JUNE 2009

voL. ISSuE v 

mEtro DEtroIt CHALDEAN CommuNItY JuNE 009 

$ 

 

INSIDE 

CHALDEANS AND tHE CENSuS 

CopING WItH SIDS 

It’S FEStIvAL tImE! 

www.chaldeannews.com 

GooD 

SportS 

Chaldean Church League 

comes up aces 

The Chaldean News 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 102, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

PERIODICAL 

PLEASE DELIVER BY JUNE 1

CHALDEAN NEWS JUNE 2009

JUNE 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS


IS YOUR FAMILY SAFE? 

Watchdog Security is the provider of choice for your home and business 

security. We will discuss with you the different systems and options available 

and than design a system that will meet or exceed your expectations, save 

you money and keep you safe. 

Call Me Direct at: 

248-915-5215 

Rudy Patros 

Vice President / Co Owner 

Watchdog Security 

Alarm Monitoring 

$14.95 

per month 

Monitoring works with your existing system 

*$14.95 INCLUDES BASE MONITORING. OTHER SERVICES ADDITIONAL 

Home Safety Business Safety 

Protect Life’s Most Precious 

Possessions with a Nanny 

Includes 

4 Covert Cameras and a 

Digital Recorder with 

Remote Access Via The 

Internet. 

$2,499.00 Installed 

Home Surveillance System 

Includes 

4 Indoor / Outdoor High Resolution Cameras 

Hide Away Monitor 

Internet Ready 

$1,599.00 Installed 

Camera Options include 

Teddy Bear Clock 

Smoke Detector 

Mirror Camera 

Radio Camera 

and many other Options 

Dell Powered Digital 

Video Recorder 

This high end digital Video recording system comes 

in 8 and 16 channel configurations. The 8 Channel 

unit comes standard with 120 fps and 120 fps for the 

16 channel. The system combines digital video 

recording, multiplexing, motion detecting, and 

remote viewing into the most stable platform on the 

market 

8 Channel DVR 

Includes 19” Monitor 

6 Indoor Cameras 

2 Outdoor Cameras 

$0 Down Financing 

$239.00 per month 

24 month lease 

Includes 2 year warranty 

16 Channel DVR 

Includes 19” Monitor 

12 Indoor Cameras 

4 Outdoor Cameras 

$339.00 per month 

24 month lease 

Includes 2 year warranty 

Alarms•CCTV•Access Control 

Fire Control•Monitoring 

for your home and office 

Promo Code 10-AFPD2 

888-989-DOGS (3647) 

www.watchdogmi.com 

JUNE 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 5


CONTENTS JUNE 2009 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 6 ISSUE V 

29 24 

43 48 

on the cover 

29 Good Sports 

By Steve Stein 

Chaldean Church League hits a home run 

features 

26 It’s Festival Time! 

Your guide to the hottest show in town 

32 Divided We Fall? 

By Weam Namou and Joyce Wiswell 

Bishops’ ‘self-identity’ statement is controversial 

35 Counted Out? 

By Joyce Wiswell 

Chaldeans want identity in Census 

36 Without Warning 

By Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

Parents are on a mission to educate about SIDS 

38 Dedicated Dads 

By Caroline M. Bacall 

Teens just love their Baba 

departments 

8 From the Editor 

9 Your Letters 

10 Guest Column 

By Mike Sarafa 

This Father’s Day, ask Dad for some perspective 

12 Noteworthy 

13 Community Bulletin Board 

16 Chai Time 

18 Halhole 

22 Obituaries 

22 Religion 

24 In the Kitchen With … 

By Mark Kassa 

Chef Lee Sharkas 

40 High School Highlights 


Marian High School: Leadership, faith and maturity 

Mercy High School: Girls who make a difference 

45 Kids Corner 

Here’s to Our Dads! 

46 Classified Listings 

48 Events 

Mother’s Day with St. George 

Chaldean Chamber Networking Meeting 

They’ve Got Talent 


from the EDItor 

puBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News, LLC 

EDItorIAL 

EDItor IN CHIEF 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

mANAGING EDItor 

Joyce Wiswell 

CoNtrIButING WrItErS 

Caroline M. Bacall 

Mark Kassa 

Badee George Nassouri 

Weam Namou 

Steve Stein 

EDItorIAL INtErN 

Joe Gasso 

prooFrEADEr 

Ken Marten 

Art & proDuCtIoN 

CrEAtIvE DIrECtor 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

GrApHIC DESIGNErS 

Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

Joseph Sesi 

pHotoGrApHErS 

David Reed 

Brad Ziegler 

opErAtIoNS 

Interlink Media 

DIrECtor oF opErAtIoNS 

Paul Alraihani 

CIrCuLAtIoN 

Paul Alraihani 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Joyce Wiswell 

SALES 

Interlink Media 

SALES rEprESENtAtIvES 

Silvana Gorial 

Lisy Starr 

mANAGErS 


Martin Manna 

Michael Sarafa 

SuBSCrIptIoNS: $0 pEr YEAr 

tHE CHALDEAN NEWS • 

0095 NortHWEStErN HWY., 

StE. 10, FArmINGtoN HILLS, mI 8 

WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.Com 

pH: 8-55-850 

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

monthly; Issue Date: JUNE 2009 Subscriptions: 12 

months, $20. Publication Address: 30095 Northwestern 

Hwy., Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334; Application 

to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at 

Farmington Hills Post Offi ce Postmaster: Send address 

changes to “The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern 

Hwy., Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334” 

Let the voices be heard 

Since our inception in 

2004, we have talked 

about putting together 

an advisory committee to 

brainstorm about ideas for 

The Chaldean News. After 

years of discussion, we fi nally 

had our fi rst meeting with a 

diverse group of Chaldeans 

willing to help and offer constructive 

criticism, advice and 

topic ideas. 

The meeting proved to be fruitful. 

We wanted your voice to be heard. 

We encourage feedback regularly. 

We always look forward to letters to the 

editor and we take what you say seriously. 

We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if 

we did not sincerely wish to hear what 

you had to say. 

We listened for more than two hours 

at Shenandoah over dinner, chai, dates 

and fresh fruit. We listened to a variety 

of voices giving us feedback about our 

community’s publication. It was helpful. 

I thank the team that was able to attend. 

We continue to encourage feedback 

from you. Over the next few months, 

you will see the ideas of others make 

the pages of this publication. 

The voices of the opinionated are 

heard and appreciated. 

I am so pleased with how many of 

you are willing to participate in articles 

no matter how painful they can be. This 

month Jason and Zena Abro share with 

us a personal story that no parent ever 

wants to experience. They put their son 

Carter to bed one night and he never 

woke up. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome 

(SIDS) is something we all have 

heard or read about in the news, but 

the Abros live it. And now the young 

couple is trying to bring awareness to 

the community about a syndrome that 

vaneSSa 

denha-Garmo 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

takes the lives of more than 

2,000 babies a year. Read 

more about Carter and his 

short life in this issue. 

The voices of the mourning 

are heard and admired. 

This month we also cover 

the United States Census. 

I am sure you have heard 

about it. Joyce Wiswell asked 

a valid question: Why no 

Chaldean box to check? Who 

are we? We are not African-American, 

we are not Asian, we are not Caucasian 

even though many of you will feel 

compelled to check that box. No, we 

are “other” in this particular situation. 

The challenge is that many Chaldeans 

don’t even want to fi ll out the census 

We always look 

forward to letters 

to the editor and we 

take what you say 

seriously. 

by checking off simple boxes let alone 

writing in Chaldean next to the word 

“other.” Why no Chaldean box for us? 

Joyce’s article explains more. 

The voices of the minority are heard 

and deservingly so. 

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads. 

It is my husband’s third even though 

my daughter is only 2. I count the year 

I was pregnant. He was a dad and I 

was a mom upon conception, I say! 

The year I was pregnant, the priest at 

St. Mary’s Orchard Lake asked all the 

moms to stand up on Mother’s Day during 

mass to be recognized. I stood up 

and my sisters made fun of me but I 

didn’t care. So fi rst-time daddies, if 

your wife is pregnant and it is your fi rst, 

celebrate Father’s Day. You are a dad. 

This month we asked our Chaldean 

kids about their dads. Mike Sarafa 

shares a sentimental piece about his 

own father and childhood and about 

being a dad himself to three grade 

school-aged kids. I have talked much 

about my father on these pages. I truly 

loved him and miss him all the time. I 

wish he and my husband got to know 

each other. I wish he walked me down 

the aisle. I wish he was alive to see my 

daughter. She would have adored him. 

The voices who love are heard and 

loved back. 

This issue we cover the Chaldean 

Church sports league and distribute our 

issue during the Chaldean Festival – a 

fun and favorite event of many. At the 

event, many booths display their talents 

and trades. It is an opportunity to share 

with the community what products and 

services they offer. And with thousands 

of people attending the three-day event 

in Southfi eld, it is an opportunity to educate, 

inform and have fun. 

The voices of your talent are heard 

and noticed. 

I encourage you to fi nd your voice 

and let it be heard. 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 


vdenha@chaldeannews.com 

32000 Campbell Road • Madison Heights • 248-585-1210 

Nationally recognized, Co-ed, Catholic, college preparatory 

“Big enough to offer a wide range of academics and athletics, but small 

enough for individual attention.” 

Students from the Tri-county from over 100 Middle Schools… Retreats yearly… Rigorous classes, 

AP and Honors … Dual Enrollment with Lawrence Tech & Madonna Universities… Robotics … 

Championship men’s and women’s sports teams… Clubs … and more 

Scholarships and Tuition Grants available 

www.bishopfoley.org 

Open House • November 8th 2009 • 2PM - 5PM 

Check out the BFC difference! 

8 CHALDEAN NEWS JUNE 2009

your LETTERS 

The Name Game 

Securing peace for the daily life of an 

Iraqi Christian is no simple task. The 

path that leads to peace is for the most 

part uncharted, unkempt and unsettling. 

As multiple groups trek down that path, 

the process inevitably yields multiple 

opinions, multiple strategies and more 

than one map of where to go. 

Debates stir, for example, over 

whether the Christians of Iraq should 

be identified as Assyrians, Chaldeans, 

Chaldo-Assyrians or Assyro-Chaldeans. 

Yousif Saba, shot dead on a Sunday in 

late April in the northern city of Kirkuk, 

Will one title or another 

allow the average 

Christian living in Mosul 

to attend mass without 

fear of shelling or car 

bombing? 

probably benefited very little from this 

debate. On that same day, the lives of 

two others, a woman and her daughterin-law 

murdered in their home, would 

not have been saved by a hyphen. 

Disagreement exists over whether 

the Nineveh Plains, sought to be selfgoverned 

by many Iraqi Christians, 

ought to be called an “autonomous 

region” or an “administrative area.” 

Will one title or another allow the 

average Christian living in Mosul to 

attend mass without fear of shelling 

or car bombing? Is one label more 

resistant to sniper fire? 

History knows our people to be remarkably 

intellectual. Thus, perhaps it 

should not come as a surprise that we 

might enter these seemingly academic 

debates. We must not, however, allow 

debate to impede our survival. The 

safety of our people must outlive disagreement. 

Each time it does not, our 

history slowly begins to end. 

The Lord said to his Disciples, 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give 

to you.” We are all inheritors of God’s 

peace. Let us be its guardians as well. 

–John Kuriakuz 

West Bloomfield 

Correction 

We misidentified the man in a photo 

accompanying the “Seven Mile 

Blues” article in the May edition. 

Pictured on page 26 is Peter Kassab, 

the owner of B & S Collision. 


GUEST columns 

This Father’s Day, ask Dad for some perspective 

I 

was pretty young but I have 

vague recollections of my 

dad sprawled out flat on the 

floor with his head propped up 

watching TV. The sitting position 

aggravated his stomach 

ulcers. It was the early 1970s, 

the real estate and commodities 

markets got hit hard and 

Michael G. 

Sarafa 

SPECIAL TO THE 

CHALDEAN NEWS 

our family was struggling financially. 

Several years earlier, 

he and his partners lost their 

supermarket in the 1967 riots. 

Inflation, and eventually interest rates, 

were rampant. We never discussed 

this and no one ever told me, but I know 

that he had to borrow money at times to 

buy groceries and pay the bills. 

Besides an occasionally sharp 

tongue and the fact that he didn’t suffer 

fools very well, my dad was a fairly evenkeeled 

guy. Outside of a few people, 

no one knew. He kept his family intact, 

stayed active in the community and did 

his best to maintain a stable lifestyle. 

Through patience, steadfastness and 

the graciousness of some dear friends, 

he was able to weather the storm and 

survive. He never let go of his wits. 

For Generation X and even baby 

boomers, the 1970s was probably the 

era most similar to what we’re facing 

today in economic terms. Wealth evaporated, 

credit was tight or expensive, 

and families had to prioritize. The difference 

is that my Dad’s generation is 

not as spoiled as we are today. They 

did not have the wild swings of rags to 

riches and back again like we have today. 

His generation did not have to have 

the American Dream on steroids by the 

age of 35. The big homes, the second 

house, travel and other luxuries were 

desirable and achievable, but not until 

much later in life. Unlike then, some today 

seem to have no problem 

letting go of their sense of balance 

and their priorities. 

Some of the tremendous 

wealth that was created in the 

last 10 years for many relatively 

young people has been destroyed 

by the dot.com bust, 

the Silicon Valley bust, the 

stock market bust, the credit 

bust and the real estate bust. 

Good times and the fast lane 

have come to a screeching halt. 

