NOVEMBER 2005

$2 

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VOL. 2 ISSUE X 

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Iraqi orphans 

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NOVEMBER 2005 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS NOVEMBER 2005


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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2005 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 2 ISSUE X 

on the cover 

30 NEEDING HOMES 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO 

Iraqi orphans remain in limbo as Chaldeans look to adopt 

features 

34 GOING HOME 

BY OMAR BINNO 

American Chaldeans assess today’s Iraq 

36 JOINING FORCES 

BY JOYCE WISWELL 

AFD, Forgotten Harvest unite to combat hunger 

30 

38 THE GIFT OF LIFE 


Chaldean bone marrow donors desperately needed 

40 A NUMBERS GAME 

BY KEN MARTEN 

Visa Lottery is underway 

28 34 

41 LITTLE BEAUTY 

BY LINDA JABORO 

Hannah Goryoka launches a modeling career 

sports 

42 PLAY BALL! 

BY WRIGHT WILSON 

Chaldean recreational sports are thriving 

45 Chaldean youngsters get active too 

38 45 

departments 

8 FROM THE EDITOR 

9 YOUR LETTERS 

10 NOTEWORTHY 

16 CHAI TIME 

18 CALC CORNER 

20 HALHOLE! 

24 RELIGION 

25 OBITUARIES 

28 IRAQ TODAY 

46 IN GOOD HEALTH 

Tis the Season: Should you get a flu shot? BY CHRISTINA GAPPY 

48 MAKING A DIFFERENCE 

Sabri Auraha: Keeping Sourath alive BY KEN MARTEN 

50 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE 

Fuddruckers: Big success in the burger business BY DAN SHRINER 

52 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 

Rafid Sawa and Sons: A family affair BY JENNIFER T. KORAIL 

54 CHALDEAN ON THE STREET 

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? 

56 KIDS’ CORNER 

58 CLASSIFIED LISTINGS 


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With news coverage 

focused on fighting 

the insurgents and 

trying to rebuild Iraq, some 

other important issues get lost. 

Our cover story was initiated 

by everyday conversation 

within the community by people 

wanting to adopt children 

from Iraq who are either 

unable to conceive or who are 

single and most likely will 

never have their own children. 

We decided to research this topic 

knowing it is not only a current event 

issue within our community but that it 

will bring awareness to what is a serious 

issue in Iraq — thousands of 

orphaned children dependent on an 

unstable government for survival. 

I can’t imagine what greater gift you 

can give another human being other 

than a better life. Through my research, 

I was amazed at how many people are 

willing to adopt a child from Iraq — 

even though many of them did not want 

to go on record. There are dozens of 

people in our community with the 

desire and the love to give to another 

human being but we found that the 

opportunity to legally adopt a little boy 

or girl from Iraq does not exist because 

of an old law still on the books. 

However, I believe in the old saying 

that “where there is a will, there is a 

way.” And that very notion was prominent 

in the minds of those people we 

talked to for our cover story. 

As the constitution was being drafted, 

the issue of adoption, we found, is 

not currently top of mind or even on the 

radar of the government or many Iraqi 

citizens. The people we talk to have the 

will to make this happen and are optimistic 

that with awareness, adoption 

will become legal in Iraq. 

In order to get a better perspective 

on what is going on in Iraq, we talked 

to two Chaldeans who have recently 

been there. Writer Omar Binno caught 

up with one man who made a recent 

visit to his homeland and another who 

has been working in Iraq for the past 

three years as a translator. We also 

included this month an update on the 

Iraq Constitution, which appeared to 

have passed as we went to press. Now 

the citizens can look forward to electing 

a new government. 

And again, “where there is a will, 

there is a way.” 

While citizens of Iraq are working 

diligently to get their country in order, 

some Iraqi Chaldeans are hoping they 

VANESSA 

DENHA- 

GARMO 

EDITOR 

will win the lottery — not for 

cash, but for a visa. Writer 

Ken Marten talked to a local 

attorney regarding this prevalent 

issue. We discovered that 

there may be a greater chance 

for more Chaldeans to win 

this lottery. 

In this issue, we bring you a 

new feature. The Chaldean 

News will highlight every month 

one person who is giving back 

to the community and making a 

difference. “Making a Difference” brings 

you a man trying to preserve our culture 

by teaching the Aramaic language to 

anyone wanting to learn it. 

And I say, “You have the will to 

learn, there is a way.” 

There are dozens 

of people in our 

community with the 

desire and the love 

to give to another 

human being 

We also discovered in the research 

we did for this issue another story not 

on the minds of many — the importance 

of becoming a donor of blood and bone 

marrow. Copy Editor Joyce Wiswell 

tells us about a little girl fighting for her 

life, on the waiting list for a bone marrow 

transplant and how she and her 

family want to bring awareness to the 

community on the importance of donation. 

Donors could one day save a life. 

Once again, “where there is a will, 

there is a way.” 

This issue is loaded with topics 

demonstrating how to make things happen: 

adoption, a new constitution, preserving 

an historic language and saving 

a life. Even though at one point all may 

seem impossible, we must remember, 

“Where there is a will, there is a way.” 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

vdenha@chaldeannews.com 

Letters to the editor can be sent via 

email to vdenha@chaldeannews.com 

or to: The Chaldean News, Letters to 

the Editor, 30095 Northwestern Hwy., 

Ste 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 


your LETTERS 

United We Stand 

I have The Chaldean News sent to me 

in Texas where I’m in my fifth year of a 

five-year prison sentence. I don’t 

blame anyone for being here but 

myself. I made some wrong moves 

and I’m paying for them. 

However, I do think as a people 

we are not united at all. Many 

Arab/Chaldean families and young 

Arab men still fall through the 

cracks, the families without the big 

last names. 

We all start without anything. I’m 

just asking everyone to remember the 

ones without. The rich get richer and 

the poor stay poor. Chaldeans are 

very well off but we are as strong as 

our weakest link. We must all come up 

together! More programs need to be 

put into play where those who want to 

work get the right help. 

— Mazin Mikho 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS 

PUBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News, LLC 

Tony Antone 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

Martin Manna 

EDITORIAL 

EDITOR IN CHIEF Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

COPY EDITOR Joyce Wiswell 

EDITORIAL INTERN Linda Jaboro 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Omar Binno 

Christina Gappy 

Jennifer Korail 

Lee Keath 

Ken Marten 

Dan Shriner 

Wright Wilson 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

PHOTOGRAPHERS David Reed 

Brad Ziegler 

Dan Shriner 

OPERATIONS 

Interlink Media 

SALES 

Interlink Media 

SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE 

SALES REPRESENTATIVES 

Sandra Jolagh 

Tammy Jonna 

Lisa Kalou 

Angie Toma 

Silvia Zoma 

MICHIGAN SUBSCRIPTIONS: $20 PER YEAR • OUT-OF-STATE SUBSCRIPTIONS: $30 PER YEAR 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS • 30095 NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY • STE 102 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 

WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM • PH: 248-932-3100 • FAX: 248-932-9161 

PUBLICATION: The Chaldean News (P-6); Issue Date: November, 2005 SUBSCRIPTIONS: 12 months, $20. Outside of Michigan, $30. PUBLCATION 

ADDRESS: 30095 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington 

Hills Post Office" POSTMASTER: Send address changes to "The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern Hwy, Ste. 102 Farmington Hills, MI 48334" 

www.chaldeannews.com 

OCTOBER POLL RESULTS: 

Iraq Progress 

Will Iraq be economically 

viable in five years? 

No: 63.9% 

Yes: 36.1% 

Is the country on the 

right track in terms of 

creating a democracy? 

No: 66.7% 

Yes: 33.3% 

Will the threat of 

terrorism in Iraq be 

greatly diminished 

in five years? 

No: 70.4% 

Yes: 29.6% 

THANKS TO 

ALL WHO VOTED! 

NOVEMBER 

QUESTIONS 

Do you think adoption will ever 

become legal in Iraq? 

Are you hopeful the new constitution 

and December elections 

will mean Iraq is on track to 

becoming a true democracy? 

Do you think Iraq will become a 

tourist attraction in the future? 

Go to www.chaldeannews.com 

to record your vote! 


NOTEworthy 

Visitors crowded the Virgin Mary when it was in Sterling Heights 

VIRGIN STATUE MOVED TO 

TAYLOR CHURCH 

The “miraculous” Virgin Mary statue that attracted 

thousands of spectators has been moved to a 

church in Taylor. 

The Shrine of Little Rose Ferron at 10098 

Mortenview is the statue’s new home and available 

for viewing 24 hours a day. The statue was donated 

by the Pattah family after their small front yard 

in Sterling Heights was deluged with visitors once 

word of the “miracle” spread. 

The family says the Virgin Mary statue, which had 

always looked straight ahead, bowed her head and 

shed tears when resident Ghassan Pattah contracted 

a fever in late August. He died on August 29 at 

the age of 39. His death was officially ruled a heart 

attack, but published reports say the family doubts 

that since he was in excellent health. 

The family also says that pictures of the Virgin 

Mary inside their home shed tears when Pattah 

died, and that the Virgin Mary has appeared in photographs 

of the late man. 

Chaldeans and others soon began flocking to 

the home, wrapping the statue in rosary beads and 

leaving candles and flowers at its base. Believers 

touched Mary’s head and hands while softly praying, 

then crossed themselves. 

Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim told the Chaldean News he 

has not seen the statue and has no plans to do so. 

“I will follow the policy of the Church, which is 

not to say anything or have any decision quickly,” 

he said. “Everything is possible, and everyone is 

free to do whatever to speak his or her faith.” 

Those gathered in front of the Pattah home on 

Fox Hill Drive were convinced a miracle had taken 

place. 

“It’s a message for the whole world with this 

war and other things going on,” said Nina Haisha, 

who was making her second visit. “We need 

peace.” 

Wasim Petros was visiting for the third time. 

“She’s telling us don’t do bad stuff, and to go to 

church,” said the 18-year-old. “I feel her presence.” 

His friend, Saif Numam, agreed. He has visited 

the statue four times. 

“She’s here to help us,” he said, “and telling us 

to help other people.” 

BELLY DANCE BAZAAR OFFERED 

Suzanne Jonna, the director of Suzanne’s Main St. 

Dance Centre, is hosting a special Belly Dance 

Workshop with the internationally acclaimed Amira 

Mor. The workshop takes place on November 11 

from 7-9 p.m. at Main St. Dance Centre in Milford 

and at Shenandoah Country Club on November 12 

from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The ladies-only event costs 

$50 and has limited enrollment. The workshop 

includes skirts, veils, hip scarves, finger cymbals 

and more. Call (248) 684-6300 for registration and 

more information. 

NOTEWORTHY continued on 12 

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Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member NYSE and SIPC. ©Wachovia Securities, LLC 65456 8/05 


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Joe Barbat 

Ron Boji 

Chris Yatooma 

Steve Antone 

Samir Jamil 

NOTEWORTHY continued from 10 

CHALDEANS MAKE 

CRAIN’S LIST… 

Businessmen Joe Barbat, Ron Boji and Chris 

Yatooma were each named one of Crain’s 

Detroit Business’ 40 Under 40 in the magazine’s 

September 26 issue. 

Barbat, 29, is CEO of Wireless Toyz in 

Farmington Hills. He converted from a single 

provider of wireless services to a multiple 

provider, then franchised the company, 

Crain’s noted. Wireless Toyz has 92 stores 

operating in 19 states and hopes to have 

1,000 stores by 2011. 

Boji, 37, is president of the Boji Group in 

West Bloomfield Township. He and his father 

have made their mark in Lansing as real estate 

developers, and now are beginning to make their 

mark in Metro Detroit as the owners of United 

Wholesale Grocery Company, Crain’s said. 

Yatooma, 23, is the owner and founder of 

Outdoor Creations in Farmington Hills. He 

started the landscaping firm when he was just 

16 and now has 18 employees and more than 

$2 million in revenue in 2004, according to 

Crain’s. 

... AND HOUR DETROIT 

Top Docs 2005, a listing of the area’s best 

physicians by Hour Magazine, includes two 

from the Chaldean community. Steve Antone, 

MD, practices pediatrics at Northeast Pediatric 

Associates in Rochester Hills. Samir Jamil, 

MD, specializes in pediatric hematology and 

oncology at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. 

SARAFA LEAVING AFD 

FOR BANK OF MICHIGAN 

Mike Sarafa has announced his resignation 

from the Associated Food 

Dealers (AFD) effective December 31. 

On January 2, Sarafa will become the 

Executive Chairman of the Bank of 

Michigan in Farmington Hills. 

“I was at the AFD for three and a half years and it 

was a tough decision because I enjoyed the job 

immensely,” Sarafa said. “But the bank presented a 

unique set of challenges and was an exciting opportunity 

in and of itself.” 

Pending regulatory approval, Sarafa will transition to 

the role of Bank of Michigan executive chairman. “Our 

goal is to make the Bank of Michigan the premiere destination 

for commercial and retail loans, emphasizing 

quality of service and relationships,” Sarafa said. 

Meanwhile, Mike and his brother, Joseph, were 

both awarded by the Michigan Society of Association 

Executives. Mike Sarafa was named Emerging New 

Leader. Joseph Sarafa, the AFD’s president from 

1986-2002, was inducted into the group’s Hall of 

Fame. He is currently Of Counsel with Livonia-based 

Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho. 

PHOTOS OF SLAIN 

BUSINESSMEN NEEDED 

Pictures of Chaldeans killed in their place of business 

are being sought for a fundraising dinner for 

the Waad Murad Memorial Advocacy Fund. 

