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VOL. 14 ISSUE I<br />
METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
$<br />
3<br />
www.chaldeannews.com<br />
THEN AND NOW<br />
How Chaldean weddings have changed<br />
across place and time<br />
INSIDE<br />
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING TRENDS<br />
GROOMING THE GROOM<br />
MORE THAN THE KHIGGA
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 3
4 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
CONTENTS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 15 ISSUE I<br />
on the cover<br />
26 THEN AND NOW<br />
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO<br />
How Chaldean weddings have changed<br />
across place and time<br />
26<br />
departments<br />
6 FROM THE EDITOR<br />
BY VANESS DENHA GARMO<br />
Capturing the history<br />
8 YOUR LETTERS<br />
10 IN MY VIEW<br />
BY MICHAEL SARAFA<br />
Opioid epidemic reaches crisis proportions<br />
11 WHERE DO YOU STAND?<br />
BY MICHAEL SARAFA<br />
In the balance<br />
12 NOTEWORTHY<br />
14 IRAQ TODAY<br />
BY RAGHEB ELIAS KARASH<br />
On Iraq’s Nineveh Plains, a ten-year-old<br />
girl dares to dream again<br />
16 CHAI TIME<br />
18 RELIGION<br />
19 OBITUARIES<br />
40 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE<br />
BY STEPHEN JONES<br />
Riding in style<br />
54 CHALDEAN ON THE STREET<br />
ON THE COVER<br />
BY HALIM SHEENA<br />
Wedding Etiquette<br />
features<br />
22 VOICE OF THE<br />
CHARLOTTE CHECKERS<br />
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO<br />
From childhood passion to full time profession,<br />
Jason Shaya goes from watching hockey<br />
games to calling them<br />
24 LIVE FROM BABYLON<br />
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO<br />
CASA at U of M hopes to host most<br />
successful fundraiser yet.<br />
30 CAPTURING THE MOMENT<br />
36 GROOMING THE GROOM<br />
BY MONIQUE MANSOUR<br />
Helpful tips for the husband-to-be<br />
38 HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS<br />
BY WEAM NAMOU<br />
Travel agents talk what is trending after<br />
the wedding festivities<br />
42 PLANNING THE BIG DAY<br />
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO<br />
Event coordinator share the wedding trends for <strong>2018</strong><br />
48 MORE THAN THE KHIGGA<br />
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO<br />
Ashley Barno has taken on the task of<br />
teaching traditional Chaldean dances<br />
50 FOOD FOR ALL THE FESTIVITIES<br />
BY WEAM NAMOU<br />
Local caterer specializes in all-kinds<br />
of wedding celebrations<br />
HISTORICAL PHOTOS:<br />
COURTESY OF<br />
THE CHALDEAN<br />
CULTURAL CENTER<br />
LAZAR FAMILY:<br />
PHOTO COURTESY<br />
HADEER POLLIS<br />
MATTHEW AND CRYSTAL:<br />
PHOTO COURTESY<br />
IVAN GEORGE<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 5
from the EDITOR<br />
PUBLISHED BY<br />
The Chaldean News, LLC<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
EDITOR IN CHIEF<br />
Vanessa Denha Garmo<br />
MANAGING EDITORS<br />
Denha Media Group Writers<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Ashourina Slewo<br />
Monique Mansour<br />
Stephen Jones<br />
Halim Sheena<br />
Weam Namou<br />
ART & PRODUCTION<br />
CREATIVE DIRECTOR<br />
Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative<br />
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS<br />
Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative<br />
PHOTOGRAPHERS<br />
Vince Gaggo of Vince Gaggo Photography<br />
Jean Smith Photography<br />
Le Cape Photography<br />
Bill McDad Photography<br />
Wilson Sarkis and Welson Sarkis Jr.<br />
of Wilson Photography & Cinematography<br />
Ivan George of Futurewave Images<br />
Anthony Samona of Quick Pix<br />
Wali Kalou of Alluring Impression<br />
Fadi Azzo of Everlasting Imaging<br />
Hadeer Poliss of HP Film & Photography<br />
OPERATIONS<br />
Interlink Media<br />
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS<br />
Martin Manna<br />
CLASSIFIEDS<br />
Ashourina Slewo<br />
SALES<br />
Interlink Media<br />
Christen Jamoua<br />
SALES REPRESENTATIVES<br />
Interlink Media<br />
Sana Navarrette<br />
MANAGERS<br />
Vanessa Denha Garmo<br />
Martin Manna<br />
Michael Sarafa<br />
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PHONE: (248) 851-8600<br />
Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published<br />
monthly; Issue Date: February <strong>2018</strong> Subscriptions:<br />
12 months, $25. Publication Address: 30095<br />
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Capturing the history<br />
VANESSA<br />
DENHA-GARMO<br />
EDITOR IN CHIEF<br />
CO-PUBLISHER<br />
These pictures of my<br />
parents live in a<br />
family photo album.<br />
They were taken in the late<br />
50s in Iraq where my parents<br />
were married. Not quite sure<br />
the year she was born, my<br />
mother was either 14 or 15<br />
on her wedding day. My father<br />
about ten years older.<br />
They were from two different<br />
villages – my mom<br />
from Alquosh and my dad<br />
from Telkeppe. It was kind<br />
of a forbidden union. My dad used<br />
to say, it was as silly as someone from<br />
West Bloomfield getting upset because<br />
his child married someone<br />
from Southfield. Today, it is more<br />
of a commentary between East<br />
side and West side but that is another<br />
story.<br />
My mother actually had two<br />
weddings gowns – one she wore<br />
during her wedding in Telkeppe,<br />
which she donated to the nuns<br />
for brides who couldn’t afford<br />
wedding dresses. She later wore<br />
another gown in Bagdad for professional<br />
photos. That particular<br />
picture hangs in my living room<br />
next to my wedding photo and a photo<br />
of my in-laws on their wedding day.<br />
My father’s family picked up my<br />
mother and her family from Alquosh<br />
and took them to Telkeppe for the<br />
wedding. They married on the same<br />
day with two other couples inside the<br />
same church and by the same Bishop.<br />
They had a dinner party at my father’s<br />
house on the roof that also included<br />
people celebrating downstairs<br />
in the hallway and courtyard. My<br />
mother has talked about how the entire<br />
town came out to watch<br />
their celebration and she said<br />
families in Alquosh came out<br />
to watch my father’s family<br />
come to get my mother.<br />
They had a maid of honor<br />
and three bridesmaids and<br />
best man and three groomsmen.<br />
The music played all<br />
over Telkeppe with a Tubble<br />
and Zyrna (musical instruments).<br />
“We danced in the<br />
streets and as we were going<br />
around, we ran into the other two<br />
weddings that day,” my mom noted.<br />
“We actually joined each other’s<br />
weddings for a bit and then went<br />
back to our own wedding. It was really<br />
a historic event in Telkeppe at<br />
the time. It was one big celebration.”<br />
In this issue we bring you our annual<br />
wedding guide with a bit of a twist.<br />
We wanted to know what weddings<br />
were like in Iraq and how they have<br />
changed over time and over an ocean.<br />
I really had a fun time talking to<br />
Samira and Peter Essa over chai and<br />
yummy Kelecha (Chaldean cookies)<br />
about their wedding that took place<br />
almost 60 years ago. I so want her<br />
recipe. Thanks to their daughter Teresa<br />
for setting up the interview.<br />
They also shared a bit more with<br />
me about their experience in Iraq<br />
and arrival to America, which I<br />
thought fitting to include. My parents<br />
were married not long before<br />
Peter and Samira. My mother was,<br />
unexpectedly, stuck in Iraq just like<br />
the Essas because of the revolution<br />
that was going on at the time. I share<br />
that experience in the cover story.<br />
“When we visited Telkeppe,” noted<br />
Peter, “Your grandfather took us<br />
around and introduced me to people.<br />
Your father was my translator, because<br />
I didn’t speak the language.”<br />
I am so happy to share their story<br />
and the story about our weddings in<br />
this issue’s cover story. Thanks to<br />
Mary Romaya and Fr. Manuel Boji<br />
for giving me a history lesson on<br />
