MARCH 2020

VOL. 17 ISSUE II
METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY MARCH 2020
$
3
www.chaldeannews.com
THE
PRESIDENT’S
WORD
PRESIDENT
PROMISES
CHALDEAN
COMMUNITY
RELIEF FROM
ICE
INSIDE
SUPERMOMS
PRIEST SINGS
WITH JOSH GROBAN
BUSINESSPERSON
OF THE YEAR

Ensuring Our Kids Have What They Need to Grow
Macomb School Enhancement Millage
When We Vote Yes, Our Kids Win!
Macomb County voters, we have a unique, once in a generation opportunity to boost our kids’ ability to
excel in the classroom. By voting YES on the Macomb School Enhancement Millage on March 10,
we can all help our students receive the funding they need to:
• Learn in Safe Schools
• Learn Relevant, Updated Curriculum
• Learn in Smaller Classes
• Learn with the Latest Technology
• Learn Real-World Job Skills
• Learn with School Provided Materials
Security must be a basic right
we promise all our children.
We must ensure that our schools are
safe places for our kids to learn and
grow. It’s our responsibility to keep
our children safe both physically
and emotionally. To do this, we need
additional security personnel, social
workers, counselors and a curriculum
that enforces a safe environment.
A high-quality education must be a
basic right we provide all our children.
We can do better for our Macomb kids.
Michigan schools are last in the nation
for funding increases over the past
25 years. This millage will bring stable
and necessary funds to restore and
enhance critical programs to ensure
a high-quality education for all
our students.
Job training and readiness must be
a basic right we provide all our children.
We have the opportunity to grow career
and technical programs that meet
the needs of today’s job market while
providing essential career, vocational and
technical education opportunities for all
of our students. From the college to the
career-bound, our kids need to have the
necessary skills for today’s economy.
Vote YES Tuesday, March 10 | macombforkids.com
PAID FOR WITH REGULATED FUNDS BY MACOMB FOR KIDS, P.O. BOX 7274 STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48311
@macombforkids

MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

CONTENTS MARCH 2020
THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 17 ISSUE II
28 30
departments
6 FROM THE EDITOR
BY PAUL JONNA
Women on the move
24
on the cover
22 PRESIDENT PROMISES
RELIEF FROM ICE
BY PAUL NATINSKY
Michigan Legislators, Chaldean Community Leaders
brief President Trump on Immigrant Crisis
features
24 HACKS FOR WORKING MOMS TO
ENHANCE WORK/LIFE BALANCE
BY DANIELLE ALEXANDER
26 ATTORNEY-MOM WORKS
TOWARD LIFE BALANCE
BY PAUL NATINSKY
28 2020 BUSINESSPERSON
OF THE YEAR: JOHN KELLO
BY SARAH KITTLE
30 CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE
HOPEFUL IS A COMMUNITY
CHAMPION, FIGHTER
BY STEPHEN JONES
8 GUEST COLUMNS
BY ADHID MIRI, PHD
Identity under construction
9 BY FR. JOHN JADDOU
Kobe and Hope
10 NOTEWORTHY
11 FOUNDATION UPDATE
14 CHALDEAN DIGEST
16 FAMILY TIME
BY LISA CIPRIANO
Swimming safely
18 CHAI TIME
20 IN MEMORIAM
32 CHALDEAN ON THE STREET
BY HALIM SHEENA
What are your plans for Lent?
34 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE
BY SARAH KITTLE
Fueling a Passion for Naturopathic Foods
35 DOCTOR IS IN
BY NEIL JADDOU, MD, MSCCH
Corona Virus Attacks the World
36 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
BY: MONIQUE MANSOUR
The Acting Diaries of Hani Nooni
37 KEEPING UP WITH THE CHALDEANS
38 CLASSIFIEDS
40 EVENTS
Chamber Industry Outlook
Bishop Francis Dinner
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 5

from the EDITOR
PUBLISHED BY
Chaldean News, LLC
Chaldean Community Foundation
Martin Manna
EDITORIAL
ACTING EDITOR IN CHIEF
Paul Jonna
MANAGING EDITOR
Paul Natinsky
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Danielle Alexander
Lisa Cipriano
Fr. John Jaddou
Neil Jaddou, MD, MSCCH
Stephen Jones
Sarah Kittle
Monique Mansour
Adhid Miri, PhD
Paul Natinsky
Halim Sheena
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Chaldean News
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Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6);
Published monthly; Issue Date: March 2020
Subscriptions: 12 months, $35.
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Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334”
Women on the Move
PAUL JONNA
ACTING EDITOR
IN CHIEF
As winter slowly
edges toward
spring, we begin
our celebration of women
growing and thriving in
our community. For March,
we kick off a series profiling
women who are breaking
barriers and setting new
standards. Our focus this
month is attorney/mom/
blogger Krystal Hermiz,
who uses a deft blend of
canny planning, focus on family and
teamwork with her husband, Jeffery,
to enjoy a thriving career and rewarding
family life.
Look for profiles of more Chaldean
women making waves in our
community in coming months.
We also witnessed a renewal
of Chaldean activism as community
leaders and legislators
piqued President Trump’s
interest in providing relief
for Iraqi immigrants slated
for detention or deportation.
The president mentioned
the situation and
publicly vowed to help in a
Warren speech Jan. 30.
Cold and flu season
is on its way out, but the
stubborn Corona Virus
continues to seep across
continents to the consternation of
everyone. Dr. Neil Jaddou weighs
in this month with clear information
and sound advice about this
scourge—including tips on protecting
yourself.
While we keep on the lookout
for signs of Corona Virus, we celebrate
Circuit Court Judicial Candidate
Clarence Dass’ successful battle
with cancer.
In keeping with our anticipation
of warmer weather, Lisa Cipriano
provides sage advice about staying
safe in the water and learning to
swim—for fun and safety—in her
article that features swim training
company Aqua-Tots.
Father John Jaddou gives us perspective
this month on the death
of basketball legend Kobe Bryant,
who, along with his late daughter
Gianna Bryant, attended church
the morning of their tragic helicopter
crash.
Paul Jonna
Acting Editor in Chief
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MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 7

GUEST columns
Identity Under Construction
ADHID MIRI, PHD
SPECIAL TO THE
CHALDEAN NEWS
Throughout history,
people have traveled
from country to country
fearful of change, knowing
that some changes could
threaten their identity.
Thousands of Iraqis chose to
live in Western countries since
the beginning of the 19th century.
The causes of immigration
are many, people migrate for
economic, political, social and
cultural reasons or are forced to
migrate under unimaginable circumstances.
Although the Chaldean Iraqis have been harmoniously
in the West, most remained attached to their
country of origin, connected with their relatives and
friends, attached to their original culture, mother
tongue, and keen on preserving their identity.
Iraqi Chaldeans live across the world today. Data
shows that Chaldeans are concentrated in the United
States, Britain, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, France, New
Zealand, Australia, Spain, Greece, Lebanon, Syria
and Jordan. Over a few short decades they formed,
and continue, a great economic and political force
supporting and interacting with Iraq. They also play
a major role in exposing human rights violations
and have always stood with their people, whether
in the days of the previous or subsequent regimes.
Holding another nationality does not mean one
has abandoned his or her original identity and love
toward a country. National identity is an inherent
quality and cannot be confused with other ideas
such as belief and thought. Ideas and convictions
change, while national identity is firmly established.
There are hundreds of immigrants and foreign
personalities who cling to their national identities
and have served their countries of origin with great
contributions. Immigrants are an effective force for
the benefit of their mother country. Iraqi Chaldeans
are a very special case and a success story in the
United States. Iraq can benefit by connecting and
communicating with them in order to strengthen
their bonds to serve the Iraqi people and to consolidate
fruitful relations with their ancestral land.
As a small size community, and in order to enforce
our unique identity, we must create a brand
that identifies all that Chaldeans can offer. To
dissolve or evolve remains a major identity challenge!
Other communities in the United States
that preceded us to this great country have succeeded
in creating a unique brand of competency
and excellence. Notable examples are the Jewish
community, the Irish, the Italian, the Indian, the
Germans, the Polish, the Chinese, etc. In tracking
their successes, one finds that education was the
critical determinator and common denominator
for shaping their future and branding their identity.
Iraqi Chaldeans in the United States are experiencing
a similar renaissance; a period of unprecedented
growth and educational recognition. We
have developed academics, lawyers, physicians,
pharmacists, teachers, accountants, judges, politicians.
Chaldeans do their best to invest in their
children’s education and academic excellence. It is
time to take advantage of the growth momentum.
A unified brand anchored in education builds
pride and identity. It’s time to ignite our community
brand and start spreading the word knowing
that the brand belongs to each person and we are
merely stewarding to keep the flame alive.
Our strategic branding process must be designed
to leverage our community’s strengths, raise our
profile among influencers, increase regional recognition
and unify the community behind a consistent
brand and successful identity. Our process
should be tailored to reach all communities, with
work ranging from identifying our community’s
value proposition to creative strategies for reaching
our future objectives. We must also support our
community members’ success with memorable accomplishments
and educational achievements.
Education often leads to prosperity and politics.
Extensive networking into different communitybased
cultural groups can ultimately lead to political
support. An educated person can become an effective
politician with the power to make their community,
their country, and even the world a better place. The
policies they make, remove, or change help to shape
society. They can invigorate education systems, help
improve health services, and keep an economy in
good shape, just to name a few. We must encourage
this among our upcoming generation.
Educated Iraqi American citizens become more
beneficial to others by their presence in the west
where advanced sciences, businesses, rewarding
jobs and excellent services from which they gain
experiences and influences and transfer them in
whole or in part to their country of origin.
The presence of Iraqi immigrants in Western
countries can also help influence international policy,
such as that of the United States of America,
Britain, Germany, France, Canada and Australia.
They can help bring these countries closer, and
perhaps even influence the policies of those countries
to benefit the interest of Iraq. Iraqi Americans
have developed institutions and formed pressure
groups that explain to politicians, officials and
public opinion, issues and opportunities to benefit
from decisions that serve the interests of Iraq and
the United States.
Many roads can lead to a successful career. There
is no specific education pathway to follow when
one decides to become a politician or an influencer.
However, formal education, life experience, as well
as professional networking are needed to guide success.
Most politicians have degrees in law, economics,
or business.
The ultimate test of our success will come as our
community brand continues to grow. Many of you
who have studied at Jesuit institutions are familiar
with the motto “Men and Women for Others.”
As one united family we can construct a unique
identity built by the bricks of education and granite
stones of our historic culture. We will watch the
perception of our achievements formed in the eyes
of fellow citizens and the entire State.
Beaming with pride; our educated sons and
daughters as the best ambassadors our Community
has to offer. They are custodians of our identity and
our future brand. Together, side by side we will walk
the roads of success as one community chanting the
classic Liverpool Football Club Chant “You’ll Never
Walk Alone.”