Everybody is singing the blues. 

This is not to minimize the real pain 

and suffering that is taking place out 

there. People have lost their jobs and 

their homes. Very clearly, we are in an 

unprecedented economic freefall. But 

let us have some perspective. If we look 

at our fathers’ generation and what they 

endured, maybe things aren’t so bad. 

If you packed up your things at age 

30, said goodbye to your mom and dad 

and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean 

to a new land — by yourself — maybe 

things aren’t so bad. 

If you arrived in America and was met 

by the Great Depression, maybe things 

aren’t so bad. 

If you had to live in a second-floor 

flat in Detroit with eight others and another 

family below you, maybe things 

aren’t so bad. 

If you had to fight in World War II, 

Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq, 

maybe things aren’t so bad. 

If you fought in those wars and 

came back alive and in one piece, 

physically and psychologically, maybe 

things aren’t so bad. 

If you were raised in a two-parent 

household, sent to good schools and 

given the foundation to be a productive 

citizen of the U.S.A., maybe things really 

aren’t that bad. 

Each Father’s Day I think of my wife 

and her brothers, who never knew their 

dad. They were 2 years old, 1, and in 

the womb, respectively, when he was 

gunned down in cold blood while at 

work. Maybe, for the rest of us, things 

aren’t that bad. 

My dad has been gone now for almost 

nine years. While I miss him during 

holidays and important moments for 

our kids, what I miss the most is the 

Salim Sarafa helps son Mike in 1968. 

opportunity to ask his advice and get 

his perspective. What would he do in 

times like this? 

I think he would say to keep focused, 

stay out of trouble and try always 

to do the right thing. He would 

say never let go. Never let go of what 

is important — your family, your faith, 

your friends. Hang on to your integrity, 

your composure and your compassion. 

Don’t use these times as an excuse to 

do dumb things that you’ll regret later. I 

think he would appreciate the fact that 

today, greed in America has been rightsized 

and corporate excesses exposed. 

Never let go of decency, he would say. 

Modesty and restraint are virtues. 

And, if you’re OK and in a position to 

help others, you better damn well do so. 

Recently, I spoke to a friend whose 

family went through a similar, maybe 

more severe crisis during the same time 

period in the 1970s. They almost lost 

everything. I had come 

to know this person 

as extremely generous 

and giving before I had 

knowledge of their family 

history. Their circle 

of friends and their community 

stepped up at the 

time and helped bridge 

the difference. And they 

never let go. Today, 

the siblings and entire 

family are all successful 

and spend much of their 

time and resources giving 

back. 

For almost everyone 

older than 30, our struggles 

pale in comparison 

to our fathers’. This 

Father’s Day, ask your 

dad about that. If you’re 

lucky enough, ask your grandfather too. 

They survived much tougher times than 

this. Like the song says: “Never let go, 

through the calm or through the storm. 

Never let go, through every high and 

every low.” 

Never let go. 

Mike Sarafa is president of the 

Bank of Michigan and a co-publisher 

of The Chaldean News. 

A beauty playground with many talented artists, 

Todds Room offers gorgeous make up applications 

six days a week for brides and their wedding party. 

To book your wedding call Tracey at 248-594-0003 

A bridal tradition since 1999 


37610 W. 12 Mile 

(12 Mile & Halsted Halsted Village Plaza) 

Farmington Hills 248-994-0614 

HOURS: 

Sun-Thurs: 11-10 

Fri & Sat: 11-11 


noteworthy 

Teen Drowns 

at Grand 

Canyon 

A Chaldean teenager who 

formerly attended Sterling 

Heights High School 

is among three boys who 

drowned at Grand Canyon 

National Park on April 30. 

Fifteen-year-old Saif Savaya, 

whose family moved 

from Sterling Heights to Arizona 

last year, was on a Baptist 

church hiking trip when 

the incident occurred. According to a report in the Tucson 

Citizen, Saif and two other boys — brothers ages 

16 and 22 — tried to cross the Colorado River but were 

swept away by the strong current. While one body was 

recovered a few days later, the bodies of Saif and the 

third boy were not found until May 15. 

Saif played both varsity football and soccer at his 

Arizona high school, where students held out hope 

during the recovery search by wearing tee-shirts that 

said, “We love you Saif.” 

A local memorial mass was held at St. Thomas 

Chaldean Catholic Church on May 24. 

Kattula Wins 

Susan Kattula won in 

her bid for re-election to 

the Warren Consolidated 

Board of Education in the 

May 5 election. Kattula 

won her seat by the largest 

margin in the history 

of WCS board elections, 

garnering 5,322 votes (46 

percent) and beating her 

closest opponent by 741 

votes. Three people ran 

Susan Kattula 

for two open seats. 

“I would like to thank 

everyone in the community for all their support and 

hope more community members will join their local 

school districts and run for office,” Kattula said. 

“Now more than ever it is the time to have a voice in 

our children’s education.” 

Calling All Grads 

Saif Savaya 

All high school and college graduates are encouraged 

to attend the 27th annual Chaldean Commencement 

on June 12. 

The event at the Millennium Center in Southfield 

is coordinated by the CASA (Chaldean American 

Student Association) and sponsored by the Chaldean 

Federation of America. Students must arrive by 3:15 

in their cap and gown. The ceremony starts at 4 p.m. 

That evening at 7 p.m., graduates and their families 

can attend a jungle-themed party at Shenandoah 

Country Club. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 

at the door. 

Learn more about both events at 

www.chaldeanfederation.org. 

Pancakes For All 

Parishioners at St. Thomas Chaldean Church 

in West Bloomfield were treated to a pancake 

breakfast on April 26. The event raised 

$2,300 for the group Helping Hands, which 

assists newly arrived refugees. The volunteer 

organization meets most Thursdays at 

the church at 10 a.m. and all are welcome; 

call (248) 788-2460 to be sure a meeting is 

scheduled before showing up. 

1. Ed Babbie cooks up sausages 2. Michael and Linda Jaboro 3. Al Zara and Andy Patros 

Play Ball This 

Summer with 

CASA 

Oakland University CASA is 

launching a volleyball league 

this summer for all those ages 

18 and older. 

The league consists of a 

regular season followed by 

playoffs. Games will be played 

every Saturday from 1-4 p.m. 

at the Southfield Civic Center. 

The cost is $10 per game, with 

half the proceeds benefitting 

the Adopt-A-Refugee Family 

program. 

The deadline to register is 

June 6. Call Melanie Abro at 

(248) 881-7528 or e-mail abromelanie76@yahoo.com 

to learn more. 

Local Iraqi Office Opening 

Fr. Emanuel Hana Isho Shaleta 

A permanent Iraqi Consulate General office will open 

in the Southfield area after receiving final approval 

from the U.S. State Department. This will be the first 

such office outside of Washington, DC. 

Iraqi diplomatic staffers have been temporarily 

working at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southfield. A specific 

location or date for the official opening has not yet 

been announced. 

2 

1 

3 

Silver 

Milestone 

Happy anniversary to Fr. Emanuel 

Hana Isho Shaleta, who 

celebrated 25 years in the priesthood 

in May. He is the pastor of 

St. George Chaldean Catholic 

Church in Shelby Township. Parishioners 

planned a celebratory 

party on May 31 – come back to 

our July issue for pictures and a 

full report. 

CFA Releases 

April Refugee 

Totals 

The Chaldean Federation of 

America has released April totals for the Adopt-A- 

Refugee Family program. That month, 3,060 refugees 

were assisted with $47,913 in donations sent overseas. 

To date, the program has raised $753,600. 

Call (248) 851-3023 or visit www.adoptarefugeefamily.org 

to donate or learn more. 

ESL Classes Offered 

English as a Second Language classes begin June 1 

at the West Bloomfield School District. Classes are 

held at 5642 W. Maple Road. Learn more by calling 

(248) 539-2390. 


Community Bulletin Board 

Outstanding 

Paul Qarana, a fi fth grader at Roosevelt 

Elementary School, received 

a Student of the Year Achievement 

Award on March 31 from West Bloomfi 

eld Schools Superintendent JoAnn 

Andrees. Paul was honored for his 

academic achievement, honesty, strong 

dedication and involvement in assisting 

students and teachers in the school. 

Proud family members are parents Laheb 

and Evon Kallabat-Qarana, siblings 

Phillip and Marianna, and grandparents 

Adil and Lamya Kallabat and Pauls and 

Amira Qarana. 

They’re No. 1 

Congrats to the winners of 

the Chaldean Basketball 

League, who took the trophy 

at an April 9 game at Shenandoah 

Country Club: Avis 

Kalasho (left), Derek Koza, 

Jordan Rassan, Raymond 

Jonna, Captain Raymond 

Lousia and Danny Kallabat. 

High Honors 

Attorney Salman T. Sesi 

was awarded the Ellis 

Island Medal of Honor at 

a black-tie ceremony in 

New York City on May 

9. The West Bloomfi eld 

resident is the founder 

and partner of the law 

fi rm Sesi & Sesi, PC. 

The annual Ellis Island 

award goes to a group of 

Americans from across 

the country who have 

dedicated themselves 

to support and defend 

the values of American 

life, and build bridges 

between ethnic, racial 

and religious groups in 

the U.S. and abroad. Sesi 

was an advisor to President 

George H.W. Bush 

on the fi rst Iraq war. 

In the Running 

Patrick Tomina is a fi nalist for CFO of the Year from Crain’s 

Detroit Business. Tomina is one of the original founders of 

w3r Consulting, where he focuses on managing all day-to-day 

operations, human resources, accounting and fi nance. He holds 

a BSME and BBA from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, a 

MSE from Oakland University and graduated from the Chrysler 

Institute of Engineering program. The winning CFO will be announced 

at a dinner on June 11 at the Henry Ford in Dearborn. 

Many Happy Returns 

Happy 95th birthday to Mary Bata 

Shaya, who was born on May 1, 

1914 in Baghdad. Mary married her 

late husband, Elia Shaya in 1928 

and emigrated to the U.S. in 1969. 

She has fi ve children who reside 

in Michigan: Mansour Mansour, 

Emanuel Mansour, Zuhair Mansour, 

Violet Kaddis and Souad Seba 

– as well as 26 grandchildren, 37 

great-grandchildren and 1 greatgreat 

grandchild. 

Have an item to post on the Bulletin Board? Send 

it to the Chaldean News, 30095 Northwestern 

Highway, Farmington Hills, MI 483345, or e-mail 

bulletinboardchaldeannews.com. 


NOTEWORTHY 

Mideast Christians: Losing numbers and influence 

By Ethan Bronner 

Christians used to be a vital 

force in the Middle East. They 

dominated Lebanon and filled 

top jobs in the Palestinian movement. 

In Egypt, they were wealthy beyond 

their number. In Iraq, they packed the 

universities and professions. Across 

the region, their orientation was a vital 

link to the West, a counterpoint to prevailing 

trends. 

But as Pope Benedict XVI wended 

his way across the Holy Land in May, 

he addressed a dwindling and threatened 

Christian population driven to 

emigration by political violence, lack of 

economic opportunity and the rise of 

radical Islam. A region that a century 

ago was 20 percent Christian is about 

5 percent today and dropping. 

Since it was here that Jesus walked 

and Christianity was born, the papal 

visit highlighted a prospect many consider 

deeply troubling for the globe’s 

largest faith, adhered to by a third of 

humanity — its most powerful and historic 

shrines could become museum 

relics with no connection to those who 

live among them. 

“I fear the extinction of Christianity 

in Iraq and the Middle East,” the Rev. 

Jean Benjamin Sleiman, the Catholic 

archbishop of Baghdad, said in a comment 

echoed across the region. 

The Pope, in a Mass on May 12 

at the foot of the Mount of Olives, addressed 

“the tragic reality” of the “departure 

of so many members of the 

Christian community in recent years.” 

He said: “While understandable 

reasons lead many, especially the 

young, to emigrate, this decision brings 

in its wake a great cultural and spiritual 

impoverishment to the city. Today I wish 

to repeat what I have said on other occasions: 

in the Holy Land there is room 

for everyone!” 

In Jordan, the Pope argued that 

Christians had a role here in reconciliation, 

that their very presence eased the 

strife, and that the decline of that presence 

could help to increase extremism. 

When the mix of beliefs and lifestyles 

goes down, orthodoxy rises, he said, 

as does uniformity of the cultural landscape 

in a region where tolerance is 

not an outstanding virtue. 

A Syrian international aid worker 

said, “When other Arabs find out that 

I am Christian, many seem shocked to 

discover that you can be both an Arab 

and a Christian.” The worker asked to 

remain anonymous so as not to bring 

attention to his faith. 

The Middle East is now, of course, 

overwhelmingly Muslim. Except for Israel, 

with its six million Jews, there is no 

country where Islam does not prevail. 

This includes Lebanon, where Christians 

now amount to a quarter of the 

population, and the non-Arab countries 

of Iran and Turkey. 

Local Christians are torn between 

sounding the alarm and staying mum, 

unsure whether attention will reduce 

Pope Benedict XVI 

the problem or aggravate it by driving 

out those who remain. 

With Islam pushing aside nationalism 

as the central force behind the politics 

of identity, Christians who played 

important roles in various national struggles 

find themselves left out. And since 

Islamic culture, especially in its more 

fundamental stripes, often defines itself 

in contrast to the West, Christianity has 

in some places been relegated to an 

enemy — or least foreign — culture. 

“Unless there is a turn toward secularism 

in the Arab world, I don’t think 

there is a future for Christians here,” 

said Sarkis Naoum, a Christian columnist 

for the Lebanese newspaper Al 

Nahar. 