our Chaldean wedding traditions.<br />
That is not all we include in<br />
our wedding guide. Our event<br />
planners give us insight on the<br />
trends for <strong>2018</strong> while our photographers<br />
show us their favorite<br />
photos over the years and tell us<br />
why the love them so much.<br />
We have several other stories<br />
tied into the wedding theme.<br />
We hope we captured the history<br />
and tradition sufficiently in this<br />
issue.<br />
Alaha Imid Koullen<br />
(God Be With Us All)<br />
Vanessa Denha-Garmo<br />
vanessa@denhamedia.com<br />
Follow her on Twitter @vanessadenha<br />
Follow Chaldean News on Twitter @<br />
chaldeannews<br />
6 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN 1/19/18 NEWS 9:32 AM7
your LETTERS<br />
Many thanks!<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
I would like to thank the Chaldean<br />
News for recognizing the Chaldean<br />
Cultural Center (CCC) and the<br />
opening of its Museum as one of<br />
the main highlights of 2017 that<br />
affected the Chaldean community.<br />
It was a long time in coming but<br />
our goal was to make it a true, credible<br />
museum with state of the art<br />
exhibits and media. I would like to<br />
just clarify a point. The Museum is<br />
certainly the most visible and historic<br />
accomplishment of the CCC.<br />
However, we are not just the Museum.<br />
We have sponsored guest<br />
speakers in the past as well as other<br />
forms of programming. Throughout<br />
the years, since our inception<br />
in 2003, we have given many presentations<br />
about Chaldeans to law<br />
enforcement personnel, educators,<br />
health care professionals, and participated<br />
in corporate staff in-services<br />
based on cultural diversity.<br />
We have and will continue to be<br />
the archivist for the entire, global<br />
Chaldean community. We have a<br />
multitude of photographs that we<br />
have saved electronically for present<br />
and future use. We are always<br />
seeking more photos and artifacts<br />
of Chaldeans throughout the world<br />
from past centuries to today. In our<br />
office, which serves as a resource<br />
center, there is a growing library<br />
of books by or about Chaldeans<br />
in English, Aramaic, and Arabic.<br />
There is also a gift shop. A major<br />
part of our mission is to preserve<br />
our rich heritage and disseminate<br />
it to others, whether Chaldean or<br />
not. The Museum has been the<br />
most major feat of the CCC but we<br />
have done much more to promote<br />
our identity and will continue to do<br />
so now and in the future.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Mary Romaya<br />
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in my VIEW<br />
Opioid epidemic reaches crisis proportions<br />
Two-thirds of all<br />
people that ever<br />
hit the age of 65<br />
years old in the history of<br />
the world are alive today.<br />
In the United States alone,<br />
approximately 10,000 per<br />
day turn 65.<br />
Those are staggering<br />
demographic statistics that<br />
will impact the U.S. economy<br />
and public policy in<br />
areas like health care, employment<br />
and more. But those demographics<br />
also speak head on to another<br />
point. People are living longer than<br />
ever due to advances in science, medicine<br />
and technology.<br />
That has been the case until now.<br />
For the first time in nearly 50 years,<br />
life expectancy in the United States<br />
decreased instead of increased. Why?<br />
The opioid crisis. So many people have<br />
died from opioid related use that it has<br />
pushed down life expectancy rates in<br />
MICHAEL G.<br />
SARAFA<br />
SPECIAL TO THE<br />
CHALDEAN NEWS<br />
the U. S in a material way.<br />
More than 140 Americans<br />
die every day from an opioid<br />
overdose, according to the<br />
Centers for Disease Control<br />
and Prevention.<br />
Consider the following<br />
statistics from the American<br />
Society of Addiction Medicine.<br />
The information is dated<br />
so you can assume everything<br />
is actually worse today.<br />
Drug overdose is the<br />
leading cause of accidental death<br />
in the US, with 52,404 lethal drug<br />
overdoses in 2015. Opioid addiction<br />
is driving this epidemic, with 20,101<br />
overdose deaths related to prescription<br />
pain relievers, and 12,990 overdose<br />
deaths related to heroin in 2015.<br />
From 1999 to 2008, overdose death<br />
rates, sales and substance use disorder<br />
treatment admissions related to prescription<br />
pain relievers increased in<br />
parallel. The overdose death rate in<br />
2008 was nearly four times the 1999<br />
rate; sales of prescription pain relievers<br />
in 2010 were four times those in<br />
1999; and the substance use disorder<br />
treatment admission rate in 2009 was<br />
six times the 1999 rate.<br />
In 2012, 259 million prescriptions<br />
were written for opioids, which is more<br />
than enough to give every American<br />
adult their own bottle of pills.<br />
Four in five new heroin users<br />
started out misusing prescription<br />
painkillers.<br />
94% of respondents in a 2014 survey<br />
of people in treatment for opioid<br />
addiction said they chose to use heroin<br />
because prescription opioids were far<br />
more expensive and harder to obtain.<br />
This past October, President<br />
Trump declared a public health<br />
emergency to deal with the opioid<br />
epidemic, freeing up significant resources<br />
for treatment. “We are currently<br />
dealing with the worst drug<br />
crisis in American history,” Trump<br />
said, adding, “It’s just been so long in<br />
the making. We can be the generation<br />
that ends the opioid epidemic.”<br />
Still, critics have said it’s not<br />
enough. There is not any earmarked<br />
funds but rather the ability to use<br />
existing resources within the various<br />
departments and agencies. A more<br />
serious approach would have been<br />
to declare a “national emergency” as<br />
opposed to “public health emergency”<br />
which carries with it more immediate<br />
tools including funding.<br />
I agree with critiques of the current<br />
approach. This crisis touches on<br />
many areas from mental health to<br />
out of control doctors and pharmacists.<br />
A holistic approach is needed<br />
and one that is truly grounded in<br />
public health concerns as opposed to<br />
criminal justice remedies.<br />
The last war on drugs had minimal<br />
positive consequences. Let’s make sure<br />
we get it right this time and address the<br />
demand side of the equation.<br />
Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the<br />
Chaldean News.<br />
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where do you STAND?<br />
In the Balance<br />
Hollywood, big business, national<br />
news personalities<br />
– no one and no institutions<br />
have been spared from the<br />
#Metoo movement. That is a good<br />
thing. These institutions have been<br />
exposed for what they are—elitist<br />
organizations or industries that use<br />
power, fame and money in the most<br />
heinous way possible.<br />
The people in these industries<br />
and organizations protect and enable<br />
each other in a way that is the<br />
height of hypocrisy. Some of the perpetrators<br />
are criminals. Some are just<br />
creeps. In either case, the fact that<br />
they have been exposed is leading to<br />
a cultural revolution that can only<br />
mean better and more equal times for<br />
women. As the father of two teenage<br />
daughters, I applaud this.<br />
But let’s us not belittle and demean<br />
the women who have been<br />
subjected to this type of behavior<br />
from men by cheapening it to the<br />
point that the die is cast so wide as<br />
to lose all meaning. I read this quote<br />
and I believe it to be on point. I<br />
wrote it down but forgot where I read<br />
it or who wrote it.<br />
We are in a national moment<br />
where rough justice stands in the<br />
place of careful analysis, nuance and<br />
due process.<br />
So while some of these men<br />
deserve what they are getting plus<br />
some, including criminal investigations,<br />
it is possible that some do<br />