Kobe and Hope
FR. JOHN JADDOU
SPECIAL TO THE
CHALDEAN NEWS
There are certain moments
that capture the
attention of the whole
world. Moments where you’re
able to later say, “I will never
forget where I was when this
happened.” I will never forget
where I was when two planes
crashed into the World Trade
Center on 9/11. I was in Mrs.
Ogurek’s 8th grade history
class at St. Regis. After hearing
the announcement of the
first plane hitting the North Tower, our teacher
rolled out a TV and the class watched live as the
second plane hit the South Tower. It’s a memory
that I will never forget. Moments like these define
decades and move generations.
The shock experienced is relative to each person,
but for me, the shock I felt in hearing of the
tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna,
and seven other victims is something that rivaled
my 8th grade history class experience on 9/11. My
intention is not to compare the tragedy of 9/11/01
with what occurred on 1/26/20, but to draw our attention
to those powerful moments that move us
to wonder: Where was I when this happened? How
did I feel? Did it cause me to wonder and ask why?
Certain moments seem to transcend reality and
force a spiritual experience we don’t ask for nor expect.
After 9/11, I remember seeing a headline that
asked the question “Did God abandon us?” After
Kobe’s death, I received a text from a teenager in
our high school basketball league. The text said
“Why Father John? I never questioned God, but
why Kobe? I’m sick to my stomach man... I love
the game because of him.” As his priest, a man
who seeks to live the mystery of the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, my response was “Jesus
died for him and prepared a place for him (John
14) – God rest his and his daughter’s soul.” As I
replied though, I was also struggling with disbelief,
confusion, and sadness. I grew up watching Kobe
and I always admired the way he played the game.
I loved his competitiveness and tenacity on the
court. I was tempted with feelings of hopelessness.
In moments of sadness, a dark shadow can cover
our minds and hearts.
It wasn’t until I learned that Kobe and his
daughter Gianna attended Sunday Mass that
morning, inviting Jesus into their bodies and souls
in the Eucharist, that consolation and hope returned.
Hope returned because of my faith in Jesus’
love and mercy for Kobe and Gianna. The readings
that next Sunday were from Hebrews 6, where
Saint Paul writes “We have this hope, a sure and
steadfast anchor of the soul” -- this hope of salvation
that anchors us through the storms of life.
Throughout the week, I heard story after story
of Kobe’s greatness on and off the court, his Mamba
Mentality, his endurance through the trials of life,
and so much more. All of these stories were heartwarming
and comforting, but they never brought
any real consolation or hope. These moments were
in the past and are but a memory. My real consolation
came from the truth that Jesus Christ gave
Kobe and his daughter one final amazing grace in
their earthly lives that morning—that 7 a.m. Sunday
Mass, where Kobe and Gianna received Jesus
in Word and Sacrament. Christianity is a religion
of great hope. Jesus endured the cross for our salvation,
and it is “in this hope that we were saved”
(Romans 8:24).
Each year, in the season of Lent, Christians are
called to offer sacrifices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving
as a sign of penance and reparation for sins.
We imitate Christ’s suffering during Lent so that
we can live joyfully in the Resurrection on Easter
Sunday. Just as Lent is a preparation for Easter, this
life is a preparation for our eternal home, either in
heaven or hell. As God said to Adam and Eve, “you
are dust, and to dust you shall return” Kobe’s passing
reminds us of this reality; but he also reminds
us of our great hope, if only we accept Jesus into
our lives and receive Him in His Body. Jesus said,
“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have
eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day”
(John 6:54). Kobe, thank you for that final lesson.
This is our great hope. Got hope?
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 9

noteworthy
Bodman PLC
Admits New
Member
Bodman PLC announced that
Donovan S. Asmar has been
admitted as a member of the
firm.
He was previously a senior
associate with Bodman.
Asmar practices in Bod-
WHAT man’s IS IS IS Troy THE office CENSUS?
and is a
member of the Litigation and
The The Census is is a is a a physical count of of all of all all people living living in in the in the the United States, that that that
Alternative Dispute Resolu-
and Coming Lawyers.” He was Donovan S. Asmar
takes places every 10 10 10 years. Census participation is is is required by by law. by law. law.
tion, Appellate, and Insurance
practice groups. He represents
WHO clients WILL involved BE BE in COUNTED?
complex
commercial litigation matters.
Before joining Bodman, Asmar
clerked for Justice Mary Beth
Kelly of the Michigan Supreme
Court.
Asmar serves on the board
of directors of the Notre Dame
CENSUS DAY IS
APRIL 1, 2020!
Club of Detroit. He has been
recognized in DBusiness Top
Lawyers 2020 under Appellate
Law and in Michigan Rising
Stars 2019 under Business
Litigation. Michigan Lawyers
Weekly selected him as a member
of its 2019 class of “Up
the 2016 recipient of the Detroit
Bar Association Pro Bono
Award for exemplary pro bono
service.
Census forms are are are filled out out out by by by household and and and every person living in in the in the the
household counts regardless of of of legal status. This This This includes citizens and and and non-
noncitizens
of of all of all all ages, as as as well well as as as children living in in the in the the U.S. U.S. U.S.
Father Seto
A Southfield priest gets a chance to sing for Josh
Groban at a concert in Windsor Sunday. The
priest is a huge fan and when his family surprised
him with concert tickets, he prayed to get a chance
to meet the singer.
Father Patrick Setto of the Mother of God
Chaldean Cathedral in Southfield is seen singing
at a Josh Groban concert.
He’s a huge fan and was excited to learn the
singer was touring with a stop in Windsor this past
Sunday.
“I started freaking out. Oh my God, Josh Groban
is coming,” said Father Patrick Setto.
Setto’s cousins Green and Lowrd surprised him
with the tickets.
“We are going to the Josh Groban concert, you
need to go get your passport,” they told him.
HOW Census DO DO I RESPOND I day is TO TO THE CENSUS?
April 1, 2020!
HOW DO I RESPOND TO THE CENSUS?
nutritional assistance, kids’ school
For For the the first first time, respondents will will will have the the lunches the option and to to other to respond community online services.
you. This The The data online will form determine will will will be be how be available fed-
The Census is a physical count of all eral funding will be divided amongst
using the the the
unique Census ID ID ID that that will will will be be be mailed to to to you.
in in in the the Arabic language and and can can be be be completed on on on a a a smartphone or or or desktop.
people living in the United States, communities every year for the next
You You can can also also respond by by by phone or or or mail.
that takes places every 10 years. Census
participation is required by law. Help us to effectively advocate
WHEN WILL I I RECEIVE I THE CENSUS The Chaldean Community Founda-
for our community QUESTIONNAIRE?
by completing the
Beginning mid-March, Households will will will receive tion’s (CCF) 2020 Census Campaign 2020 a Census.
decade.
a a postcard Census with
information
with instructions
will
to to to participate will work
in in
to in
provide
the the Census an accurate online count
at at at 2020census.gov. Census Bureau
employees of Chaldeans will will follow in Southeast up up up in-person Michigan at at at addresses that that have not not not been
counted, and through the tri-county spring areas and and of summer Macomb,
2020.
Chaldeans were
Oakland and Wayne Counties where
WHY Chaldeans IS IS THE reside. CENSUS Chaldeans IMPORTANT?
were vastly under-counted
Without vastly a a a complete under-counted and and in accurate 2010, as their count, we we to race was not listed in the questionnaire
and there was confusion as to
family that you participate
in
we stand
2010 to to
…
lose lose
It
congressional
is critical
representation, federal funding for for for programs that that matter to to you to you you and and and your your
what including they should healthcare, write when housing, check-
nutritional assistance, kid’s school
lunches ing and the and “Some other community other race” box. services.
The in the Census to
2010 Census numbers indicated that
The The 2010 there Census were only numbers 45,000 indicated Chaldeans
that that only ensure
there were an
only only
accurate
45,000
Chaldeans living in living Michigan. in in in Michigan. An independent An An An independent study conducted by by the by the the
University study of of conducted of Michigan by Dearborn, the University the the the Chaldean count Community of the Chaldean
Foundation and and and
of Michigan Dearborn, the Chaldean
Community Foundation and community.
counted nearly 160,000
Chaldeans the Chaldean
the the Chaldean American Chamber of of of Commerce in in in Michigan.
American Chamber of
Commerce counted nearly 160,000
THE CENSUS WILL NOT ASK ABOUT:
Chaldeans in Michigan.
be mailed to homes beginning in mid-
Social It Security is critical Number that you participate March. You can complete the Census
Citizenship in the Census Status
to ensure an accurate via internet, phone, or mail-in paper
Bank count Information
of the Chaldean community. questionnaire.
Without a complete and accurate If you don’t have access to a com-
Income
count, we stand to lose congressional puter or have questions about completing
the Census questionnaire,
The law representation, federal funding of a for
The The law law strictly prohibits sharing of of a a respondent’s personal information with with with
programs that matter to you and your please visit the Chaldean Community
any any any agency and law
family including
including healthcare,
immigration housing,
and and law law Foundation enforcement call agencies. (586) 722-7253.
Example of of how of how how to to fill to fill out fill out the out the the
Race Race and and and Ethnicity Question:
An An An important part part part of of of
completing the the Census the Census form form form
will will will be be to be to write to write in in your in your your family’s family’s
origin origin (ethnic (ethnic background) to to to
ensure ensure an an accurate an accurate count count of of of
our our our community.
10 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020
If If you If you you don’t don’t have have access access to to a to a computer a or or have or have questions questions about about completing completing the the the Census Census questionnaire, please please visit visit visit the the the

