FEBRUARY 2021

from the EDITOR
PUBLISHED BY
Chaldean News, LLC
Chaldean Community Foundation
Martin Manna
EDITORIAL
ACTING EDITOR IN CHIEF
Paul Jonna
MANAGING EDITOR
Sarah Kittle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Danielle Alexander
Azal Arabo
Alyse Haddad, FNP, PMHNP, RN
Dr. Samir Jamil
Paige Jonna, MSBS, PA-C
Sarah Kittle
Samantha Mekani, MSBS, PA-C
Adhid Miri, PhD
Paul Natinsky
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Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published
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Love & Self Reflection
February is not only the
month St. Valentine’s
Day is celebrated, it
is also the month when
wedding planning begins.
Weddings take months,
even years of planning, and
COVID has thrown us all
off our game. Contributing
writer Paul Natinsky talks
with wedding planning experts
about what to expect
this season in “Bringing
Back Romance.” Love isn’t all parties
and pageantry, either. You need food!
Amira Daboul talked with Sarah Kittle
this month about her newly published
cookbook, Awafi from Amira’s
Kitchen. The book is a compilation
of authentic Chaldean dishes that
are filled with love from the people
that cooked the recipes for years.
Each recipe is painstakingly laid out
and dedicated to someone she loves.
You’ll also find sayings scattered
throughout such as, “Cooking with
family is never a chore…” In fact,
on page 82 you’ll find her Aunt Kurjia’s
recipe that I’ve always known as
Nana’s Arook.
In “COVID and the Community,”
we take a look at how our community
is dealing with the virus. Now that
we have a new president, it’s a good
your LETTERS
The Chaldean News has been a wonderful
asset for our community. You
provide many interesting, informative
and varied articles as well as pictures
for your readers. But there is one writer
in particular that I believe should
PAUL JONNA
ACTING EDITOR
IN CHIEF
be recognized – Dr. Adhid Miri.
Dr. Miri is an extraordinary and
talented writer. His continuing article
on the Southfield Manor is one
of the most detailed and comprehensive
that one could ever read. His
memory of people and unique facets
about them is truly remarkable.
time for some reflection and
introspection. As regards
to COVID and the vaccination,
let’s take a look at
what we know and what we
don’t know. We know that
COVID kills; we know that
President Biden is making it
a priority of his administration
to combat this virus;
and we know that there are
three vaccines available, and
more in development.
What we don’t know is the longterm
effects of the vaccine, but we
do know the long-term effects of
other vaccinations that are similar in
nature. I urge everyone to use logic
when making decisions because emotions
change. We cannot be blind to
viewpoints that differ from our own.
If we want self-determination as a
community, we need to gather all
the necessary information and facts
at our disposal at such time to make
an informed and objective decision.
Our own personal logic and emotions
may change but moral standards and
conviction do not, or should not.
Our morals and convictions are
always tested by outside influences.
We are in a dangerous place when
the ends justify the means. This is
a time for honest, thoughtful, wellinformed
decisions and for breaking
self-boundaries to encourage healthy
growth. In “Self Love,” three mental
health professionals, who also happen
to be best friends, provide much
needed tips for healing and self-care.
From a scientific perspective, Dr.
Samir Jamil explains the COVID
vaccines and how they work in the
column The Doctor Is In.
Dr. Adhid Miri makes history
come alive again in “Southfield Manor,”
as we look back on the characters
who frequented the “club” in its
heyday. He also pens a piece called
“Traditional Chaldean Weddings,”
that entertains as well as educates. Dr.
Miri’s stories are always full of familiar
names and they take us back to a simpler
time and to the Iraq of memory.
Help us keep those memories alive by
sending your pictures and stories to
edit@chaldeannews.com.
The Iraq of memory is not the
Iraq that the Pope will visit when
he goes there in all his papal glory.
In “The Pope in Iraq,” we hear that
Pope Francis’ hope is for all believers
to unite for healing. His tour includes
Ur and the Nineveh Plains and will
happen in March, God willing.
With Gratitude,
Paul Jonna
Acting Editor in Chief
Also, his article about Chaldeans
in Sweden, once again, shows the extreme
accuracy he insists upon. You
are very blessed to have Dr. Miri as
part of your writing core and he is a
true treasure for our community.
Very Truly Yours,
Ronald G. Acho
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6 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2021