not. As one observer pointed out in<br />
the case of comedian Aziz Ansari<br />
who was accused of sexual assault<br />
by a woman who pursued him and<br />
then went on a date with him –<br />
“Was it sexual assault or just a bad<br />
date.” Ansari and his representatives<br />
maintain that everything that<br />
occurred was consensual. Who will<br />
ever know for sure?<br />
In the balance lies the struggle<br />
between justice for women and<br />
due process for those accused; perception<br />
and reality; creepiness and<br />
criminal conduct; exploitation by<br />
men and exploitation by women<br />
looking for an angle.<br />
Most of what has been reported<br />
on publicly and the national news is<br />
revolting and disgusting. Much of the<br />
abuse has been committed by men<br />
against women who they have influence<br />
on or over. As I said, much of<br />
it may rise to criminal activity which<br />
is what it is, in spite of the statute of<br />
limitations for sexual assault.<br />
But then there is this vast area<br />
of grey where signals and interpretations<br />
are often in the eye of the<br />
beholder. Rough justice is ok sometimes.<br />
There’s something innately<br />
human about it. But we are still<br />
a country based on the rule of law.<br />
While there are exceptions, our system<br />
of justice works most of the time<br />
and we remain the most progressive<br />
democracy in the history of the<br />
world. So the legalities will take care<br />
of themselves. Most of the time one<br />
party or both is dissatisfied but, on<br />
balance, it works.<br />
The other half of the equation is<br />
not about the law but about fairness,<br />
and careers and livelihoods. Some of<br />
the #Metoo perpetrators deserve to<br />
have their careers wrecked. Some of<br />
their victims may never receive real<br />
justice just as some of the accused<br />
may have not fully deserve the repercussions.<br />
As a society and as a culture, we<br />
must take care to try to get it right.<br />
It is not easy. But the effort must be<br />
made, in all circumstances, to get to<br />
the truth.<br />
Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the<br />
Chaldean News.<br />
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Congresswoman<br />
issues statement in<br />
support of detained<br />
Iraqi Nationals<br />
In response to Judge Mark Goldsmith’s<br />
ruling on January 2 – in<br />
which he ordered federal authorities<br />
to release Iraqi nationals that have<br />
been held for six months or more or<br />
grant them individual bond hearings<br />
by February 2 – Congresswoman<br />
Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) issued the<br />
following statement on January 3.<br />
“In America, due process is not<br />
a privilege, but an inalienable right<br />
for all. It is unacceptable, unjust and<br />
un-American for our government<br />
to simply lock up these individuals<br />
and hold them without proper cause<br />
and without full access to our judicial<br />
system and process. The Iraqi<br />
detainees and their families have suffered<br />
months of uncertainty and denial<br />
of basic rights. This court ruling<br />
is a step in the right direction. We<br />
must continue to demand a fair and<br />
transparent judicial process and adherence<br />
to the right of due process.”<br />
The following is an excerpt from<br />
Judge Goldsmith’s ruling. “Our legal<br />
tradition rejects warehousing human<br />
beings while their legal rights are being<br />
determined, without an opportunity<br />
to persuade a judge that the<br />
norm of monitored freedom should<br />
be followed. This principle is familiar<br />
to all in the context of the criminal<br />
law, where even a heinous criminal<br />
— whether a citizen or not — enjoys<br />
the right to seek pre-trial release.”<br />
Tune In<br />
Songwriter and vocalist Steve Acho<br />
just signed an agreement to have his<br />
songs in commercials and movies in<br />
Europe.<br />
Liberated and<br />
Celebrating<br />
Holy Mass was celebrated on Sunday,<br />
January 20 in the town of Telkaif one<br />
year after being liberated from ISIS.<br />
Telkaif was primarily Chaldean Catholic<br />
before its people were forced out.<br />
AFPD Partners with<br />
Convenience Stores<br />
Against Trafficking to<br />
take a stand against<br />
human trafficking<br />
Recognizing the pivotal role that<br />
convenience stores can play in combatting<br />
the growing issue of human<br />
trafficking, the Associated Food and<br />
Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) have<br />
teamed up with Convenience Stores<br />
Against Trafficking to take a stand<br />
against the crime. Using a brief video<br />
and printed reference cards for instore<br />
use, CSAT will provide training<br />
so that employees can understand<br />
the indicators of human trafficking<br />
and employee appropriate response<br />
protocols. These items were mailed<br />
to AFPD members, along with an informational<br />
packet.<br />
Through this partnership, AFPD<br />
is hoping to educate convenience<br />
store owners and their staff of the<br />
warning signs of human trafficking<br />
and how to effectively deal with it.<br />
Human trafficking is a form of<br />
modern slavery that occurs in every<br />
state, including Michigan. “We are<br />
asking store owners to work with us<br />
by displaying hotlines in their stores,”<br />
12 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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CEO of AFPD. “We want victims to<br />
find the help they are seeking.”<br />
CSAT provides training, victim<br />
outreach, and public awareness of<br />
human trafficking through convenience<br />
store partners. CSAT reaches<br />
out to victims through their Freedom<br />
Stickers. These stickers contain a<br />
message of hope and a phone number<br />
for the National Human Trafficking<br />
hotline - a nongovernmental agency<br />
with local networks of victim-centered<br />
responders.<br />
Belting the Tunes<br />
Shelbi Jouni played the role of Molly<br />
Pitt and a huntress in the Opera<br />
Martha by Friedrich Von Flowtow<br />
through the School of Music, Theater<br />
and Dance at Oakland University.<br />
Shelbi is a third-year vocal performance<br />
major at OU.<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 13
IRAQ today<br />
REAL ESTATE<br />
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On Iraq’s Nineveh Plains,<br />
a ten-year-old girl dares<br />
to dream again<br />
BY RAGHEB ELIAS KARASH<br />
Mosul, Iraq, (Aid to the<br />
Church in Need).- Tenyear<br />
old Helda Khalid Jacob<br />
Hindi, a fifth-grader, is not at a loss<br />
for words. She is passionate about her<br />
life, her future, and that of her loved<br />
ones. Helda and her family—mom,<br />
dad and a younger brother—recently<br />
moved back to Qaraqosh on Iraq’s<br />
Nineveh Plains after spending three<br />
years in exile in Kurdistan.<br />
She remembers vividly the night<br />
of Aug. 6, 2014, when ISIS overran<br />
her town and Christian families had<br />
to flee overnight.<br />
She says: “Alarm bells rang out<br />
in our streets – we had to escape the<br />
living hell of violence and terrorism.<br />
I went along, crying, with no hope<br />
of ever returning to my town, my<br />
school; with no hope of ever seeing<br />
my friends again. We had no idea<br />
how long we would be displaced from<br />
our beloved city. The days passed and<br />
we lived in torment and tragedy until<br />
we got used to it.”<br />
Eventually a new school was built<br />
for displaced children and Helda<br />
and her family began a new life. She<br />
remembers: “I was sad, clinging to<br />
hope of returning to my old school;<br />
but I made new friends. And today,<br />
by God’s grace, we have returned to<br />
our town and I am back in my old<br />
school among my old friends.”<br />
Life in exile has been hard, perhaps<br />
particularly for a proud girl like<br />
Helda, who says: “we felt humiliated<br />
when we were receiving humanitarian<br />
aid, because we didn’t think that<br />
the day would come when we would<br />
become like beggars, oppressed people,<br />