Just as some opponents of President 

Obama sought to defame him by 

claiming he was a Muslim, so in Turkey 

was President Abdullah Gul accused 

of having Christian origins. Gul won 

a court case last December against a 

member of Parliament who made the 

accusation. 

A century ago there were millions of 

Christians in what is today Turkey; now 

there are 150,000. There is a house 

in Turkey where the Virgin Mary is believed 

to have spent her last days, yet 

the country’s National Assembly and 

military have no Christian members or 

officers except temporary recruits doing 

mandatory service. Violence against 

Christians has risen. 

Among Palestinians, Islam is also 

playing an unprecedented role in defining 

identity, especially in Gaza, ruled by 

Hamas. Pope Benedict’s arrival in Jerusalem 

prompted a radical member of 

the legislature in Gaza to call on Arab 

governments not to greet him because 

of his contentious remark in 2006 regarding 

the Prophet Muhammad. 

The West Bank Palestinian leadership, 

more secular, tries to include 

Christians to ward off separatist sentiments 

and stop the population decline. 

It has been a losing battle. In 1948, Jerusalem 

was about one-fifth Christian. 

Today it is 2 percent. 

Rafiq Husseini, the chief of staff of 

President Mahmoud Abbas’s office, 

said of the exodus of Christians: “It is 

a very negative thing if it continues to 

happen. Our task, from the president 

downwards, is to keep the presence of 

the Christians alive and well.” 

In Bethlehem, where the Church 

of the Nativity marks where Jesus is 

said to have been born, Christians now 

make up barely a third of the population 

after centuries of being 80 percent of it. 

Emigration is the first option for anyone 

who has the opportunity, and there are 

large communities of Christian émigrés 

throughout the West to absorb them. 

“Economy, economy, economy,” 

said Fayez Khano, 63, a member of 

the Assyrian community, explaining 

the reasons for the continuing exodus 

while cutting olive-wood figurines in 

his family workshop on Manger Street. 

Mr. Khano’s three adult children live in 

Dublin, and since business is slow he 

and his wife are about to go to Dublin 

for six months. 

The story has been similar in Iraq. 

Of the 1.4 million Christians there at 

the time of the American invasion in 

2003, nearly half have fled, according 

to American government reports and 

local Iraqi Christians. 

Many left early in the war when 

they were attacked for working with 

the Americans, but the exodus gained 

speed when Christians became targets 

in Iraq’s raging sectarian war. 

And in Egypt, where 10 percent 

of the country is Coptic Christian, the 

prevalent religious discourse has drifted 

from what was considered to be a 

moderate Egyptian Islam toward a far 

less-tolerant, Saudi-branded Islam. 

In Saudi Arabia, churches are illegal. 

In the rest of the Persian Gulf 

region, Christians are foreign workers 

without the prospect of citizenship. 

The decline of the Christian population 

and voice in the region is not only 

a source of concern for Christians, but 

for broadminded Muslims as well. 

“Here in Lebanon, Muslims will often 

tell you Lebanon is no good without 

the Christians, and they mean it,” said 

Kemal Salibi, a historian. “The mix of 

religions and cultures that makes this 

place so tolerant would disappear.” 

This article originally appeared in The 

New York Times. Reprinted with permission 

of the Assyrian International 

News Agency, aina.org. 



CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT JUNE 2009 

[All month] 

Arts: A new summer series for 

Midtown Detroit-Midsummer Nights 

in Motown provides a wide variety of 

arts and cultural programming for all 

to enjoy. Admission is free and events 

take place every Thursday, Friday, and 

Saturday. University Cultural Center 

Association, (313) 577-5088. 

[Monday, June 1] 

Bible Study: Informal Bible & Brew 

meets at Dick O’Dow’s in downtown 

Birmingham. 8-10 p.m. Patrice@ecrc.us. 


Joint Replacement Informational: 

Orthopedic surgeon Robb Weir, M.D., 

discusses joint replacement surgery 

for women as part of the Hot Topics 

in Women’s Health series. 6:30 p.m., 

Henry Ford West Bloomfi eld Hospital. 

Free; register at (800) 436-7936. 

[thursday, June 11 - Sunday, June 14] 

Festival: The 51st Annual Bavarian 

Festival in Frankenmuth features authentically 

dressed German bands, rides, 

games, dance music, crafts, food and 

more. www.frankenmuthfestivals.com 

[Friday, June 12] 

graduates: The 27th Annual Chaldean 

Commencement for all recent 

cians, singers, painters, actors, poets, 

novelists, and those in the culinary 

arts. 7 p.m. Chaldean Cultural Center, 

Shenandoah Country Club, West 

Bloomfi eld. chaldeanarts@gmail.com. 

[Friday, June 19 - Sunday, 21] 

Festival: Detroit’s summer festival, River 

Days, takes place along the Detroit River. 

View a schedule at www.riverdays.com. 

[Sunday, June 21] 

Father’s Day: Brunch buffet at 

Shenandoah Country Club runs from 

11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Seating is by reservation 

only; open to members and 

guests. Tickets are $29 adults, $15 

kids. 

(248) 454-1932. 

[Monday, June 22 – tuesday, June 23] 

National conference on 

Recertification: First-time conference 

focuses on specifi c issues related to 

professional retraining, job-seeking and 

recertifi cation for refugees resettling 

in the United States. Kellogg Center 

of Michigan State University, East 

Lansing. Recommended for refugee 

resettlement personnel, workforce 

development experts, refugees, 

employment specialists, educators, 

businesses and others. www. 

refugeeworks.org/conference 

[tuesday, June 2] 

Sleep and Stress: Sleep disorder 

specialist Meeta Singh, M.D., and 

behavioral health therapist Karen 

Copleland, R.N., ACSW, will share 

helpful tips to reduce stress and improve 

sleep as part of the Hot Topics 

in Women’s Health series. 6:30 p.m., 

Henry Ford West Bloomfi eld Hospital. 

Free; register at (800) 436-7936. 

[Wednesday, June 3] 

cigars: Monthly Smokandoah cigar 

club event at Shenandoah Country 

Club. 6:30 p.m. Nonmembers welcome 

with a member. 


Women: Women Against Violence, 

a committee of the Women’s Commission 

for Oakland County, holds 

an open meeting with the theme, “Is 

the Legal System Working?” Issues 

include domestic violence, divorce and 

custody. 5-7 p.m., Oakland County 

Board of Commissioners’ Auditorium, 

1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac. 

Individuals wishing to speak at the 

meeting should contact Wanda Lohmeier, 

(248) 620-8888. 

[Friday, June 5- Sunday, June 7] 

Festival: The 4th Annual Chaldean 

Festival featuring food, live entertainment, 

merchant booths, carnival rides 

and games takes place at the Southfi 

eld Civic Center Lawn. See page 26 

for details. 

Kairos: ECRC presents Kairos for young 

adults and adults ages 18-30. Meets at 

Colombiere Retreat Center, 9075 Big 

Lake Rd, Clarkston. Contact Nancy, 

(248) 736-3370 or nancy@ecrc.us 

high school and college graduates 

takes place at the Millennium Center 

in Southfi eld at 4 p.m. Gala party at 

Shenandoah Country Club begins that 

evening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 per 

person and $50 at the door. www. 

chaldeanfederation.org. 

[Saturday, June 13 – Sunday, June 14] 

Air Race: See some of the fastest 

planes in the Red Bull Air Race above 

the Detroit River between Detroit and 

Windsor. www.redbullairrace.com. 


Bible Study: Informal Bible & Brew 

meets at Dick O’Dow’s in downtown 

Birmingham. 8-10 p.m. Patrice@ecrc.us. 


Arts: The new Chaldean Association of 

Fine Arts (CAFA) welcomes all artists 

to its second meeting, including musi- 

[Saturday, June 20] 

Benefit Show: Comedy show features 

“the Wacky Iraqi,” Chaldean comedian 

Joey Nibras. Show begins at 5:30 p.m. 

at Joey’s Comedy Club in Livonia. Tickets 

benefi t Alzheimer’s disease. (248) 

996-1050 tami.nuemann@alz.org. 


car cruise: Annual Gratiot car cruise 

features car shows, contests and 

family fun on Gratiot Avenue from 8 to 

10 Mile roads. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. www. 

cruisin-gratiot.com. 

[Sunday, June 21] 

Picnic: Fun activities for all ages with 

music and food with members of St. 

George Chaldean Church. The fourth 

annual picnic takes place from 2-8 

p.m. at Knights of Columbus Park, 21 

Mile between Van Dyke and Schoenherr. 

(248) 229-0303. 


Refugee Network Day: Event brings 

vendors, employers and health service 

providers together with Iraqi refugees, 

who will be able to explore these 

services. Those attending include 

the Chaldean Federation of America, 

Chaldean American Ladies of Charity, 

doctors and pharmacists. 10 a.m.-2 

p.m., Knights of Columbus, 38435 

Mound Road, Sterling Heights. Rafat 

Ita, (248) 242-1499. 


Fireworks: The annual summertime 

phenomenon featuring one of the largest 

fi rework displays held in downtown 

Detroit. Fireworks will begin promptly 

at 10:06 p.m. at the Hart Plaza and 

Detroit River. 

[Friday, June 26 - Sunday, June 28] 

Festival: Family-oriented Stars 

and Stripes Festival takes place in 

downtown Mt. Clemens. Friday 

11 a.m.-12 a.m., Saturday 11 a.m.- 

12 a.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-10 

p.m. Fireworks on Friday at 10 p.m. 

www.starsandstripesfest.com. 


Bowling: St. George Chaldean 

Church holds its fi rst bowling event. 

7-10 p.m., Thunderbird Lanes on 

Maple Road between Crooks and 

Livernois. Tickets must be bought 

in advance; $20 buys three games, 

pizza, drinks and shoes. (248) 229- 

0303 or (248) 980-4282. 


Bible Study: Informal Bible & 

Brew meets at Dick O’Dow’s in 

downtown Birmingham. 8-10 p.m. 


A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER YOU STARTS WITH A HEALTH COACH 

It’s more than counting calories and exercising. Vita is a new concept designed around total wellness. 

It’s a health coach who can give you the tools and guidance to achieve optimal health. It offers traditional 

medicine and integrative therapies to create a whole body experience. And, it’s peace of mind. Every 

program, each therapy and all classes have gone through rigorous reviews by a comprehensive scientific 

committee made up of Henry Ford physicians, nurses, scientists and other care professionals to make 

sure every Vita experience is safe and effective. You will find Vita Health Coaches only at Henry Ford 

West Bloomfield Hospital. 

Available a la carte services include acupuncture, massage, yoga and more. 

HENRY FORD 

WEST BLOOMFIELD HOSPITAL 

Visit HenryFordWestBloomfield.com/vita 

or call (248) 325-3870. 

SAVE 15% ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP 

NOW THROUGH DEC. 31, 2009 


HALHOLE! 

[Births] 

Alexa Marie 

A child is a precious gift from 

God. Alvin & Kristin Semma 

are proud to announce the 

birth of their first child, Alexa 

Marie. She was born on March 

14, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. She 

weighed 6 lbs., 13 oz. and was 

18.5 inches long. She is the 

second grandchild for Sobhi 

& Nawal Semma, and the third 

grandchild for Riyadh & Najiba 

Jiddou. Alexa’s godmother is 

her aunt, Renee Jiddou. 

Jordan Patrick 

Our beautiful baby boy sent 

from above, filling our hearts 

with joy and love. Jordan Patrick 

Kattoo was born on November 

2, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. weighing 

7 lbs., 2 oz. and measuring 21 

inches. Blessed parents are 

Patrick & Gardenia Kattoo and 

adoring big sister is Adrianna. 

Jordan is the fifth grandchild for 

Farid Kattoo & the late Souad 

Kattoo and the ninth grandchild 

for Hikmat & Nadia Zeer. Godparents 

are Matthew Kesto and 

Lauren Dallo. 

John Joseph II 

John & Angela David are 

proud to announce the birth of 

their first child, John Joseph 

David II. They were blessed 

on October 18, 2008 at 5:14 

p.m. He weighed 8 lbs. and 

measured 19.5 inches. John is 

the third grandchild for Joseph 

& Badria David and the fourth 

for Moaiad & Labiba Kello. 

Honored godparents are Paul 

Kello and Jean David. 

Christian Ouse 

Ouse & Riva Gulli are blessed 

to announce the birth of their 

first child, Christian Ouse Gulli. 

He was born at Beaumont Royal 

Oak on January 4, 2009. He 

weighed 6 lbs., 13 oz. and was 

20 inches long. Christian is the 

third grandchild for both Walid 

& Fadia Gulli and Joe & Nidhal 

Karmo. Godparents are Ronnie 

Karmo and Joanna Kenaya. May 

God bless him always. 

Alexa Marie 

Jordan Patrick 

John Joseph II 

Christian Ouse 

Danya Marie 

Danya Marie Asmar was born 

on October 21, 2008. Proud 

parents are Adeeb & Seba 

Asmar. Big brothers are Dillon 

and Davin. 

Danya Marie 




HALHOLE! 

Jake Chace 

Ava Marie is proud to announce 

the blessing of her new baby 

brother, Jake Chace Barbat. 

Jake joined the beloved family on 

February 3, 2009, at Huron Valley 

Hospital. He weighed 5 lbs., 

5 oz. and measured 17 inches 

long. Proud parents are Jack & 

Farrah Barbat. Proud grandparents 

are Saud & Azhar Barbat 

and Wadi & Intsar Cholak. May 

God bless the family with health 

and happiness. 