FOUNDATION update
CCF receives grant through Consumers Energy Foundation
to expand its community center
The Chaldean Community
Foundation has received a grant
from Consumers Energy Foundation
to expand its community
center, supporting workforce development
programs, mental and
physical health services, and recreational
activities for families.
“The Consumers Energy
Foundation is committed to the
communities we serve and ensuring
that residents are thriving
economically,” said Carolyn
Bloodworth, secretary/treasurer
of the Consumers Energy Foundation.
“We are excited to help
the Chaldean Community
Foundation provide even more
important services for community
members in Southeast
Michigan.”
Wireless Vision and Chaldean
Community Foundation
partner for the Vision
Empowerment Academy
The Chaldean Community Foundation has partnered
with Wireless Vision and Stevenson High
School in Sterling Heights for the Vision Empowerment
Academy for a second year in a row. The
mission of the program is to be an academy that
inspires and prepares young high school students
that are part of the Schools EL (English Learners)
program to be successful through education, technology
and life skills. Twelve students from Stevenson
High School have been chosen to participate
in the 7-week program, which will focus on
finding student’s strengths, SAT/ACT prep, how
to apply for financial aid, grants and scholarships,
leadership skills, and the college application process.
Speakers will be brought in each week to tell
a story about the barriers they struggled with and
how they overcame them. Mentors will also be assigned
to each student and will assist them one-onone
with a strength finders’ assessment, writing an
essay, guiding through the program, and answering
questions. $10,000 worth of Scholarships for the
top three presentations will be provided.
Cocoa with CORE
CCF’s Outreach Team is always out in the
community. The Team enjoyed hot chocolate
and ice skating with the Sterling Heights Police
Department and Sterling Heights Mayor,
Michael Taylor for Cocoa with C.O.R.E.
(Community Outreach & Resident Engagement
Officers).
Left: CCF staff, Sterling Be Counted mascot and
Sterling Heights CORE Officers
2019 VEA Program students Stevenson HS
Breaking Barriers for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities
More than 200 individuals attended the CCF’s Breaking
Barriers Valentine’s Day Event on February 15.
Breaking Barriers provides assistance and advocacy
to individuals with developmental and/or intellectual
disabilities. CCF’s Breaking Barriers clients and their
loved ones enjoyed an afternoon of activities, food
and dancing. Representatives from the City of Sterling
Heights were also in attendance and provided information
to guests about the upcoming Census. The
event was sponsored by Carlo and Lina Tato and also
made possible thanks to the CCF’s Breaking Barriers
Team and wonderful volunteers.
As the program continues, the CCF has been
able to expand their offerings to include programs
like BEAM and HEAL, which offer services to
help blind and deaf clients live independent lives.
Through Breaking Barriers, the CCF has advocated
for clients with special needs at state agencies,
while offering recreational events, referrals
for service providers and respite for their caregivers.
There are so many great success stories from
this program! If you are interested in learning
more about how you can support the Foundation’s
Breaking Barriers Program, please call Mirna Aljony
at (586) 722-7253.
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 11

”
TO DEFEAT DIVISION AND
RACISM AND RESTORE HOPE, WE
HAVE TO MAKE DONALD TRUMP
A ONE-TERM PRESIDENT.”
12 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

PROVEN
As the grandson of immigrants,
Mike understands that immigration
has been and always will be one
of America’s greatest strengths.
His plan focuses on rescinding
Trump’s travel ban against Muslimmajority
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MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 13

chaldean DIGEST
What others are saying about Chaldeans
Chaldean foundation
predicts expansion
in 2020
The Chaldean Community Foundation
prides itself on its outreach,
and it sees the boundaries of its services
expanding and moving outward
this year.
Chaldean Community Foundation
President Martin Manna said
2019 was a record year for his group,
in providing services to individuals
in need.
Among the CCF’s 2020 goals,
the nonprofit hopes to finalize the
renovations to its Sterling Heights
campus, namely an estimated
20,000-square-foot expansion, Manna
explained.
“That office will continue to
serve more than 35,000 people and
assist them with access to health
care, transportation, career services,
immigration services and programs
for those with (developmental) and
intellectual disabilities,” he said.
In addition, Manna anticipates
a groundbreaking and progress on
the group’s Van Dyke housing project,
between Utica Road and M-59,
that would become a base for “our
growing number of new Americans”
whom the Community Foundation
would assist. Manna said the foundation
hopes that the groundbreaking
on the Van Dyke housing development
will take place “this year,
hopefully, before the summer.”
Getting the CCF’s clientele to
fill out the census is another top
priority in 2020. Manna believes
that the census has undercounted
Chaldeans in the past due to a lack
of follow-through on submitting the
forms.
“The 2010 census estimated
(Chaldeans statewide) at about
45,000, but a separate study through
the University of Michigan Dearborn
estimated the population at
160,000,” he said. “We’re doing
what we can to educate the community
on the importance of filling
out the census so we can have an
accurate count.”
Find out more about the Chaldean
Community Foundation by
visiting www.chaldeanfoundation.
org or by calling (586) 722-7253.
— C&G Newspapers
Some Chaldean leaders encouraged by Trump’s remarks on
Iraqi deportations
Trump promises to grant Iraqi Christians facing deportation
extensions to stay in US
President Donald Trump vowed last
week to grant “extensions” to stay
in the United States to some Iraqi
Christians that his administration
had earlier sought to deport despite
concerns they could face persecution
upon return to the Middle East.
He made the promise to grant
extensions to a community of
Chaldean Catholic immigrants
Some Chaldean advocates are
encouraged by President Donald
Trump’s remarks in Warren Jan. 30
that appeared to say he would work
to help allow Iraqi immigrants who
face deportation to stay in the U.S.
But the Chaldean leaders add
that they are looking for specific action
after years of seeing people in
their community get detained and
deported by immigration authorities.
Hundreds of Iraqi nationals, most
with criminal records, have been detained
by U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) since 2017
after Trump took office, with some
of them already deported. Many of
them are Chaldeans, who are Iraqi
Catholics, a minority in Iraq with sizable
numbers in Michigan.
“I’m excited they will finally
be bringing some closure for those
who are in so much pain and anxiety
because of their loves ones being
at risk for deportation,” Martin
Manna, president of the Chaldean
Community Foundation and
during his speech last Thursday at
an auto parts manufacturing plant
in Warren, Michigan.
Hundreds of Iraqi Christian immigrants
live in the Detroit area.
In the last few years, they have
lived in fear of deportation as the
administration focused on enforcing
outstanding deportation orders
from the Obama administration
Chaldean American Chamber of
Commerce, told the Free Press.
Manna said he met with Trump
in Washington D.C. in October
and spoke with him for a few minutes
about trying to block the deportations.
“I’m frustrated he hasn’t acted
on it yet,” Manna said. “It’s something
we’ve been requesting from
the administration for quite some
time. It’s just a matter of time before
getting it implemented.”
– Detroit Free Press
Trump promises to stop deportation of Iraqi Christians in Michigan
President Trump heard on a flight
to Michigan for a speech Jan. 30
about the resurgent auto industry
that his administration is deporting
hundreds of the state’s Iraqi Christians
who face persecution abroad
— many of whom voted for him in
his narrow victory there in 2016.
By the time Air Force One landed
in the battleground state, Mr.
Trump had decided to take steps to
allow the Chaldeans — Iraqi Catholics
— to stay in the U.S.
“We have some Chaldeans that
are working here,” the president
told auto parts workers at a plant
in Warren, Michigan. “And we
talked about it long and hard on
the flight in, and we’re going to
make sure that we do everything
we can to keep people who have
been good to this country out of
harm’s way. When I get back [to
Washington] we’re going to give
those who need it an extension to
stay in our country.”
Among the Michigan lawmakers
traveling with Mr. Trump
was Republican Rep. John Moolenaar,
who has proposed a bill
with Democratic Rep. Andy
Levin that would pause deportations
for Iraqi nationals for two
years to allow time for them to
have their cases heard individually
in immigration court.
The Detroit area has one of the
largest Chaldean populations outside
Iraq, as many as 150,000 residents.
The Trump administration
is trying to deport more than 1,400
Iraqi nationals, most of whom are
Chaldeans living in Detroit. Most
of the community is conservative,
and they voted heavily for Mr.
Trump in 2016 in a state that he
won by about 10,000 votes. Some
have said they feel betrayed.
Mr. Trump said local officials
made a persuasive case to him on
the flight to Michigan.
“I said to them, ‘I know you
have a wonderful Iraqi Christian
community in Michigan,’” Mr.
Trump said at the manufacturing
plant. “And the congressmen were
telling me on the plane how rough
it’s been for them. It’s been a very
tough time for a lot of Christians all
over the world. And so we’re going
to be extending them. And a lot of
people in Michigan have been asking
for that. So we’ll work with that
when we get back with your great
congressmen.”
—Washington Times
and other previous administrations.
“We’re going to make sure that
we do everything we can to keep
people who have been good to this
country out of harm’s way,” Trump
said. “When I get back [to Washington],
we’re going to give those
who need it an extension to stay in
our country.”
—The Christian Post
14 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

Video of Southfield
priest singing for
Josh Groban in
Windsor goes viral
Metro Detroit is home to the first and
only museum in the world dedicated
to preserving the culture and heritage
of Chaldeans for future generations.
The Chaldean Cultural Center
and its world-class boutique museum
located inside the Shenandoah
Country Club in West Bloomfield
tells the story of a people dating back
more than 5,000 years ago to ancient
Mesopotamia before the time of
Christ to present-day Detroit.
For more than a century, Chaldeans
have had a profound impact
on the region, both socially and economically.
The idea for a Chaldean museum
was born in February 2003. At the
time, there was a committee comprised
of Chaldeans in Metro Detroit
who wanted to preserve their
heritage and make it known to future
generations of Chaldeans, as well as
A Southfield priest gets a chance to
sing for Josh Groban at a concert in
Windsor Sunday. The priest is a huge
fan and when his family surprised
him with concert tickets, he prayed
to get a chance to meet the singer.
Father Patrick Setto of the Mother
of God Chaldean Cathedral in
Southfield is seen singing at a Josh
Groban concert.
He’s a huge fan and was excited
to learn the singer was touring with
a stop in Windsor this past Sunday.
“I started freaking out. Oh my
God, Josh Groban is coming,” said
Father Patrick Setto.
Setto’s cousins Green and Lowrd
surprised him with the tickets.
“We are going to the Josh Groban
concert, you need to go get your passport,”
they told him.
“There is this prayer to the
blessed Virgin Mary called the
‘Memorare,’” Setto said. “And so I
said it. I said, ‘you know what, I really
want to meet him today, so Mary
make this happen for me. So I said
the prayer nine times and little did
I know we we’re going to be in the
ninth row and not only was I going
to meet him but I was going to sing
for him. Kind of a testimony of how
prayer works.”
At one point the singer started
taking requests, that’s when Father
Metro Detroit home to world’s first and only
Chaldean museum—check it out
to the public at large.
It was around this same time that
the Shenandoah Country Club was
being established as a community
center for local Chaldeans. Members
of the committee were approached
by the Chaldean Iraqi American Association
of Michigan (CIAAM),
which owns the Shenandoah Country
Club, about establishing a cultural
center inside Shenandoah.
The committee and CIAAM
agreed to designate about 2,500
square feet inside the club for the establishment
of a cultural center and
museum.
Victor Saroki, a Chaldean American,
was the architect for the Shenandoah
Country Club. In 2005, the committee
found an architectural team in
New York that designed boutique museums.
Saroki consulted with the team.
The Shenandoah Country Club
Setto and his cousins started screaming,
saying that the Father could sing.
“I don’t know what came over
me to do that,” Setto said. “I didn’t
want to sound bad in front of Josh
Groban.”
But he blew the star and the
crowd away, bringing tears to his
cousin’s eyes.
—WXYZ
opened in February 2005, but the
museum didn’t open until May of
2017. Mary Romaya was a member
of the committee and remained at
the heart of the project from the very
beginning to end. Romaya, a Chaldean
American, worked as a history
teacher and counselor in the Warren
Woods School District for 45 years.
“We want our children and
grandchildren to know that they are
Chaldean, but not just know it, but
embrace and love their heritage. Not
that we are not American, but we
have an identity that spans over 5,000
years,” Romaya said.
The museum consists of five galleries,
including Ancient Mesopotamia,
Faith and Church, Chaldean Village
Life, Journey to America, and Chaldeans
Today. Leading experts were
hired to be the curators of each exhibit.
— ClickonDetroit.com
Baghdad, Chaldean
patriarch: a secular
state to overcome
violence, protests
and divisions
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako
calls for preserving the “unity”
of the country in the “diversity
of its components.” An attack
on parties and politicians
that fueled “sectarianism and
fragmentation.” A new front of
confrontation between loyal al-
Sadr and demonstrators in Tahrir
square. Baghdad Auxiliary: a
mass for peace and a shared solution
every day.
Baghdad (AsiaNews) — Iraq
must preserve its “unity” in the
“diversity of its components”
and their “multiplicity”, although
in recent years “most political
parties” have fueled and
sharpened “sectarianism and
fragmentation” writes the Chaldean
Patriarch Cardinal Sako.
In a message published on the
patriarchate website and sent to
AsiaNews, the Cardinal states
that the “solution” to the “Iraqi
crisis” is a “secular state” founded
on citizenship. The “goal”,
continues the cardinal, “is the
integration” of the various components
and “service to citizens”
without distinction of identity.
—AsiaNews
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 15