with no power or strength.”<br />
“We had only God and we never<br />
stopped believing in his power and<br />
his mercy for all those hurting in Iraq<br />
and around the world. Whenever we<br />
approach him in prayer and faith, we<br />
feel joy and confidence without end.<br />
My family, friends and relatives never<br />
felt that God was far away from<br />
us. As far as I can see into the past,<br />
God has been with me always. God is<br />
with me everywhere and I make sure<br />
to always keep nearby some pictures<br />
of Jesus Christ and a Bible.”<br />
Helda proclaims she has her own<br />
ideas about her country. She explains:<br />
“Sometimes I want to stay in Iraq<br />
because it is my home, my beloved<br />
country. Sometimes I want to leave,<br />
especially when I see photographs and<br />
videos of terrorism striking innocent<br />
civilians. My heart cannot bear those<br />
horrifying scenes, but when I feel<br />
scared, I ask God to save me.”<br />
“Frankly I’m not really sure about<br />
my future here in Iraq. I would want<br />
to go abroad with my family if we<br />
have to continue suffering war and<br />
persecution; how long it will take for<br />
us to finally be safe and secure? My<br />
message to the West is to do as much<br />
as possible to support Christians in<br />
Iraq because they are close to extinction.<br />
Help us. Have compassion, and<br />
you will be rewarded by the one who<br />
is in heaven.”<br />
“Stop oppressing poor people. We<br />
want stability and peace. Let’s work<br />
together and pray together for peace<br />
and love – for all of us.”<br />
Helda insists: “I have a beautiful<br />
dream in life. My hobbies are painting,<br />
music, singing, and I like acting<br />
a lot, but my ambition is – with the<br />
help of God – to become a dentist, to<br />
serve my community and my country,<br />
wherever I may end up living.”<br />
She adds, however: “I do not know<br />
where to start because things are still<br />
so unsettled. What will be next for us?<br />
It’s so hard to tell right now…”<br />
– Catholic News Agency<br />
14 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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chef, Stephen Bussard. Chef Bussard has been in<br />
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his customers. Our menu offers a diverse assortment<br />
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 15
CHAI time<br />
CHALDEANS CONNECTING<br />
COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Thursday, February 4<br />
Music: This year’s Sphinx Competition Finals Concert<br />
will be hosted at 2:00 p.m. on February 4. The competition<br />
offers young Black and Latino classical string<br />
players a chance to compete under the guidance of<br />
an internationally renowned panel of judges and to<br />
perform with established professional musicians. The<br />
winner of the Senior Division will receive the $50,000<br />
Robert Frederick Smith Prize. The concert will include<br />
a number of performances including the Sphinx Competition<br />
finalists, the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, and<br />
the inaugural performance of EXIGENCE. For more<br />
information, visit http://SphinxMusic.org<br />
Friday, February 9<br />
Music: The Michigan Philharmonic presents An<br />
Evening of Artistic Expression on February 9th at<br />
7:30pm. This intimate musical and artistic experience<br />
will feature vocalist Lonnie Reed, guest artist<br />
for the “Rock, Pop & Soul” concert. This event will<br />
be taking place at artist Tony Roko’s Warehouse Studio<br />
in Plymouth. Tickets for the event are $40, and<br />
light appetizers, wine, as well as Atwater Brewery<br />
craft beer are included. This event benefits Music<br />
and Arts Education Programs of the Michigan Philharmonic<br />
and Art Foundation. For more information,<br />
visit http://www.michiganphil.org/<br />
Friday, February 9<br />
Theatre: The Detroit Mercy Theatre presents “A<br />
Bright New Boise”, starting Friday, February 9<br />
through February 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. This<br />
event occurs weekly, on Sunday, Friday and Saturday.<br />
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students.<br />
For more information about A Bright New Boise and<br />
showtimes, visit http://Detroitmercyarts.com or call<br />
(313) 993-3269.<br />
Friday, February 9<br />
Dancing: Put on your dancing shoes and come<br />
dressed in your best vintage attire for the ultimate<br />
swing dance party experience at The Cube in Midtown.<br />
Arrive early and receive a dance lesson and a<br />
classic cocktail. Live music will be provided by the<br />
Civic Jazz Orchestra with special guest clarinetist<br />
Dave Bennett. Cocktails and live DJ – 9:00 p.m.,<br />
dance lesson – 9:30 p.m., live music and open dance<br />
floor – 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. For more information,<br />
visit http://www.dso.org/ShowEventsView.<br />
aspx?id=4971∏=4970<br />
Saturday, February 10<br />
Music: Rock, Pop, and Soul with the Michigan Philharmonic<br />
at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton<br />
on February 10 at 7:30 p.m. Rock it out with the<br />
Michigan Philharmonic as the orchestra carries you<br />
back in time to the great music from the iconic groups<br />
of the 70s and 80s. Tickets are $30 for general admission,<br />
$25 for seniors, and $10 for students. For<br />
tickets and information, visit www.michiganphil.org<br />
Wednesday, February 14<br />
Art: Join Detroit Loves Dogs this Valentine’s Day at<br />
the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)<br />
with your four-legged furry family member. PetCalls is<br />
hosting Detroit’s second annual fundraiser for the Detroit<br />
Dog Rescue on February 14 from 5:30 to 10:00<br />
p.m. Bring your dog and mingle with other dog lovers.<br />
Food and drinks will be provided. Tickets are priced<br />
between $60 to $140. For more information or to purchase<br />
your tickets, visit http://www.petcalls.net<br />
Saturday, February 17<br />
Bridal Show: Join us Saturday, February 17 from<br />
12:00 to 6:00 p.m. for the ultimate bridal event. Keasha’s<br />
Spectacular Beautiful Bridal Showcase will be<br />
located at 2921 E Jefferson Ave Detroit, M.I. inside<br />
the historic Bagley Mansion. Interact with Keasha’s<br />
preferred bridal vendors, find your perfect sample<br />
sale dress at a discounted price, and speak with Keasha<br />
herself during a Q&A session at 1:00 p.m. For<br />
more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/<br />
events/1813251195353928/<br />
Sunday, February 18<br />
Magic: An Evening of Wonder is coming to the Berman<br />
Center for the Performing Arts on February 18<br />
from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The evening will feature master<br />
illusionist Vitaly Beckman, who invented and designed<br />
each illusion in his stage show, treating spectators<br />
to a theatrical experience not seen anywhere else in<br />
the world. Beckman is regarded as one of the most<br />
captivating and enjoyable illusionists in the world. To<br />
purchase tickets, visit www.theberman.org or call<br />
248-661-1900 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday<br />
through Friday. For groups of 10 or more, please call<br />
or email theberman@jccdet.org.<br />
Wednesday, February 21<br />
Wine & Music: Sommelier and music expert, Ron Merlino<br />
leads a wine tasting experience at the Max M. &<br />
Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center from 8:00 to 10:00<br />
p.m. The evening will feature rare French wines paired<br />
with live music by DSO musicians. Sip, savor, listen and<br />
learn about composers—Berlioz, Saint-Saens, Debussy,<br />
and Ravel—their wine tastes, histories, music and more!<br />
Tickets for this event are $60 and will include wine tasting,<br />
live classical music, mini crepe bites and light fare,<br />
and a commemorative wine glass. For more information<br />
or to purchase tickets, visit http://https://www.dso.org/<br />
ShowEventsView.aspx?id=4873∏=4872<br />
Saturday, February 24<br />
Faith: ECRC is hosting the Vigil Project at St. Thomas<br />