Jake Chace 

TRUNK SHOW 

JUNE 18, 19, 20, 2009 

You’ll know 

when you see it... 

[Engagements] 

Kevin and Sara 

Kevin Konja and Sara Bato 

celebrated their engagement in 

January 2009. Kevin is the son 

of Naji & Intisar Konja and Sara 

is the daughter of Warda & Margaret 

Bato. The Konja and Bato 

families look forward to celebrating 

with the happy couple in 

April 2010. The couple plans to 

marry at St. George Church with 

a reception following at Penna’s 

Banquet Hall. 

John and Katie 

Najib & Noura Petrous (Kaskorkis) 

are proud to announce the 

engagement of their son, John 

Petrous (Kaskorkis) to Katie 

Spitery, daughter of Craig & 

Lillian Spitery. John surprised 

Katie in New York City by 

proposing to her at St Patrick’s 

Cathedral on May 3, 2009. John 

and Katie will exchange their 

wedding vows in June 2010. 

Kevin and Sara 

John and Katie 

248.723.4300 • By Appointment • 708 North Old Woodward • Birmingham, MI • romasposa.com 

Bridal • Evening • Mothers of the Wedding • Attendants’ Attire • Accessories & Jewelry 

[Wedding] 

Nicholas and Monica 

On August 17, 2008, Nicholas 

Kiryakoza and Monica Francis 

exchanged vows at Mother 

of God Chaldean Church. 

Nicholas is the son of Steve 

&Ann Kiryakoza, and Monica 

is the daughter of Salam & 

Ahlam Francis. The ceremony 

was followed by a stunning 

reception at Penna’s of Sterling 

Heights. Matt Loussia, cousin 

of the groom, was the best man 

and Sandy Al-Maleh, cousin of 

the bride, was maid of honor. 

Nicholas works for JP Morgan 

Chase & Company and Monica 

is a dental assistant. The couple 

enjoyed a Hawaiian honeymoon. 

May they enjoy a life of health, 

happiness and love together. 

Monica and Nicholas 

share your joy with the community 

Announcements are offered free of charge to paid subscribers. 

Please email or mail announcements with a photo to 

the Chaldean News at halhole@chaldeannews.com or: 

Chaldean News; c/o Editor, Subject: Announcements 

30095 Northwestern, Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

Please include your address and phone number to verify your 

paid subscription. Hard copies of photos can be picked up 

after the 15th of the month. Photos are not mailed back. 


obituaries 

Riniete Benyamen 

Recent 

Community 

Deaths 

Najiba Mansour 

Bakkal 

May 24, 2009 

RELIGION 

places of prayer 

chaldean churches in and around metro detroit 

Friends and family members 

from near and far 

were looking forward to the 

May 3 wedding of Riniete 

Benyamen. Instead, they 

attended the 26-year-old’s 

funeral on April 30. 

Riniete died suddenly 

of a heart attack on April 25 

Riniete Benyamen 

in El Cajon, California, just 

a week before his wedding 

to Lena Bahnam Anoen. He had been waiting 18 

months for her arrival from Syria. 

Riniete was born on May 22, 1982, in Iraq. He 

came to the United States in 1989. 

Riniete was buried in his wedding tuxedo, and 

his groomsmen wore their tuxedos to the funeral. 

Flowers planned for the wedding decorated the 

funeral home, and instead of capturing the festive 

reception, the videographer assembled a montage 

of Riniete’s short life. 

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Riniete served in 

Korea. After his honorable discharge, he worked at the family business 

and was looking forward to starting a new life with his wife. Family always 

came first for Riniete. Some 1,000 people attended the funeral of 

the well-liked man. 

Besides his fiancée, he is survived by his parents, Nadwa and Adwar 

Benyamen; his sisters, Tara (Randy) Konja and Tanya (Joey) Hallak; his 

brother, Renoir; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

May he rest in peace in God’s loving arms. 

Petros Hermz 

Born on January 25, 1929 

in the town of Zakho in 

Northern Iraq, Petros 

Hermz passed away on 

May 10, 2009 at the age 

of 80 in his hometown of 

25 years — Detroit, Michigan 

— after losing his long 

battle with congestive heart Petros Hermz 

failure. 

Petros is survived by his 

brother, Slewa Hermz; his wife; Madlin 

Toma; and his 13 children, Salem, Edward, 

Michael, Selma, Falem, Sabiha, 

George, Amer, Najla, Naji, Nahla, Noufil 

and Kevin. He was also the proud 

grandfather of 34 grandchildren and 3 

great-grandchildren. 

Petros was the kind of man who 

lived life with an open heart and it was 

seen in everything he did. While living in 

Iraq, his sister Shamouni sadly passed 

away while giving birth. Without question, 

he helped raise her children as his 

own. He was then admirably supporting 

25 people at one time. 

In 1980, Petros made the courageous 

journey of moving his family to 

the United States. He made Chicago 

Hadar Shafig Sarraf 


Julianna Mallat Nagier 


Naim Hanna Kallabat 


Salman Polis Moshy 


Antonio Robert 

Parker 


Shamoon Delly 


Yousif Jabow Arabo 

April 27, 2009 

Jerry Zia Dabish 

April 23, 2009 

their first home in America 

and lived there for four 

years. In 1984, he moved 

his family to Detroit where 

he spent the remainder of 

his life. But he never forgot 

about his family and friends 

back in Iraq, including his 

brother Slewa. While in 

the United States, he aided 

many families in Iraq with 

their migration to America. 

Married for more than 

59 years, Petros adored his wife Madlin. 

Their romance was referred to by 

many as a “Romeo & Juliet” fairytale. 

He loved his family and he loved life. He 

helped anyone without question and no 

matter what their request. He smiled all 

the time and it was contagious. 

Although he lived a full and vibrant 

life, many still feel they did not have 

enough time in his joyous company. All 

you needed was to meet him one time 

to never forget him; his presence lit up 

a room and his memory will continue to 

do the same in all of our hearts. He will 

be dearly missed by all of his family and 

friends, but may his spirit stay with us 

— inspiring us to live each day to the 

fullest, always. 

THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE IN THE UNITED STATES 

St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Diocese 

25603 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48033; (248) 351-0440 

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: Weekdays except Tuesday, 10 a.m.; 

Tuesday, St. Anthony prayer at 5 p.m. followed by mass at 5:30 p.m. 

Saturday, 5:15 p.m. in English; Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Arabic, 10 a.m. in English, 

12 noon in Chaldean 

SACRED HEART CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

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

Pastor: Rev. Jacob Yasso 

Mass Schedule: Friday, 6 p.m. in Chaldean, Sunday 11 a.m. in Chaldean 

MAR ADDAI CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

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

Pastor: Rev. Stephen Kallabat 

Parochial Vicars: Rev. Fadi Habib Khalaf, Rev. Suleiman Denha 

Mass Schedule: Weekday masses at 12 noon. 

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

ST. GEORGE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

45700 Dequindre Road, Shelby Township, MI 48317; (586) 254-7221 

Pastor: Rev. Emanuel Hana Isho Shaleta 

Assistant Pastor: Rev. Basel Yaldo 

Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in 

Chaldean, 10 a.m. in Arabic, 11:30 a.m. in English, 1 p.m. in Chaldean. Baptisms: 

2:30 p.m. on Sundays. 

ST. JOSEPH CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

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

Pastor: Msgr. Zouhair Toma (Kejbou) 

Parochial Vicar: Fr. Sameem Balius 

Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Saturday, 5 p.m. in English and 

Chaldean; Sunday, 8 a.m. in Chaldean, 9:30 a.m. in Arabic, 11 a.m. in English, 

12:30 p.m. in Chaldean. Baptisms: 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. 

ST. MARY HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC 

ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST 

4320 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092; (586) 825-0290 

Rector: Fr. Benjamin Benjamin 

Mass Schedule: Sunday, 9 a.m. Assyrian; noon Assyrian and English 

ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

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

Pastor: Rev. Frank Kalabat 

Rev. Emanuel Rayes (retired) 

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jirgus Abrahim 

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 


MICHIGAN LOTTERY ANNOUNCES 

THE JACK IS A PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT GAME THAT GROWS EVERY 4 MINUTES. 

1 

3 

PLAY your 

favorite Club Keno 

spot game 

MATCH all of your 

Jack numbers with 

the Club Keno 

numbers drawn 

and win the jackpot! 

You can still win on 

your regular Club Keno 

wager, too. 

2 

PLAYThe Jack 

for just $1 more 

per draw 

The jackpot starts at $2,000 and grows every 4 minutes until someone matches 

all 7 numbers, and may reach $20,000 or more daily. The jackpot grows even 

faster as more players get in the game. Jack up the fun! 

The Club Keno mark is a registered trademark of GTECH Corporation. Approximate overall odds of winning Club Keno are from 1 in 4 to 1 in 17; the odds of winning The Jack are 1 in 40,979. In the event of multiple 

winners for a single drawing, The Jack prize will be divided equally among the winning prize shares. If you bet more than you can afford to lose, you’ve got a problem. Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help. 


in the KITCHEN with… 

chef lee sharkas 

Taking Shenandoah up a few notches 

By Mark Kassa 

America has established itself 

as a melting pot, thus 

it comes as no surprise that 

throughout the major metropolitan 

areas in the United States, cultural 

diversity is prevalent. 

In some instances when a culture 

is tight-knit enough, an enclave forms 

and makes that specific area more efficient 

for that particular group. In the 

early 20th century when Polish immigrants 

were coming through they 

settled in Hamtramck. Similarly, we 

Chaldeans have made our way from 

around Detroit to places like Southfield 

and now West Bloomfield. 

When the Southfield Manor was 

thriving through the 1980s and ‘90s, 

the standard of excellence for the cuisine 

was very high. The Chaldean community 

took great pride in having our 

own private club. In 2005, we changed 

over to Shenandoah Country Club. 

The beautiful marble floors, gold 

chandeliers, damask drapes, golf course 

view, state-of-the-art architecture and 

sports club amenities are trumped by 

the importance of the cuisine. Without 

consistently great cuisine, the club 

is not as rewarding to Chaldeans. 

As of January 28 2007, any inconsistent 

reputation was immediately 

challenged by Executive Chef 

Lee Sharkas. 

Only six years after being born in 

Baghdad, in 1974 Lee and his family 

left Iraq. Enduring a year-long lay 

over in London allowed the Sharkas 

family to then make their way to Detroit. 

Approximately five years later, 

at the age of 13, Lee would start his 

cooking career at Larcos on 12 Mile 

and Evergreen. 

This vocation came as no surprise 

considering his two older brothers 

were already in the industry — Louis 

is a chef at Birmingham Country 

Club and Sam owns and operates 

Italian Fresca on Orchard Lake and 

Pontiac Trail. 

Chef Lee’s claim to fame, where he 

really earned his checkers and whites, 

was under the tutelage of Chef Aldo 

Ottaviani of Andiamo West on Telegraph 

in Bloomfield Hills for 14 years. 

Lately Chef Lee has gone back to 

his roots from the days of helping his 

mother in the kitchen. Only now he 

is fully in charge and his Chaldean 

audience is much more expansive. 

“Chaldeans are some of the most 

particular eaters in the world,” he 

said. “We are passionate about our 

food; consequently we are some of 

the hardest people to please.” 

Knowing the importance of the 

food at Shenandoah has helped Chef 

Lee justify some of the more tedious 

tasks that are appreciated by guests. 

For example, one of the first items I 

noticed being prepped was celery. All 

the crisp, light-green celery hearts 

were on one side of the cutting board 

and all the outer, dark-green stalks 

were on the other. Because of my 

obvious interest in the more-tender 

interior, I had to ask what they 

were doing with the celery hearts. 

Chef Lee responded, “For the mezza 

Seared Sea Bass 

Ingredients 

photos by david reed 

7 oz. Chilean sea bass 

Pinch of sea salt and black pepper 

1 sliced Vidalia onion 

5 oz. (2 cups, packed) arugula rockets 

1 tablespoon pine nuts 

7 tablespoons olive oil 

1 garlic clove 

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 

4 grape tomatoes 

1 tablespoon capers 

Lee Sharkas shows 

Mark Kassa how to 

prepare seared sea 

bass (left). 

trays…Chaldeans won’t eat anything 

but the hearts. The rest is used for 

stocks and other cooking.” 

After that, he pointed out his 

Red Goose baharat out of Royal 

Oak. “This makes a huge difference 

in the flavoring of our staple dishes. 

The guy who makes this has his own 

blend and it’s all fresh. The allspice 

they were using here was no good.” 

I am a firm believer of little 

things making a big difference, so I 

was impressed to see Chef Lee has 

his hands and heart in all the aspects 

of the kitchen. The first few years at 

Instructions 

Heat two stainless steel sauté pans. 

After the pans are hot add 1 tablespoon 

of oil to each pan. 

Lay the seasoned fish in the hotter 

sauté pan with the service side down. 

Caramelize the onions in the other pan 

by turning heat down to medium. 

Meanwhile puree pine nuts, garlic 

and half of the arugula in a food processor 

then slowly add the remaining 

Shenandoah, I knew something was 

wrong with the tabouleh salad, so I 

brought it up to Chef Lee. He asserted, 

“The lemon juice — they were 

not using fresh lemon juice.” 

Chef Lee is not shy about working; 

he knows running a kitchen is 

very labor intensive and time consuming. 

“I love it but you have to 

give up a lot to be in this profession,” 

said the proud parent of 12-year-old 

Alexia and 9-year-old Andrew. 