The pictures will be displayed at a dinner on 

November 18 at Shenandoah Country Club. The 

fund is named for Waad Murad, a founding member 

of the Chamber who was killed at his Detroit business 

in March 2005. 

ENTERING THE SEMINARY 

Seven young men who have entered the seminary 

to become Catholic priests were introduced at a 

mass at Mar Addai Church. Pictured are Mathew 

Zaytoona (back row left), Paul Garmo, Joseph 

Manni and Pierre Konja, and, in the front row, 

Vincent Kashat (left), Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim and 

Roadi Zoma. Not pictured is Anthony Kathawa. 

The fund, which is a part of the Chaldean American 

Chamber of Commerce, supplies a minimum of 

$10,000 reward money for information that leads to the 

arrest and conviction of the assailant(s) of violent crime 

perpetuated against businesspeople. In the event of a 

violent crime, the group will mobilize immediately to publicize 

the reward and details of the crime, keeping the 

event fresh in the news and helping to generate leads 

for the police to pursue. By working with 

CrimeStoppers, the fund will help bring justice in the victim’s 

name and closure to family members. 

Tickets for the Fundraising Dinner are $150.00 a 

person. Attorney General Michael Cox is the keynote 

speaker. If you need more information, call the Chaldean 

Chamber of Commerce at 248-538-3700. 

Family members with pictures of victims of violence 

are asked to contact Janice Shamoun at 

jan329@comcast.net or 248-444-4449 

NOTEWORTHY continued on 14 

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NOTEworthy 

NOTEWORTHY continued from 12 

BODYGUARDS REMEMBERED AS MARTYRS 

More than 150 people showed up for a memorial to honor four bodyguards shot 

and killed on September 22 in Baghdad. The four — Danny Pelepos, Ninos 

Pelepos, Mahir Hanna and Johnny Dawood — were on their way to pick up 

Pascal Eshoo, the former Minister of Immigration, who was not present at the 

time of the attack. The memorial, held on September 29 at Ryan Palace by 

numerous Chaldean and Assyrian groups, consisted of 15 speakers who spoke 

in Sourath, English and Arabic. 

[International] 

CHALDEANS FLOCK TO JORDAN 

Amman, Jordan’s capital city, has become home to many Chaldeans fleeing violence 

and persecution in Iraq. 

Chaldeans are granted only a three-month temporary residence in the country, 

and are not allowed to work or attend government schools. To renew their residence, 

they must leave the country and then return. Otherwise, they are subjected 

to large fines for exceeding the duration of their legal residence. 

Most rely on money transfers from relatives living abroad or their personal 

savings, according to an article in Middle East Online. Many view Jordan as a 

temporary home and hope to be able to relocate to the United States and other 

countries. 

“The number of Iraqi Chaldeans who leave Iraq due to the aggravation of violence 

has lately increased,” said Mar Raymond Mousalli, Chaldean Catholic 

Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan. “More than 2,000 Chaldeans have arrived in Jordan 

since the explosions that targeted Christian churches in Iraq in 2004.” 

Mar Mousalli estimated there are currently about 7,000 Chaldeans in Jordan. 

“But this number continuously changes as many of them receive immigration visas 

and others arrive,” he said. 

ASSYRIAN HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT LAUNCHED 

The Council for Assyrian Research and Development (CARD) has established the 

Assyrian Human Rights Documentation Project to document abuses of Assyrians 

throughout the world, especially the Middle East. 

The database will be used as a primary reference to advocate the Assyrian 

cause through various government and non-governmental institutions, such as the 

United Nations. Sources contained in the database will be confidential. Learn 

more at the website wwwcardonline.org, and access the database at 

www.cardlonline.org/humanrights. 

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MONDAY & THURSDAY: 9-9 PM 

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: 9-6 PM 

SATURDAY: 10-3 PM 

OPEN 

SATURDAY 

10-3 PM 

GEORGE SINAWI 

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console, defogger, keyless entry, Onstar, 

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Disc brakes. Skt. #672521 

GMS $21,631.58* LEASE $ 237.11 ** 

2006 ENVOY 4-DOOR 

Vortec 4200 SFI I6, auto trans 

w/OD, full power, AM/FM 

stereo CD. Stk. #7272519 

GMS $23,393.65* 

36 MO. LEASE $ 272.53 ** 

2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 

3.8L Series III V6, a/c, sunroof, 

auto console, cruise, door Locks, 

frt. & rear floor mats, defogger, 

driver info ctr., keyless entry, 

Onstar, 6-way pwr. Seat, AM/FM/CD, 

tilt, pwr. Windows, spoiler. Stk.#5472504 

3.8L 

SERIES III 

V6 ENGINE 

GMS $19,470* LEASE $ 234.28 ** 

SUNROOF 

2006 SIERRA 1500 

Auto, deep tint glass, pwr. door 

locks/windows/mirrors, spare tire lock, AM/FM 

stereo w/CD, chrome frt. Bumper. Stk. #4572825 

GMS $20,569.85* 

LEASE $ 299.89 ** 

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14505 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126 

*Prices are plus tax, title, 

destination, doc, rebates to 

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all leases are 36 month 

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No gimmicks! GMS to everyone 

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vehicle – give us 24 hours – 

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BUSINESS BRIEFS 

emergency care. In addition, a new emergency 

department will be constructed. 

A groundbreaking was held in late October and 

the $300-million facility is scheduled to open in 2008. 

SHORE MORTGAGE WINS 

DIVERSITY AWARD 

Shore Mortgage has received the 

Fair Housing Leadership Award for 

its commitment to diversity. 

The award, recently presented to 

company president Robert Rahal, 

comes from the Fair Housing Center 

of Metropolitan Detroit. 

Robert Rahal 

“Shore has been committed to racial and ethnic 

diversity since our inception and will continue to do 

everything in our power to help people of different 

backgrounds become home owners,” said Rahal. 

HENRY FORD COMING TO WEST BLOOMFIELD 

Henry Ford Health System can proceed with the 

building of its new hospital in West Bloomfield 

now that the Michigan Supreme Court has refused 

to hear a case against it filed by competitors. 

The Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital will 

have 300 beds, all in private rooms overlooking a 

pond and landscaped courtyards. All patients will 

have Internet access and be able to order meals 

and beverages of their choice at any time. 

An artist’s rendering of the new hospital 

The facility will raise total staffing at Henry 

Ford’s West Bloomfield campus from 700 currently 

to approximately 2,300 through the creation 

of 1,600 new jobs, the hospital said. 

The hospital will offer full-service medical and 

surgical services that include the following specialties: 

orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, 

neurosurgery and back surgery, cardiovascular 

services, women’s health, cancer services and 

NEW NAME FOR 

STANDARD FEDERAL 

Standard Federal Bank is now known as LaSalle Bank 

Midwest N.A. The name change reflects the bank’s 

affiliation with its parent company, the Midwest-based 

LaSalle Bank Corporation, and is not a merger. 

LaSalle remains a member of the ABN ARMO Group, 

an international financial services provider. 

No changes are planned for the bank’s products, 

services and management. 

Fax any press releases or news items to the 

Editorial Department at 248-932-9161 

ADVANCED FAMILY CARE 

OF COMMERCE 

Healthcare for the Entire Family 

> Accepting New Patients 

> Walk-Ins Welcome 

> Most Insurances Accepted 

FLU SHOTS AND 

IMMUNIZATIONS AVAILABLE 

DR. ADIL Y. ARABBO, M.D. 

FAMILY MEDICINE 

Board Certified: American Academy of Family Physicians 

Fluent in English, Arabic and Chaldean 

Located in the 

Orchard Mall 

(248) 366-3700 

4123 Martin Road, Suite 102 

Commerce Twp., MI 48390 

5 minutes from 

St. Thomas Chaldean Church 

HOURS: 

Mon - Fri: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 

Sat: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm 

RICHARDSON ROAD 

OAKLEY BOULEVARD 

PONTIAC TRAIL 

MAPLE ROAD 

Coming Soon - Richardson Medical Pharmacy 

M-5 

MARTIN 

ROAD 

AFC 

UNION LAKE 

ROAD 

HAGGERTY 

ROAD 


CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT NOVEMBER 2005 

[Friday, November 5-Saturday, November 6] 

Holiday Craft Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Walled Lake 

Central High School, 1600 Oakley Park Road, 

Walled Lake. Admission is $2 adults, $1 students and 

seniors. (248) 956-4700. 

[Wednesday, November 9] 

Quarterly Networking Meeting: Chaldean Chamber 

of Commerce Annual Meeting and Elections 6 p.m. 

at Shenandoah Country Club. RSVP by calling 

(248) 538-3700. 

[Thursday, November 10] 

Chaldean Night Live: Doors open at 7 p.m. at 

Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Royal Oak. Tickets 

are $45 and $60 (VIP). Proceeds benefit Take My 

Hand, an organization helping children in Iraq. 

Purchase tickets at the door or online at 

http://www.neptix.com/event/24/. 

[Saturday, November 12-Sunday, November 13] 

Holiday Craft Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 11 

a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Walled Lake Northern High 

School, 6000 Bogie Lake Road, Walled Lake. 

Admission is $2. (248) 956-5300. 

[Friday, November 18] 

Waad Murad Advocacy Fund Dinner: Fundraising 

dinner for new Chaldean American Chamber of 

Commerce group that posts reward money to help 

solve violent crimes. Tickets are $150. Shenandoah 

Country Club. (248) 538-3700. 

[Wednesday, November 23] 

The Reunion at the Reserve: Event includes a BMW 

auto showcase, DJ Tom T, live percussionist Jared 

Sykes, Nordstrom facial product boutique with free 

samples, models adorned with hand-made custom 

beaded dresses and more. Big Rock Chophouse, 

Birmingham. (248) 647-7774. 

[Friday, November 25-Saturday, November 26] 

Holiday Craft Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 

p.m. Sunday, Walled Lake Western High School, 600 Beck 

Road, Walled Lake. Admission is $2. (248) 627-3363. 

[Sunday, November 27] 

Chaldean Talent Search: Jado Productions holds 

auditions for all ages, free of charge. All talent 

welcome. Noon-9 p.m., Southfield Manor. 

jadoproductions@yahoo.com. 

[Tuesday, November 29] 

Radio City Christmas Spectacular: Opens today 

and runs through December 24. Fox Theater, 

(313) 471-3200. 

[Saturday, December 3] 

Chaldean Voice 25th Anniversary: The radio station’s 

annual dinner takes place at Shenandoah 

Country Club. (248) 353-1083 

Please let us know what is going in the community. 

Fax your information to The Chaldean News Editorial 

Department. Subject: Chai Time Fax: 248-932-9161 


TAKE THE FIRST STEP 

TO STARDOM! 

WE WANT YOU! 

● 

CHALDEAN 

ACTORS ● MODELS ● DANCERS ● COMICS ● SINGERS ● POETS 

ALL AGES ARE WELCOMED 

AUDITIONS TAKE PLACE: SUNDAY 11/27/05 @ SOUTHFIELD MARRIOTT 12-9 PM 

WALK-INS ARE WELCOMED, AND PRIORITY AUDITION SPOTS WILL BE RESERVED TO PERFORMERS 

WHO REQUEST A SPECIFIC TIME VIA JADOPRODUCTIONS@YAHOO.COM 

TO BE CONTINUED. . . . . . . . 


CALC corner 

NOTE from the 

PRESIDENT 

It is one of our favorite times 

of the year — the holiday season 

is fast approaching. One 

of CALC’s largest annual 

events is taking place this 

month. Our Holiday 

Boutique Extravaganza is 

being held for the first time at Clair Konja 

the beautiful Shenandoah 

Country Club. This year we are featuring 

some new and exciting vendors. You can buy 

a stocking stuffer or a secret Santa gift — anything 

from chocolate-covered apples to pears. 

We are also introducing our very first custommade 

CALC Christmas ornament specially 

designed by the famed Curtis Posuniak called 

Klassics by Kurtis. We hope to see you at the 

Annual Holiday Boutique on Thursday, 

November 3, 6-10 p.m. Ticket price is $25 

per person. Call the CALC office for tickets. 

Also, this month we are featuring a new 

event, Advent by Candlelight. This celebrates 

the start of the Advent season. Reflection by 

Candlelight will be an evening of spirituality and 

holiness that will prepare your heart and mind 

for the coming Christmas season. It is a special 

evening of shared stories, beautiful music and 

song, and candlelit conversations. A special 

prayer will be done in Sourath. Members can 

sponsor/host a table of 8 or 10 for $60 and decorate 

it with a holiday theme and invite family 

and friends to this special event. If you are 

unable to get a large group together, we will 

have seating and reservations for individuals 

($15 per person) who would like to attend. 

We want everyone to be a part of this celebration. 

Join us at the Farmington Hills Manor for 

this unique event. For more information call 

the CALC office at (248) 352-5018. 

Lastly, please don’t forget our membership 

drive is coming up. Your $35 annual membership 

dues are a vital donation to CALC — 

enabling us to donate needed funds to various 

groups, individuals and families. This year 

alone, we donated thousands of dollars to the 

Hurricane Katrina Fund, Tsunami Fund, 

Patriarch Emmanuel Delly, Chaldeans sisters 

who support orphans, and to various families 

throughout the year. We look forward to your 

continued support of CALC. We hope everyone 

not only renews their membership but 

recruits a new member. 

— Clair Konja, President 

Chaldean 

kids walk 

for a cause 

‘SWEETS FOR THE SWEET’ 

Our Female Mentors came out on Saturday, 

October 15, to host a chocolate-making party 

at the Sacred Heart Chaldean Church for 

girls in Detroit’s Project Can Start Program. 