FAMILY time
Swimming Safely
BY LISA CIPRIANO
Old man winter won’t be
sticking around for long.
Spring will soon be here and
that means summer will be quick to
follow.
Swimming is a favorite summer
activity for most everyone, especially
children. But, this fun activity can be
a dangerous and even deadly one if
your child is not adequately prepared
when they encounter pools, lakes,
oceans, rivers and even bathtubs and
spas!
According to the National Safety
Council, about 10 people die from
drowning every day in the United
States. NSC statistics also show
that drowning is the leading cause
of death for young children and the
second leading cause of preventable
death through age 15.
Annette Tomina-Bommarito
knows quite a bit about water safety
as franchise owner of Aqua-Tots
Swim Schools.
“We call them the ABC’s - A:
Adult supervision ALWAYS while
kids are swimming, B: Barriers to
pools and bodies of water to keep kids
away when adults are not around.
And, C: Classes for kids of all ages to
teach them how to swim and be safe
around water,” Tomina-Bommarito
explained.
In fact, since they opened their
first Aqua-Tots franchise in late
2012, she and her partners have been
dedicated to the business of keeping
kids safe in and around water, teaching
them to master it and helping
them get some important exercise in
the process.
“Swimming teaches confidence,
keeps your child’s heart and lungs
healthy, improves strength and flexibility,
increases stamina and even
improves balance and posture. And
the most important to me, is that
swim lessons help prevent drownings,”
said Tomina-Bommarito.
It all started when she was looking
for the perfect franchise opportunity,
came across Aqua-Tots and
found the perfect fit. Since then, it’s
been going rather swimmingly after
she and her partners opened that first
location in Troy.
“I worked in the franchise world
on the franchisor side for many years,
then I went into independent franchise
consulting for up and coming
franchise concepts. When I wanted
to grow my reach in the community,
I decided to become a franchise owner,”
she explained. I did my research
on many types of franchise opportunities
and I knew I wanted to work
with kids after going to school and
obtaining my masters in social work.
Aqua-Tots was a perfect fit, it is focused
on kids, keeping them safe and
having fun doing it,” Tomina-Bommarito
added.
Aqua-Tots is based in Mesa, Arizona
and started in 1991 by a young
couple teaching kids to swim safely
in a backyard pool. It is currently
taught by certified swim instructors,
has grown internationally and has
over 120 locations in 14 countries
on three continents. They have our
own unique, comprehensive swim
curriculum recognized by the National
Swim Association and their
facilities are state-of-the art with a
comfortable viewing area and fully
stocked changing rooms.
Because statistics show that safety
around water is key for children of all
ages, Aqua-Tots gets them started early.
In fact, it’s never too late to learn
to swim and Aqua-Tots meets each
student on his or her individual level.
“We start at 4 months old and up.
Our core business is teaching kids to
swim, but we also teach adults. We
have nine levels of swimming and
each level is skill based not age based,”
explained Tomina-Bommarito.
You can even try out a class right
now for free with just a phone call
to any Aqua-Tots location near you
or sign-up online at: https://promo.
aqua-tots.com/.
Their pools are indoor and heated
to a pleasant ninety degrees for yearround
use so that you or your child
can comfortably master the water in
time for the summer.
Aqua-Tots offers convenient
hours, flexible pricing and many locations
with more on the horizon.
So, there’s no excuse not to jump
right in and get your feet wet.
“We are open seven days a week,
cost is based on how frequent you
swim with us, tuition is charged
monthly like your gym membership
and we have eight metro Detroit
locations serving our community.
Troy, Sterling Heights, Auburn Hills,
Farmington Hills, Novi, Canton,
Woodhaven and a Dearborn location
that will be opening this spring,”
And, there will be plenty more
Aqua-Tots locations locally and nationwide
to choose from in the near
future.
“We are currently working on
two additional locations for metro
Detroit. We also have schools in
San Diego, Orange County, and Fort
Lauderdale Florida,” Tomina-Bommarito
concluded.
Parents who would like to enroll their
children or even themselves in an
Aqua-Tots swimming program can
simply call your closest or email them at
desk@aquatotsmi.com.
16 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

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MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 17

CHAI time
CHALDEANS CONNECTING
COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT MARCH 2020
Thursday, March 5
Census Town Hall: The City of Sterling Heights,
Macomb County and the Sterling Heights Police
Department will speak about the importance of the
upcoming Census from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. at the
Chaldean Community Foundation, 3601 15 Mile
Rd., Sterling Heights. Light snacks, refreshments
and giveaways will be provided. Contact Mirna
Aljony at (586) 722-7253 for more information.
Sunday, March 8-Friday, March 13
Troy Restaurant Week: To engage patrons, the
Troy Chamber will be hosting the “Oh Snap!”
photo contest again. Patrons are encouraged to
share a snapshot of their Troy Restaurant Week
experience via social media by submitting a photo to
Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and using the hashtag
#OhSnapTRW20. There will be a winner randomly
chosen every day who will receive a gift card to one
of the participating restaurants. Troy Restaurant
Week is sponsored by Emagine Entertainment and
Sequoia Financial Group, with support by Yelp
Detroit, Basso Design Group and Corp! Magazine.
For more information, please visit troyrestaurantweek.
com or contact the Troy Chamber – (248) 641-8151/
theteam@troychamber.com.
Wednesday, March 18
Protecting Your Identity & Other Assets Presented
By PNC Bank: The Chaldean Community Foundation
will host an informative financial seminar in conjunction
with PNC Bank at the CCF building, 3601 15
Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310. For more
information, contact Joelle Neal at (586) 722-7253.
Thursday, March 26
Law Enforcement/Public Safety Career Night:
The City of Sterling Heights Police Department
and Fire Department will present on the topic,
“Learn More About a Career in Law Enforcement
or Public Safety,” at the Chaldean Community
Foundation from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. CCF is
located at 3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI
48310. For more information contact Elias Kattoula
at (586) 722-7253.
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18 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

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MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 19

in MEMORIAM
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery & Southfield Funeral Home
RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS
The Deceased Faithful Mass
The Deceased Faithful Mass
Akubi Assofi
Jajou
July 1 1934 -
Feb. 17 2020
Salma Orow
Kathawa
July 1 1939 -
Feb. 15 2020
Dr. Sami Jihad
Dec. 4, 1934-
Feb. 11, 2020
Sami Hanna
Rofaeil Baghdo
Nov. 22 1933 -
Feb. 15 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020 • 12 p.m. Mass
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Mausoleum
Rotunda Chapel
25800 W 10 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48033
Most Reverend Francis Y. Kalabat Presiding
Jalal D. Georgis
August 19 1933 -
Feb. 14 2020
Ismaiel Khalil
Yousif
July 1 1938 -
Feb. 12 2020
Esho Putrus
Yousif Sana
Feb. 2 1955 -
Feb. 11 2020
Anjiel Zakarian
Bahri
Sept. 4 1970 -
Feb. 9 2020
Hospitality following Mass
For more information call (313) 879-3773
Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery
Badria Jonna
Hannawa
May 1 1925 -
Feb. 8 2020
Shawshi Yousif
Altony
July 1 1933 -
Feb. 6 2020
Shamouni Esho
Jajou Sana Rayes
July 1 1927 -
Feb. 5 2020
Husseina Putrus
Shamoon
July 1 1923 -
Feb. 5 2020
Southfield Funeral Home
Nibras Hanna: (586) 457-0121
Majdolin Tobia
Najar Kassid
July 1 1930 -
Feb. 5 2020
Basma Sadiq
Azoo - Akrawi
July 1 1935 -
Feb. 3rd, 2020
Samir Zayed
Oct.17 1937 -
Feb. 1 2020
Khalid Lazkin
Chirco
July 1 1949 -
Feb. 1 2020
Talal Nuri Hayali
Nov. 28 1938 -
Jan.24 2020
Mekhaeel Kakka
June 1, 1928 -
Feb. 15, 2020
Daniel Francis
Gumbol
July 1, 1941 -
Feb. 13, 2020
Mazin Butrus
Israel
May 31, 1980 -
Feb. 11, 2020
Izzat Anton
Dadoush
Nov. 30, 1925 -
Feb. 3, 2020
Hanna Ibrahim
Kassab
July 1, 1939 -
Feb. 2, 2020
Jamil Yalda
Karana
Oct.26, 1928 -
Jan.31, 2020
Barbara Gorges
Shamouna Yadago
July 1, 1942 -
Jan.30, 2020
Yousif Manuel
Sattam
Nov. 18, 1970 -
Jan.30, 2020
Najib Hermiz
Hakim
Sept. 5, 1937 -
Jan.27, 2020
Suaad Hanna
Kachucha
August 7, 1948 -
Jan.20, 2020
Paul Vincent
May 4, 1941 -
Jan.17, 2020
20 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