Occasionally Shenandoah will 

run special entrees or take special 

requests. Fortunately, a special Chilean 

Sea Bass had just been delivered. 

Chef Lee took it upon himself 

to demonstrate how the whole fish 

is skinned, deboned, prepped and 

seared. His spontaneous recipe was 

no less than exquisite and perfect for 

springtime. 

olive oil until emulsified, but do not overwhip 

the oil. Flip over the fish when it 

has reached a golden-brown color. Periodically 

stir and turn the onion, then 

deglaze it with the balsamic vinegar. 

Plate the sea bass next to a bed of 

the leftover arugula rockets and grape 

tomatoes lightly tossed with the arugula 

pesto. Top the fish with the caramelized 

onion and capers. Garnish the 

plate with the leftover pesto. 


Danial Tobia Yaldo 

1921-1996 

this special month of honoring father’s John Paul Home Care would 

Inlike to honor our inspiration, Mr. Danial Tobia Yaldo. Through his 

example he taught his four children to care for our strong Chaldean 

community. Through his humble teachings he raised our family with great 

love and strong faith. He was always there for everyone when ever they 

were in need. What would be a modern day Physician’s Assistant, our father 

traveled to many villages back home just to treat people and care for them 

during times of illness. With a strong sense of humility and morality he 

never charged those who could not afford medical attention, but it was 

important to him to make sure that everyone was treated with respect and dignity. 

Sometimes there were was a line of people who were in need of medical 

attention who could not afford hospitals and clinics just to get medicine from 

him no matter how late the time. 

Along with his caring demeanor Danial Yaldo was a devote Catholic. 

He would walk miles to church and would never miss mass. He was a family 

man who taught love and tolerance in our home. He encouraged his children 

to continue to give to others as he has lived his entire life doing so. It is 

only through his example, his humble ways of servitude and special ways of 

giving that we, John Paul Home Care, are welcomed with open arms by many 

of our patients, especially who knew him. It is through his memory that we 

strive to live as he did. 

May God Rest His Soul 

JOHN PAUL 

HOM E HEALTH CARE 

We, as his children are honored to wish all the 

father’s a Happy and Blessed Father’s Day. 

Through the memory of our father we live 

by our slogan, “Here to lend a helping hand.” 

J 

OHN PA 

OH 

JO 

P 

PA 

AU 

AUL 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 

“CLASS OF 2009” 

YOU DID IT! 

JOHN PAUL HOME HEALTH CARE INC. 

IS PROUD TO SHARE IN YOUR JOY! 

HO 

H 

OM E HE 

H 

HE 

EA 

EAL 

LT 

CA 

C 

ARE 

THE SUCCESS AND LEVEL OF ENDEAVOR AND 

PERFORMANCE BY CHALDEAN GRADUATES CONTINUE TO 

IMPRESS AND AMAZE. WE PRAY THAT GOD WILL 

CONTINUE TO GIVE YOU STRENGTH IN ALL OF YOUR 

FUTURE ENDEAVORS AND MAY HIS BLESSINGS 

EXTEND TO YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. 

AR 

LTH CA 


1 

LIBRARY 

2 

10 

11 

3 

11 

4 

12 

12 12 

5 5 

5 

13 

14 

13 

20 

5 

5 

13 

15 

13 

21 

6 

16 

7 

13 

17 

5 

13 

22 

8 

5 

18 19 

9 

FESTIVAL MAP & LEGEND 

1. Freak Out* 

2. Scooter* 

3. Fury* 

4. Scrambler* 

5. Games 

6. 1001* 

7. Skater* 

8. Tornado* 

9. C. Wheel* 

10. Stage 

11. Tents 

12. Merchants 

Row 

13. Food 

14. MGR* 

15. Helicopter* 

16. Train* 

17. Clak* 

18. Kids Swing* 

19. Orient* 

20. Tinsel Town* 

21. Alpine* 

22. Toon Town* 

*RIDES 


Carnival Rides 

& Games 

Food Booths 

Live Entertainment 

Merchant Booths 

and More !!! 

JUNE 5TH 5 P.M. - 10 P.M. • JUNE 6TH 12 P.M. - 10 P.M. • JUNE 7TH 12 P.M. - 9 P.M. 

LIVE PERFORMANCES BY: 

LARRY LEE & 

THE BACK IN THE DAY BAND 

STEVE ACHO 

SLIGHT RETURN 

Sponsored by: 

DJ FLEXXX 

KHAIRY BOUDAGH 

JANAN SAWA 

JULIANA JENDO 

MAJID KAKKA 

SALAM KAKKA 

AMEED ASMARO 

RAMY AL EISSA 

SAWSAN KIZY 

RAAD KIZY 

RAFID SAWA 

SABEEH ABED 

DHIA SHEENA 

MAJID ZINGILO 

THAMIR ROMAYA 

FBI 

MUSICIANS: 

MELAD AL KAS 

NINOS SOURESHO 

SALEM KOKI 

SIMON RAYES 



sports 

League participants went through their paces at a recent Saturday practice in Southfield. 

good sports 

Chaldean 

Church League 

comes up aces 

STORY By Steve Stein 

Photos by Brad Ziegler 

Mother of God Chaldean 

Catholic Church youth 

group coordinators Nathan 

Karrumi and Arlene Kakos 

were brainstorming a couple years 

ago about a way to get more Chaldean 

kids involved in their church 

and to get to know each other, no 

matter where they lived in the metropolitan 

area. 

They decided that a sports program 

would be a good way to achieve 

both objectives, and they contacted 

the other five Chaldean churches to 

tell them about their plans. 

Their idea turned out to be a 

stroke of genius. As it begins its third 

year this summer, the Chaldean 

Church Sports League (CCSL) has 

far exceeded anyone’s expectations. 

“Oh, without question,” said 

Karrumi, president of the CCSL executive 

board. “But we know we’re 

doing well because everything is being 

done for the right reasons. Everything 

we do is based on the church’s 

traditions and values. That’s why 

we’re growing so fast.” 

Church teams play flag football, 

sports continued on page 30 


sports continued from page 29 

soccer and volleyball during the summer 

and basketball during the winter. 

Some 300 to 400 youths and 

young adults are expected to play 

this summer at the Southfield Civic 

Center. There were about 150 participants 

in the league’s first summer 

season in 2007. 

There were 29 teams and 430 

players in the basketball league this 

past winter at the Boys & Girls Club 

of South Oakland County in Royal 

Oak. Those were big increases from 

the 17 teams and 300 players in the 

inaugural 2008 basketball season. 

What makes the 

CCSL unique is 

each player must be 

active in his or her 

church to be eligible 

to participate in the 

league. There are 

no exceptions. 

What makes the CCSL unique 

is each player must be active in his 

or her church to be eligible to participate 

in the league. There are no 

exceptions. 

“It could be Bible study, volunteering 

in the community, singing in the 

church choir, anything,” Kakos said. 

“It’s very important for kids to understand 

and embrace their religion 

and be an active member of their 

church,” Karrumi added. 

The requirement is an easy one for 

the youths who are already involved 

in their church. But what about the 

kids who need to become involved to 

play in the CCSL? 

Coaches Joey Jonna from St. 

Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church 

and Olivia Jarbo from St. George 

Chaldean Catholic Church have experienced 

similar results. 

“Of the kids who didn’t want to 

do it because it was out of their comfort 

zone, I’d say nine out of 10 have 

ended up enjoying it,” said Jonna, 

who has coached St. Thomas flag 

football and basketball teams in the 

high school division for two years. 

“A few kids have needed a push 


ut once they’ve gotten involved, 

they want to stay involved even after 

the season,” said Jarbo, who has 

coached high school girls basketball 

teams from St. George for two years. 

Auburn Hills Avondale High 

School seniors Bianca Matti, 17, and 

Farrah Fachou, 18, played for Jarbo 

this past season. 

Matti has been active at St. 

George for years, volunteering in the 

kids’ room and during church events, 

and helping out at Catechism. This 

was her second year in the league. 

She convinced Fachou to give the 

league a try this winter and Fachou 

is very happy she took up her friend 

on the offer. 

“Even though I only knew about 

three of the 15 girls on our team at 

the beginning of the season, now 

they’re like a second family to me,” 

she said. 

The “family” got together a month 

after the season at Jarbo’s home for a 

team dinner. 

Fachou began taking Bible study 

classes at St. George because of the 

league. Even though the season is 

over, she hasn’t stopped going to the 

classes. 

“I’m going because I want to, not 

because I have to,” she said. 

Neither Karrumi, Jonna nor Jarbo 

see any problem with using sports as 

an incentive for youths to become 

active in their church. 

“We’re using sports as an avenue 

to get people on the right path,” Karrumi 

said. “There are no winners and 

losers in our league. It’s more important 

that kids learn the life lessons 

that sports can teach.” 

“Kids love sports, and I think their 

parents are happy to see them join 

a league that involves them in their 

church and community,” Jonna said. 

“A lot of kids don’t have time to 

play sports in high school because of 

the time commitment,” Jarbo said. 

“The CCSL gives them that opportunity, 

and a chance to meet other Chaldean 

kids from all over the area.” 

Matti agrees with her coach. 

“Basketball is one of my favorite 

sports to play, and I like the competition,” 

she said. “It’s also cool to see 

so many people from all over the area 

come to watch us play.” 

All the adults involved in the 

league, including coaches, are volunteers. 

Karrumi deeply appreciates 

their contributions. 

“We couldn’t do what we’re doing,” 

he said, “without our dedicated 

volunteers.” 

Learn more about the league 

at www.chaldean.org/Communi- 

tyPages/ChaldeanChurchSports- 

League. 


Chaldean bishops 

take a time out 

from the synod 

for a picture. 

“The extreme Assyrian church, 

the Assyrian Democratic Movement 

and some Assyrian political parties 

are trying to ignore us, humiliate 

us, undermine us and use us,” Bacall 

said. “We [Chaldeans] are 88 percent 

and they are 12 percent. They need 

us more than we need them. 

“It’s a shame we’re fighting over 

names – it’s not helping Christianity 

or our mission,” Bacall added. “[But] 

they say my way or the highway, so 

we will work on our own and keep 

the doors open until they wake up.” 

CASCA Director Robert Dekelaita 

takes a different view. “We’re all saying 

we’re one people so what is this protest 

about?” he asked. “This is a power grab 

by less than 40 people, including the 

bishops, and it’s really sad.” 

divided we fall? 

Bishops’ ‘self-identity’ statement is controversial 

By Weam Namou and Joyce Wiswell 

Sorrowful Sights 

Bacall said what he saw happening to 

the Christians of Iraq brought tears 

to his eyes. 

“Many of our cities, towns and 

villages are being converted to Arab 

or Kurdish cities,” Bacall said. “Forty-five 

years ago, there wasn’t a single 

mosque in Telkaif. Today, I saw more 

mosques than churches there. Telkaif 

has lost its ethnic purity and cultural 

identity.” 

While some argue that Iraq’s 

Chaldeans, Assyrians and 

Syriacs are all one people, 

Chaldean bishops declared at their 

recent synod that the identity, rights 

and obligations of the Chaldean 

people should be included independently 

from others in the new constitution 

of Kurdistan. 

“However, other minorities can 

work toward the same goal,” said 

Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, who traveled 

from Michigan to attend the 

synod. 

The Synod of the Chaldean 

Church was held from April 28 to 

May 5 in Ankawa, the suburb of 

Arbil in Northern Iraq, referred to 

as Kurdistan. All Chaldean bishops 

participated with the exception 

of Egypt’s, who couldn’t attend for 

health reasons. Along with Patriarch 

Emmanuel Delly, there were a total 

of 16 bishops present. 

“It is always good to meet with 

bishops from all over the world,” said 

Bishop Ibrahim. 

While the bishops called for unity 

within the Chaldean church and its 

sister churches in Iraq and abroad, 

the “self-identity” proclamation has 

brought much controversy. 

Dave Nona is a director of CAS- 

CA (Chaldean Assyrian Syriac 

Council of America) and a board 

member of the Chaldean American 

Chamber of Commerce. He believes 

it is the responsibility of all leaders 

approaching the dilemma of the 

Christian people — from a religious, 

nationalistic or humanistic perspective 

— to come together and transcend 

their “petty concerns” to find a 

solution to the real existential threat 

facing the Iraqi Christians. 

“My conviction is that the Chaldeans, 

Assyrians, Syriacs and all 

Christians of Iraq are one people by 

a virtue of their common heritage 

and faith,” Nona said, “and that they 

share the same destiny of possible extinction 

from the land of their ancestors 

– Mesopotamia.” 

Eddie Bacall, a member of the 

Chaldean Democratic Forum who 

along with five others traveled to 

Kurdistan with Bishop Ibrahim and 

Bishop Sarhed Jammo of California, 

is strongly in favor of the self-identity 

statement. (Bishop Jammo declined 

to comment on the issue to 

The Chaldean News.) 

The synod agreed to have an 

open dialogue with all other minority 

groups in Iraq and with major 

ethnic groups, such as the Arabs and 

Kurds. 

“We must do together whatever is 

good for the Christian people,” said 

Bishop Ibrahim. 

Bacall agreed. “We were the glue 

of the cohesive Iraqi society and 

throughout our history maintained 

good ties with all sects in Iraq,” he 

said. “We need to continue to build 

on that.” 

The bishops, concerned about 


the lives and destiny of Iraqi Christians, 

addressed the big problem of 

people leaving Iraq. They declared 

their support to the Christian people, 

asking them to stay in Iraq. 