The girls, ages 9-15, enjoyed learning to 

make different types of chocolate and candy 

with the assistance of their Mentors, whom 

have spent time this summer establishing 

meaningful relationships with the girls and acting 

as role models for them. “By providing 

girls with positive mentoring relationships, I 

feel we’ve been able to give girls an opportunity 

to experience fun activities,” stated 

Kristen Sagmani, one of the Project CAN 

START Mentors. “I really enjoy spending 

time with my young mentee, and feel like I am 

making a difference in the life of a young girl.” 

DONATING TO 

HURRICANE KATRINA 

The CALC donated $2,000 to St. Aloysius 

in Detroit to help the victims of Hurricane 

Katrina who ended up in Michigan. They 

are using the money to help buy school 

supplies and get back on their feet. The 

church took in about 200 families. 

CALC - PROJECT CAN 

START WALKATHON ON 

On Saturday, September 17, the 

Chaldean American Ladies of Charity 

and Youth from Project CANSTART 

(Chaldean Americans for Non Violence, 

Striving Together to Achieve Rewarding 

Tomorrows) held a Walkathon in an effort 

to bring a solution to arson and vacant 

homes in our neighborhood by increasing 

awareness about the problem. The 

youth-directed community service learning 

project included a special visit to the 

Firehouse where Detroit Firefighters from 

Engine 44, Ladder 18 provided youth 

with valuable information on fire prevention 

and safety tips. The Walkathon 

drew more than 60 community members 

as our group traveled down 7 Mile Road 

to bring out the message for fire safety. 

Participants wore T-shirts with a special 

logo created by youth in the program. 

Making 

chocolate 

is a sweet 

thing 

EMPOWERED VOICES FOR GIRLS 

CALC is beginning its “Empowered Voices” Program in 

West Bloomfield. This program aims to strengthen bonds 

between adolescent and preadolescent Chaldean girls and 

their mothers. The exciting nine-month program focuses on 

girls’ development, including improving and maintaining highself 

esteem, strengthening the relationship among girls and 

between girls and women, and building critical thinking, 

problem-solving, and other skills. For additional information 

about this unique program or to register for the program, 

please contact Jane Shallal at (248) 352-5018. 

PROJECT VENTURE - GOVERNOR AWARDS GRANT FOR YOUTH 

The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC) has been awarded grant funding by the Governor’s Office 

for Project Venture, a unique program to serve Chaldean youth living in the tri-county area. Project Venture 

is an outdoors experiential youth development program that focuses on building skills in self-confidence, teamwork, 

cooperation and trust, through service learning projects, outdoor adventure activities, and a leadership 

camp. By basing its focus on a healthy lifestyle approach to prevention, Project Venture is intended to result 

in the elimination of or in the significant reduction or delay in the onset or use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. 

Project Venture’s experiential learning activities are combined with lessons in problem solving, skill building, 

communication, good habits, goal setting and self development. The weekend leadership adventure camp 

at the end of the program aims to build trust, self-esteem and teamwork and self-improvement. 

Project Venture, which will be held year round, will be serving Chaldean youth in the 6th through 9th grades 

living in four southeast Michigan communities, Detroit, Oak Park, Southfield and Sterling Heights (this last site 

includes Chaldean Youth from Warren, Troy and Madison Heights). 

“We are very excited about implementing this very innovative program and thank the Governor and the 

Office of Drug Control Policy for providing us with an opportunity to provide drug prevention and youth services 

in the community,” stated Clair Konja, President of the CALC. If you wish to register your child for 

Project Venture, please contact Jane Shallal at the CALC office. 

18 CHALDEAN NEWS NOVEMBER 2005 

ADVERTORIAL

Expert fitting 

for every look 

265 S. Old Woodward • Birmingham 

(248)642-2555 

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9:30 - 6:00 


HALHOLE! 

[Births] 

Dominic Sheldon 

Dominic Sheldon Yono was born on May 30, 

2005 at 4:56 p.m. at Troy Beaumont 

Hospital. He weighed 7 lbs., 13 oz. and 

measured 20.5 inches. First-time parents are 

Sheldon and Angela Yono. Dominic is the 

first grandchild for Faik & Batoul Yono and 

the fourth for Faraj & Ikhlas Karim. 

Andrew Christopher 

Christopher and Andy (Acho) Darakdjian 

announce the newest member of the family, 

Andrew Christopher. He was born on July 

18, 2005 at 12:11 p.m. in St. Joseph Mercy 

Hospital. He was 7 lbs., 10 oz. and 19.5 

inches tall. Big sister is Alyssa and grandparents 

are Hrair & Annig Darakdjian and 

Najib & Cicil Acho. Godparents are Norman 

& Filodia Acho. 

Grace Marie 

Lauren Kline is happy to announce the birth of 

her baby sister, Grace Marie. Grace was born 

on May 26, 2005 weighing 9 lbs., 5 oz. and 

measuring 20.5 inches long. Proud parents 

are Kevin and Hannah (Jarbou) Kline. Grace 

is the third grandchild for Rokes & Souad 

Jarbou and the ninth for Floyd & Marie Kline. 

Gabriella Terese 

Joseph and Danielle Kyriakoza welcomed 

their firstborn, Gabriella Terese, on 

September 2, 2005. She weighed 7 lbs., 6 

oz. and measured 20 inches long. Proud 

grandparents are Yousif & Suad Kyriakoza 

and Glenn & Donna Fuga. 

Vincent Abed 

Donovan Romaya is proud to announce 

the birth of his baby brother, Vincent 

Abed. He was born on August 30, 2005, 

at 1:19 a.m. weighing 5 lbs., 1 oz. and 

measuring 17 inches long. Proud parents 

are Maher and Zeena Romaya. Vincent is 

the 32nd grandchild to Victoria & the late 

Abed Romaya and the second for Hani & 

Evleen Arafat. 

Melina Grace 

Melina Grace Marougi was born on August 

2, 2005. She weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz. and 

measured 20 inches long. Anthony and 

Darlene Marougi are delighted to be parents 

for the first time. Melina is the fourth 

grandchild for Margaret Najor & the late 

Yousif Najor and Joan Marougi & the late 

Salem Marougi. 

Dominic Sheldon 

Grace Marie 

Vincent Abed 

Andrew Christopher 

Gabriella Terese 

Melina Grace 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Come see our 

new styles 

and 

take home a 

"bundle of joy!" 

Gift Certificates Available 

gift certificates 

Mon.-Fri. : 10 am-6 pm 

Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

6718-B 

6718-B Orchard 

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West Bloomfield Plaza 248.855.2688 


HALHOLE! 

[Births] 

Giselle 

Giselle Sesi was born on July 18, 2005 at 

1:43 p.m. at Troy William Beaumont Hospital. 

She weighed exactly 7 lbs. and was 20 inches 

long. Proud first-time parents are Devin 

and Hala Sesi. Giselle is the fourth grandchild 

to Korkess & Mary Sesi and the first 

grandchild to Rahim & Janet Bahri. 

Godparents are Joe Bahri and Hilda Bahri. 

[Engagements] 

Don and Candace 

Adnan & Firial Loussia are pleased to announce 

the engagement of their son, Don Loussia, to 

Candace Garmo, daughter of Nasser & Anna 

Garmo. The couple will get married at 

Mother of God Church, with a reception at 

Penna’s of Sterling Heights, in June 2006. 

Holly and Sadeer 

Holly Thomas Gallozi and Dr. Sadeer Daood 

celebrated their engagement on August 28, 

2005. Holly is the daughter of Adel & Janice 

Thomas Gallozi. Sadeer is the son of Osam 

& Suham Daood. Both graduated from 

University of Detroit Mercy. Sadeer is a practicing 

dentist and Holly is a dental hygienist. 

The couple plans a June 2006 wedding. 

Giselle 

Sydney and Samantha 

Sydney and Samantha 

Yousif and Pauline Jiddou are proud to 

announce the birth of their daughters, Sydney 

Marie and Samantha Maria, born on July 22, 

2005 at 6:02 a.m. and 6:03 a.m. Sydney 

Marie weighed in at 5 lbs., 2 oz. and measured 

18.75 inches, while Samantha Maria weighed 

3 lbs., .5 oz. and measured 16.25 inches. 

Grandparents are Dave & Vergine Kanouno 

and Ramsey & Ilham Jiddou. Godparents are 

their aunts, Pilar Mona and Rita Jiddou. 

SHARE YOUR 

JOY 

WITH 

THE 

COMMUNITY! 

Please email announcements with a photo to the Chaldean 

News at: vdenha@chaldeannews.com, or mail to: 

Chaldean News; c/o Editor, Subject: Announcements 

30095 NW Hwy, Ste 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

(hard copy of photos can be picked up after the 15th of the month) 

Joe and Rita 

Joe Sesie and Rita Shaba celebrated the 

announcement of their engagement on 

October 16, 2005. Joe is the son of George 

& Mairy Sesie and Rita’s parents are Sabah 

& Layla Shaba. The wedding will take place 

in the fall of 2007. 

Rena and Joseph 

Dr. Rena Beckerly and Dr. Joseph Harawi 

recently became engaged at the Ritz Carlton in 

Boston. Joseph is the grandson of the ex-president 

of Lebanon, His Excellency Elias Harawi, 

and is pursuing an internal medicine residency 

in Boston with aspirations to become a cardiologist. 

Rena is an anesthesiology resident at 

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard 

Medical School in Boston. The wedding is 

planned for June 2006 in Beirut, Lebanon. 

Don and Candace 

Joe and Rita 

Sadeer and Holly 

Rena and Joseph 

H.N.S. DIAMONDS AND JEWELRY 

NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 

After exclusively selling to jewelers for over 25 years 

COUTURE DESIGNS BY: 

HONORA 

HONORA BABY 

BIXBY 

VANNA K. 

KRIZANTI 

The Beckerly Engagement celebrations at the Ritz Carlton, Boston included our Chaldean Family from left to right: 

Dr. Rena Beckerly, MD, MBA, Dr. Reem Beckerly, MD, Our Mother Mary Beckerly (Farjo), Michelle Beckerly, Pre-DMD, 

Dr. Aida Beckerly, DO, MS, and Our Father Nicholas God rest his soul who was there in spirit. 

Please send congratulations to: abeckerly@yahoo.com 

23077 GREENFIELD ROAD | ADVANCE BUILDING | SUITE 360 SOUTHFIELD MI 48075 

PHONE (248) 423-0932 FAX (248) 569-4999 


PHOTO BY BADGLEY MISCHKA PHOTO BY MONIQUE LHUILLIER 

PHOTO BY KENNETH POOL 

NOVEMBER 2005 

TRUNK SHOWS 

Kenneth Pool 

November 3, 4 & 5 

Couture Bridal Collection 

Monique Lhuillier 

NOVEMBER 10, 11 & 12 

Couture Bridal Collection 

Badgley Mischka 

and 

Introducing Exclusively for Roma Sposa 

Elie Saab 

Emanuel Ungaro 

& Valentino 

November 25 & 26 

Couture Bridal Collections 

By Appointment | 248-723-4300 | 

Birmingham | www.romasposa.com 

Magnificent Beauty 

Unparalleled craftsmanship 

Unmistakable Greis 

G.I.A. Certified Diamonds 

32940 Middlebelt at 14 Mile Road • Farmington Hills, MI 

248-855-1730 • Toll free 888-844-3916 • www.greis.com 


RELIGION 

BANK 

OF MICHIGAN 

O UR LOCAL COMMUNITY BANK. 

Call 248-865-1300 for personal assistance 

Competitive Certificate 

of Deposit Rates: 

4.25% 

Annual Percentage Yield* 

BANK OF MICHIGAN 

248.865.1300 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. 

www.bankofmi.com 

Middlebelt Road 

12 months 

Minimum $1,000 

Franklin 

Hills 

Country 

Club 

Northwestern Hwy. 

BANK 

W. 12 Mile Road 

OF MICHIGAN 

Inkster Road 

W. 13 Mile Road 

10 

PLACES OF PRAYER 

CHALDEAN CHURCHES IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT 

THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE 

IN THE UNITED STATES 

ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE 

Mar (Bishop) Ibrahim N. Ibrahim 

www.chaldeandiocese.org 

MOTHER OF GOD CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

25585 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48034; 248-356-0565 

RECTOR: Rev. Manuel Boji 

PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Wisam Matti 

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. in 

Sourath (Aramaic) and Arabic, Tuesday 5:50 p.m. in Sourath and Arabic, 

Saturday 5:30 p.m. in English, Sunday 8:30 a.m. in Arabic and Sourath, 10 a.m. 

in English, 12 p.m. in Sourath 

SACRED HEART CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

310 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48203, 313-368-6214 

PASTOR: Rev. Jacob Yasso 

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday - Saturday 5 p.m. in Sourath, Sunday 8:30 a.m. in 

Arabic and Sourath, 10 a.m. in English, 12 p.m. in Sourath 

MAR ADDAI CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

24010 Coolidge Hwy, Oak Park, MI 48237, 248-547-4648 

PASTOR: Rev. Stephen Kallabat 

PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Shlaman Denha 

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday 10 a.m in Sourath, Sunday 

10 a.m. in Sourath and Arabic, 12:30 p.m. in Sourath 

ST. JOSEPH CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

2442 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083, 248-528-3676 

PASTOR: Rev. Emanuel Shaleta 

PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Jirjis Abrahim, Rev. Andrew Younan 

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday 10 a.m in Sourath, Saturday 5 p.m. in 

Soureth, Sunday 8 a.m. in Soureth,10 a.m. in English, 

12 p.m. Soureth, 2 p.m. in Soureth and Arabic 

ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

6900 Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, 248-788-2460 

PASTOR: Rev. Frank Kalabat 

Rev. Emanuel Rayes (retired) 

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. in Sourath, Saturday 

5 p.m. in English, Sunday 9 a.m. in English, 10:30 a.m. in 

English, 12:30 p.m. in Sourath 

ST. TOMA SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH 

2560 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48335, 248-478-0835 

PASTOR: Rev. Toma Behnama 

MASS SCHEDULE: Sunday 12 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 6 p.m. 