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
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 21

President Promises Chaldean
Community Relief from ICE
BY PAUL NATINSKY
The Chaldean Community
pushed the ICE-inspired deportation
and detention issue
in the highest of places Jan. 30—
both literally and figuratively.
Michigan’s Republican Congressional
Delegation led by Congressman
John Moolenaar bent President
Trump’s ear on his trip to speak about
auto industry issues at a plant in Warren.
The legislators explained to the
president that a number of Chaldeans
were in danger of being detained indefinitely
and possibly facing deportation.
“I know you have a wonderful
Iraqi Christian Community in Michigan,”
said Trump during his Warren
speech. “The congressmen were telling
me on the plane how rough it is
for them.”
“You know the Chaldeans,” he
continued. “We have some Chaldeans
that are working here. We talked
about it long and hard on the flight
in. We’re going to make sure that we
are going to do everything we can to
keep people who have been good to
this country out of harm’s way.”
Trump vowed to work with Michigan
legislators to “give those who
need it an extension to stay in our
country.”
The president’s remarks are the
latest installment of an ongoing legal
and advocacy effort to prevent
the federal government from deporting
Chaldeans, many of whom have
lived in Michigan most of their lives,
to a war-torn region where they are a
persecuted minority.
The story began in June 2017,
when Immigration & Customs Enforcement
agents rounded up 1,400
Iraqis nationwide, including many in
Michigan.
Since that time the American
Civil Liberties Union and the Chaldean
Community Foundation have
been pushing hard to gain relief for
immigrants. CCF President Martin
Manna said the Foundation is leading
the advocacy effort to persuade
elected officials to take action, while
the ACLU and community attorneys
keep pressure on the legal system.
Manna said advocacy efforts during
the past two years have included talking
with the Iraqi ambassador to the United
States, several members of Congress
(including Moolenaar and Levin, who
have introduced a bill), the vice president,
Homeland Security director and,
ultimately, the president Oct. 30.
Since that autumn audience with
Trump, Manna said advocates are
communicating with the president’s
office weekly and have had several
more discussions with the president’s
staff, Moolenaar and House Minority
Leader Kevin McCarthy. The latest
word is that some of Trump’s advisors
have concerns about how to provide
relief, and they are running out of time.
Feb. 24 marks the date when a court
action authorizes indefinite detention.
That date was after presstime.
Still, Manna is hopeful. “The
president’s comments were unique,
saying those that have been good to
our country for a long time should be
granted relief, and I’m hoping that
means he wants to put them on some
path to citizenship.
“The president has a couple of
options,” said Manna. “He can grant
what is called temporary protective
status. This class of individuals is protected
and can’t be deported because
of country conditions.” He said this
protection can be lifted anytime, but
is typically reviewed annually. He said
there is something similar called ‘deferred
forced departure,’ deferring removal
because of country conditions.
Whichever road leads to relief, it
must be traveled soon.
22 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 23

Hacks for Working Moms to
Enhance Work/Life Balance
BY DANIELLE ALEXANDER
In 2015 I made the difficult decision
to leave my position as a high
school English and journalism
teacher and opened a tutoring, editing
and freelance writing business
in hopes of having a better work/life
balance, especially as a brand new
mother. Although there are days–
and even weeks– where I still feel
unbalanced, the following four hacks
seem to save me (and, as a result, my
family) time and time again:
Plan a week in advance
Since becoming a mom, Friday afternoons
have become my planning
day. My husband and I have a shared
Google Calendar, so I dedicate a
chunk of my Fridays (sometimes
even with a cup of uninterrupted
coffee!) going day-by-day for seven
days, ensuring there are no schedule
conflicts, uncovered childcare needs
or unpurchased birthday party presents
or classroom party supplies; if
there are, I like knowing that I have
the weekend to take care of it all. I
will schedule my barre classes, family
activities, play dates for the kids
and, most importantly, the couple of
hours I plan to escape for a bit and
either get caught up on work or do
something for me.
My husband and I do not meal
prep per se, but we do plan meals.
Looking at the Google Calendar, I
make a list of how many meals we’ll
need that week and think about what
recipes would be good for our weekly
schedule (and food intolerances),
so I know what I need to buy at the
grocery store. However, many moms,
such as Melissa Kakoz of Farmington
Hills, have found success in preparing
meals in advance.
“I utilize the days I don’t go to the
office to do a lot of meal prepping and
cooking, so on my busier days, I have
less to do,” Kakoz said. “I’ll stock up
the fridge with cut-up fruits and veggies,
so meals are taken care of for
many days. I also try to multitask on
the days I’m meal prepping and make
sure laundry is going, as well.”
Set and maintain routines
From the time my children were
born, 8 p.m. has been their bedtime.
My husband usually arrives home
from work between 6 and 6:30 p.m.,
so the 8 p.m. time gives him a decent
stretch to visit with the kids while
also providing him and me with some
time to ourselves before bedtime.
In addition to a consistent bedtime,
my two-year-old son is in his
crib by 1 p.m. daily for his nap, and
when my four-year-old daughter is
not at school, she takes quiet time in
her room for an hour. With so much
of my work being remote, I need to
know the exact times each day I’ll be
able to schedule my online meetings
and phone interviews. Plus, it’s good
for all of us (especially me) to be by
ourselves for a while and recharge.
Janelle Mansour Barnes of
Bloomfield Hills said routines are not
limited to sleep times.
“Routines give kids a sense of stability
and security and ultimately helps
alleviate stress for everyone,” Barnes
said. “It’s important to also find time
and set a routine for ‘you time’ as a
working mother, which can feel impossible.
My time is often as early as 5
a.m., which is the only time I feel like
I’m not taking time away from family.”
When present, actually be present
Working moms are pulled in so
many directions, and, as sad as it
sounds, sometimes playing with our
kids can seem like wasted time since
our plates always feel so full. I can’t
tell you how frustrated my children
get when I’m trying to answer work
emails while we are watching a movie
together or how sad they are when
I’m folding laundry versus playing
Guess Who? with them.
A friend once told me about her
hour “on” and hour “off.” When she’s
off work, she spends a good chunk of
time, technology-free, being really
present with her kids. This could be
out somewhere fun or just at home
in the playroom. Then, after some
quality bonding, she sets the kids up
with an activity that requires only
facilitation (coloring, an obstacle
course, Play-Doh, etc.), so that while
her children are immersed in it, she
doesn’t feel as guilty about vacuuming,
packing lunches, replying to text
messages or putting dishes away.
Evon Kashat, a Metro Detroit
mom, said it all comes down to prioritizing
and using realistic routines to
help you be present in the moment,
wherever you are, including at work,
at church or out to dinner.
“Wherever you are, be all there
and make it count,” Kashat said.
24 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

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“There are 24 hours in a day, so use
it wisely. Your kids will notice and
praise your presence, and you will
keep unnecessary stuff at bay when
you’re where you need to be, which is
sometimes some personal time or laying
back and doing nothing at all.”
Don’t do it alone
As mothers, we have a natural instinct
to do it all just as our mothers
seemingly did before us. However,
with more women working– some
even more hours than men–help is
becoming more and more necessary.
Of course we would all prefer family
to watch our children, but since this
isn’t always realistic, I’d definitely recommend
finding childcare providers
you trust; there are even gyms that
offer it! Also, if you have the means,
there’s nothing wrong with hiring a
cleaning lady, utilizing grocery delivery
services or taking what may feel
like “shortcuts” if it means making
you feel happy and less overwhelmed.
“It’s the hardest thing in the
world, but it’s also an amazing thing
to set the example for your child,”
Barnes said. “Don’t try and do it all
without asking for help. There’s no
award.”
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MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 25

Attorney-Mom Works Toward Life Balance
BY PAUL NATINSKY
Like many modern moms, Krystal
Dickow Hermiz is covering
a lot of ground and working
hard to balance her family life and
work life.
A partner in the law firm Secrest
Wardle since 2014 and an attorney
there since 2007, Hermiz specializes
in insurance defense litigation. She
is also, with the help of her husband,
Jeffery, raising three children under
age 9.
“We only have one life and it’s
flying by. It’s so important to spend
that irreplaceable time doing the
things you love. For me, that’s being
with my family and being with my
children,” said Hermiz.
Matthew, 9, Lauren, 6, and Ava,
3, are in school now, so the logistics
have gotten a bit easier for Krystal,
38, and Jeffery, 39. Both Hermiz’s
have some flexibility in their schedules.
Although, Krystal works from
her Troy office, she is still able to attend
her children’s activities, school
and sports transportation. Jeffery,
who works in real estate and as an
energy consultant, has a fluid schedule
that allows him help with rides
and other responsibilities.
“A significant contribution to
my success in balancing the work/
life balance has been our two mothers.
They were a significant help
during early years of our kids growing
up. They sort of split the week and
babysat the kids during the day,” said
Hermiz.
Her work is important to her and
she is productive when there, but always
a mother first. Personal matters
are a priority and everything works
around family.
Careful planning helps her keep
everything together. She enters
school events into her calendar as
though they were court appearances,
meeting or depositions.
She meets her kids at the school
bus and said she is “in mom mode
from 5 to 9.” When the children are
asleep, it’s her time to use remote access
and complete her legal work for
the day.
“My husband is an incredible
partner who helps me so much with
the kids,” Hermiz said of Jeffery. They
work as a team in the morning making
lunches and breakfasts and split
up rides to school and from the bus.
Matthew plays hockey three times
a week and participates in several
travel tournaments during the course
of the year. Both girls are actively involved
in swim and dance.
“There wouldn’t be a way I could
be a professional and handle my extremely
stressful day job if I didn’t
have (Jeffery) as a teammate.”
The grandmas are not needed for
daycare anymore as the kids are in
school, and the Hermiz’s don’t use
outside help. Krystal often mixes in
chores such as laundry and dishes
with her legal work after the kids go
to bed. She said that is her window to
do daily household chores that stayat-home
moms do during the day.
In 2018, Hermiz turned her Instagram
page into a blog page and
renamed it Michigan.mom. It began
as an advice page containing everything
from recipes to do-it-yourself
project help. Increasingly, Hermiz
found herself sharing experiences
from local businesses, engaging in a
sort of informal and, at first, unintentional
marketing campaign for small
businesses. Today, she has about
8,500 followers , mostly from Oakland
County, and updates the page
daily.
Hermiz is at a point in her career
where facetime and in-person mentoring
with younger attorneys are
important aspects of her job. She
remains in touch with her mentor,
Judge Diane Dickow D’Agostini.
Life paths for women are also
changing in the Chaldean Community.
In the past, many Hermiz’s
close friends and relatives would quit
their jobs and stay home once they
had children—a choice she said she
respects. However, an increasing
number of women are choosing to
take on the work/life balance that a
career and children brings.
Despite spending considerable
time and energy maintaining her
life balance, Hermiz said she doesn’t
think she’ll ever “conquer” it. She
said the challenge will continue as
long as her children are at home and
need her.
26 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner says:
“March 31 is the tax
foreclosure deadline.
HELP IS AVAILABLE.”
I am committed to fighting foreclosure to
keep families in their homes and companies
open for business. Foreclosure prevention
protects property values, stabilizes
neighborhoods, and helps keep Oakland
County a great place to live, work, and play.
Help me fight foreclosure by contacting
our office before the March 31,
2020 tax foreclosure deadline if
you or someone you know has
delinquent taxes.
Call 248-858-0611 OR VISIT oakgov.com/treasurer
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 27