Chaldean Catholic Church. This event is in collaboration<br />
with ECRC’s monthly Ignite the Spirit Event and<br />
will be taking place at 7:00 p.m. For more information,<br />
visit www.ecrc.us<br />
Sunday, February 25<br />
Bridal Show: Viviano’s Annual Bridal Showcase is<br />
back at the MotorCity Casino Hotel on February 25<br />
from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be over 200 floral<br />
designs on display, all crafted by Viviano Flower Shop.<br />
This in attendance will be able to hold and sample<br />
bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, as well as view numerous<br />
samples of ceremony and reception designs.<br />
Meet with some of Michigan’s best wedding vendors<br />
including, photographers, videographers, bakeries,<br />
caterers, DJ’s, boutiques, and more. Thousands of<br />
dollars in prizes and discounts will be given away. Admission<br />
is $5 ahead of time, or $7 at the door. Children<br />
12 and under are free. For more information, visit<br />
http://bit.ly/1XQ80Ar<br />
Tell them you saw it<br />
in the Chaldean News!<br />
16 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 17
eligion<br />
PLACES OF PRAYER<br />
CHALDEAN CHURCHES IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT<br />
THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS<br />
THE APOSTLE IN THE UNITED STATES<br />
St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Diocese<br />
25603 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48033; (248) 351-0440<br />
Bishop: Francis Kalabat<br />
Retired Bishop: Ibrahim N. Ibrahim<br />
HOLY CROSS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
32500 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334; (248) 626-5055<br />
Rector: Msgr. Zouhair Toma Kejbou<br />
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, noon in Chaldean; Saturdays, 4:30 p.m. in English;<br />
Sundays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, noon in English, 6 p.m., in Arabic<br />
HOLY MARTYRS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
43700 Merrill, Sterling Heights, MI 48312; (586) 803-3114<br />
Rector: Fr. Manuel Boji<br />
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Andrew Seba<br />
Bible Study: Mondays, 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Thursdays, 8 p.m. Seed of Faith<br />
in English;<br />
Saturdays, 7 p.m. Witness to Faith in Arabic<br />
Youth Groups: Wednesdays, 7 p.m. for High Schoolers<br />
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 9 a.m. in Chaldean; Saturdays, 5 p.m. in English;<br />
Sundays: 9 a.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, 10:30 a.m. in English, Morning<br />
Prayer at noon, High Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean; 6 p.m. in English<br />
MAR ADDAI CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
24010 Coolidge Highway, Oak Park, MI 48237; (248) 547-4648<br />
Pastor: Fr. Stephen Kallabat<br />
Retired Priest: Fr. Suleiman Denha<br />
Adoration: Last Friday of the month, 4 p.m. Adoration; 5 p.m. Stations of the<br />
Cross; 6 p.m. Mass; Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.<br />
Bible Study: Fridays, 8-10 p.m. in Arabic and Chaldean<br />
Youth Groups: Thursdays, 7:30-9 p.m. Jesus Christ University High School<br />
and College Mass Schedule: Weekdays, noon; Sundays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean<br />
and Arabic, 12:30 p.m. High Mass in Chaldean<br />
MOTHER OF GOD CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
25585 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48034; (248) 356-0565<br />
Administrator: Fr. Pierre Konja<br />
Retired Priest: Fr. Emanuel Rayes<br />
Bible Study: Mondays, 7-9 p.m. in English; Wednesdays, 7 p.m. for college<br />
students in English<br />
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m.; Tuesdays, 8:45 p.m. in English; Saturdays,<br />
4 p.m. in English; Sundays: 8:30 a.m. in Arabic, 10 a.m. in English,<br />
noon in Chaldean, 7 p.m. in English<br />
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
11200 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48093; (586) 804-2114<br />
Pastor: Fr. Fadi Philip<br />
Parochial Vicar: Hermiz Haddad<br />
Bible Study: Thursday, 8 p.m. for ages 18-45; Friday, 8 p.m. in Arabic.<br />
Teens 4 Mary Youth Group: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.<br />
Confession: 1 hour before mass or by appointment.<br />
Adoration: Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Chapel open 24/7 for adoration.<br />
Mass Schedule: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Thursday, 1 p.m.<br />
in English and 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Friday 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Sunday, 10<br />
a.m. in Arabic and 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean.<br />
SACRED HEART CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
30590 Dequindre Road, Warren, MI 48092; (586) 393-5809<br />
Pastor: Fr. Sameem Belius<br />
Mass Schedule: Sundays, 10 a.m. in Arabic, 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean<br />
ST. GEORGE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
45700 Dequindre Road, Shelby Township, MI 48317; (586) 254-7221<br />
Pastor: Fr. Wisam Matti<br />
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Matthew Zetouna<br />
Youth Groups: Disciples for Christ for teen boys, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Circle of<br />
Friends for teen girls; Thursdays, 6 p.m.; Bible Study for college students,<br />
Wednesdays 8 p.m.<br />
Bible Study: Wednesdays, 8 p.m. in English; Fridays, 8 p.m. in Arabic<br />
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Adoration;<br />
8-10 p.m. Confession; Saturdays, 6:30 p.m. in English (school year);<br />
6:30 p.m. in Chaldean (summer); Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Chaldean, 10 a.m. in<br />
Arabic, 11:30 a.m. in English, 1:15 p.m. in Chaldean; 7:30 p.m. in English<br />
Submission Guidelines The Chaldean News welcomes submissions<br />
of obituaries. They should include the deceased’s name, date of birth<br />
and death, and names of immediate survivors. Please also include some<br />
details about the person’s life including career and hobbies. Due to space<br />
constraints, obituaries can not exceed 300 words. We reserve the right<br />
to edit those that are longer. Send pictures as a high-resolution jpeg<br />
attachment. E-mail obits to info@chaldeannews.com, or through the mail at<br />
30850 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.<br />
ST. JOSEPH CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
2442 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48083; (248) 528-3676<br />
Pastor: Fr. Rudy Zoma<br />
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Bryan Kassa<br />
Bible Study: Mondays, 7 p.m. in Arabic; Tuesdays, 7 p.m. in English; Thursdays,<br />
7 p.m. Chaldeans Loving Christ Youth Group for High Schoolers<br />
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean except Wednesdays, 10 a.m.<br />
in Arabic<br />
Saturdays, 6 p.m. in English and Chaldean; Sundays, 9 a.m. in Arabic, 10:30<br />
a.m. in English, noon in Chaldean, 2 p.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, 7 p.m. in<br />
Chaldean<br />
Baptisms: 3 p.m. on Sundays.<br />
ST. PAUL CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
5150 E. Maple Avenue, Grand Blanc, MI 48439; (810) 820-8439<br />
Pastor: Fr. Ayad Hanna<br />
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 6 p.m.; Sundays, 12:30 p.m.<br />
ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
6900 Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322; (248) 788-2460<br />
Administrator: Fr. Bashar Sitto<br />
Parochial Vicars: Fr. Jirgus Abrahim, Fr. Anthony Kathawa<br />
Retired Priest: Fr. Emanuel Rayes<br />
Bible Study: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. in Arabic<br />
Youth Groups: Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Girls Challenge Club for Middle Schoolers;<br />
Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Chaldeans Loving Christ for High Schoolers;<br />
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Boys Conquest Club for Middle Schoolers<br />