All masses are in Syriac, Arabic and English 

NOVEMBER CALENDAR 

KEY OBSERVATION DATES 

S M T W T F S 

1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

*Annual Percentage Yield is effective as of October 1, 2005. 

Penalty for early withdrawal. Rates are effective for a limited 

time only and subject to change without notice. Minimum 

opening balance requirement is $1,000 and maximum 

deposit is $100,000. Interest compounded monthly. 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31 

1 Memorial of Mar Mikha 

1 All Souls Day 

4 Memorial of Mar Eugene and his Companions 

24 Thanksgiving Day 

27 Memorial of Mar Yacoub 


obituaries 

Manual Zaya Zora 

Manual Zaya Zora died on September 5, 2005 in Sterling Heights. 

Michigan. He was born on July 1, 1929 in Baghdad, Iraq. 

Mr. Zora was an intelligent, loving, humble and gentle man. In 

Baghdad, he was president of the El-Rafidane Bank, from which he 

retired after 30 years of service. His interests included poetry, music and 

reading. His favorite of many authors was Agatha Christi. He was also highly gifted in 

computer technology and spent endless hours on his computer at home. His smile and 

pure heart will be sorely missed by his entire family and the many friends he left behind. 

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Suham; his children and their spouses, 

Neithal & Amer Bahri, Nazar & Nada Zora; Janan & Nabil Bahri; Emad & Linda Zora; 

Amer & Sahar Zora, and Raed Zora; 13 grandchildren and eight grandchildren. 

Hanna “John” Daiza 

Hanna “John” Daiza died after a courageous battle with multiple health 

conditions on September 13, 2005. His memory will be forever cherished 

by his sweetheart and best friend, Salima, whom he married on August 

15, 1945; and by his son and four daughters: Sami, Silvia (Mihilli), Sali, 

Stella and Sahwa (Ghazal); seven grandchildren: Nikolas, Natalia, Nino, Narissa, 

Derek, Kenahn and Kinahr; his brother, Frank; and nieces, nephews and cousins. 

“Baba” loved his grandchildren and enjoyed watching them grow, he was very 

involved in their lives and had a huge impact on who they are today. He was an 

exceptional father and grandfather. 

Mr. Daiza will always be remembered by his sense of humor and his ability to look 

at the bright side of things; he always found the positive in everything and everyone. 

He enjoyed watching the Arabic channel, boxing, “Family Feud” and “The Price Is 

Right.” Mr. Daiza also enjoyed playing cards with his wife, kids and grandchildren. 

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and valued the time he spent there. 

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all of the many wonderful 

family and friends who kept “Our Baba” in their thoughts and prayers and who made 

him smile and laugh with visits and phone calls. Mr. Daiza touched the lives of so many 

people and made friends where ever he went. He will be greatly missed by all. 

Steve Fahmi Kannu 

Steve Fahmi Kannu died on September 27, 2005 in Southfield. The 

son of Fahmi and Sana was born in Baghdad, Iraq on August 9, 1975. 

His family says Steve was a great brother and son. He was there for 

anyone that needed help. He was unique and a creative person. He 

made things that were amazing and drew the most beautiful pictures. 

Steve always had ideas that were different from the rest, he was a definite leader. 

He was also survived by two brothers Fernas and Swalin Kannu. 

Salem Nasser Zeto 

Salem Nasser Zeto was born in Baghdad, Iraq on January 28, 1953. He 

was involved in a car accident and passed away on September 2, 2005 at 

the age of 52. Although he was in Michigan for a long time, he later resided 

in El Cajon, California. Salem was predeceased by his father, Nasser 

Zeto. He is survived by his loving mother Shoushani (Gasso) Zeto, his 

devoted wife Nieran and three beautiful children Bianca (age 15), Lance (age 13) and 

Brittany (age 10). He is also survived by his seven sisters and 2 brothers, Wafa Qashat 

(Steven), Hana Shathia (Karim), Samer, Baha Binno (Thomas), Raja Hermoz (Nabeel), 

Nida Daymia (Hani), Saher (Taghrid), Lumia Binno (Michael), and Haifa Karcho (Paul). 

Salem was the founder and co-owner of Pacific Wireless with his brothers 

Samer and Saher. He worked hard but spending time with his family and attending 

church were a priority. He enjoyed watching his kids’ soccer games and listening 

to his daughter, Bianca, sing in the choir. He had a great sense of humor and could 

always make everyone laugh. Salem touched so many lives and was greatly loved. 

He will be truly missed. May he rest in peace. 

Basil Kashat 

Basil Kashat was born on July 1st, 1949 in Baghdad, Iraq and recently 

lived in Novi, Michigan where he passed away on October 7th of 2005. 

His father Hana Raouf Kashat preceded him in death and he is survived 

by his mother Georgette Kashat, his wife Fadia Kashat, his five daughters, 

Georgia, Amanda, Lana, Bianca, and Eva Kashat, his brothers Sabah, Najah and Thamir 

Kashat and his sister Intisar Seman. He was extremely loved and will be deeply missed. 


obituary 

Norman K. Dabish 

Norman K. Dabish, co-founder of the 

Powerhouse Gym chain of health clubs, was 

called to Heaven on October 21, 2005, at the 

age of 46. He was born on February 19, 1959. 

Mr. Dabish, affectionately known as “Hulk”, was an 

avid student of the martial arts, boxing 

and the fitness industry. He was a 

U.S. Powerlifting champion, and 

earned a black belt in Koei-Kan Do 

karate from Master Brian Frost. He 

and his brother, William, started the 

Warrior Martial Arts supply store on 

Woodward Avenue in Highland Park, 

Michigan, while the brothers were in 

their mid-teens. This evolved into the 

first Powerhouse Gym in the back 

Spinks, Tony Tucker, and Hector 

room of their father’s grocery store in 

1975. 

The Powerhouse Gym spawned 

Comacho. 

Through Norman’s vision and dedication 

to customer service, Powerhouse 

many bodybuilding world champions, Norman K. Dabish 

Gyms grew to become the world’s fastest 

including Mr. Olympia, Samir Bannout, 

growing gym chain, with over 300 gyms in 

Tom Platz, and Ron Love, as well as 

many NFL and NBA athletes. Norman’s love of boxing 

led to a boxing gym within the gym, which quickly 

became “the place to train” for boxing champions 

Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, Roberto Duran, Leon 

15 countries around the world. “Norman 

had the unique ability to make anyone feel important, 

whether he was a professional athlete or a teenage boy 

training for the first time. I was blessed to have a brother 

who had my back in every situation I ever faced. He 

will be forever missed and always remembered.” 

Norman Dabish’s love for physical fitness was only 

surpassed by his love for his wife, Nouha, and sons, 

Peter and Johnny. His zest for life was infectious, and 

he always had a helping hand for those less fortunate, 

which contributed to his larger-than-life image. 

Norman, the youngest son of Karim and Dalaly 

Dabish, is survived by his wife, Nouha, sons Peter 

and Johnny, mother Dalaly, brother William, sister 

Krystal, and nephews J.R., Henry, Victor, Michael, 

and Frankie. 

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IRAQ today 

Constitution 

Seems Assured 

of Passage 

PHOTO BY FALEH KHEIBER/AP 

BY LEE KEATH 

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani votes in the constitutional referendum in Baghdad on October 15. 

BAGHDAD, Iraq/Associated Press 

Iraq’s landmark constitution seemed assured of passage 

at press time after initial results showed minority 

Sunni Arabs had fallen short in an effort to veto 

it at the polls. The apparent acceptance was a major 

step in the attempt to establish a democratic government 

that could lead to the withdrawal of U.S. troops. 

Opponents failed to secure the necessary twothirds 

“no” vote in any three of Iraqi’s 18 provinces, 

according to counts that local officials provided to 

The Associated Press. In the crucial central provinces 

with mixed ethnic and religious populations, enough 

Shiites and Kurds voted to stymie the Sunni bid to 

reject the constitution. 

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani issued a decree setting 

December 15 for Iraqis to vote again, this time to 

elect a new parliament. Though Iraqis living outside 

the country could not vote on the constitution, they 

will be allowed to vote in that December election. 

If the constitution indeed passed, the first full-term 

parliament since Saddam Hussein’s fall in 2003 will 

install a new government by December 31. If the 

charter has failed, the parliament will be temporary, 

tasked with drawing up a new draft on which to vote. 

But the outcome could further divide the nation, 

with many Sunnis fearing the new decentralized government 

will deprive them of their fair share in the 

country’s vast oil wealth. Large numbers of Sunnis 

voted “no” and some of their leaders were already 

rejecting the apparent result. 

While a strong Sunni turnout in the referendum 

suggested a desire among many to participate in 

Iraq’s new political system, there were fears that 

anger at being ruled under a constitution they oppose 

could push some into supporting the Sunni-led insurgency. 

``If the constitution was passed, the attacks will definitely 

rise against the occupation forces, and the security 

situation is going to be worse,’’ said Sheik Abdul- 

Salam al-Kubaisi, a prominent cleric with the influential 

Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars, which government 

officials accuse of links to the insurgency. 

President Bush congratulated Iraqis on the referendum, 

which across the country saw few attacks 

and no deaths of voters in violence. 

``The vote today in Iraq is in stark contrast to the 

attitude, the philosophy and strategy of al-Qaida, their 

terrorist friends and killers,’’ Bush said. 

The constitution is a crucial step in Iraq’s transition 

to democracy after two decades of dictatorship under 

Saddam. Washington was hoping it would pass so 

Iraqis can form a legitimate, representative government, 

tame the insurgency and enable the 150,000 

U.S. troops to begin withdrawing. 

In two provinces where Sunni Arabs have only slim 

majorities — Ninevah and Diyala — the “yes” vote 

won out. The unofficial vote result in Ninevah was 78 

to 21 percent and in Diyala 70 percent to 20 percent 

in favor of the constitution. 

Iraq’s Christians Worry About Constitution 

ChaldoAssyrian opposition to the Iraqi draft constitution 

has grown because the document does not offer 

protections many feel are essential. 

According to the Assyrian International News Agency, 

the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Assyrian 

General Conference (AGC) and Assyrian Democratic 

Organization (ADO) all oppose the constitution. 

An ADM statement explains its problems with 

the constitution: “The unjustified concealment of 

our Assyrian Babylonian civilization in the preamble. 

In addition, the preamble unjustifiably neglected 

to mention the oppression, mass murders especially 

in Simele and Sooriya, the destruction of hundreds 

of villages and tens of monasteries and 

churches by the past dictatorial regime against our 

people, especially when the preamble included 

similar examples committed against other components 

and fabrics of the Iraqi people ... Article 122 

affected the unity of our people at its core when it 

divided our people into Chaldeans and Assyrians 

contrary to fact and history.” 

The AGC statement noted that “the Constitution 

did not meet the Iraqi people’s ambitions in general 

and the Assyrian people in particular.” Specific points 

of contention included “limiting to two the official languages 

of Iraq and ignoring the existence of other 

ancient and indigenous languages.” Referring to the 

Constitution’s separate recognition of Assyrians and 

Chaldeans, the AGC decried the division “as two 

Nations...as opposed to one, ignoring the historical, 

social, geographical, and linguistic facts that emphasize 

our existence as one Nation.” 

The draft Constitution marked a drastic shift from 

the earlier Transitional Administrative Law where all 

Assyrian Christians (including Chaldeans and 

Syriacs) were recognized collectively and singly as 

ChaldoAssyrians. 

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In the midst of suicide bombings and days of 

fighting and death, Iraqi boys and girls are being 

raised without parents. Among the thousands 

of orphaned Muslims are Chaldean Assyrian children 

growing up either without parents or with one 

parent who can no longer afford to support them. 

But in the shadows is the hope for a better life. 

Thousands of miles away, here in the United 

States, are childless men and women who yearn to 

give one of those children a better life. The one thing 

standing in the way is a law under Saddam Hussein 

that made adoption illegal. Now, with a new government, 

many people are hoping that will change. 

Frances George-McCullough and her husband 

John tried for years to conceive a child to no avail. 

She spent much time researching how to adopt a 

child from Iraq and realized there is danger involved. 

“It is very risky to go into Iraq and get a child,” 

she said. “You have to go in there and illegally take 

a child out. There are no legal channels to adopt.” 

George-McCullough is hopeful the doors will 

one day open for those who want to raise an 

orphaned child. “If there was an entire Iraqi family 

orphaned, I would raise the entire family,” she said. 

At 51, George-McCullough did not want to 

wait. She is now the mother of adopted daughter 

Emylee Rose, 27 months. Going through a 

United States agency that focuses on older parents, 

the McCulloughs are awaiting the arrival of 

their second child. 

“My daughter is Italian, Hawaiian, Indian, 

Hispanic, German and English, her adopted dad is 

Scottish and I am teaching her Chaldean,” said 

George-McCullough. “I love our culture and 

adopting her has been the greatest joy of my life.” 

Having been married before, George- 

McCullough has had the experience of raising a 

non-biological child. Twenty years ago, at the age 

of 3, Tracy Watkins became George-McCullough’s 

stepson. Even after her divorce from his father, 

George-McCullough continued 

to raise him up until two years 

ago, when he moved to California 

to be with his biological mother. 

needing 

homes 

Iraqi orphans remain in limbo 

as Chaldeans look to adopt 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO 

Frances George- 

McCullough with 

her husband John 

and daughter 

Emylee Rose 

George-McCullough, like many other 

Chaldeans from Michigan, has done her own 

investigation into Iraqi adoption. “Adoption would 

be a better life for these children, to be raised with 

a mother and a father,” said Bishop Ibrahim 

Ibrahim. “We support this as long as it is done right 

and they investigate these people who want to 

adopt and not just give these children to anyone.” 