2020 Businessperson of the Year: John Kello
BY SARAH KITTLE
John Kello attributes his success
in business to surrounding himself
with great partners and team
members. He works to identify them
and tirelessly pursues excellence. According
to Sam Yaldo, Kello’s business
partner on many ventures, “The
best part about John Kello is he surrounds
himself with knowledgeable
people, and more importantly – he
trusts his partners.”
Kello is a managing director and
partner at Landmark Commercial
Real Estate Services, one of the leading
retail leasing brokerage firms in
Michigan. His entry there is a great
story, as told by Michael Lippitt,
principal and co-founder: “In 1997,
Landmark Commercial Real Estate
Services, Inc. was already 8 years old
and growing fast. We specialized in
retail site selection, land and property
acquisitions and leasing agencies
(we still do). At that time, we represented
around 40 national retail and
restaurant chains exclusively in the
State of Michigan.
“One day, in walks John Kello
looking for a job; a fresh-faced young
Chaldean man with zero experience
in commercial real estate brokerage
but with a winning smile and a
charming attitude. We were not interested
in training a ‘newbie’ at that
time and suggested that he get some
experience elsewhere and that when
he was ready, and if he were still interested,
come back and see us. Fortunately
for Landmark, and for me
personally, that is exactly what John
did.”
After two years at Schostak
Brothers, John came back to Landmark
and began his brokerage career
there. In the beginning, his primary
focus was serving the growing and
upwardly mobile Chaldean real estate
community, primarily in the city
of Detroit. His success was almost
instantaneous. He was not afraid to
tackle the most difficult and complicated
projects.
Kello quickly endeared himself to
the brokerage staff and clients. His
sophistication and business savvy
grew exponentially. Lippitt recalls,
“Before long, as he began to be
viewed as a peer, he deemed himself
‘management’ and took on some of
those roles. This was before he became
an actual partner!”
In 1998, Kello leveraged several
of his retail relationships and started
a development firm to build and lease
sites in southeast Michigan for a
handful of national tenants including
Family Dollar and AutoZone. One of
his primary focuses continues to be
building single-tenant retail properties.
Yaldo says, “Every time I pass by
a Family Dollar, I ask myself, ‘Is that
John’s?’”
Kello has also had success in his
personal life, marrying his wife Leila
in 1994 and raising four children together.
With two kids in college, one
about to start college and another
close to high school age, they have
their hands full. He doesn’t like to
rest on his laurels, however; after
the economic downturn of 2008,
he partnered with Gabe Zawaideh
to create a web-based marketplace
called MatchRX.
Kello and Zawaideh were golfing
buddies for years before going into
business together. Zawaideh is an independent
retail pharmacist, and one
day Kello called him with a business
idea about connecting newly moved
or transferred people with information
on local medical professionals.
While that idea never panned out,
Zawaideh had an idea about how to
solve a problem with prescription
drug overstock at the pharmacy. Both
had zero experience in the IT space.
It didn’t matter. Match RX was born.
MatchRX is a marketplace for
independent pharmacists to buy and
sell overstock non-controlled, nonexpired
prescription medication at
a percentage off the prevailing price.
The company acts as a liaison between
the buyer and seller, never
touching the product but facilitating
the shipping, compliance with state
and federal law and the whole financial
piece. Stores such as Walgreens
and CVS transfer product under
their own umbrella between stores
but the independent pharmacists had
never had their own network before.
MatchRX now has more than 6,500
pharmacies operating in 33 states.
MatchRX is Kello’s proudest accomplishment
and it continues to
grow through membership adoption
and horizontal platforms including
MatchSquare, a marketplace for
makers of unique items and niche
retailers. Embracing the group concept,
he and Zawaideh put in their
due diligence and assembled a winning
team for MatchRX. Incorporating
the core values of integrity, innovation,
and growth, Kello has built a
reputation of getting the right people
in the right place to get the job done.
Zawaideh thinks that Kello is
the perfect business partner: “What
makes John a perfect partner is that
first he is a great communicator. We
address each situation openly and
honestly. Second, John has had to
work smarter and harder than the
next person, not growing up with a
silver spoon in his mouth; this man
must focus every day on getting tasks
done. He is decisive which makes
him a natural leader, a good listener
when it comes to learning about a
new topic, extremely organized with
his daily lists of things to do and ethical
in any and all areas of business,
always trying to expand his territory
in a way acceptable to our religious
teachings.”
Lippitt considers Kello a blessing.
“Jonny has great instincts. He knows
when to work on an opportunity and
even more importantly, when not
to. If he is after something he thinks
can succeed, no obstacle is too great.
No problem too large. There is no
quit in him. He is resourceful, exudes
confidence to his clients and partners
alike. He is not always right. None
of us are. But his batting average is
hall of fame caliber. His ambition
and confidence know no bounds. He
is extremely creative, clever and strategic.
“John has been the truest friend,
partner, advisor and competitor. He’s
an honest person and expects the
same from others. He sets standards
and follows them too. He’s a team
player in the true sense of the term,”
says Lippitt. “He knows where he
came from. He knows where he’s going.
He knows what works and who
he wants to be around daily.”
Kello’s business partners aren’t
the only ones who admire him. His
wife Leila, a true partner in every
sense of the word, says, “He’s always
been a very hard worker and a very
driven and focused individual who
puts God and family above everything.
He brings out the best in everyone
he works with.”
28 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 29

Circuit Court Judge Hopeful is a
Community Champion, Fighter
BY STEPHEN JONES
On Nov. 3, Oakland County
attorney Clarence Dass will
look to win judgeship in the
Oakland County Circuit Court seat
currently held by Judge James Alexander,
whose term expires Dec. 31.
One thing that constituents need
to know about Dass—he’s a fighter.
He was on the front lines of a legal
battle, representing dozens of detained
clients who were targeted for deportation
to Iraq in the wake of President
Donald Trump’s massive immigration
sting. Around the same time, Dass was
entrenched in a deeply private battle
with stage 4 colon cancer.
“[The cancer diagnosis] changed
everything,” said Dass. “Suddenly,
the things that mattered before,
didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered
was waking up every morning
and being with my family.”
Despite dealing with personal
tragedy, Dass knew he couldn’t quit.
He knew that he had to stay in the
fight for his community—in the fight
for justice.
“I kept my cancer diagnosis a
secret because I knew if I stopped
working so many people would not
get the help they need, especially
those facing deportation,” said Dass.
So he continued working. At the
same time as his battle with cancer
reached its peak, the highly publicized
deportation crisis required Dass
to focus on work at a tireless rate.
“There were days where I would
be speaking to clients from a hospital,
doing live radio interviews from the
hospital bathroom, and traveling in
between the hospital and the courthouse,”
said Dass. “It was incredibly
tiring but amazingly rewarding.”
Eventually, Dass secured victories
both in his battle with cancer and for
his clients facing deportation. After
a trying nine months of undergoing
treatment, he was cancer free.
“I knew that if I woke up every
morning and lived my passion, I
would make it,” said Dass. “And as a
community, we were able to stop the
deportations.”
Now Dass has sights set on fighting
for justice in the Oakland County
Circuit Court.
Dass is a lifelong resident of
Oakland County. He served as assistant
prosecuting attorney for the
Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office
from 2012 to 2016. Dass rose to the
ranks of the county’s special victims
section, where he prosecuted some
of the most complex crimes in the
county ranging from child and elder
abuse to sexual assault, domestic
violence and murder. In 2017, He
started The Dass Law Firm, specializing
in criminal, family, juvenile and
municipal law, to help people avoid
the justice system.
“Over 10 years, I have been a
prosecutor, defense attorney, and
cancer survivor,” said Dass. “I know
that I have a unique perspective that
can help others in a significant way.
I understand what every person in
a courtroom is facing, what they’re
feeling, and what they fear. What
you want in a judge is someone who
understands you and strives for justice.
I have done that my whole career,
and now I want to give back.
My experience will help me help
others as a judge.”
Dass has been an active member
of the Chaldean community his entire
career—both professionally and
personally. He served on the board of
the Chaldean American Bar Association
and is a member of the Chaldean
American Chamber of Commerce.
He serves as a legal expert for
WXYZ-TV and is adjunct professor
at Oakland University.
Dass serves on the Board of Visitors
at the Wayne State Irvin D.
Reid Honors College, on the Advisory
Board for Gilda’s Club of Metro
Detroit—a cancer organization, and
he’s very involved with his alma
mater St. Mary’s and the Oakland
County Bar Association.
When asked what guiding principles
he uses, Dass points to his life
experience as a cancer survivor and
champion for justice.
“I look to the Constitution—the
“What you want in
a judge is someone
who understands
you and strives
for justice. I have
done that my whole
career, and now I
want to give back.
My experience will
help me help others
as a judge.”
– CLARENCE DAAS
document that makes our country
unique,” said Dass. “I look to my life
experience, and the principles of
justice. At the end of the day, what
drives me is doing justice by the people
I serve.”
Dass knows that if he’s successful
in his pursuit of a seat on the Oakland
County Circuit Court, it will be
in no small part, thanks to the contributions
and support of the community.
“Our campaign is a community effort,”
said Dass. “We are not doing it
alone. We need everyone to register to
vote to spread the word about our campaign
and to vote on Nov. 3, 2020. It
would be the greatest honor of my life
to serve as your next Oakland County
Circuit Court Judge.”
Dass holds a Juris Doctorate degree
from The Ohio State University Moritz
College of Law and Bachelor of Arts
degree in History with honors from
Wayne State University.
30 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

