STAR STAR - – 

HOUR MEDIA 

Proudly serving Birmingham, 

Bloomfield, Proudly Farmington serving Birmingham, Hills, Bloomfield, 

Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, the 

Proudly serving Birmingham, 

Each office is independently 

West Bloomfield, the Lakes 

Bloomfield, Lakes and Farmington surrounding areas. 

Owned and Operated Brian S. Yaldoo and surrounding areas. Hills, 

Each office is independently Associated Broker West Bloomfield, the Lakes 

Owned and OperatedBrian BrianS. Office (248)737-6800 • Mobile Yaldoo 

(248)752-4010and surrounding areas. 

Toll Associated Free (866) 762-3960 

Broker 

Email: brianyaldoo@remax.com Websites: www.brianyaldoo.com 

Office Office (248) www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com 

(248)737-6800 • Mobile (248)752-4010 

752-4010 

Toll Free (866) 762-3960 

Email: brianyaldoo@remax.net Websites: www.brianyaldoo.com 

Email: brianyaldoo@remax.com Websites: www.brianyaldoo.com 

www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com 

Each office is independently 

Owned and Operated 

ANGELA KAKOS 

Ranked In The Top 1% Nationwide! 

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 FOUR YEARS IN A ROW 

Call to get PRE-APPROVED now! 

248-622-0704 

2456 Metropolitan Pkwy, 

Sterling Heights MI 48310 

(16 & Dequindre) 

Dr. Scott Samona, M.D. 

Hand, Wrist and Microvascular Surgeon 

Dearborn 

22731 Newman 

Street, Suite 100A 

313 561-4910 

www.msspc.org 

Brownstown 

19725 Allen Road 

Building 1 Suite A 

855-450-2020 

CHALDEAN 

AMERICAN 

CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE 


FOUNDATION 

Jaguar Land Rover Troy 

Sammi A. Naoum 

1815 Maplelawn Drive 

Troy, MI 48084 

TEL 248-643-6900 

MOBILE 248-219-5525 

snaoum@suburbancollection.com 

CHALDEAN 

AMERICAN 

CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE 


FOUNDATION 

SANA NAVARRETTE 

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

CELL (248) 925-7773 

TEL (248) 851-1200 

FAX (248) 851-1348 

snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com 

www.chaldeanchamber.com 


ELIAS KATTOULA 

CAREER SERVICES MANAGER 

3601 15 Mile Road 


TEL: (586) 722-7253 

FAX: (586) 722-7257 

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org 


CHALDEAN 

AMERICAN 

CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE 


FOUNDATION 


MEMBERSHIP MANAGER 


DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

CELL (248) 925-7773 

TEL (248) 851-1200 

FAX (248) 851-1348 




30850 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 200 

BINGHAM FARMS, MI 48025 

TEL: (248) 996-8340 CELL: (248) 925-7773 

FAX: (248) 996-8342 



Tell them you saw it in 

the Chaldean News! 


Twitter: @ChaldeanChamber 

Instagram: @ChaldeanAmericanChamber

event 

Timeless Hope Charity Gala 

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED 

The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity hosted their annual Timeless Hope Charity Gala 

on Saturday, March 2. Hosted at the Shenandoah Country Club, the event theme was “A 

Night in Paris.” Benefitting United Community Family Services/Chaldean American Ladies 

of Charity, the evening featured entertainment and a live auction for guests to enjoy. The 

Eastern Catholic Re-evnagelization Center and Hana Najor were this year’s honorees. 


Sterling Heights 

Cultural Exchange 

PHOTOS BY RAZIK TOMINA 

The City of Sterling Heights and its Ethnic Community Committee hosted its 2019 Cultural 

Exchange on Friday, March 1. Sponsored by the Sterling Heights Ethnic Community Committee, 

the 2019 Cultural Exchange featured a variety of ethnic music and dance, educational and 

cultural displays from area groups and retailers, and cuisine from city restaurateurs. Members of 

the community, from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, were in attendance. 


event 

Senior Living Ribbon Cutting 

PHOTOS BY RAZIK TOMINA 

On Tuesday, March 19, the newest senior living apartments next to Holy Martyrs 

Church in Sterling Heights were unveiled. After a laborious process, the independent 

senior living apartments are finally complete. Mass was celebrated with all those in attendance. 

These apartments are the second senior living facility built by the Chaldean 

Diocese, with the first being Chaldean Manor. 


2 SIGNS 

You May Have 

a Gambling Problem. 

1 

2 

I have lied to someone important to 

me about how much I gamble. 

I have felt the need to bet more and 

more money once I’ve started. 

Sound familiar? For confidential help 

call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 

1-800-270-7117 

GambleResponsibly.org 

PROTECT 

YOUR 

PROJECT 

Call 811 at least three 

days before doing any 

construction or digging. 

DTE Energy’s partner, MISS DIG, will come out to mark 

underground natural gas lines to help keep your workers 

safe and your project running smoothly. DTE is working 

hard to keep you safe, but you can help too. 