“It is easy for some of us, living 

a normal life in the peaceful West, 

to ask others to struggle and put 

their lives in jeopardy,” conceded 

Bacall. 

The bishops ask those already 

outside of Iraq living in neighboring 

countries to return to their homes 

and businesses. They promised to 

request that the Iraqi government 

financially help those who return so 

that they can reestablish their lives. 

Yet according to Bacall, the Iraqi 

government is purposely ignoring 

what once were Christian towns, 

and is only spending .04 percent of 

the fiscal budget in those areas. 

“The Western powers and the 

U.S. have not done much to address 

the situation or put pressure 

on the Iraqi government to help 

the situation,” he said, blaming 

part of the problem on the Christian 

leadership, which he describes 

as “weak and divided.” 

“We do not have one voice,” he 

said. “Our political parties are ineffective 

and do not carry political 

From left: 

A newly built 

church in 

Bagdeeda. 

Scenes of 

ruin in Telkaif 

brought tears 

to Eddie 

Bacall’s eyes. 

A struggling 

Iraqi 

Christian 

family. 

weight. Some of them are the reason 

for dividing our people.” 

Bacall passionately encourages 

the Iraqis in America to assist in 

the development and stabilization 

of Iraqi Christians through lobbying, 

advocacy and public relations 

efforts. “We can achieve these ideas 

by taking advantage of the new democracy 

in Iraq and by establishing 

the American Iraqi Political Action 

Committee (AIPAC),” he said. 

Bacall also recommends that 

Christians establish a business group 

in America to invest in “our villages” 

and give them a strong presence 

and financial independence. 

Bacall said Chaldeans can learn a 

lot from the more united and mediasavvy 

Assyrians. 

“We are a compassionate community 

that tends to react and not a calculating 

community that prepares to 

act,” he said. “We need to reverse that 

in order to guard and sustain our future 

and that of the Christians in Iraq.” 

Nona said church leadership must 

embrace unity. 

“At CASCA, our objective is to 

advocate in Washington, DC for the 

principles of unity and survival of 

our people in Iraq,” he said. “We ask 

all of our leaders in the name of the 

common Christian faith that we proclaim 

to join us in this effort.” 

The synod also dealt with other 

issues such as electing bishops to vacant 

dioceses, which then depends 

on the Vatican for approval. This is 

needed to replace Archbishop Faraj 

P. Rahho, who was found dead on 

March 13, 2008, after being kidnapped 

by Islamic fundamentalists. 

The Iraq city of Arbil and Canada 

also lack a titular bishop. 

In the administration field, the 

synod established the creation of a 

permanent patriarchal synod composed 

of four bishops (three elected 

by the synod and the fourth member 

appointed by the Patriarch) to support 

the work of the Patriarch. This 

will allow the four bishops representing 

the synod to meet more frequently. 

The synod also discussed improving 

the programs in Babel College, 

the only faculty of philosophy and 

Christian theology in Iraq. 

“The synod wants to find the best 

way to educate future priests, to give 

them a good spitituatality and good 

human education,” said Bishop Ibrahim. 

 

 

Plus 

 

With 

FOR 2 YEARS 

BLADE-FREE 

by Michigan’s 

Most Experienced 

Laser Surgeon… 

 

 

first INTRALASE-LASIK 

 

10,000 iLASIK procedures 

 

Don’t compromise. 

Only Dr. Beitman 

 

 

safest best 

skill 

 

 

 

see-now, 

pay no-interest 

1-800-826-EYES 

www.beitman.com 

Call today for a 

FREE 

SAVE ON 

iLASIK 

CALL TODAY 

consultation and full details 


Flagstone Partners 

ATTORNEY-BASED DEBT CONSOLIDATION COMPANY 

THAT SPECIALIZES IN HOME LOAN MODIFICATION 

LET US SAVE YOUR HOME TODAY ! 

YOUR CREDIT IS 

NOT AN ISSUE ! 

We renegotiate your 

loan with the same lender... 

A home loan modification is 

different than a refinance, we 

modify your current loan, not get 

you a new one. 

DON’T LET THE 

BANK TAKE 

YOUR HOME, 

ACT TODAY ! 

DUE TO OUR 

100% SUCCESS 

RATE WE NOW 

OFFER A MONEY 

BACK GUARANTEE 

248-233-0845 

CALL US TODAY, DON’T WAIT TILL ITS TOO LATE. 

ARE YOU BEHIND ON YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENT ? 

ARE YOU ON AN ADJUSTABLE RATE LOAN THAT KEEPS INCREASING ? 

DO YOU OWE MORE ON YOUR HOME THEN WHAT ITS WORTH TODAY ? 

IS YOUR CURRENT INTERST RATE HIGHER THEN 3%? 

IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, WE CAN HELP ! 

We have a team of lawyers that are ready to go to work for you: 

Renegotiating your interest rate, lowering your principal loan amount 

and in some cases, eliminating your 2nd mortgage. 

Kavin Nafso 

Loan Modification Specialist 

2000 Town Center, Suite 1900 

Southfield, MI 48075 

Office 248-233-0845 

Fax: 248-351-2699 

flagstonepartners@gmail.com 

www.flagstonepartners.net/index.php 


counted out? 

Chaldeans want identity in Census 

By Joyce Wiswell 

While officials are hoping for 100 percent participation 

from community members in the 2010 

U.S. Census, some Chaldeans say the process 

leaves them feeling disenfranchised. Why, they 

wonder, can’t they check “Chaldean” – or at least 

“Middle Eastern” as their origin? 

The Census form gives more than a dozen choices 

for race –from Filipino to Cuban to American Indian 

to Samoan – but people of Chaldean and Middle Eastern 

descent have no option to check except “some 

other race.” 

“For the 2010 Census Questionnaire, we adhere 

closely to race categories established by the Office of 

Management and Budget. They are White, Black or 

African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, 

Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific 

Islander,” said Jack Martin of the Census’ Public Information 

Office in response to a query from The 

Chaldean News. “Since people of Hispanic ancestry combine to 

create the fastest-growing minority, we ask a question about their 

origin, as well as provide response boxes for some fast-growing, 

mostly Asian, races.” 

To stress the importance of full participation, Census officials 

gathered a number of ethnic media editors together in Detroit on 

April 28. The meeting included representatives of media covering 

Michigan’s Chaldean, Arab, Polish, Korean, African-American, 

Italian, Ukrainian, Latino, German and Native American communities. 

Sandy Close, Director of New America Media, an association 

of more than 2,000 ethnic media organizations, said this Census is 

paying special attention to Detroit and New Orleans. While participation 

in the 2000 Census was 71 percent throughout Michigan, 

only 62 percent of Detroit residents responded, she said. 

“The stakes couldn’t be higher for those who have the most to 

lose by a low count,” she said, noting that the Census is used to 

allocate some $300 billion in federal dollars each year. 

“One hundred thirty million forms are going out – and we’d 

like to get them all back,” said Arnold Jackson, the Census Bureau’s 

associate director. 

Through July, some 100,000 field workers are verifying addresses 

on hand-held computers. The forms go out on April 1 and as many 

as 600,000 field workers will visit addresses that don’t respond. 

Some reporters at the meeting questioned the confidentiality 

of results, particularly under the 2001 Patriot Act, which increases 

the ability of law enforcement agencies to gather personal information 

in an effort to combat terrorism. A reporter for a Korean 

publication admitted he was personally worried about filling out 

the 2000 Census, while a man with a Polish publication took issue 

with the fact that the Census form asks for personal telephone 

numbers. 

Census officials said that while they can’t make promises regarding 

the Patriot Act, forms are kept private and “the process 

has never had a compromise,” said Dwight P. Dean, regional director 

of the Detroit Regional Office. 

Chaldean Christine Jaddou has been hired by the Census as a 

By the Numbers 

U.S.* Michigan* Chaldeans** 

Total Population 299,398,485 10,095,643 113,000*** 

Below poverty 13.3% 13.5% Not Available 

Foreign Born 12.5% 5.9% 43.5% 

* Source: 2000 U.S. Census 

** Source: 2008 Chaldean Household Survey 

*** Since the survey, 8,400 additional refugees have arrived, bringing 

the total population to 121,400. As many as 25,000 more refugees 

are expected in the next two years. 

partner specialist to help increase community participation. 

“I look at it as a privilege and a right,” Jaddou said on filling out 

the form. “You are a U.S. resident and can be counted to take part 

in the money distributed to your community.” 

Martin Manna, executive director of the Chaldean American 

Chamber of Commerce, said he is not aware of any money distributed 

to the community based on Census figures, and he does not 

agree with the Census explanation of why Chaldeans are omitted 

from the form. Census 2000 reported a total of 34,000 Chaldeans, 

Manna said. 

“We felt that there was an undercount of our community in 

Census 2000, which is why we commissioned United Way and 

Walsh College to do a survey to give a more accurate count of 

Chaldeans and the contributions economically, socially and culturally 

they make every day,” Manna said. 

That United Way/Walsh College survey said Michigan has a 

total of 113,000 Chaldeans – a number that has grown since an additional 

8,400 Chaldean Iraqi refugees have moved to Michigan in 

the past two years. As many as 25,000 more refugees are expected 

in the next two years. 

“With the large influx of refugees to this region, the Census 

has an even more challenging mission dealing with an accurate 

community count,” Manna said. “We do believe people should fill 

out the form but don’t necessarily agree with the approach taken 

by the Census Bureau.” 

Census officials say that ancestry questions are asked on the 

American Community Service, a part of the decennial census program 

that provides detailed socioeconomic and housing data about 

the population throughout the decade. 

“One’s race and ancestry is a generally a matter of self-identification, 

and in the ‘other race’ category of the 2000 Census nearly 

1,000 different answers, from Aleut and Bedouin to Voltan and 

Zambian, were given,” the Census Bureau’s Martin said. “Peoples 

of many ancestries would like to have a box to check on the form, 

but that would be too costly in paper, postal fees, and very timeconsuming 

to add several to the nearly 200 million forms printed 

for the 2010 Census.” 

Ethnic media 

journalists listen 

to a pitch from 

Census officials at 

a recent meeting. 

Christine Jaddou, 

a Census partner 

specialist, looks 

over the form. 

Now Hiring 

The Census Bureau is hiring 

a number of temporary 

employees in Michigan. Management 

testing runs through 

June 31 and testing for field 

and office positions begins 

in the fall. Jobs are posted at 

www.census.gov/detroit, or 

call (866) 861-2010. 


without warning 

Parents are on a mission to educate about SIDS 

By Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

Nearly three months after 

they lost their son, 

Jason and Zena Abro 

still don’t know what happened. 

“I ask myself every day,” said 

Zena. “It is very private and 

honestly, a little too close to 

heart for me to explain everything, 

except that he did not 

wake up in the morning.” 

On the morning of March 

17, little Carter was found dead 

in his crib. The Abros received a 

call from the Kent County Medical 

Examiner’s office that evening 

saying the cause was Sudden Infant 

Death Syndrome (SIDS). 

“I kept blaming myself for 

what I could have done differently,” 

said Zena. “I knew 

a little about SIDS but never 

thought that’s what happened; 

Carter was more than one year 

old when this happened.” 

As explained by the Center 

for Infant and Child Loss, SIDS 

“is the sudden, unexpected 

death of an apparently healthy 

infant remaining unexplained 

after an autopsy, death scene 

investigation, and a medical 

history review. SIDS continues 

to be the leading cause of infant 

death, claiming the lives of 

more than 2,000 infants in the 

United States each year.” 

Carter was a happy little boy, 

the youngest of four kids. Born 

during the leap year, “I knew 

he was special from that day,” 

said Zena. “He was a momma’s 

boy; he loved his dad but always 

would prefer me over him.” 

Carter Abro 

Carter was much like his 

two brothers, Jason, 5, and 

Sebastian, 3. They are also attached 

to their mom while sister 

Chloe, 2, is daddy’s little girl. In 

the simple and touching ways 

babies know how to express 

themselves, Carter showed his 

love for his siblings by chasing 

them around the house. “He 

would crawl up the stairs and 

cry for someone to bring him 

down,” recalled Zena. 

The family marveled at 

Carter’s milestones. Zena said 

he was always on the go, a rambunctious 

child who started 

crawling at six months. He attempted 

to walk at 10 months 

and began mastering walking 

just after his first birthday. And 

like typical kids growing up in a 

Chaldean home, the baby who 

was just becoming a toddler 

loved to eat. “He ate every kind 

of food I would give him,” said 

Zena. “He even ate pacha on 

Christmas.” 

The Abros said that doctors 

had never specifically mentioned 

SIDS to them, only emphasizing 

the importance of a 

baby sleeping on his back with 

no pillows or blankets. Now 

part of a group the Abros never 

sought out, the SIDS parents 

believe that most parents are 

not properly educated about 

the syndrome. 

“I never would have expected 

this to happen especially 

after four kids,” said Zena. “I 

was a pro; I know everything I 

needed to know about kids. I 

thought it was only something 

I would read about but never 

happen to me. Was I ever so 

wrong. I think doctors should 

push telling parents about the 

seriousness of SIDS.” 

Left with only little reminders 

around the house of their 

baby boy, the Abros are focused 

on educating others. On April 

24, SIDS Awareness Day, Jason 

and Zena sent a mass e-mail out 

in honor of their son. 

The couple also helped to 

raise money for the cause. “After 

the funeral was done and 

people stopped coming over and 

went on with their own lives, I 

felt helpless and started to feel 

sorry for myself. I don’t like to 

feel neither one of those,” said 

Zena. “I decided to go on the 

[SIDS] website and see what it 

was about.” 