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MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 31

chaldean on the STREET
Lenten Lessons
Lent is a time of reflection and renewal. What are your hopes, goals or reflections this Lenten season?
This Lenten season I hope to gain the ability to love as
much as Jesus loves. The love we need to show other
people is one of the most important and beautiful ways
of showing who Jesus is. When Jesus died for us it
was the most ultimate sacrifice, which was full of love,
so I hope that with a lot of meditation on Jesus’ passion,
I can have His heart replace mine to love more.
– Matthew Matti, 23, Sterling Heights
This year during Lent, I’m planning on really learning
more about our church traditions and working to follow
them as best as possible. Lent has so many great
traditions, passed on generation after generation in
order to help people get closer to God. This is something
I really respect, and I‘m excited to embark on this
spiritual journey, in prayer and reflection on the miracle
of the Resurrection.
– Rajaa Sheena, 23, Keego Harbor
This Lenten season, I plan on really dedicating time
each day to get closer and closer to God. Lent is the
perfect time to begin routines of praying more, of fasting
and of increased reflection on the many miracles of
life. I will strive to make sure these routines transcend
lent, helping me move forward spiritually through the
rest of the year!
– Reem Abdaal, 22, Shelby Township
During this year’s Lenten season, I’m hoping to
strengthen and maintain my relationship with God. I
want to offer everything up to Him in prayer and fasting
for the intentions of the people around me, and I
aim to continue to do so after Lent is over. My main
goal is to glorify Him in all that I do, and it’s important
to be conscious of that!
– Jasmine Jarjis, 20, Sterling Heights
Lent is the season of Penance, and during this season
I will work to make it a part of my life. I recently got engaged
and I strongly believe that any relationship without
God has no true meaning of love. Me & my fiancé
will practice Penance this Lenten season by learning
how to be become closer to God (with the power of
prayer), repenting from our sins and turning our hearts
on the right path of reconciliation.
– Marna Kashat, 23, Troy
What I hope to gain this Lenten season may sound generic,
but it is to rekindle my relationship with the Lord.
As I have taken on new responsibilities of adulthood,
I have only been meeting my minimal requirements as
a Catholic man. Although I work in a service career,
my profession brings a lot of stressors that can sometimes
become overwhelming and distract from the
greater purpose of my calling. I hope to re-establish
former Catholic practices.
– Dominick Alton, 27, Novi
32 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

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MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 33

ECONOMICS & enterprise
Fueling a Passion for Naturopathic Foods
BY SARAH KITTLE
Naked Fuel is more than a
juice bar, it’s the idea that
through taste, sight and
sound we can align mind, body
and soul to harness inner power
and heal ourselves naturally. Using
only organic materials—food from
the earth—is a passion for Natasha
Hamama and her mother Gloria Simaan,
founders and proprietors of
Naked Fuel in West Bloomfield.
Hamama remembers her grandfather
using natural ingredients along
with spiritual practices to heal humans
and animals (mostly animals).
The patriarch ate from the earth.
His regular meal was boiled carrots,
boiled potatoes and chicken. It’s no
wonder that his daughter and granddaughter
have made a living out of
creating food from nature.
Hamama and Simaan launched
Naked Fuel five years ago. Growing
up in the restaurant business they
were familiar with food service and
even had a smoothie area in the family
restaurant. Serving smoothies was
not enough.
The restaurant business was not
her first passion; Hamama went to
Los Angeles as a young woman to
enter the fashion scene. While she
loved the business, she found herself
getting very sick. Far from home and
family, she felt she had no other option
than to heal herself. She did research
on healing foods and learned
a lot about food as medicine.
Did you know that geography
and heritage affect how your body
handles food? Hamama learned that
many people of African descent are
lactose-intolerant, and people from
the Middle East are prone to Crohn’s
disease. Not only that, but our bodies
and our systems are constantly
changing and evolving. In some
cases allergies go away. If there’s one
thing Naked Fuel wants people to
know, it’s that they need to know
themselves.
Both Hamama and Simaan are
certified health coaches. Hamama
studied at the Institute of Integrative
Nutrition in New York. “Naked
Fuel is my mother’s dream,” she says,
“It’s a manifestation of our skills and
knowledge. I’ve always believed that
women are so strong—giving birth
and running the household are not
easy tasks.” So why not run a business?
The restaurant’s philosophy is
“conscious eating.” They want you to
know what you are eating and display
the menu ingredients (mostly simple,
4-5 components) on the wall. “If you
can’t pronounce an ingredient, you
shouldn’t put it in your mouth,” says
Hamama. Where else can you get
homemade granola crafted by a genuine
Buddhist monk?
Living décor is also on display at
the West Bloomfield location, designed
in partnership with the interior
landscaping company Planterra.
“Avatar-style floating trees,” is how
owner Shane Pliska describes the
design concept. Online reviewers
love the space, which was inspired
by Kreation, Hamama’s favorite juice
bar in LA.
For Hamama, Naked Fuel is a
lifestyle choice more than simply
a case of doing a “cleanse.” Sure,
cleansing (cutting back on sugar, detoxing,
etc.) is good, and they even
offer a new “Soup and Juice” cleanse
package, but their mission remains
to educate the community. “You are
what you eat,” and “One man’s food
is another man’s poison,” are mantras
that they live by.
Hamama and Simaan ask their
clients to “focus on the feeling” and
listen to what their bodies tell them.
Bio-individuality is the watchword
of the industry. More simply, everyone
is different and our bodies are
always changing, so we should pay
attention to how what we eat affects
us in every way.
Naked Fuel is focused on health,
with popular items such as bone
broth and wheatgrass shots driving
customers to return. For those
battling cold and flu, they offer the
“Terminator” shot with lemon juice
and the “Flu Fighter” with garlic, a
natural antioxidant. The main herbs
and spices used are known for their
healing properties—ginger, turmeric,
cayenne. Seasonal cleanses aim to
rid the body of toxins and reset one’s
system.
When asked if they feel supported
by the Chaldean community,
the answer was, “100 percent!
There’s no support like that of our
Chaldean community—they are
extremely knowledgeable about
food health.” If the names on the
“reviews” section are any indication
(Jabero, Sesi, Yono…), Chaldeans
are definitely supporting the
business, and the owners couldn’t
be more grateful.
Asked to identify her favorites on
the menu, Hamama recommends the
Cabbage Coconut Soup and Kale Cilantro
Salad. “It’s all good – healthy
and delicious,” she said. Her favorite
smoothie? “The Nudie Nut Smoothie,
hands down.”
34 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

DOCTOR is in
Corona Virus Attacks the World
Coronaviruses are
a group of viruses
that cause diseases
in humans and animals. In
humans, the viruses cause
respiratory infections that
range from mild like the
common cold to the most
severe but rarer forms such
as SARS, and the novel
coronavirus causing the
current outbreak that was
first detected in December
2019 in Wuhan, China.
Source and Spread of the Virus
In Wuhan, China, many reported
cases were attributed to contaminated
seafood and live animal market,
suggesting animal-to-person
spread. Later, an increasing number
of patients did not have exposure to
animal markets, indicating personto-person
spread.
In the United States, according
NEIL JADDOU,
MD, MSCCH
SPECIAL TO THE
CHALDEAN NEWS
to Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC),
few people have tested positive.
Majority of them have
recently returned from Wuhan,
China, where the outbreak
originated.
What are the common
signs of the infection?
Coronaviruses cause respiratory
symptoms like cough,
shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing and fever. In more
severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia,
severe acute respiratory syndrome,
kidney failure and even death.
What should I do to protect
myself?
Frequent hand washing with soap
and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
Covering mouth and nose with
tissues when coughing and sneezing.
Avoid close contact with anyone
showing symptoms of respiratory
illness.
Avoid consumption of raw or
undercooked foods and thoroughly
cooking meat and eggs.
If you have fever, cough, and difficult
breathing seek medical care
early and share previous travel history
with your health care provider.
At this point since the virus is
not widely spread in USA, CDC
does not recommend wearing a mask
in public to protect yourself.
How is it treated?
Currently, there are no treatments or
vaccines for this particular strain of
coronavirus, so treatment is supportive.
For the patients with severe symptoms,
specialized care in an intensive
care unit (ICU) can be lifesaving.
In the United States, the average
person is at low risk of catching coronavirus,
so there is no need to panic.
In fact, we are much more likely to get
infected with influenza virus. It’s still
not too late to get a flu shot because
studies show that even if you get the
flu after getting the vaccine, severe
symptoms of the flu illness, hospitalization,
are less likely to occur.
Few people have
tested positive in the
U.S. Majority have
recently returned
from Wuhan, China
Dr. Neil Jaddou is board certified
family physician and medical director
of Somerset Family Medicine with two
locations: Troy and Sterling Heights.
For an appointment visit www.
drjaddou.com or call 586-DOCTORS
or 248-DOCTORS. Or facebook
page Somerset Family Medicine.
hello!
Is your child eligible for
Medicaid and Healthy
Kids Dental at no cost to
you? Find out by visiting
http://bit.ly/MIBridges.
Delta Dental of Michigan
Marian offers a
well-established
all girls education
including
an extensive
offering of college
preparatory,
honors and AP
courses with athletic
and co-curricular
programming that rivals
the most competitive
private and public
schools in Michigan.
Spring Information Night
for Middle School Students
Tuesday, March 24
7 PM
Marian is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women,
sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
For admission information, call (248) 644-1946. www.marian-hs.org
7225 Lahser Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 35