NO AVENUES 

In the United States there are legal channels to 

follow for adoption. Potential parents fill out 

mountains of paperwork, participate in a home 

study where a background check on the family is 

conducted, and have a social worker visit the 

home. However, in Iraq there is no such program. 

“The Arab world does not have this type of 

experience with adoption,” said Bishop Ibrahim. 

“Orphanages are usually operated by the government. 

There were no orphanages allowed to be run 

by churches. We tried to open an official orphanage 

in Baghdad and we had to close it.” 

The orphanages in Iraq, which provide schooling 

up to the age of 18, were established by Iraq’s 

former government. The long-term survival of the 

orphanages depend on USAID food assistance provided 

through the World Food Program (WFP) 

established in 1997. The USAID program has contributed 

to the reduction of chronic malnutrition 

among children in Northern Iraq to 11 percent. 

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 

has also been providing food to orphanages. 

Many Christians try to protect their own 

orphaned children. Today, just 25 miles north of 

Mosul is a Chaldean church that houses six monks 

and some 36 orphaned boys ages 5 to 14. About 22 

girls live at a convent in nearby Mosul. Several 

miles north in Alquosh is another home for 

orphaned children operated by Chaldean sisters. 

The Chaldean sisters oversee the housing of 

about 60 orphaned girls between St. Ann Church 

in Baghdad and Mary’s Daughters in Mosul, 

according to Mar Mere Philip Kirma. “I have asked 

many families if we could find homes for these 

orphaned girls but the relatives of these girls in 

Iraq don’t want to send these girls to other families,” 

said Mar Mere Philip. “I hope one day all of 

these orphaned girls are adopted.” 

Tamar and Paul Hesano were married for seven 

years before they adopted their daughter Taylor, 

NEEDING HOMES continued on 32 



NEEDING HOMES continued from 30 

now 12. “Someone mentioned to me about going 

to Iraq but I did not know the legalities and how 

dangerous it would be,” said Tamar. “I found out 

about this lawyer from Lebanon who was helping 

families in the United States adopt babies. A relative 

of mine adopted a child with his help.” 

After two years from the time she filled out the 

initial paperwork, Tamar flew to Cyprus where her 

five-month-old daughter was waiting for her. Her 

attorney, Rajdi Malouff, was also there to help her 

navigate through the system, meeting with the 

Embassy before she and Taylor flew home. 

“He is such a great guy,” said Tamar. “He didn’t 

do this for money. He did it to truly help these 

orphaned children live a better life. Several families 

adopted a child from Lebanon with his help. About 

seven years ago, we all chipped in and bought him 

a plane ticket to the United States. He met about 

six of the children he helped find families.” 

HUSSEIN’S LEGACY 

About 30 years ago, Hussein officially took 

over church-operated orphanages. In the 

1970s when he nationalized the schools, 

Chaldean Catholic school administrators 

were told to offer education without tuition, 

at no cost to the parents. “Private schools are 

not free,” said Bishop Ibrahim. “We could 

not afford to do that and so many Christian 

schools closed.” 

At the same time, the orphanages operated 

by the church were closed and all orphans 

were ordered to live in government orphanages. 

“Under Saddam Hussein, many things 

were illegal,” said Lina Omar, secretary to the 

office of the Iraqi Ambassador in 

Washington, D.C. “With the new government 

we hope many things will change. We have 

so many children in Iraq without parents. 

Adoption is not an issue we deal with right now. 

Without an ambassador at this time, it is difficult 

to really discuss this issue. If there are NGOs [Non 

Government Organizations] working on this issue, 

we would be able to assist them, point them in the 

right direction and team them up with the right 

people.” 

James Y. Rayis, an attorney from the international 

law firm of Sokolow, Carreras & Associés in 

Atlanta, has helped families adopt children from 

Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Asia, 

Armenia and other countries. However, Iraq has 

not been one of them. “The adoption laws are not 

developed in Iraq,” said Rayis. “Under Hussein, 

many of the Muslim orphans were trained as personal 

body guards for Saddam Hussein. It is one of 

the reasons why adoption was illegal in Iraq.” 

Over the past several years, the Chaldean 

American Ladies of Charity (CALC) has been 

approached for assistance. “We have had many 

people inquire about wanting to adopt children 

from Iraq,” said Rosemary Antone, former president. 

“I personally spoke to our patriarch and our 

nuns and they said it is impossible. We need to do 

something about it. It is very sad. These children 

need homes and there are people willing to give 

them homes, yet we can’t legally adopt them. We 

are hoping now with Iraq being a democracy, we 

will be able to.” 

According to Chaldean News sources, people 

have gone to Iraq and Beirut and have adopted 

children despite the law. “I have heard that there 

are caravans of people going in and trying to get 

these orphaned children out,” said George- 

McCullough. “At my age and now that I am a 

mother, it is too much of a risk for me to follow 

this process. There are people risking their lives to 

save the lives of these children.” 

CALC has donated money to the orphanages 

in Beirut where girls are housed. “We support them 

until they get married,” said Antone. “If we could 

give one person a better life, it would be wonderful. 

We need to bring awareness to this issue so 

something can be done. Bottom line, we need to 

keep asking, what can be done?” 

That is exactly what Karla Atchoo wants to 

know. She is one who has asked CALC for direction. 

“I really don’t know what to do,” she said. “It 

is so politically locked. It is not a paperwork issue; 

paperwork I could do. I talked to attorneys and 

have been told it is impossible to adopt a child 

from Iraq. But, whatever I need to do to make it 

happen for everyone, I would do.” 

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE 

With the new government and newly drafted constitution, 

Atchoo is among many who hope there 

will be an opportunity to adopt from Iraqi. “I love 

children. I do everything with my nieces and 

nephews and I want my own children,” said the 44- 

year-old single woman who owns an accounting 

firm. “Just because I am not married and have not 

met the right guy doesn’t mean I should be denied.” 

Concerned about stigma in the community, 

Atchoo has put aside the idea of artificial insemination 

and has reconsidered adoption. 

Adoptions inside and outside the United States 

such as in China or Poland can cost thousands of 

dollars. “I could go broke trying to adopt a child,” 

said Atchoo. “It is difficult for a single person.” 

However, having a child is something Atchoo 

has thought about for more than eight years. “I 

used to say if I was 35 not married, I am going to 

have a baby. I go back and forth about having my 

own child. I love being Chaldean. If I can’t have 

my own, I would love to help a child from our 

nationality. It would be easier for them to fit in 

than if I adopted from China. The reality is even 

if you could adopt legally from Iraqi, it is very 

hard for a single person to adopt. But I am willing 

to take an older child.” 

She is not losing hope. “The hard thing with 

Orphan children sit with their gifts given out by Iraqi Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi at an orphanage in central Baghdad 

on January 20, the first day of Eid al-Adha. 

this process is not knowing what to do,” said 

Atchoo. “If someone would just tell me how to 

do this legally, I would do it. I just believe it is 

our destiny to adopt our own Christian children. 

I am still determined that we can do this.” 

After the December elections in Iraq for the 

new government, an Iraqi ambassador to the 

U.S. should be appointed. It is hoped that office 

will be able to direct those interested in adoption 

to those trying to change the law. 

Like Antone and Atchoo, George- 

McCullough believes that one day soon, 

orphaned children from Iraq will find a family 

and call the U.S. home. “I think the awareness 

will create a buzz,” she said. “We want to help get 

these children out.” 

At 41 years old and with her husband now 52, 

Tamar said they are not thinking about having 

another child. “At the time I wanted children, I 

was thinking of every other option to have my 

own child,” she said. “I wasn’t even thinking of 

adopting and I ended up adopting a child. 

Adoption is a great option.” 

PHOTO BY MARWAN NAAMANI/AP 


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going home 

American Chaldeans assess today’s Iraq 

BY OMAR BINNO 

Since the beginning of the war in Iraq two years 

ago, Chaldeans in America wonder what living 

conditions are really like, and how much 

are they really seeing through the eyes of the media. 

Some Chaldeans living in Michigan contribute to 

the cause in Iraq by working odd jobs in the country, 

or visiting the country in an effort to help bridge any 

gaps in political and social reconstruction. 

Dr. Adhid Miri, a former professor of chemistry 

in Iraq and the president of the Chaldean Iraqi 

American Association of Michigan, recently visited 

Northern Iraq. 

“I stayed in Kurdistan for a week, and life there 

is actually tranquil,” Miri said. “It’s like that 

throughout the northern part of Iraq — several of 

the villages I visited appeared untouched by the 

war, as if they had not changed since I lived there 

45 years ago.” 

Dr. Adhid Miri in Northern Iraq 

But, Miri said, the majority of the country’s 

institutions and infrastructure are still primitive by 

the rest of the world’s standards. 

“Iraq is still a third-world country,” Miri said. 

“Many of its practices are still as they were in the 

‘60s and ‘70s, and the country has not yet entered 

the global economic market.” 

Miri believes that media reports 

are inadequate at best. The reports 

are often generated by second-hand 

sources due to the lack of security 

and staff, he said. 

“Most of the reporting focuses on 

and sensationalizes the violence 

throughout the country,” Miri said. 

“It does not portray the positive 

establishments created by the new 

government over the last two years.” 

Wisam Toma, another Chaldean from 

Michigan, has worked in Iraq for the last three 

years as a translator for the American government. 

Toma believes that America’s involvement 

was timely and necessary to eradicate the 

former regime of Saddam Hussein. Toma has 


“Several of the 

villages I visited 

appeared untouched 

by the war, as if 

they had not changed 

since I lived there 

45 years ago” 

— DR. ADHID MIRI 

talked to Christians throughout the country, 

and contrary to popular belief, his feedback 

appears to dispel rumors that many Christians 

supported Hussein’s reign. 

“Living conditions are somewhat poor in 

Iraq,” Toma said. “Water and electricity are 

scant, but I have talked to some civilians there, 

namely the Christians, and they are happy about 

the demise of the regime. They know that even 

with the current struggles with the ‘garbage’ 

that Saddam collected throughout the country 

over the last 26 years, Iraq is on the road to 

recovery.” 

Toma personally supports the U.S.’s involvement 

in the Iraq war, and feels it should have 

been initiated 14 years ago. 

“I’ve been away from my wife and daughter 

for three years supporting this cause,” Toma 

said. “We should be grateful for what America 

has done for our home country, and I would give 

myself in return if America ever needed me.” 

Both Miri and Toma, as visitors to a war-ravaged 

country, strongly believe that the removal 

of the former regime was a big and positive step 

for Chaldeans’ home country. Although conditions 

there are shabby at present, both men 

believe the new economy will thrive if the governments 

involved stay focused on rebuilding 

Iraq — not only physically, but mentally as well. 

“We must not only focus on reconstructing 

the country, but reconstructing the Iraqi mind,” 

Miri said. “In the mid-’70s, Iraqis were ranked 

among the top people in the world in literacy. 

Today, sadly, Iraqis under the age of 25 are in the 

same position as people of Albania or Mali, 

which makes them a third-world nation.” 


joining forces 

AFD, Forgotten Harvest unite to combat hunger 

The Associated Food Dealers has teamed up with 

the nation’s third-largest food rescue organization 

to help feed hungry local residents. 

Southfield-based Forgotten Harvest, formed in 

1990, currently rescues 5.7 million pounds of 

food per year by collecting surplus prepared 

and perishable food from a variety 

of sources such as grocery stores, restaurants, 

caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale 

food distributors and other Health 

Department-approved sources. The AFD 

is encouraging its members to donate 

their unsold but still usable food to 

Forgotten Harvest. 

“For years we have been working with 

Forgotten Harvest with our trade shows, donating 

the leftover food and beverages vendors are willing 

to disburse,” said AFD President Mike Sarafa. 

“Now we are taking it to the next level, connecting 

our supermarket members with perishable 


items that are still consumable, but not kept any 

longer on the shelves.” 

Not only are store owners helping to combat 

hunger, they are also helping their own bottom 

line. The donated food is a tax deduction 

and means less trash that must 

be hauled away. Companies can 

donate food on a regular basis or 

only when a surplus emerges. 

Susan Ellis Goodell, 

Forgotten Harvest’s executive 

director, is excited about 

signing AFD members up. 

“The AFD has such a large membership that 

has so many resources in the food community, this 

could have a tremendous impact on our ability to 

feed hungry people,” she said. 

Sarafa said the AFD’s membership includes a 

few hundred supermarkets. In Southeast Michigan, 

about half of these are Chaldean-owned, he said. 

Forgotten Harvest delivers the donated food free 

of charge to 109 emergency food providers in the 

Metro Detroit area. The agency — the only one in 

the tri-county area that provides perishables — has 

an annual budget of $1 million (not counting the 

$9 million worth of donated food) and a staff of 24. 

Volunteers to help drive Forgotten Harvest’s 

fleet of 16 refrigerated box trucks are also sought. 

“We would love to have a volunteer each day to do 

the pickups and help move the food that much 

faster,” Goodell said. 

Forgotten Harvest also needs volunteers with 

connections to the food industry to serve on its 

Food Committee. “It’s very hard for us to get in the 

door,” Goodell said, “but once we have an introduction, 

people just love our mission.” 