Other: First Thursday and Friday of each month, 10 a.m. Holy Hour; 11<br />
a.m. Mass in Chaldean; Wednesdays from midnight to Thursdays midnight,<br />
adoration in the Baptismal Room; Saturdays 3 p.m. Night Vespers (Ramsha)<br />
in Chaldean<br />
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Saturdays, 5 p.m. in<br />
English;<br />
Sundays, 9 a.m. in English, 10:30 a.m. in English, 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean, 2<br />
p.m. in Arabic; 6 p.m.<br />
Grotto is open for Adoration 24/7 for prayer and reflection<br />
CHALDEAN SISTERS/DAUGHTERS OF MARY OUR LADY OF THE<br />
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ORDER<br />
Superior: Benynia Shikwana<br />
5159 Corners Drive<br />
West Bloomfield, MI 48322; (248) 615-2951<br />
CHALDEAN SISTERS/DAUGHTERS OF MARY HOUSE OF FORMATION<br />
24900 Middlebelt Road<br />
Farmington Hills, MI 48336; (248) 987-6731<br />
ST. GEORGE CONVENT<br />
Superior: Mubaraka Garmo<br />
43261 Chardennay<br />
Sterling Heights, MI 48314; (586) 203-8846<br />
EASTERN CATHOLIC RE-EVANGELIZATION CENTER (ECRC)<br />
4875 Maple Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48301; (248) 538-9903<br />
Director: Patrice Abona<br />
Daily Mass: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.<br />
Thursdays: 5:30 Adoration and 6:30 Mass<br />
First Friday of the month: 6:30 p.m. Adoration, Confession and Mass<br />
Bible Study in Arabic: Wednesdays 7 p.m.<br />
Bible Study in English: Tuesdays 7 p.m.<br />
ST. GEORGE SHRINE AT CAMP CHALDEAN<br />
1391 Kellogg Road, Brighton, MI 48114; (888) 822-2267<br />
Campgrounds Manager: Sami Herfy<br />
ST. MARY HOLY APOSTOLIC<br />
CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST<br />
4320 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092; (586) 825-0290<br />
Rector: Fr. Benjamin Benjamin<br />
Mass Schedule: Sundays, 9 a.m. in Assyrian; noon in Assyrian and English<br />
ST. TOMA SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
25600 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48335; (248) 478-0835<br />
Pastor: Fr. Toma Behnama<br />
Fr. Safaa Habash<br />
Mass Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 6 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. All in<br />
Syriac, Arabic and English<br />
CHRIST THE KING SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH<br />
2300 John R, Troy, MI 48083; (248) 818-2886<br />
_<br />
_<br />
One of the most<br />
common bible<br />
verses read<br />
at wedding<br />
ceremonies<br />
1 Corinthians 13<br />
If I speak in the tongues of men or<br />
of angels, but do not have love, I<br />
am only a resounding gong or a<br />
clanging cymbal.<br />
If I have the gift of prophecy<br />
and can fathom all mysteries and<br />
all knowledge, and if I have a<br />
faith that can move mountains,<br />
but do not have love, I am nothing.<br />
If I give all I possess to the<br />
poor and give over my body to<br />
hardship that I may boast, but do<br />
not have love, I gain nothing.<br />
Love is patient, love is kind.<br />
It does not envy, it does not<br />
boast, it is not proud. It does not<br />
dishonor others, it is not selfseeking,<br />
it is not easily angered, it<br />
keeps no record of wrongs. Love<br />
does not delight in evil but rejoices<br />
with the truth. 7 It always<br />
protects, always trusts, always<br />
hopes, always perseveres.<br />
Love never fails. But where<br />
there are prophecies, they will<br />
cease; where there are tongues,<br />
they will be stilled; where there is<br />
knowledge, it will pass away. For<br />
we know in part and we prophesy<br />
in part, but when completeness<br />
comes, what is in part disappears.<br />
When I was a child, I<br />
talked like a child, I thought like<br />
a child, I reasoned like a child.<br />
When I became a man, I put<br />
the ways of childhood behind<br />
me. For now we see only a reflection<br />
as in a mirror; then we shall<br />
see face to face. Now I know in<br />
part; then I shall know fully, even<br />
as I am fully known.3 And now<br />
these three remain: faith, hope<br />
and love. But the greatest of<br />
these is love.<br />
18 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
obituaries<br />
Jennifer Yatuoma Yousif was born<br />
on March 2nd, 1984, the third<br />
girl in the family that would<br />
eventually welcome two more girls<br />
and a boy. She was a happy, spontaneous<br />
child. As a teen, Jen was Miss<br />
Popular, a straight-A student and<br />
All-Star athlete, most notably as the<br />
point guard of her high school basketball<br />
team. As an adult, Jennifer<br />
was a real go-getter and successful<br />
businesswoman.<br />
At 23, she was diagnosed with a<br />
rare case of ovarian cancer. Though<br />
confused and uncertain, she believed<br />
in miracles, she believed in God, and<br />
she would fight this to the end.<br />
She married Johnnie Yousif on August<br />
19, 2016. He loved her even after<br />
knowing all the battles she was facing.<br />
Jennifer and her parents and siblings<br />
had an unimaginable bond that will<br />
never be broken. She has 3 nieces and<br />
7 nephews that she loved to spoil, and<br />
all who loved their Auntie Jen. She<br />
also had special relationships with her<br />
father-in-law and four sisters-in-law.<br />
On January 16, <strong>2018</strong>, Heaven<br />
gained another angel. She was only<br />
33 years old.<br />
Jennifer is survived by her parents,<br />
Talal and Manahil Yatuoma;<br />
her husband Johnnie Yousif; her<br />
sisters Karen Kasmikha (Norman),<br />
Kristine Toma (Brian), Janie Gasso<br />
(Brandon), and Stephanie Johns<br />
(Ryan); her brother Joseph Yatuoma;<br />
and several nieces and nephews.<br />
She is predeceased in death by<br />
her mother-in-law Nazik Ketty Sanati,<br />
and is survived also by her fatherin-law<br />
Yousif Sanati and her sistersin-law,<br />
Jennifer, Sylvia, Michelle,<br />
and Nicole.<br />
May she rest in peace.<br />
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 19
obituaries<br />
RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS<br />
Majdoline<br />
Semaan<br />
June 21, 1939 -<br />
Jan. 22, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Kamal Mikho<br />
(Mikhail) Youno<br />
Dec. 09, 1953 -<br />
Jan. 22, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Adil Thomas<br />
Denha<br />
Dec. 24, 1944 -<br />
Jan. 21, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Mansour Assy<br />
Shammami<br />
June 01, 1923 -<br />
Jan. 20, <strong>2018</strong><br />
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Jamila Kalasho<br />
Qarana<br />
July 01, 1924 -<br />
Jan. 18, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Taghrid Kiryakoza<br />
Yaldoo<br />
Sept. 23, 1963 -<br />
Jan. 18, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Dadesho Nano<br />
Audisho<br />
July 01, 1934 -<br />
Jan. 16, <strong>2018</strong><br />
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George<br />
Khammo<br />
Kanouno<br />
July 01, 1938 -<br />
Jan. 15, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Tofiq Abed<br />
Gappy<br />
Feb. 02, 1942 -<br />
Jan. 12, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Najiba Daoud<br />
Gumma Kassab<br />
July 10, 1936 -<br />
Jan. 11, <strong>2018</strong><br />
George<br />
Abdulahad<br />
Ketty<br />
Feb. 23, 1926 -<br />
Jan. 10, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Hikmat Zaya<br />
Shammas<br />
Feb. 06, 1932 -<br />
Jan. 10, <strong>2018</strong><br />
Labiba Matti<br />
Murad<br />
Al-Shaikh<br />
Aug. 29, 1924 –<br />
Dec. 10, 2017<br />
Shelby Township • West Bloomfield<br />
www.lafata.com • 1.800.LAFATA1<br />
20 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
2017 ACCOMPLISHMENTS<br />
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY<br />
WWW.CHALDEANFOUNDATION.ORG 3601 15 MILE ROAD | STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310 | 586-722-7253<br />
FOUNDATION<br />
BREAKING BARRIERS<br />
2,265<br />
INDIVIDUALS WITH<br />
DISABILITIES SERVED<br />
RESPITE, COUNSELING AND<br />
ADVOCACY SERVICES PROVIDED<br />
Project Bismutha provided more than<br />
worth of in-kind medical services.<br />
463 PHYSICIAN<br />
APPOINTMENTS 187<br />
AND SERVICES PATIENTS<br />
$<br />
80,000<br />