WHERE are they now?
The Acting Diaries of Hani Nooni
BY MONIQUE MANSOUR
Hani Nooni of Troy, Michigan
has always had a love for
acting and performing. “I’ve
been on the stage since I was a teenager,”
said Nooni. At the age of 16,
he started a band in Baghdad called
Pilots Bands. Two years later, it was
renamed to Candles Band. Additionally,
Nooni was involved in several
productions at his high school. “My
high school peers and I were asked to
perform at different colleges in Baghdad,
like Baghdad University,” said
Nooni. “Most of the performances
were comedies. I love to laugh and I
love to make people laugh, too.”
Nooni immigrated to the U.S. in
1977. After a brief period in San Diego,
he eventually settled in Metro Detroit.
A few years later, in 1979, he became
involved with the Iraqi Club, an independent
theatre production group.
The owner’s name was Salim Zeto.
“Most of the shows were performed in
Arabic,” said Nooni. “I was with the
Club until 2010. I performed in 20 live
shows with them. The title of my first
production was Looking for Actor and
my last production was titled George
Bush.” Nooni traveled to San Diego
for six shows during his time with the
Iraqi Club. His first show in San Diego
was performed at the El Cajon City
Hall in 1987. Most of the productions
were written by Hassam Zoro.
Nooni owned and operated his
own liquor store while he was acting
with the Iraqi Club. “I’d open
the store at 10am, close the store at
10pm, drive to the auditorium and
practice until 2am, go home and
shower and sleep, then get up and
do it all over again for four days a
week,” said Nooni. “Sometimes, my
wonderful wife, Intisar, would leave
me a note telling me to sleep in and
rest, because she was going to open
the store the next day.” Hani and
Intisar have five children together,
three boys and two girls, and now
have nine grandchildren.
“I like everything about acting,”
said Nooni. “When you go onto the
stage, there’s nothing else that you’re
thinking about, other than the lighting
and the sound. The stresses of the
world melt away. Everyone turns off
their telephones. It’s just you, your
fellow actors, and the stage.” Nooni’s
shows can be found on YouTube. “If
you search for Hani Nooni, they’ll
come up. It makes me so happy when
people tell me that they still watch
my shows.”
But theatre acting is not the only
type of acting Nooni used to do. “I
acted in 56 commercials between the
early 80s and 2004. They all aired
on TV Orient, and they were all
filmed in Detroit,” said Nooni. The
languages that the commercials were
performed in were a mixture of Arabic,
Chaldean, and English. “There
was one commercial for a basmati
rice brand where I was speaking
Arabic with an Indian accent,” said
Nooni. “Many people recognized me
from that commercial.”
The subject matter of Nooni’s
commercials touched upon a widerange
of businesses and practices,
from basmati rice, to alarm companies,
to carpentry businesses, to
jewelry establishments, real estate
brokerages, and doctor’s offices. “I
performed in seven commercials
for Dr. Sami Makhoul, a Lebanese-
American chiropractor here in Metro
Detroit,” said Nooni. “All of the
commercials had a comedic element
to them, and they were all performed
in song form. Each song was a funny
jingle that told a story of me and it
always related to the business.”
In the late 1990s, a unique opportunity
came Nooni’s way. “A group
from Los Angeles came to Detroit.
They were affiliated with the film 3
Kings, starring George Clooney and
Ice Cube. They picked five people
from Michigan to be in the film, and
I was one of them. But, I decided to
not go through with it in the end. I
still had family back in Iraq, in Baghdad,
and the film was talking bad
about Saddam. I was not going to put
my family in danger,” said Nooni. “I
stand by that decision.”
Nooni now works as a builder and
a contractor in Sterling Heights, Troy,
Shelby Township and the surrounding
areas. “I have a wish for the current
generation of Iraqi-Chaldean Americans.
I want to see a new generation of
voices, faces, and stories on the stage. I
want to see them reinvent theatre. We
need good actors, writers, directors,
and producers out there for the Chaldean
community,” said Nooni. “And
like to see it happen soon.”
36 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

keeping up with the CHALDEANS
Keeping Up With The Chaldeans
Keeping up with the Chaldeans (KUWTC) is a weekly podcast hosted by Anthony Toma and Junior Binno. This podcast
highlights members of the Chaldean community. This is a roundup of some of the latest KUWTC interviews.
David Garmo Feb 13
David is one of the founders of ‘Assembly Jiu-Jitsu’ and Toma and Binno to tell you about what makes
his dojo a cut above the rest. David spent a lot of time in Japan and took what he learned home when
he opened Assembly. Assembly has a focus on comfort and instruction excellence, so if you’re looking
for a new hobby and want to get fit give Assembly a try!
Martin Zoro Feb 6
In this episode, the industrious Martin Zoro,
Founder of Zoro’s Christmas Lights, joined
the guys. Martin has made a living setting up
beautiful light displays for the holidays and for
your next big event! They also do power washing
and landscape lighting in the off-season!
Calvin Kassab (Caldoja)
Feb 11
Toma and Binno sat down with actor, director
and rapper CalDoJa in the house! Calvin Kassab
has worked in many artistic fields and will be
featured in an Amazon Prime film coming soon!
Calvin also does great work with the wonderful
Dman foundation! CalDoJa does it all!
Nigel Sadek Feb 4
In this episode of Keeping Up With the Chaldeans, the guys have young Nigel Sadek to talk about his
Natural Deodorant company Breathe Naturals! Nigel tells us about the health benefits of using natural
deodorant and a few eye-opening facts about the deodorant you use every day!
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 37

classified listings
Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C.
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
REAL ESTATE
BUILDING AND LOT FOR SALE
WITH OUTSIDE DECK SEATING 50
Business of your choice, be an owner
no more renting. 94 and 26 Mile.
New Cooler; New Furnace; New Air
Conditioner; New Compressor.
$295,000.00 Call or Text Barbara at
248-953-0657. 58316 Main Street,
New Haven MI 48048
Ronald G. Acho
racho@cmda-law.com
Joel B. Ashton
jashton@cmda-law.com
Fire & ProPerty DAMAge CLAiMs
Attorneys at CMDA represent homeowners and business owners in
fire and property damage cases —including property damage claim
denials and insurance claim denials.
Our experience, resources, and ability to provide proactive and
time-sensitive analysis can ultimately make the difference in
successfully recovering damages for clients.
A TTORNEYS & C O UNSELORS AT LAW
(734) 261-2400 • www.cmda-law.com • jashton@cmda-law.com
Tender care for your baby.
Special treatment for you.
At DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital’s Harris Women’s Center,
everything we do is designed to help make your birthing
experience as special as possible. We offer a variety of services
to provide quality care to you and your baby, including:
■
■
■
■
■
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Comfortable Upright Birth (CUB) support
Clear drape method for cesarean birth
Special Care Nursery with NICU nurses
Board-certifi ed neonatologists
Spacious, all-private birthing Suites
Nitrous Oxide for Labor Pain Management
To find an obstetrician who
can deliver your baby at Huron
Valley-Sinai Hospital,
call 313-652-0137 or visit
hvsh.org/birthingcenter
38 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

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 40 years of experience.
Jason S. Samona, D.O.
Orthopedic Surgery
Hand, Elbow and Shoulder Surgeon
Auburn Hills
3100 Cross Creek Pkwy
Suite 150
248-475-0502
Warren
11012 E. 13 Mile Rd
Suite 112
586-573-6880
West Bloomfield
2300 Haggerty Rd
Suite 1110
248-863-9254
www.msspc.org
Safaa Macany
VP of Mortgage
Lending
o: (248) 216-1255
c: (248) 229-4422
smacany@rate.com
www.rate.com/SafaaMacany
1700 W. Big Beaver
Suite 225
Troy, MI 48084
Guaranteed Rate NMLS: 2611 • NMLS ID: 138658, LO#: MI - 138658
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)
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
CHALDEAN
AMERICAN
CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION
SANA NAVARRETTE
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
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
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION
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
www.chaldeanfoundation.org
Natalie Sadik, MD
Psychiatrist
(248) 765-2477
3011 West Grand Blvd
Detroit, MI 48202
Suite 406
drsadik@metrodetroitpsychiatry.com
ELIAS KATTOULA 30850 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 200
CAREER SERVICES MANAGER BINGHAM FARMS, MI 48025
TEL: (248) 996-8340 CELL: (248) 925-7773
FAX: (248) 996-8342
snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com
www.chaldeanchamber.com
3601 15 Mile Road www.chaldeanfoundation.org
Twitter: @ChaldeanChamber
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
Instagram: @ChaldeanAmericanChamber
TEL: (586) 722-7253
FAX: (586) 722-7257
elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org
www.chaldeanfoundation.org
SANA NAVARRETTE
MEMBERSHIP MANAGER
HealtH Insurance
& MedIcare specIalIst
stephen M. George
office 248-535-0444
fax 248-633-2099
stephengeorge1000@gmail.com
Contact me for a free consultation
on Health Care Reform, Medicare
and Life Insurance

event
Chamber
Industry
Outlook
The Chamber’s Industry Outlook on February
11th focused on The State of the News.
Moderated by Carol Cain of CBS 62’s
“Michigan Matters,” the panel included
Peter Bhatia, Editor and VP of the Detroit
Free Press, Nolan Finley, Editorial Page
Editor of the Detroit News, Charlie Langton,
Reporter/Anchor at Fox 2 Detroit,
and Michael Lee, Managing Editor, Crain’s
Detroit Business. Over 100 attendees heard
the inside scoop from industry professionals
and asked questions about fairness in reporting,
social media and accountability. Sponsored
by DTE Energy, Comcast Business,
Elia Law and The Elia Group.
40 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

0812 DCDS 1/4 Pg Chalden News 4.375x5.875.indd 1 2/17/20 4:36 PM
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.
Simply delicious food served
by the finest Professionals
Private banquet rooms for
groups from 20-150 people
LESSONS
THAT LAST.
CONNECTIONS THAT COUNT.
OPPORTUNITIES T HAT OVERFLOW.
SCHEDULE A tour
CASUAL DINING AT IT’S 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 CASUAL events DINING and AT meetings, ITS BEST family
celebrations, weddings and showers.
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.
Simply delicious food served
by the finest Professionals
D E T R O I T C O U N T R Y D A Y S C H O O L
GRADES PK3 - 4
Maple Road Campus
GRADES 5 - 8
Hillview Campus
GRADES 9 - 12
Thirteen Mile Campus
CASUAL DINING AT ITS BEST
248.646.7717
| www.dcds.edu
5600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan
248.813.0700 ◆ www.loccino.com
5600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan
248.813.0700 ◆ www.loccino.com
MARCH 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 41

event
Bishop Francis Dinner
PHOTOS BY ANNA SITTO AND ANTHONY SAMONA
The Bishop’s Dinner took place at Shenandoah Country Club on Thursday,
February 6, 2020, the Thursday after Ba’utha (also known as “Chaldean Day
of Thanksgiving”). All proceeds went to assist the diocese’s mission in its daily
operations, to support necessary programs such as the seminary fund, clergy
retirement fund, and other endeavors.
42 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2020

CHALDEAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
17TH ANNUAL
AWARDS DINNER
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 6:00 P.M.
SHENANDOAH COUNTRY CLUB
5600 WALNUT LAKE ROAD
WEST BLOOMFIELD, MICHIGAN 48323
DINNER COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Zaid & Zaina Elia
The Elia Group
HOST COMMITTEE
Joseph Hurshe
Ascension
Salam Elia
Elia Law, PLLC
Dr. Nahid Elyas
Ascension
Sean Koza
Group 10 Management
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
GOLD SPONSOR: $10,000
• One table of 10 (Prime seating)
SILVER SPONSOR: $5,000
• One table of 10
BRONZE SPONSOR: $2,500
• One table of 10
No single tickets/tables available
LIMITED TABLES REMAIN
CALL 248-851-1200 FOR DETAILS
AND SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
SPONSORED BY
WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BY
GOLD
TABLE TENT
AFTER HOURS
SILVER
BAR
SOCIAL MEDIA
VALET

14505 MICHIGAN AVENUE
DEARBORN, MI 48126
WWW.SUPERIORONLINE.COM
313-846-1122