Concerns about the liability of a company that 

donates food diminished in 1996 with the passage of 

the U.S. congressional Bill Emerson Good Samaritan 

Food Donation Act. The act protects good-faith food 

donors from civil and criminal liability should the 

product later cause harm to the recipient. 

Goodell is looking forward to supplying more 

food to the hungry via AFD members. 

“I am so grateful to the AFD,” she said, “for 

building this partnership with us.” 

Grocers and others interested in setting up a food 

donation schedule can call Forgotten Harvest at 

(248) 350-3663. Individuals can also sign up to 

volunteer at this number. 

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the gift of life 

Chaldean bone marrow donors desperately needed 


Life can change in an instant. Just ask Tasia 

Yaldo, who received the devastating diagnosis 

of leukemia in August. 

The 12-year-old had been feeling unwell all 

summer, suffering on and off from vomiting, a 

sore throat and weakness in 

her legs. After several visits 

to the doctor, the reason was 

found — leukemia, a cancer 

of the blood. 

“I knew from the look on 

the doctor’s face he would 

tell me leukemia,” said 

Tasia’s mother, Ban. “And 

hearing she has both kinds 

[acute lymphocytic and 

acute myeloid] made me 

even more afraid.” 

Tasia is currently undergoing 

chemotherapy, but 

that is only a short-term fix. 

To be cured, she needs a 

bone marrow transplant. 

None of her immediate family is a match, so the 

Yaldos are asking the Chaldean community at 

large for help. 

Chaldeans and other minorities are not as 

easily matched for bone marrow as American 

Caucasians. That is because tissue type is inherited, 

and not a lot of Chaldeans are registered as 

donors. The same problem is true for other 

minorities and ethnic groups such as African 

Americans, American Indians, Asians, 

Hawaiians and Hispanics. 

The Yaldo family is holding a bone marrow 

drive with the American Red Cross on 

November 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at St. Thomas 

Chaldean Catholic Church. “This 

is the only way I can help my 

daughter,” said Ban. “And I want 

everyone in the future to be helped 

too, not just Tasia.” 

A simple blood test determines 

BONE MARROW 

BLOOD DRIVE 

Sunday, November 13 

10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

St. Thomas 

Chaldean Catholic Church 

6900 Maple Road, West Bloomfield 

The simple blood test takes only 

about 15 minutes. A fee of $65 is 

payable to the Red Cross and is tax 

deductible. If you are a match, you 

will be contacted by the National 

Bone Marrow Donor Program. 

A second drive may be held on 

November 20 at Mother of God 

Church in Southfield; call the church 

at (248) 356-0565 for confirmation. 

Tasia Yaldo 

needs a 

bone marrow 

transplant, 

but none of 

her family 

is a match. 

if someone is a bone marrow match for a person 

who needs the transplant. If a prospective donor 

does match and agrees to go forward, the marrow 

is withdrawn via a needle from the pelvic 

bones, a procedure done in the hospital under 

anesthesia. Donors generally 

don’t suffer except for some 

soreness in that area for a few 

days. 

The bone marrow test 

costs $65, a fact that makes 

Ban Yaldo uncomfortable. 

“It’s a donation to the Red Cross,” she said. “I 

hope people remember that November is the 

month of giving.” 

While she waits to find a live-saving marrow 

match, Tasia continues on as best she can. The 

chemotherapy leaves her too weak to attend her 

seventh grade classes at Meadowbrook Middle 

School in the Walled Lake District, so a teacher 

visits her house to keep her caught up. Despite 

everything, her spirits remain high. 

“She’s taking it so well,” said Ban. “I’m so 

proud of her.” 


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a numbers game 

Visa Lottery is underway 

BY KEN MARTEN 

Entries for the American Dream are now 

being accepted. 

Registration for the 2007 Diversity Visa 

Lottery, known familiarly as the “Green Card 

Lottery,” began October 5 and ends at noon 

Sunday, December 4. 

Because certain countries like China, India and 

Mexico have been eliminated from the eligibility 

list due to past over-representation, Iraqi 

Chaldeans now have a better chance of 

getting a visa, which are limited to 

50,000 worldwide. 

“That opens up an opportunity,” said 

immigration attorney Steve Garmo of 

Farmington Hills. “My concern is for 

Chaldean people who have suffered lately in 

Iraq. Every Chaldean in the United States has 

family back home that could benefit from this.” 

Those whose names are drawn in the lottery 

will be allowed to apply for a visa during the 2007 

fiscal immigration year, which begins October 1, 

2006. The application must then be granted. 

Garmo said that since 1990, the U.S. Department 

of State Bureau of Consular Affairs began allowing 

online registration. Today, it’s the only way for 

would-be immigrants to register for the lottery. 

“They cannot paper file or through the mail,” 

Garmo said. 

There are pro and cons to online registration, 

for which there is no fee. Garmo said it reduces the 

chance of fraud and is now more affordable. Also, 

hopeful immigrants often paid dearly for attorneys 

and immigration services to handle the paperwork. 

On the other hand, those with limited access to a 

computer have an extra hurdle to jump. 

All registrants must electronically submit a 

“passport” photograph of themselves, which is 

governed by strict guidelines regarding hats and 

other headgear, image resolution, photo background 

and even the position of the head. 

Registrations with photos that don’t comply 

will be ineligible for the lottery. 

The State Department doesn’t acknowledge 

receipt of registrations, or if they’ve been rejected. 

The lottery is the only method of legal immigration 

open to most people. Separate laws apply 

to people who start businesses in the United States 

and employ a minimum of workers, and to employees 

of businesses willing to sponsor them. 

Moreover, the lottery isn’t open to everyone. 

“The person applying must have a high school 

diploma or two years of experience in an occupation 

that requires two years of experience,” Garmo 

said. “You can’t apply as a busboy or taxi driver. 

They’re looking for skilled people.” 

Registrants are divided into geographic regions 

and a computer randomly selects the winners. Garmo 

said the state department typically starts notifying 

the winners in April. Those eligible for the lottery 

includes individuals already in the United States on 

temporary work or student visas. 

While 50,000 is the maximum number of 

lottery winners, that doesn’t mean that 

only 50,000 immigrants will be allowed 

into the U.S. As long as lottery registrants 

list their dependents — spouses 

and unmarried children under 21 — on 

their registration, they’ll be able to list 

the same family members on their visa 

application. And, to double a family’s 

chances of winning the Green Card 

Lottery, Garmo encourages both spouses 

to register separately. 

Visas for the 2007 immigration fiscal 

year must be issued by September 30, 2007. 

After living in the United States for five 

years, immigrants may apply for citizenship. 

Garmo stressed that with the lottery registration 

deadline set for noon on Sunday, December 4, 

the door to the American Dream is already partially 

closed. 

“People reading this,” he said, “need to let their 

relatives know that there is a deadline.” 

To register for the 2007 Diversity Visa Lottery, 

visit www.dvlottery.state.gov. 

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little beauty 

Hannah Goryoka launches 

a modeling career 

BY LINDA JABORO 

Excited and full of smiles is how 

6-year-old Hannah Goryoka 

feels about her modeling career. 

Hannah, who started modeling at age 

5, recently won a lead model in a 

national print ad for Minute Maid 

orange juice. 

The ad, which is featured in 

Oprah Magazine, Family Circle, 

Women’s Day, Reader’s Digest and 

Sunset, features Hannah among 

other children. 

While vacationing at Disneyland 

with her family, the Commerce resident 

was approached for the first 

time because of Hannah’s natural 

beauty. “They asked us if we could 

take part in a local show but it just 

didn’t fit into our schedule,” said 

her mother, Berta. 

After that, Hannah’s parents 

decided to enter her in a local 

model search, where she was chosen 

to meet with agents in Ohio. At 

the auditions, Hannah was the No. 

1 pick from her age group. Agents 

from Los Angeles, Chicago, New 

York, Ohio, Detroit and Canada 

chose to represent Goryoka. 

An agent from California offered 

Hannah to be featured in a 

Nickelodeon show but she had to 

turn it down due to other priorities. 

“Having two other children and 

obligations at home, that wasn’t 

feasible,” said her mother. “We 

decided to try it out and work with 

the Detroit agency to see if Hannah 

would enjoy this experience, which 

has led her to sign up with other 

modeling agencies.” 

Modeling has taught Hannah 

many important aspects that consist 

of increased self-esteem and confidence, 

which has led her to a comfort 

level of speaking, reading and 

presenting in front of the class. 

Like any other 6-year-old, 

Hannah enjoys playing with her 

dolls and girlfriends. She also has a 

particular interest in insects and sea 

creatures and enjoys watching the 

Discovery Channel. 

Hannah has a few other attributes 

under her little belt. She is 

involved in gymnastics at the 

Sports Club along with cheerleading 

for her brother’s football team. 

She also takes dance lessons at the 

American Dance Academy and 

plays soccer and basketball. Hannah 

is also on the math club at Keith 

Elementary, where she attends first 

grade. 

Hannah enjoys the many experiences 

modeling has given her — 

and she definitely isn’t shy. 

“I like it when they take my picture,” 

she said. “I like posing and 

smiling.” 

Hannah Goryoka 

strikes a pose 


sports 

play ball! 

Chaldean recreational sports are thriving 

STORY BY WRIGHT WILSON 

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED 

Members of the Chaldean community are having 

a ball — a football, a basketball, a soccer 

ball, a softball or a volleyball, to name a few. 

Administrators of recreational sport leagues say 

they are thriving, with more Chaldeans showing 

interest in the games with each passing season. 

More teams, better-educated coaches and new 

facilities have brought greater leisure opportunities 

for people of all ages, some that might not have 

existed in past years. 

“Everything’s getting popular,” said Mike 

Sarafa, a league organizer and player. “The numbers 

are always increasing. Basketball and football 

leagues have waiting lists. We’re talking about 

expanding. The more we organize ourselves, the 

more popular we get.” 

HOOP DREAMS 

The Chaldean Basketball Association is a textbook 

example. In roughly 20 years, it has evolved 

from a rag-tag bunch of pickup players to a structured 

league with scorekeepers, paid officials, a 

player draft and a website. 

“Once upon a time we were just happy to go in 

a gym and just shoot and play hoops anywhere, 

whether it was eight in the morning or midnight,” 

said CBA Commissioner Tom Kyriakoza. 

In fact, the witching hour used to be prime time 

hoops for the Chaldean community, 

Kyriakoza explained. 

“We played our games at midnight at 

Southfield High School because the first 

Chaldeans that came to the country 

Above: 

Playing basketball 

at the league’s 

new home – the 

gymnasium at 

Shenandoah 

Country Club. 

worked a lot more hours and they were all in the 

store business or supermarkets,” he said. “The only 

time that you could play was after you closed the 

store, or you played on Sunday morning. But we 

didn’t have much of an option, because during the 

course of the week and Saturdays, most of us had 

to go to work. So it’s changed a little bit.” 

The league’s big breakthrough came about 15 

years ago. 

“We decided to get some refs, get a scorer’s table 

and get a scoreboard,” Kyriakoza said. “We decided 

to make it a little more organized, so we 

picked six captains, pretty much the guys 

that have been playing for awhile, and we 

had what we call a CBA draft. We pretty 

much knew everybody’s talents.” 


Joey Jonna goes for a basket 

Chris Abbo looks for an opening 

The CBA currently holds league play in both the 

fall and winter seasons. Each league has six teams, 

consisting of one captain and seven players. That 

means 48 athletes between the ages of 25-48 play in 

the CBA, and more try to get in each season. 

“There’s sort of a waiting list,” Kyriakoza said. 

“The only time we’re able to get somebody in is 

when somebody quits or we have a couple guys 

that move, or something like that. We pretty 

much have the same core, the same guys that are 

playing over and over.” 

League officials are considering adding two 

more teams, giving 16 additional players the 

opportunity to compete. One big factor increasing 

the odds for expansion is the league’s new home, 

the gymnasium at Shenandoah Country Club, 

which opened in the spring. 

“We built that gym because there was no place for 

us to play,” Sarafa said. “We’ve always had to rent 

gyms, and at ungodly hours. We moved from school 

to school; we always have played very late. Gym programs 

and usage are very competitive. The fact that 

the Shenandoah members agreed to build the gym is 

fantastic. It’s helping our programs get very popular.” 

Kyriakoza agrees it’s a vast improvement from 

having to rent high schools or middle schools. 

“From the league’s standpoint, it’s great that we 

can just walk in and play without waiting for the 

gym teacher to leave and worry about this thing or 

that thing,” he added. “We will take care of it and 

the guys are pretty good about that too. They help 

clean up. They consider it their own.” 

With the new Shenandoah facility, the league 

has a bigger time block to work with; players also 

have access to locker rooms or gather in the 

lounge afterward to talk over the game. 

“It’s a fun league, everybody knows everybody,” 

Kyriakoza said. “But it’s pretty competitive on the 

court. You can pretty much crash into each other 

and all that, but after that you hang out together.” 

At the same time, Sarafa expects more and 

more sporting groups to call the Shenandoah gymnasium 

home, resulting in new competition for 

court time. The country club also sponsors leagues 

in several sports, including adult basketball and 

youth soccer. 

“Once upon a time we were just happy to go in a gym 

and just shoot and play hoops anywhere, whether it was 

eight in the morning or midnight.” 

— CBA COMMISSIONER TOM KYRIAKOZA 

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY 

Shenandoah isn’t the only place where recreational 

leagues are thriving. About 66 athletes gather at 

Birmingham Groves high school on Sunday mornings 

to play in the Chaldean Football League. 

Like the CBA, the CFL has moved around from 

field to field over the years, but has gradually 

become more structured and competitive. 

“When I first came in the league there were five 

teams,” said Joe Jonna, an eight-year CFL veteran 

and team captain. “It’s much more organized now. 