1,585+<br />
PRESCRIPTIONS<br />
VALUED IN<br />
EXCESS OF $63.400<br />
More than $34,000 worth of lab work thanks to a generous grant from St. John Health System<br />
IN 2017…<br />
MORE THAN<br />
C O M M U N I T Y<br />
26,000<br />
INDIVIDUALS<br />
SERVED<br />
EMPLOYMENT<br />
610<br />
CLIENTS<br />
PLACED IN<br />
FULL TIME<br />
JOBS<br />
1,250 JOB<br />
PLACEMENT<br />
SERVICES<br />
CONDUCTED<br />
FINANCE<br />
The Chaldean Loan Fund<br />
closed the year with<br />
more than $<br />
390,000<br />
in outstanding auto loans<br />
FUNDED ENTIRELY THROUGH<br />
COMMUNITY DONATIONS<br />
N-400<br />
I M M<br />
I G R AT<br />
I O N<br />
3,343<br />
IMMIGRATION<br />
APPLICATIONS<br />
FILED<br />
49 %<br />
PLACEMENT<br />
RATE<br />
EDUCATION<br />
510<br />
ESL, CITIZENSHIP<br />
AND COMPUTER<br />
TRAINING STUDENTS<br />
ENROLLED<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 21
Voice of the Charlotte<br />
Checkers<br />
From childhood passion to full time profession, Jason Shaya<br />
goes from watching hockey games to calling them<br />
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO<br />
With a lifelong passion for<br />
hockey, it was only a matter<br />
of time before Jason Shaya<br />
carried his passion into his broadcasting<br />
career. While Shaya’s broadcasting<br />
career started in 1983 when he was<br />
only 17 years old, it was only after receiving<br />
his broadcasting career that he<br />
realized he wanted to be a sports caster.<br />
After high school, Shaya attended<br />
Specs Howard School of<br />
Broadcast Arts where he earned his<br />
broadcasting degree. From there,<br />
Shaya then went on to receive his<br />
Bachelor’s degree in radio and television<br />
communications from Madonna<br />
University. Following his graduation,<br />
he found himself at WDIV, the NBC<br />
affiliate, in Detroit, where he worked<br />
as a sports producer for one year.<br />
“There [at WDIV] I worked with<br />
Fred McLeod who at the time was did<br />
play-by-play for the Detroit Pistons,”<br />
said Shaya. “I saw Fred’s passion for<br />
calling games and it was infectious. I<br />
wanted to share the same enthusiasm<br />
so I decided to work for the one sport<br />
I truly enjoyed.”<br />
It was then that Shaya decided that<br />
not only did he want to be a sports<br />
broadcaster, but he wanted to call<br />
hockey games. According to the Charlotte<br />
Checkers’ website, “He began his<br />
hockey career in the United Hockey<br />
League with the Motor City Mechanics<br />
and then the Chicago Hounds before<br />
moving on to Charlotte in the East<br />
Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the<br />
American Hockey League (AHL).”<br />
In 2007, Shaya became the official<br />
voice of the Charlotte Checkers<br />
and has continued to reach many<br />
milestones, calling hundreds of<br />
games and even filling in as a goaltender<br />
for the team in November of<br />
2017. It was on December 19, 2017<br />
that Shaya reached a major milestone<br />
that he won’t soon forget.<br />
Shaya was called up to call his<br />
very first game in the National Hockey<br />
League (NHL). He was selected<br />
above others to fill the full in role because<br />
the Charlotte Checkers are the<br />
top affiliate of the Hurricanes. Shaya<br />
would begin preparing for the Toronto<br />
game one month before his debut.<br />
“It was very satisfying but also quite<br />
daunting,” explained Shaya. “I had a<br />
month or so to think about it before<br />
it happened so I went through a lot<br />
of preparation to ensure I was ready.”<br />
Shaya contributes his ability to truly<br />
pursue his passion to his father. “I dedicate<br />
my NHL game to the greatest man<br />
I ever knew, my father Shafiq Shaya,”<br />
said Shaya. “Because he had the guts<br />
and foresight to raise his family in a different<br />
country from where he was born<br />
and raised, it gave me and my siblings<br />
a chance to live a much more fulfilling<br />
life. He taught me the necessity of hard<br />
work and the importance of studying in<br />
order to become successful.”<br />
“It was incredibly stressful but also<br />
very exciting,” said Shaya. “I’m very<br />
happy with my work for that game<br />
and I am looking forward to my next<br />
broadcast on February 6th in Raleigh<br />
against the Philadelphia Flyers.”<br />
Looking to the future, the Detroit<br />
native’s aspirations remain the<br />
same. “My full-time job is to be the<br />
Voice of the Charlotte Checkers in<br />
the American Hockey League,” explained<br />
Shaya. “My goal remains the<br />
same however, to become a full-time<br />
NHL broadcaster. Occasionally, at<br />
this point, I will continue to work<br />
[Hurricanes] games when needed.”<br />
Shaya’s advice to broadcasting<br />
hopefuls, in and out of the Chaldean<br />
community, is to remain focused on<br />
the goal, no pun intended, and work<br />
hard as the industry can be difficult<br />
to break into.<br />
“My message would be the same<br />
to any up and coming broadcaster:<br />
if you work hard enough and are a<br />
upstanding person with integrity,<br />
you can accomplish your goals,” said<br />
Shaya. “This is a very difficult business<br />
because there is almost no turnover.<br />
Getting a job in the NHL is<br />
extraordinarily rare. Practicing your<br />
craft and meeting the right people is<br />
essential to advancing.”<br />
22 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
CHARGING SOLUTIONS<br />
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SPEAKERS<br />
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 23
Live From Babylon<br />
CASA at U of M hopes to host most<br />
successful fundraiser yet<br />
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO<br />
Continuing the long standing<br />
tradition, University of<br />
Michigan’s Chaldean American<br />
Student Association (CASA)<br />
chapter is hosting their tenth annual<br />
Live From Babylon event. Live From<br />
Babylon is U of M CASA’s largest<br />
fundraiser of the year. Members of<br />
every CASA chapter are invited for<br />
a night out in Ann Arbor to enjoy<br />
food, entertainment and networking.<br />
“We invite members from all<br />
the CASA chapters to join us for a<br />
night out at one of Ann Arbor’s hot<br />
spots to enjoy a night of food, dancing,<br />
and getting to see people from<br />
other schools,” said Britanny Hamama,<br />
president of U of M’s CASA.<br />
“University of Michigan CASA has<br />
been hosting Live From Babylon for<br />
about 10 years now and this year the<br />
event will take place at BTB Cantina<br />
on March 9th <strong>2018</strong>.”<br />
In an effort to alleviate as much<br />
of the event expenses, CASA reaches<br />
out to businesses to sponsor the<br />
fundraiser. “We try and collect as<br />
many donations, monetary and raffle<br />
prizes, to help eliminate as much expenses<br />
as we can in order to donate<br />
as much as possible to our recipient,”<br />
explained Hamama. “We are always<br />
looking for people to sponsor the<br />
event in any type of way.”<br />
Each year, members of CASA<br />
present charities that they believe<br />
should be the year’s beneficiary. The<br />
chapter then votes on which candidate<br />
will be honored at the event.<br />
In previous years, CASA has honored<br />
charities such as MERCY and<br />
TEACH of Help Iraq.<br />
This year, CASA will be honoring<br />
CODE Legal Aid. “A couple of<br />
members brought up all the hard<br />
work and efforts that CODE has<br />
been doing especially these past<br />
few months with the detainee crisis<br />
going on in our community,” said<br />
Hamama. “Our chapter believes that<br />
CODE and its members have truly<br />
made a difference in our community<br />
and we would love to give back to<br />
them.”<br />
The hopes for this year’s event is<br />
to not only raise the largest goal of<br />
$10,000, but to bring people together<br />
and put a spotlight on the work of<br />
CODE Legal Aid over the last several<br />
months. “This event is important<br />
because it not only is bringing<br />
people from all over together, but it’s<br />
also bringing awareness to organizations<br />