Contact MISS DIG 811 before any excavation. 

It’s free, it’s fast, and it’s the law. 


eventa 

A Night in Nineveh 

BY RAZIK TOMINA 

Ahead of their upcoming mission trip to Iraq, the Shlama 

Foundation hosted A Night in Nineveh on Friday, March 1. 

Hosted at Sahara in Sterling Heights, the Shlama Foundation 

took guests on a journey through history as the evening featured 

dancing, food, cultural experiences, and traditional fashion. 

Entertainment was provided by Ashur Oshana and the Brothers 

Band. A Night in Nineveh will benefit the organization’s 

various projects throughout the homeland. 


Live From Babylon 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRITANNY HAMAMA 

CASA at the University of Michigan hosted their annual fundraiser Live From Babylon on 

Friday, March 22. Each year U of M’s CASA selects a Chaldean charity to donate 100 percent 

of the proceeds to. This year the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) was chosen 

as the beneficiary. The event took place at the Chaldean owned venue in downtown Ann 

Arbor, Club Above where there was plenty of music and dancing provided by DJ Vin Amori. 

This year, U of M CASA raised another $13,000 to donate to CCF and had record-breaking 

attendance. The event would not have been possible without the generous donation of the 

venue by Joe Kouza, the DJ services by Vin Amori, and CASA’s executive board who put in 

countless hours of gathering sponsorships and ensuring the event was flawless. 


KIDS corner 

LET’S PLANT 

A RAIN GARDEN! 

BY SALLY WENCZEL MOTHER, WRITER, GARDEN EDUCATOR 

Rain is a valuable resource, 

not just something to get 

rid of down the storm 

sewer. What are you doing with your 

rain? Try planting a rain garden this 

spring, then behold the life and beauty 

it creates and attracts. Plus, you’ll 

be helping the environment! 

A rain garden is planted near a 

sump pump or downspout outlet or 

in a low-lying area of your yard. The 

center of the garden has a shallow 

dip that is filled with sand and native, 

water-loving plants, like blue flag iris 

or the vibrant cardinal flower, which 

is pollinated by hummingbirds and 

boy do they love it! The speedy, little 

sprites visit my garden all summer 

long! “Native plants produce nectar 

for pollinators such as bumblebees 

and monarch butterflies and also 

provide fruit and fiber for songbirds,” 

said John DeLisle, ecologist 

and principal at Natural Community 

Services, a rain garden installation 

company based in West Bloomfield. 

Wild mint loves the slightly higher 

edges around a rain garden, while 

elderberry bushes, black-eyed susan 

and spiderwort fill in the gaps. 

Don’t worry about pesky mosquitoes 

breeding in your temporary 

pond! The water goes away within 

24 hours after being filled up by a big 

rainstorm…but you may have some 

frog visitors in the meantime. Ribbit! 

Some native Michigan plant options 

include: 

Cardinal Flower 

Black Eyed Susan 

Wild Mint 

Swamp Milkweed or Butterfly 

Milkweed 

Blue Flag Iris 

Elderberry 

Spiderwort 

Golden Alexander 

Sedges/Grasses 

RAIN GARDENS ARE 

GOOD FOR THE 

ENVIRONMENT: 

The deep and extensive root systems 

of native Michigan plants absorb 

rainwater (storm water) that would 

otherwise flow into the storm drain 

and enter our fresh water supply. 

Storm water from urban areas 

is a type of ‘nonpoint source’ pollution. 

The storm water picks up 

many pollutants along its pathway 

to our groundwater, lakes and rivers. 

We call it “Polluted Runoff.” 

Polluted storm water runoff is 

caused by so many of our everyday 

activities and we all need to 

work together to prevent it! “Rain 

gardens control slope erosion and 

sediment laden runoff and absorb 

pollutants from hard surfaces,” said 

DeLisle. Pollutants in storm water 

may include “gutter grit” from roof 

shingles, antifreeze, grease, oil, 

and heavy metals from cars; fertilizers, 

pesticides and chemicals from 

gardens, homes and businesses; 

bacteria from pet waste and broken 

septic systems; and sediment from 

poorly managed construction sites. 

So, let’s do something with our rain 

before it hits the drain: embrace it, 

and grow something beautiful for 

everyone to enjoy! 


THE CHALDEAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS 

QUARTERLY NETWORKING MEETING 

FUN AFTER FIVE! 

DATE 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019 

5:30 - 7:00 PM 

LOCATION 

eTITLE 

1650 WEST BIG BEAVER ROAD 

TROY, MI 48084 

COMPLIMENTARY EVENT - MEMBER + 1 GUEST 

HORS D’OEUVRES AND REFRESHMENTS 

TO REGISTER, CONTACT SARAH 

SKITTLE@CHALDEANCHAMBER.COM 248-851-1200

APRIL 2019

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?