We had tryouts for open sports in the leagues, and 

PLAY BALL! continued on 45 


sports 

Playing ball 

at Birmingham 

Groves high 

school on 

Sunday morning, 

clockwise from 

top left: 

Chris Zeer 

throws a pass 

Norman Yong 

gains yards 

Tarik Kama 

makes a play 

Opposite page, 

bottom: 

JR Kizy eyes 

the end zone 


PLAY BALL! continued from 43 

there were 35 guys trying out for four 

spots. It’s definitely, definitely growing 

in popularity.” 

The league was started in 1979 by 

Jonna’s father, Frank. The CFL game 

is flag football, which differs slightly 

from American professional football 

as there is no padding and no tackling. 

But other than that, the CFL 

resembles the National Football 

League by holding player drafts, conducting 

playoffs and awarding the 

Chi Cup traveling trophy to the winning 

team. 

Like the CBA, the level of play in 

the CFL has risen gradually over the 

years. 

“The quality of play is outstanding,” 

Joe Jonna said. “The coaches 

are all pretty knowledgeable now. 

They’ve been playing the game long 

enough that they know what to do, 

run defenses, multiple formations on 

offense. It’s good football.” 

At the end of each season, a 

group of CFL all-stars called Team 

Camel competes beyond the local 

league in state tournaments, and has 

qualified for national championships 

the past two years, Jonna said. 

Like an increasing number of 

Chaldeans, Jonna thrived as a 

scholastic football player when he 

attended Catholic Central High 

School. He chooses to continue 

playing the sport “to get out, play a 

little bit and hang out with the guys.” 

“We’re intense on the field and 

friends off the field,” he said. “To me, 

that’s the best way to go.” 

Many of the CFL and CBA players 

compete in more than one sport, 

so they are emerging as well-trained 

athletes, Kyriakoza said. 

“It’s pretty impressive — a lot of 

them did not play a lot of American 

sports until they got here,” he said. 

“Most of the countries in the Middle 

East only play soccer. I did not touch 

a basketball until I was about 16 or 

17. We only played soccer or whatever 

sports were available, ping-pong 

or something like that. Once we got 

here we started playing softball or 

baseball, depending on what age you 

were or what schools you went to. 

“The fact that we even have a 

uniformed, organized league is 

encouraging.” 

Yasmeen 

Sarafa 

practices 

techinque 

Chaldean youngsters get active too 

BY WRIGHT WILSON 

Not all of the recreational activities are geared toward Chaldean 

adults — children have a chance to learn and develop their athletic 

skills as well. 

A youth soccer program geared toward 3- to 6-year-olds is one 

of the newest offerings at the Shenandoah Country Club. 

“We’re treating it as kind of a soccer camp for youth,” said 

organizer Mike Sarafa. “We started by concentrating on practice 

and skills training. Then we’ll put them outside and break them 

up in to formal teams. We’re trying to teach sportsmanship and 

skills and teamwork.” 

After two weeks of indoor skills training in practice in 

Shenandoah’s new gymnasium, the youngsters moved outside last 

month to play on soccer fields constructed upon Shenandoah’s 

driving range. Once the kids are skilled, games will be organized 

for children in two divisions, ages 4-5 and 6-8, Sarafa said. 

This is the first year of Shenandoah’s youth soccer program, 

which was publicized on flyers and through word of mouth. 

“It’s only going to grow; it’s happening a little bit already,” Sarafa 

said. “In the very near future there will be competition for gym time at 

Shenandoah, and that’s a problem we’re looking forward to.” 

Future plans include offering a youth basketball league during 

the winter months. 

Sarafa, who has children ages 6, 4 and 3, is extremely excited 

that youth sports offerings are growing. 

“We live in Novi, where there are city leagues and everything, 

but I wanted them to play in the Shenandoah leagues too,” he said. 

“They can continue the relationships, the heritage, their identity 

within the ethnic community.” 


in good HEALTH 

Tis the Season: 

Should you get 

a flu shot? 

BY CHRISTINA GAPPY 

Flu season has arrived once again throughout the 

Metro Detroit area and with it comes the old 

question — should you get a flu shot? 

As most of us have experienced, the flu can generally 

be characterized by symptoms of fever, chest discomfort, 

aches and pains and even extreme exhaustion. 

Many people choose to receive a yearly flu shot 

to reduce their chances of getting the flu. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

provide guidelines all people should be familiar with 

before making a decision. 

Q: What is the flu shot? 

A: The flu shot is a vaccine that contains killed viruses. It 

is usually inserted with a needle in the arm of the patient. 

Q: Who should get the flu shot? 

A: For the 2005-06 flu season, experts expect at least 

71 million doses to be available. However, it was highly 

recommended that only people at highest risk of 

obtaining the flu or at highest risk of complications as 

a result of the flu receive this vaccine by October 24, 

2005. Now that that date has passed, all people can 

obtain the flu shot. 

Those considered particularly at risk include: 

• People 65 years and older 

• People who live in long-term care facilities that 

house those with long-term illnesses 

• Adults and children 6 months and older with 

chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma, who 

need regular medical care or were in a hospital during 

the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like 

diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened 

immune system (including immune system problems 

caused by medicines or by infection with HIV/AIDS) 

• Children 6 months to 18 years who are on longterm 

aspirin therapy. (Children given aspirin while 

they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome, a 

deadly brain and liver disease in children.) 

• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza 

season 

• All children 6 to 23 months of age 

• People with any condition that can compromise 

respiratory function or the handling of respiratory 

secretions (this is a condition that makes it hard to 

breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, 

spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders or other nerve 

or muscle disorders). 

• health-care personnel who provide direct patient care 

• household contacts and out-of-home caregivers 

of children less than 6 months of age 

Q: Who should not get a flu shot? 

A: All patients should speak to a doctor before getting 

the vaccine. Those who have had an allergic reaction 

to a previous flu shot should not get it. 

Sanan Hanna is an example of this. For two days 

immediately after he got the shot, he was sick with fever 

and other allergy symptoms. “I regret getting the flu shot,” 

Hanna said. “I will never even think of getting it again!” 

If you are sick after obtaining the flu shot, speak to 

your doctor or nurse immediately. 

However, Hanna is an exception and almost all of 

the people who receive the flu shot have no serious 

problems from it. People at risk for an allergic reaction 

are those who are allergic to eggs because the vaccine 

is made from hen’s eggs. 

Q: How effective is the flu shot? 

A: The vaccine prevents the flu in about 70-90 percent 

of the healthy patients under age 65. The flu shot is 

30-70 percent effective among the elderly, preventing 

severe illness, secondary complications, hospitalization 

and even death. 

Matti Diza has been receiving this vaccination for 

three years and is very satisfied with the results. Diza 

is in his early 70s and has not yet experienced any flulike 

symptoms since he first got the shot. 

If you cannot obtain the flu vaccine from your doctor, 

visit your local drug store such as CVS or 

Walgreen’s to obtain more information on their administration 

of flu shots. Also visit www.findaflushot.com 

for a schedule of clinics in your area. 

WITH COUPON. EXPIRES 11/30/05 CN 


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making a DIFFERENCE 

Sabri Auraha: 

Keeping Sourath 

Alive BY KEN MARTEN 

Sabri Auraha teaches math and science by day 

and language by night. The Southfield Lathrup 

High School educator started teaching classes 

in Sourath, a Chaldean dialect, at St. Thomas 

Chaldean Catholic Church in July. 

The Sourath dialect differs from formal Chaldean, 

or Aramaic, which is one of the world’s oldest continuously 

spoken languages and the literary and liturgical 

language of the church. 

“Sourath is the dialect we speak at home,” said 

Auraha, a Farmington Hills resident who moved from 

Iraq to the United States in 1992. “I like the language 

and I don’t want to lose our roots. We should keep 

our traditions.” 

Sourath is commonly spoken and rarely written. The 

written Aramaic language has its own alphabet. The language 

is not written using the English alphabet making 

it difficult to translate. There isn’t a Sourath dictionary or 

instruction book — a problem Auraha had to overcome. 

“I asked the pastor at St. Thomas why we don’t 

teach Sourath,” Auraha said. “He said, ‘give me a 

book.’ So I wrote a book, which is like a teaching 

In Sourath class: Standing are, Claudine Denha, Sabri Auraha and Venus 

Abrahim; seated are, Doral Abrahim, Jeff Atto and Michelle Atto 

manual. It took me almost two years.” 

Auraha’s daughter, Nena, a Wayne State 

University sophomore and pre-med major, helped her 

father write and edit the 50-plus-page manual. 

Because Sourath isn’t written, it was a significant 

challenge for both of them. The book includes 

Sourath words for common household items and 

foods, numbers, time and days of the week, weather 

and the seasons, measurements and colors. It also 

includes the more complicated facets of any language 

such as plural pronunciations and verb conjugations. 

Seventeen students enrolled in Auraha’s first class at 

St. Thomas, which is held Monday evenings for 20 

weeks. He begins a second session on Wednesday, 

Nov. 2, at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield 

as part of the Chaldean Community Cultural Center curriculum. 

The latter is open to CIAAM members only. 

“The classes are two hours long, but I feel it’s like 

15 minutes,” Auraha said. “They are good students. 

They want to learn. I received many calls from people 

thanking me and saying that I’m doing 

a good job.” 

Auraha may write a series of children’s 

books and create a DVD to 

teach Sourath. 

Auraha was born in a Chaldean village 

but moved to the big city to 

attend college. He graduated in 1967 

with a degree in chemistry and then 

became a teacher. 

“I am from Alquosh, but I lived in 

Baghdad for a long time,” Auraha said. 

He was living in Baghdad during 

Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and 

endured the U.S.-led coalition’s bombing 

of the capital city. Auraha’s wife, 

Siham, was already living in the United 

States and their children were split 

between them. They were unable to 

communicate with each other for almost a year. 

Sabri and Siham have seven children. Their six 

daughters in descending age are Siva, Rita, Eva, 

Suha, Rasha and Nena. Son Yousif, a sophomore at 

North Farmington High, is their youngest child. The 

couple also has 13 grandchildren. 

Auraha hopes the Sourath classes will help families 

who suffer from a communication gap. 

“You have a good number of kids who are born here 

in America. They don’t know the [Sourath] language,” 

Auraha said. “There are Chaldeans who are older and 

who don’t speak English. How are the grandparents 

and grandchildren supposed to communicate?” 

This is the first in an occasional series that will shine 

the spotlight on notable community members. To 

nominate someone, write to the Editor, Chaldean 

News, 30095 Northwestern Highway, Farmington 

Hills, MI 48334 or e-mail info@chaldeannews.com. 


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ECONOMICS & enterprise 

Fuddruckers: Big Success 

in the Burger Business 

BY DAN SHRINER 

When Saber Ammori, his parents and eight 

brothers and sisters came to America in 

1968 they believed they were coming to 

the world’s greatest country. 

And who could have known at the time, as the 

family faced the common struggles of so many 

Chaldean immigrants, that Ammori and his brother, 

Omar, would become burger kings. 

But selling the “World’s Greatest Hamburgers” to 

thousands of Fuddruckers customers each year in 

the world’s greatest country has become a great 

blessing for the family. 

Saber, 39, Omar, 45, and their partner Tom 

Kyriakoza, own four Fuddruckers restaurants in 

Metro Detroit and are about to open two more in what 

has become a very successful partnership and enterprise 

in a little less than seven years. 

Since opening their first location at 2630 E. 

Jefferson in 1998, the partners have opened stores in 

Royal Oak, Bloomfield Township and Taylor. New 

stores are scheduled to open soon in Dearborn at the 

Fairlane Town Center and 

in Southfield at Nine Mile 

and Greenfield. 

The American Dream 

Saber Ammori and his family 

faced some of the common 

struggles of many immigrants. 

His father, Shlemon, 

and mother, Mary, came to 

the United States from their 

home in Mosul with their five 

girls and four boys. 

“You think of how 

remarkable that is. My dad and mom, probably 40 

years old, pick up and leave a country with nine 

children, not knowing the language or anything. I’m 

just amazed by that,” Saber said. “They didn’t 

come here to make a better life for themselves — 

they did it knowing the future for their children in 

this country would be better. They wanted their 

Saber Ammori with a water bottle being sold at 

the Fuddruckers. Proceeds from sale of water 

bottles go to Hurricane Katrina relief. 

children to have better lives. It is something we all 

want for our children.” 

Shlemon is still alive but Mary passed away in 1987. 

All of their children still live in the Metro Detroit area. 

Shlemon toiled for many years in party stores in 

Detroit and later in Clawson and Madison Heights. Saber 

and Omar worked with their father as they got older and 

by the mid-1990s wanted to find other businesses. In the 

mid-1990s, Saber opened a small family restaurant in 

Rochester but continued looking for other opportunities. 

During a trip to Myrtle Beach, Florida, Saber said 

he found his calling. 

PHOTOS BY DAN SHRINER 

“I went to a Fuddruckers and 

fell in love with the concept of 

building a burger in front of you. 

Everything was very fresh and it 

seemed like a great business. You 

watch the burger being made and 

then top it off the way you want. 

It’s an adventure.” 

The brothers contacted 

Fuddruckers and learned the 

company wanted someone to 

develop franchises in the Detroit 

area. Before they knew it, there 

was an agreement to develop five 

stores over the next five years. 

The partners are now working on 

their sixth store in seven years. 

Their first location on East 

Jefferson consistently ranks as one 

of the top grossing stores in the Fuddruckers chain. 

The new Southfield restaurant will be part of a strip mall, 

all of which will be owned by the three partners. 

Lessons Learned 

Saber said the lessons he learned from his parents 

have helped make their restaurants a success. 