Since the American SIDS 

Institute was founded in 1983 

the annual number of deaths 

has decreased by more than 

half. The Abros raised $6,000 

for the institution’s Spring for 

SIDS drive, and they promise 

to raise more next year. 

“I made a commitment to 

this institute because it makes 

us feel as if we are doing something 

to help our son,” said 

Zena. “No one told me this 

was going to happen to us, so I 

couldn’t help my son before he 

died. But I promise I will try my 

hardest to prevent at least one 

more child’s death from SIDS.” 

If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane, 

we would walk right up to Heaven, and bring you home again. 

No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye. 

You were gone before we knew it and only God knows why. 

Our hearts still ache in sadness and secret tears still flow; 

what it meant to lose you no one can ever know. 

Since you will never be forgotten, we pledge to you today; 

a hallowed place within our hearts, is where you’ll always stay. 

Reducing the Risk 

SIDS is unpredictable, but the American 

SIDS Institute says some things can be 

done to reduce the risk. 

For Parents-To-Be 

1. Get medical care early in pregnancy, preferably within 

the first three months, followed by regular checkups at the 

doctor’s office or health clinic. Make every effort to assure 

good nutrition. These measures can reduce the risk of 

premature birth, a major risk factor for SIDS. 

2. Do not smoke, use cocaine or use heroin. These all 

increase the infant’s risk for SIDS. 

3. Don’t get pregnant during the teenage years. If you are a 

teen and already have one infant, take extreme caution not 

to become pregnant again. The SIDS rate decreases for 

babies born to older mothers. It is highest for babies born 

to teenage mothers. The more babies a teen mother has, 

the greater at risk they are. 

4. Wait at least one year between the birth of a child and 

the next pregnancy. The shorter the interval between pregnancies, 

the higher the SIDS rate. 

For Parents 

1. Place infants to sleep on their backs, even though they 

may sleep more soundly on their stomachs. Infants who 

sleep on their stomachs and sides have a much higher rate 

of SIDS than infants who sleep on their backs. 

2. Place infants to sleep in a baby bed with a firm mattress. 

There should be nothing in the bed but the baby — no covers, 

no pillows, no bumper pads, no positioning devices and 

no toys. Soft mattresses and heavy covering are associated 

with the risk for SIDS. 

3. Keep your baby’s crib in the parents’ room until the infant 

is at least 6 months old. 

4. Do not place your baby to sleep in an adult bed. Typical 

adult beds are not safe for babies. Do not fall asleep with 

your baby on a couch or in a chair. 

5. Do not over-clothe the infant at bedtime. Just use enough 

clothes to keep the baby warm without having to use cover. 

Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you. 

Overheating an infant may increase the risk for SIDS. 

6. Avoid exposing the infant to tobacco smoke. Don’t have 

your infant in the same house or car with someone who is 

smoking. The greater the exposure to tobacco smoke, the 

greater the risk of SIDS. 

7. Breast-feed babies whenever possible. Breast milk 

decreases the occurrence of respiratory and gastrointestinal 

infections. Studies show that breast-fed babies have a 

lower SIDS rate than formula-fed babies do. 

8. Avoid exposing the infant to people with respiratory infections. 

Avoid crowds. Carefully clean anything that comes in 

contact with the baby. Have people wash their hands before 

holding or playing with your baby. SIDS often occurs in 

association with relatively minor respiratory (mild cold) and 

gastrointestinal infections (vomiting and diarrhea). 

9. Offer your baby a pacifier. Some studies have shown a 

lower rate of SIDS among babies who use pacifiers. 

10. If your baby has periods of not breathing, going limp or 

turning blue, tell your pediatrician at once. 

11. If your baby stops breathing or gags excessively after 

spitting up, discuss this with your pediatrician immediately. 

12. Thoroughly discuss each of the above points with all 

caregivers. If you take your baby to daycare or leave him 

with a sitter, provide a copy of this list to them. Make sure 

they follow all recommendations. 

Learn more at www.sids.org. 


Cosmetic Surgery 

(Rhinoplasty) 

One of the longest continuous-running plastic surgery practices 

in the country (Over 70 years) 

 

 

 

 

AAAHC 

Accredited 

 

(248) 647-5800 

 

Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery 

 

Board Certified in Plastic Surgery 

 

Board Certified in Plastic Surgery 

 

www.straithclinic.com 


dedicated 

d a d s 

Teens just love 

their Baba 

by Caroline m. bacall 

“Without him, I don’t 

know where I would be. 

I love how my dad text 

messages.” 

Samantha Ammori, 16 


“My dad is hard-working 

and has taught me so 

much. I want to thank 

him for always supporting 

me in anything I do.” 

Alex Bahoura, 17 

Sterling Heights 

“My dad has taught me 

to be independent and to 

make the right decisions. 

I love him and thank him 

for everything he has done 

for my family.” 

Catia Odisho, 16 

Troy 

To provide and to be 

dedicated are but only two 

well-known characteristics 

of fathers who exceed 

their title as “Baba.” 

Father’s Day (June 21) 

is the perfect opportunity 

to thank them for their 

support and commitment. 

We asked teens at a 

Chaldean Church Sports 

League practice at the 

Southfield Civic Center to 

comment on what makes 

their father special. 

“I think it’s important to 

be close with your parents. 

My dad and I enjoy 

watching movies and 

hanging out together.” 

Christina Yasso, 16 

Bloomfield Hills 

“We play basketball with 

my dad. He taught us 

everything we know about 

it. We got our good looks 

from him, too.” [laughs] 

Lauren Yasso, 18 

Bloomfield Hills 

“No matter how busy our 

fathers are in their partnership, 

they always make 

time for family.” 

Pierre Bacall, 17 


“They never forget to 

remind us about how important 

our future is.” 

Joey Bacall, 17 

Brighton 

“He’s very caring and 

makes us extend our 

limits.” 

Joey Namou, 15 


“He expects us to get 

a degree and pushes 

us to be our best.” 

Peter Namou, 17 


“My dad’s a nice guy 

— he’ll help out anyone 

who needs it. He’s always 

there for me and my 

siblings.” 

Jonathan Garmo, 16 

Southfield 

“He’s very supporting. 

He’s about to get me a car 

for my graduation, which 

I’m very thankful for.” 

Brandon Somo, 18 

Southfield 

“He’s always working hard 

to support the family. I 

wish him the best Father’s 

Day and thank him for 

what he’s done.” 

Fadi Sitto, 18 

Sterling Heights 

“Even though I don’t see 

him as much as I’d like to, 

I appreciate everything he 

does for my family.” 

Noor Naimi, 17 



Do you answer Yes to 

ANY of These Questions: 

• Are you in a ARM or Interest Only Mortgage ? 

• Are you behind on your mortgage payment? 

• Is the value of your home less than what you owe? 

• Did your mortgage adjust and you can no longer afford your payment? 

• Are your monthly bills higher than your monthly income? 

• Has your income dropped? 

• Is your credit bad? 

• Do you want to stay in your home? 

A Loan Modification may: 

• Lower your Interest Rate to as low as 2% 

• Eliminate Penalties and Back Payments. 

• Lower your monthly mortgage payment to something you can afford. 

• Stop the foreclosure process and make you current on your payment. 

Chris Saroki 

Direct Line: 248-637-4671 

Cellular: 248-388-8999 

csaroki@fsmichigan.com 

LOAN MODIFICATION 

Call Us 

Today! 

We specialize in reducing 

principal balances and dissolve 

2nd mortgages completely! 

Donny Poota 

Direct Line: 248-637-4669 

Cellular: 248-866-1883 

dpoota@fsmichigan.com 

3290 West Big Beaver Rd. • Troy, Michigan 48084 • www.fsmichigan.com 

33250 12 MILE ROAD 

ON THE CORNER OF FARMINGTON ROAD 

OPEN 7 AM - 10 PM EVERYDAY! 

(248) 994 - 0700 

Fast , friendly 

service with 

a smile! 

Tut’s 

Cracked Olives 

6lb 9.75 oz can 

$ 

6 .99 

Arheon Pasta 

Five Roses 

(assorted varieties) 

Flour 

16oz Package 

5.5lb bag 

10 

/ $ 10 .00 $ 

3. 69 

Tut’s 

Spanish Cheese 

$ 

3. 99 

per lb. 

Ship 

Amba 

2lb 3¼ oz Jar 

Al Amir Chick 

Peas 

15.5oz can 

10 

/ $ 5 .00 

Plantation 

Frozen Quail 

6ct 26oz 

$ 

6 .99 

coarse, med, fine, extra fine... 

in the produce department 

99¢ per lb 

3 

/ $ 10 .00 Bulk Bulghur 

Shatila 

Ice Cream 

Quart 

$ 

5. 99 

We make custom made 

graduation cakes with a photo 

of your graduate on the cake 

Fresh made deli trays perfect 

for your graduation parties 

We carry fresh Lamb Leg, 

Lamb Tongues, Lamb Fries, 

Beef Tripe and coarse grind. 

We will custom cut/grind your 

meats to meet your needs. 


HIGH SCHOOL highlight 

Marian High School: Leadership, faith and maturity 


As the expression says, “When you are 

given an opportunity, seize it.” At Marian 

High School, Chaldean girls take advantage 

of engaging and informative opportunities 

within their reach. As a whole, students at 

MHS take academics and social activities into 

high account; about 90 percent have academic 

and extra curricular after-school responsibilities. 

At Marian, it’s more than meeting the minimum requirements. 

“Standards at Marian are so high, students strive 

for higher goals. For some girls, getting a grade of B 

is upsetting,” said junior Courtney Segmen. 

Senior Napoli Oraha believes her involvement 

has made her high school experience at Marian 

worthwhile. She has been involved in Life Club, was 

a junior mentor, a Pastoral Team member, and contributed 

to the Field Day Committee, an annual event 

where each grade represents its own theme. “It’s a 

huge Marian tradition that I’ve always looked forward 

to,” Oraha said. 

Additionally, Oraha participated in MUN (Model 

United Nations) and the Journalism Club alongside 

her sister Maria, a junior. Maria recently performed 

in Marian’s first annual Culture Day, where she and 

other students performed traditional Chaldean dances 

– “a great opportunity to demonstrate my Chaldean 

heritage,” she said. 

Maria Oraha has maintained a grade-point average 

of 4.0, while younger sister Manuella, a freshman, 

participates in activities such as a dodge ball 

fundraiser for education in Africa. All three sisters 

have also participated in ABED (Authentic Bilingual 

Ethnic Devotion), an extra-curricular organization 

that represents the importance of ethnic diversity 

and promoting bilingual education to youth. 

Senior Janel Ayar is an All School Board member, 

involved in Pastoral Team, SADD (Students 

Against Destructive Decisions), Life Club, Project 

C.A.R.E (a support group for charity work), and is 

the head editor for Journalism. Sister Rochell Ayar, a 

sophomore, maintains a 4.0 GPA and has followed 

in her sister’s active footsteps as a member of Class Board, 

SADD and Life Club. 

Segmen is a participant in MRP (Marian Rice Players) 

and is the head of the costume department for Marian’s theatrical 

plays. “I’ve always had a love for fashion,” she said. “It’s 

very time-consuming. Each play is different with the characters 

and the time period.” 

Segmen has also been on the track team for three years 

and is part of the NHS and SHS programs. “Marian gives 

you so many opportunities,” she said. “There’s a place for 

everyone to fit in.” 

Recent championships give a glimpse of how much effort 

Marian girls put into sports. 

Skye Acho and Christina Yasso are part of the Marian 

Mustangs Basketball Team, Tallia Mio is involved in soccer 

and track, and Sabrina Garmo plays on the volleyball team. 

Chaldean seniors Oraha, Ayar, Anita Kesto and Nisreen Jonna 

are also proud participants in Powderpuff football, a rigorous 

and popular senior sport activity. Mandatory practices run 

photo by david reed 

three hours a day for four days a week prior to a game. 

Senior Whitney Sarkis played varsity soccer at Marian for 

three years and is currently playing at Oakland University in 

Rochester Hills on a scholarship. 

2007 alumna Lana Hanna also played Powder Puff her 

senior year, took second honors for three years, and contributed 

to the Field Day Committee for four years. Katrina Lufty, 

another notable Marian graduate (class of 2008), is attending 

Boston College in Massachusetts for the Navy ROTC (Reserve 

Officers’ Training Corps). She recently visited Marian 

in Navy attire. 

Claudine Denha, a Computer Applications teacher since 

2007, is a strong advocate of the school. 

“Chaldean students at Marian come from such a supportive, 

educational and innovative environment which incorporates 

the Catholic mission and faith,” she said. “I am blessed 

to be a part of their journey. As a Chaldean-American, I appreciate 

teaching in a school where the young women are 

taught morals and values and are able to make wise decisions 

based on their faith.” 

Above: Front left to right: Natlie 

Choulagh, Manvella Oraha, Serena 

Denha and Sabrina Thuwaini. Back: 

Veronica Abbo, Maria Oraha, Skye 

Acho and Napoli Oraha 

Left: More than 21 Chaldean 

students performed the khuga and 

a belly dance as part of the recent 

Cultures of Marian. Senior Janel Ayar 

organized the annual event. 

MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL 

7225 Lahser Road, 

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 

(248) 644-1750 

TOTAL POPULATION: 

582 students 

CHALDEAN PERCENTAGE: 

10 percent 

NOTEWORTHY CHALDEANS: 

Napoli Oraha, Janel Ayar, Maria 

Oraha, Anita Kesto, Cortney 

Segmen, Manuella Oraha, Whitney 

Sarkis, Haley Jonna, Veronica 

Abbo, Liane Meram, Lauren 

Kalabat, Sabrina Garmo, Monica 

Nona, Michelle Shango, Skye 

Acho, Christina Yasso, Tallia 

Mio, Jewels Sheena, Nessma 

Bashi, Courtney Sheena, Natalie 

Seman, Megan Kalasho, Miryam 

Squillace, Ashley Attisha, Yasmin 

Kasmikha, Aundrea Roye, Raya 

Sacco, Paige Jonna, Grace 

Lutfy, Jessica Yelda, Raquel 

Mammo, Alison Thomas, Crystal 

Zair, Samantha Mekani, Paulina 

Faranso and Laura Najor 



HIGH SCHOOL highlight 

Mercy High School: Girls who make a difference 


The Catholic college prep school 

Mercy’s art department is considered 

one of the finest in Michigan. 

Each spring students present an 

extensive multimedia art exhibit. 

Junior Samantha Saroki has worked 

on her individual art pieces with patience 

and originality. She had a total of 

nine pieces at Mercy’s exhibit in May. 

From personification to similes and 

metaphors, students at Mercy also 

express their creativity through poetry 

writing. Their individual poems earned 

major recognition from the school’s 

English department and their sponsor, 

Creative Communications. Works by 

Reem Bata, Amber Kassa, Estee Alias, 

Alyssa McKay and Shelby Sagmani 

earned publication in their anthology. 

Estee Alias, a senior, enjoyed creative 

expression through acting a part 

in “High School Musical” this spring at 

the University of Detroit Mercy. Junior 

Daisha Abdulnoor is a member of the 

French Honors Society and takes her 

role in the Pro-Life Club seriously. 

Students also take interest in a variety 

of sports. Mercy’s basketball teams 

have won 13 Regional Titles, 23 District 

Titles and two State Championships. 

Alexa Bahoura has played for the 

Mercy Marlins Basketball Team since she has enrolled last 

year. Saroki has played two years of soccer and hockey and 

one year of figure skating at MHS. Freshman Christin Samona 

is on the volleyball team, sophomore Jasmine Konja has 

played soccer, and senior Chelsea Kassa currently plays for 

Mercy’s tennis team. Junior Amber Kassa has shown her athletic 

and technical dance skills for three years with the Mercy 

Pom Squad. 

Mercy’s academic program has 

shown students that college preparation 

is college training to the core. “I 

especially credit Mercy for their intense 

English department. They have 

strengthened my writing skills to a 

whole new level,” Alias said. “I think 

that writing and reading skills are vital 

to being a successful college student.” 

Seniors Reem Bata, Bianca Jonna, Shantal Yaldo, Michelle 

Gappy, Nicole Kajy and Vanette Garmo are all Honor 

Roll students and proudly represent Mercy’s Science Club. 

Kajy and Garmo are not only Honor Roll students, but have 

earned the Michigan Promise Scholarship — enrollment of 

their choice into any university in Michigan. Among others, 

Marissa Garmo, Rachel Yaldo, Mandy Khemmoro, Bianca 

Yaldo, Melissa Karmo and Cortney McKay have all been on 

the Honor Roll list. 

Recent graduate Leann Arcori (Class of 2008) won the 

most votes and became school president her senior year, following 

the footsteps of older sister Angela, who was school 

president her senior year in 2001. Arcori was involved in NHS, 

photos by david reed 

‘The girls here are 

like my sisters.’ 

earned Magna Cum Laude status, and was a finalist for the 

ultimate recognition of Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Her sister, 

Marissa Arcori (Class of 2004) was also involved in NHS. 

Another graduate of 2004, Heather Karim was involved in NHS 

and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) received 

a Science Olympiad Award, and a partial scholarship to Wayne 

State University. With a 3.8 GPA, she also earned Cum Laude 

honors. 

Sonia Jiddou-Eliya (1997) and Kristin 

Jiddou-Semma (1999) were involved 

in NHS, and sisters Monica Jiddou-Patros 

(1994), Renee (1995), Amanda 

(2004) and Bianca Jiddou (2007) were 

all Magna Cum Laude graduates, averaging 

a 4.0 GPA. 

– Nicole Kajy 

MHS recently formed a new program 

called Mercy Ambassadors, in which 

graduates act as a liaison for their class and the entire school. 

Spreading the word and keeping in touch are important to the 

Alumnae Association at Mercy. Mercy Ambassadors include 

Sommer Kassab-Yono (1996), Michelle Binno-Tomasino (1998) 

and Angela Arcori (2001). Christina Bacall-Oraha (1999) currently 

serves as her 10-year class reunion representative, an event 

happening later this year. 

Students say they appreciate the school’s friendly atmosphere. 

“I love Mercy because everyone is so welcoming and 

friendly,” said Bata. 

“This is like my second home,” Kajy added. “The girls here 

are like my sisters.” 

Chaldeans at Mercy include: 

Cortney McKay (front 

left), Angela Alkassyonan, 

Jasmine Konja, Monica 

Thammas, Bianca Yaldo 

(back left), Alexa Bahoura, 

Angelina Yonan and Mary 

Sheeno 

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL 

29300 W. 11 Mile Road 

Farmington Hills, MI 48336 

(248) 476-8020 

TOTAL POPULATION: 

745 students 

CHALDEAN PERCENTAGE: 

7 percent 

NOTEWORTHY CHALDEANS: 

Reem Bata, Estee Alias, Nicole 

Kajy, Alexa Bahoura, Daisha 

Abdulnoor, Samantha Saroki, 

Amber Kassa, Bianca Yaldo, 

Cortney McKay, Christin Samona, 

Rachel Yaldo, Mandy Khemmoro, 

Shelby Sagmani, Melissa 

Karmo, Jasmine Konja, Marissa 

Garmo, Michelle Gappy, Alyssa 

McKay, Vanette Garmo, Bianca 

Jonna, Shantal Yaldo, Angela 

Alkassyonan, Monica Thammas, 

Angelina Yonan, Mary Sheeno and 

Chelsea Kassa 


We are the proud sponsors of... 

Your Comfort, 

Our Responsibility. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All caregivers are certified and thoroughly screened 

including extensive background checks 

 

248-851-HELP (4357) 

www.careminders.com 

 

Call Now 

and Receive 

15% OFF 

First Month of Service 

Expires June 30, 2009 


KIDS corner 

Here’s to Our Dads! 

Father 

Parent 

Role Model 

WORD SEARCH 

Hero 

Idol 

Protecting 

Loving 

Devoted 

L K F A T H E R L O L O V E I N T 

E S L D O M F K O S O R B I C O N 

S H C D F E T U V F E L I S Q U I 

S U N T L M I T I E N S F E N T I 

N R N C E A S T N R L L A C C O R 

P C R A N X A D G N O W M A N D E 

I H I S T I N G U E D E V O R E D 

I A H E R O D S S P S U M E I S A 

P U C E B T A O R E E T I R L P U 

A A Q E A L I Q F A M I M A I R E 

R L I S G C A V I D A U R N A M I R 

E D O L A Y B O T T L E O U T N D 

N I S O R C I U T O R C I M S G O 

T O R E R O L E M O D E L S I P M 

P E R M O E C E N A S A C E N I F 

T A M E T N I S L U T R U E N Y D 

S E C T S P R O T E C T I N G P S 

Did You Know? 

• Father’s Day was invented in 1910 by Sonora Louise Smart 

Dodd, who lived in Spokane, Washington. She chose June 19 as 

the day to celebrate Father’s Day because that was the birthday 

of her father, William Jackson Smart. In 1924, President Calvin 

Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. 

• Father’s Day is celebrated in every part of the world, but some 

counties have different dates. 

• There are 66.3 million fathers in the U.S. 

• The necktie is the most common Father’s Day gift. 

Heroic Animal Dads 

• A father ocean catfi sh is a very devoted father. He carries the 

eggs of his young is his mouth for several weeks until they are 

ready to be born. During that time, he cannot eat a thing! 

• Father penguins stay standing in freezing temperatures for 60 

days or more to protect the eggs laid by the mother. He keeps 

them on top of his feet, hidden behind a feathered fl ap. Like the 

catfi sh, he can’t eat either until the babies hatch! 

Treat Dad! 

• Bring him breakfast in bed – he’ll even love just a bowl of cereal. 

• Offer to do chores – and then actually do them. 

• Make him a card – he’ll treasure it more than one you buy. 

• Wash his car with tender loving care. 



classified listings 

HELP WANTED 

U. S. CENSUS BUREAU 

needs experienced managers! 

Full time temporary positions 

Metro Detroit local census offices. 

Annual salary $38,000 - $59,400 

View postings at www.census.gov/detroit 

Call 1 866 861-2010 to schedule test. 

The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal 

Opportunity Employer. 

DAY CARE 

AFFORDABLE HOME BASED Day Care 

in West Bloomfield. Happy Days Child 

Care offers Educational Toys, Nutritional 

Meals, State Licensed, CPR and First Aid 

Certified. Call Reem, 248-254-2167. 

HEALTH INSURANCE 

ARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY 

without health insurance? Stop taking 

chances! Blue Cross Blue Shield of 

Michigan offers affordable health insurance 

for you and your family at any stage of 

life. To view plans visit www.blue4one. 

com/chaldeanchamber 

BUSINESS FOR SALE 

6,800 sq ft liquor store for sale 

average 25k week, great check 

cashing, also boost mobile dealer. 

located in downriver area, 1.2mil 

Call Saifee @ 248-214-3100 

FOR SALE 

SLURPEE MACHINE 

Generate more profit for your business. 

Product Offerings: 4-Flavor Carbonated 

Slush Beverage Freezing Cylinder: Four, 7- 

quart (6.6) liter, Top Air Discharge, Automatic 

Defrost, Sure Set flow Control, Lighted 

Display. $9,999. Tom, 248-250-2573. 

SERVICES OFFERED 

JEANA’S 

ALTERATIONS 

for men, women 

& children. 

Experienced in all 

alterations – clothing, 

drapes & pillows. Very reasonable prices. 

(248) 224-1078 or (248) 473-0878. 

RaisingTheBar-9x5.917-ChaldeanN:FINAL-Color 5/11/09 10:10 AM Page 1 

Raising the bar for 

custom home building 

& remodeling services… 

Complete personalization 

on your lots or ours… 

y 

We invite you to stop in and see the 

freshest concepts in luxury living, design 

and decorating at Legacy on Lone Pine. 

Seven Fully Customizable Floor Plans or 

We’ll Work with You to Create Your Own 

Explore Options Such As 

Sustainable “Green” Construction, Four-Car Garages, 

Media Rooms, In-Law Suites and More 

Acclaimed Bloomfield Hills Schools 

Come for a visit… and let your dreaming begin. 

Model open daily from noon to 6pm off Lone Pine, 

east of Middlebelt, in the heart of the Bloomfield area. 

> CLOSED THURSDAYS < 

Imagine Your Life In A Custom Frankel Built Home. 

For more information, call 248.851.6400 

or visit www.frankelhomes.com

PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS

events 

1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

4 5 6 7 8 

9 

10 

11 

they’ve 

got talent 

Photos by David Reed 

Community members got to show off 

their special gifts at the “I’ve got Talent” 

Showcase held May 23 at the Farmington 

Hills Manor. The event raised more 

than $1,500 for Iraqi refugees. 

13 7 

14 

1. Lance Atallah 

2. Chanel Smamami 

3. Patrick Setto 

4. Guest singer Nora 

Khnanisho 

5. Third place winner Joey 

Nibras, the “Wacky Iraqi” 

6. Melani Smamami 

7. Calvin Kassab 

8. Reem Mansour 

9. Emcees Brian Kanona 

and Sama Najjar 

10. Samar Mansour, Omar 

Hakim and Arees Hakim 

11. Renee Kheya and 

Tanya Bahri 

12. Ramy Asmaro 

13. First place winner 

Stevie “Soul” Ansara 

14. Second place winner 

Miranda Katty 

12 


events 

2 

1 

chaldean chamber networking 


Seven Bar and Grille in Southfield 

was the scene for the Chaldean 

Chamber’s Quarterly Networking 

Meeting on May 21. Some 75 

members gathered at the new hotspot. 

3 4 

5 6 

1. Meeting 

and mingling 

2. Diah Asker 

3. Andy and 

Rudy Patros 

4. Nada Charara 

and Henry Medina 

5. Ronny Asmar 

celebrated his 

52nd birthday 

6. Rocky Husaynu, 

Wally Jadan and 

Jacob Mansour 


events 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

mother’s day 

with st. george 


Members of St. George Church gathered 

for a Mother’s Day party at the 

Knights of Columbus in Sterling Heights. 

The festivities took place on May 10. 

7 

1. Midin Daoud, Ben Daoud, Habib Kas 

Shamoun, Fr. Ayad Hanna, Fr. Emanuel Shaleta, 

Fr. Basel Yaldo, Sami Herfy and Lamia Herfy. 

2. Rita Jabini, Angela Shammon, Crystal 

Shamoon and, in back, Nahla Sesi 

3. Dhia Babbie 

4. Ray Watha, Nahla Sesi and Eddie Babbie 

5. Nahla Sesi and Fr. Emanuel Shaleta 

6. Fahima Shayota and her daughters, 

Nasreen, Aryah and Ghayda. 

7. Elvon and Adel Bizze 

6

JUNE 2009

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?