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“Hard work is very important and so is resilience. 

You have to keep coming back and working hard,” he 

said. “Things don’t always work out the way you think 

but you need to be resilient.” 

Managers Randy Bahoora and Sam Kyriakoza 

“grind it out everyday. It doesn’t work without very 

good people working. The girls in our office, Rebecca 

Boyidia and Valerie Jarabou, are very important to us. 

We have about 150 employees now and they are what 

make us successful,” Saber said. 

“Hard work is very important 

and so is resilience. You 

have to keep coming back 

and working hard. Things 

don’t always work out the 

way you think but you 

need to be resilient.” 

— SABER AMMORI 

The partners are now trying something new: taking 

the Fuddruckers experience on the road to homes 

and businesses. 

“We launched catering this summer. We will come 

to your parties with grills and fryers and barbecue at 

your business or home,” Saber said. “We did more than 

15 parties last summer. At one party we served over 

150 people. We plan to focus more on it next year.” 

Saber Ammori said he isn’t sure how much larger 

their restaurant empire will grow. “We have 

worked very hard,” he said, “and we want to enjoy 

what we have.” 

From left: Saber Ammori and Randy Bahoora, general manager at the Bloomfield Twp. Fuddruckers. 

Top left: The toppings bar; Top right: The bakery counter 

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ARTS & entertainment 

Rafid Sawa and Sons: A Family Affair BY JENNIFER T. KORAIL 

Countless details go into planning the perfect 

Chaldean celebration, and music is always 

considered one of the most important elements. 

In fact, when there is a church celebration 

or holiday party, many people first ask who the 

singer will be before they decide whether or not to 

attend. With nearly 20 years in the entertainment 

profession, musician Rafid Sawa knows what it 

takes to make a memorable party. 

A natural-born musician, Sawa followed his passion 

early on in life. As a child, he loved listening to 

all types of music and practicing, even when his 

family and teachers told him not to. At age 6, Sawa 

remembers getting kicked out of class time and 

again for drumming on his desk. “The teachers 

were so used to my drumming that even when 

someone else knocked on the desks, they would 

blame me,” he recalled with a laugh. 

His parents encouraged him to take alternative 

routes to success, with a conventional career, but 

Sawa always knew that music would be a lasting 

part of his life. “Music is my passion. I told my parents 

that this is what I wanted; this is what I wanted 

to be,” he said. “And once I married and started 

my own family, my parents knew that was it.” 

There is no question that Sawa’s choice was a 

good one. He has 17 CDs on the market and is in 

the process of finishing his own studio. This month, 

his newest CD, which includes a revival of the timeless 

and popular “Gowa, Gowa,” will be released. 

All in the Family 

Much of his success can also be seen through the 

family that Sawa and his wife, Ban, have raised in 

Farmington Hills. Their sons, Alvin, 18, Andy, 16, 

and Emilio, 8, all enjoy learning different instruments 

and practicing with their father. In fact, all three are 

aspiring musicians, specializing in piano, percussion 

and flute. The young men take their music seriously, 

using their spare time for lessons and participating 

in music courses at school. Alvin and Andy play on 

the new CD, which is all in Arabic. 

Sawa recalls Alvin, his oldest son, following him 

to practices and watching him perform as a child. 

He is now the leader of the band in Sawa’s eyes. 

Rafid Sawa 

“Alvin is like my right arm,” he said. “I am so 

thankful to God for what he gave me. Because who 

else can be close to me but my sons? I am with 

them every day, right from the moment they wake up 

to go to school in the morning. We are very close.” 

“My father is my inspiration,” Alvin said. “I 

remember the first show I ever led. There were 

almost 1,000 people and I was shocked. But it was 

a great experience because I knew my father was 

there for me.” 

Alvin and his father have made several CDs together 

since. Andy, Sawa’s middle son, is not far behind, as 

he plays several instruments on the new CD. Emilio, 

the youngest member of the Sawa family, has become 

his father’s biggest fan, dressing up like his dad before 

performances and following his every move. 

Sawa is happy to have passed on the legacy of 

music and its possibilities to his sons. “I love everybody. 

I want nothing more than for all of us to be 

brothers,” he said. “I think about all of the things that 

are going on in the world, and I see music as something 

that brings people together.” 

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chaldean on the STREET 

What Are You Thankful For This Thanksgiving? 

The Chaldean News’ 

Jennifer Korail visited 

St. Joseph Church in 

Troy to ask what 

parishioners are most 

thankful for this year. 

As friends, relatives 

and colleagues filled 

the pews for each 

service with smiles and 

friendly faces, is was 

no surprise that thanks 

were focused on God 

and family. 

“I am thankful for having a healthy family 

and people around us who care.” 

— Shanell Elias, with sister Rashell Elias 

and cousin Rana Elias 

“We are thankful for God, thankful every 

single day that we are here, that we have 

the strength to be here to help people in 

our community.” 

— Long time St. Joseph volunteers 

Linda Herphy and Nahla Sesi 

“We are most thankful for our daughter 

Giselle.” 

— Devin and Hala Sesi 

“I am thankful that we have God in our 

lives to guide us in a positive direction. I 

am thankful to be blessed by God, that 

He watches over all of us and over families, 

keeps us safe and close to good 

things in life.” 

— Klela Youkhanna 

“I am always most thankful for my family.” 

— Hillary Bahri 

“ 

This year, I am most thankful for the 

faith here at our church, that people 

continue to keep their faith and come 

to the church and participate with 

each other. We see the many things 

that are happening around the world, 

the war in Iraq, the natural disasters 

that are occurring, and we pray for 

them always to be safe and to keep 

their faith. I am thankful that we maintain 

our faith in the church and in 

” 

each other. 

— Father Emanuel Shaleta 

“We are thankful for having such beautiful 

families at home and at church. Being a 

part of the choir is like having a built-in 

family. We are like sisters here, and we 

are very thankful for that.” 

— Choir singers Marcel Adam 

and Dena Korkes 

“We are thankful for having a good family. 

Our family is so blessed. We have 

people who support us, food on our 

table every day, and close friends and 

relatives.” 

— Sisters Amanda 

and Renee Hami 

“I am thankful that my brothers and I are 

all here together and happy. We are all 

thankful for each other.” 

— Dalley Denha, with his brothers 

Danny and Steven 

“I am happy to be healthy and to be able 

to pray to God and stay always faithful. I 

pray for all other people to have faith in 

their lives.” 

— Shamasha Jamal Acho 

“I thank God for the peace here at our 

church, and I hope for peace everywhere.” 

— Caretaker Shamasha Najeb Ishak 

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kids’ CORNER 

Happy 

Thanksgiving! 

THANKSGIVING HISTORY 

In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth 

Thursday of November. This year Thanksgiving will fall on 

Thursday, November 24, 2005. 

The custom of celebrating Thanksgiving started around 

1621. This annual celebration was held after the Pilgrims fulfilled 

a successful and bountiful harvest in the New World. 

The first Thanksgiving Proclamation was made in 1675. 

In the late 1700’s a day of national Thanksgiving was proposed 

by the Continental Congress. 

In 1817, New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an 

annual custom. By the middle of the 19th century many other 

states also celebrated a Thanksgiving Day. In 1863 President 

Abraham Lincoln appointed a national day of thanksgiving. 

Since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day 

proclamation, usually designating the fourth Thursday of each 

November as the holiday. 

PRESSING FALL LEAVES 

UNSCRAMBLE THE 

THANKSGIVING WORDS 

umpinkp ipe 

eyrktu 

ignfufst 

eryrbranc uasce 

amsehd opatotse 

epalp icedr 

rebad 

bobgle ebgobel 

toftoalbla 

aprdae 

Walk around your neighborhood or nearby 

woods and collect colorful leaves. Before you 

press your leaves it is a good idea to make sure 

they are dry and flat. 

• Place the leaves you wish to press 

between two sheets of newspaper. 

• Place heavy books on top of 

your leaves. 

• Allow to flatten and dry for at 

least 24 hours. 

• Note: Adult supervision is 

needed when using a hot iron. 

You will need: 

• Dried, flat leaves 

• Waxed Paper 

• Hot Iron 

• Ironing surface 

1. Place selected leaves between sheets of waxed papers. 

2. Gently press waxed paper with medium-hot iron moving 

slowly over entire surface for about 10 seconds. 

3. Repeat with remaining leaves you 

wish to press. 

4. Allow pressed leaves to cool before 

using. 

You can trim around the edges of the 

waxed paper and place your pressed 

leaves on cards to send fall wishes to 

someone. 

You can also place your leaves in a 

photo album or scrapbook with tags identifying 

your leaves. 

Pressed leaves also make wonderful sun catchers! 

Attach a string to your pressed leaves and 

hang in the window. 

Enjoy your leaves! 

To find out more about pressing leaves and other kid crafts go to: 

http://www.kidsturncentral.com/crafts/pressleaves4.htm 


subscribe! 

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Please mail the subscription form, along with a check made payable to: 

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classified listings 

HELP WANTED 

SALESPEOPLE WANTED 

Looking for sharp, bright, 

aggressive salespeople to join 

our team in our Southfield 

office. We pay salary plus 

commission. Contact Janey 

@ 248-483-3999 or e-mail 

janey@transitadvertisinggroup.com. 

ADVERTISE 

FOR AS LITTLE AS $ 75 

IN OUR NEW BUSINESS DIRECTORY SECTION! 

To place your ad, contact us today! 

THE 

CHALDEAN NEWS 

PHONE: 248-932-3100 OR FAX: 248-932-9161 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 102 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 


SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD 

MARKET needs PERSON WITH 

EXPERIENCE in stock and deli. 

Eastside. Must be personable. 

(586) 772-5170. 

ADVANCED FAMILY DENTAL 

at 6 Mile & Farmington — Receptionist 

& assistant career opportunities 

now available. Will train only energetic 

multi-taskers. 734-266-2050. 

HELP NEEDED AT JINELL SALON 

All positions open. Located 

between 12-13 Mile on Orchard 

Lake Road in Farmington Hills. 

Call Mike, 248-539-2200. 

HOUSES FOR SALE 

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP 

BY OWNER 

2-story contemporary. Preserve 

subdivision. Finished basement. 

Finished garage-workshop. 

Finished screen deck. 

City sewer & water. Brick 

pavers and sidewalks. Nice landscape-playground. 

$310,000. 

For a personal showing, call 

248-214-0233. 

LOWER STRAITS LAKEFRONT 

5,300 sq. ft., 2 BR, 2.5 bath, 

lots of wood floors and use 

of granite and marble. Finished 

basement, custom bar & home 

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Please see: FSBO.com # 77593. 

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Stephanie Denha McKee 

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2179 Applebrook Drive 

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COLOR | NUTRITION | AROMATHERAPY 

CONDO FOR SALE 

ORCHARD LAKE & 14 MILE 

1 bedroom, 1 bath, living room, 

dining room. New updates 

include tile in the kitchen, bath, 

and utility; new refrigerator and 

dishwasher. Pool and tennis 

court. Must sell, asking $82,500. 

Call 248-383-6011 

PROPERTY FOR SALE 

GAS STATION SITE 

APPROVED TO BUILD 

on 8 Mile near Greenfield in 

Oak Park. For Information, 

contact Larry Siedell, 

(248) 355-6120 

OFFICE FOR SALE OR LEASE 

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22200 West Warren, Detroit. 

Freestanding building on corner 

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Aggressively priced. 

For Information, 

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SERVICES OFFERED 

TUTOR K-8 

Teacher available 

for all subjects. $15/hour at 

your house. Call Tammy, 

(313) 303-3080. 


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Two models. 

Two “Double Best Picks” for safety. 

A first for any car manufacturer. 

The Audi A4 and A6. Each named “Double Best Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both cars received the highest 

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Ann Arbor 

734-761-3200 

“Double Best Pick” based on 31 mph side impact crash test and 40 mph frontal offset crash test performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For details, see www.iihs.org. For 2006 Audi A4 2.0 T sedan, 24-month closed-end lease offered to qualified customers by Audi Financial Services, Inc. through participating dealers. 

Must take delivery by November 30, 2005. Required dealer contribution could affect final negotiated transaction. Lessee responsible for insurance and may have some financial liability at lease end. Lessee responsible for $0.25/mile over 10,000 miles per year and a disposition fee of $350 due at lease end. *Rate based on $33,060 

MSRP of 2006 Audi A4 2.0 T sedan with quattro including 6-speed automatic transmission w/ Tiptronic, Sunroof pkg. and destination charge. Purchase option at lease end for $25,125.60. For 2006 Audi A6 3.2 sedan, 24-month closed-end lease offered to qualified customers by Audi Financial Services, Inc. through participating 

dealers. Must take delivery by November 30, 2005. Required dealer contribution could affect final negotiated transaction. Lessee responsible for insurance and may have some financial liability at lease end. Lessee responsible for $0.25/mile over 10,000 miles per year and a disposition fee of $350 due at lease end. **Rate based on 

$46,140 MSRP of 2006 Audi A6 3.2 sedan with quattro including 6-speed automatic transmission w/ Tiptronic, Sunroof pkg. and destination charge. Purchase option at lease end for $32,298. See dealer for details. ◆ Refundable security deposit return subject to excess mileage and wear charges. For details, consult your Audi Financial 

Services contract. “Audi,” “Never Follow,” “A4,” “A6,” “quattro” and the four rings emblem are registered trademarks of AUDI AG. “Audi Advantage” is a service mark of Audi of America, Inc. ©2005 Audi of America, Inc. † To find out more about Audi or Audi Advantage, see your dealer, call 1-800-FOR-AUDI or visit us at audiusa.com.

NOVEMBER 2005

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