that help our people who go<br />
through more problems than we can<br />
imagine,” explained Hamama.<br />
CODE Legal Aid is a non-profit<br />
organization founded by attorneys<br />
Nadine Yousif Kalasho and Nora<br />
Youkhana. CODE Legal Aid is dedicated<br />
to providing legal advocacy<br />
and assistance to the Middle Eastern<br />
community. “Shortly after Nora and<br />
I finished Law School, we felt like<br />
it was time to establish a clinic that<br />
would serve a great need,” explained<br />
Kalasho. “Since my family operates<br />
schools that have a significant immigrant/refugee<br />
population, Nora<br />
and I figured that we could start out<br />
by servicing local families by offering<br />
seminars, pro-bono immigration<br />
work and advocacy.”<br />
Through their organization,<br />
CODE Legal Aid and their volunteers<br />
have been able to assist several<br />
members of the Chaldean community.<br />
“We live in extremely trying<br />
times, and the uncertainty facing<br />
immigrant communities is rapidly<br />
increasing,” said Kalasho. “Cultural<br />
and language barriers often lead to<br />
24 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
“ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER<br />
HAS BROADWAY ROCKING!”<br />
—REUTERS<br />
,<br />
Fisher Theatre<br />
April 10–22<br />
BroadwayInDetroit.com,<br />
ticketmaster.com, 800-982-2787 & box office 313-872-1000.<br />
Groups (12+): Groups@BroadwayInDetroit.com or<br />
313-871-1132. 7:30PM April 13.<br />
panic. Having members within the<br />
community that can advocate and<br />
counsel them is crucial.”<br />
Most recently, and the reason<br />
for this honor, CODE Legal Aid has<br />
spearheaded the fight to help hundreds<br />
of Iraqi nationals detained by<br />
Immigration and Customs Enforcement<br />
(ICE) alongside the American<br />
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).<br />
As CODE Legal Aid receives this<br />
honor, CODE and their many volunteers<br />
continue their effort to aid the<br />
community during this crisis, measuring<br />
their successes by the people<br />
they can help. “Ultimately, our successes<br />
are determined by the communities<br />
we serve,” said Kalasho. “If<br />
we can shield the vulnerable among<br />
us enough that they no longer have<br />
to cower in fear or feel marginalized,<br />
then we can count that as an<br />
achievement.”<br />
For Kalasho, this honor not only<br />
highlights the tireless work of her<br />
and her partner’s, but it also brings<br />
a certain air of sentimentality as her<br />
brother, a U of M alum, founded<br />
the Live From Babylon event during<br />
his time as a member of U of M’s<br />
CASA chapter. “We shared a laugh<br />
about things coming full circle,” said<br />
Kalasho. “I’m truly humbled by the<br />
honor, and I’m looking forward to<br />
the event.”<br />
To donate to the cause, visit https://<br />
www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/<br />
live-from-babylon-<strong>2018</strong>-to-benefitcode-legal-aid<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 25
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
Then and now<br />
How Chaldean weddings have changed<br />
across place and time<br />
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO<br />
They are documented as the first Chaldean<br />
wedding on American soil. George and Susie<br />
Essa exchanged vows inside a Lebanese<br />
church on November 22, 1922 in Detroit.<br />
“They had a very small wedding,” said Samira<br />
Essa speaking about her in-laws. “There were not<br />
many Chaldeans at all living here,” chimed in Peter<br />
Essa, the only son of George and Susie.<br />
The photo of the Essa wedding is documented<br />
in books about Chaldeans and is now archived<br />
inside the Chaldean Cultural Center where Chaldean<br />
weddings are highlighted in the Faith and<br />
Church Gallery.<br />
The gallery shows a wedding at Mother of God<br />
church. “We as Chaldeans use customs of our own<br />
and American customs for example,” said Mary Romaya,<br />
retired Director. “When I got married in the<br />
70s and when my sisters got married in the early 60s<br />
in Detroit there was not a custom of putting crowns<br />
on the bride and groom yet, it is done today.”<br />
“This was a custom not in Iraq but it became one<br />
in the United States however, it is liturgical,” said<br />
Fr. Manuel Boji. “It shows that this couple along<br />
with Christ have formed their own Kingdom and<br />
that their family is the own Kingdom with Christ.”<br />
In Iraq, wearing of the bows on the groom’s arm<br />
was a common tradition that continued in America.<br />
The significance is that it is a Sacrament. Babies<br />
wear the same bow during a baptism, because<br />
that too is a Sacrament. At the Baptism it signifies<br />
that he is now a member of a Kingdom of God. At<br />
weddings, it signifies that is the groom is the king<br />
of his household.<br />
“Back in Iraq, the best man had to be married,<br />
because it was required of them to pass on knowledge,”<br />
said Shamasha Kairi Foumia.<br />
Here in America, it is not common for the best<br />
man or maid of honor to be married.<br />
Chaldean weddings have changed over the years<br />
and as the community emigrated to the United<br />
States. “We have incorporated so much of the American<br />
traditions and Latin Rite into our ceremonies<br />
and celebrations,” said Romaya. “At the wedding we<br />
show inside the gallery you will hear someone singing<br />
the Ave Maria in Latin. That is not a Chaldean tradition<br />
or religious custom in our church.’<br />
Romaya’s parents, Yelda and Zarifa Saroki were<br />
married in Telkaif in 1936. “My mother says after<br />
the church ceremony, she rode a horse,” recalled<br />
Romaya. “I said, ‘you mean a donkey? But, she said<br />
a horse and he was very gentle. She was paraded<br />
around the village from the church to her in-laws<br />
to show that she now belonged to her husband’s<br />
family and people would come out of their home<br />
and give her sweets or candy. It was a village affair.<br />
Everyone was part of the celebrations, the entire<br />
village not just the families.”<br />
When Romaya’s sisters were married in the 60s,<br />
she remembers the entire community attending<br />
the wedding. It was still a very small community<br />
in Detroit then. Also, in the 1960s and 1970s, the<br />
Chaldean weddings were actual full masses.<br />
“That is a Latin tradition,” said Fr. Boji. “Weddings<br />
were never part of the mass or included a full<br />
mass in Iraq. We adopted that tradition from the<br />
Latin Rite and then we went back to our traditions<br />
of a wedding ceremony.”<br />
Romaya remembers her sister marrying on a<br />
Sunday at Mother of God church when it was on<br />
Hamilton Street in Detroit “The wedding was part<br />
of the Sunday Mass that day,” she said. “The entire<br />
congregation witnessed the Sacrament of Marriage<br />
and took communion. It was so nice. I realize with<br />
the size of the community today, it is not feasible<br />
to have wedding ceremonies include a full mass.”<br />
In those years, the weddings were day-long affairs<br />
and sometimes lasted several days. “I am old<br />
enough to remember how wedding traditions have<br />
changed over time,” said Romaya. “They might<br />
start out with breakfast and the entire event would<br />
last all day into early morning hours the next day.”<br />
When Peter and Samira Essa married in Bagdad<br />
in 1958, their celebrations lasted about four days<br />
in the capitol city and then seven more days in<br />
Telkeppe where Peter Essa had relatives living.<br />
“In Telkeppe, they celebrated for us from early<br />
morning to night with food, dancing and singing in<br />
the streets,” recalled Samira. “They didn’t want it<br />
to end,” said Peter.<br />
The two married at Our Lady of Sorrow’s<br />
church in Baghdad just a few blocks from Samira’s<br />
home. “It was a beautiful ceremony,” she said.<br />
“They recited all the beautiful prayers you hear at<br />
our wedding ceremonies here. We married at night<br />
around 7:30.”<br />
“There 12 priests at the ceremony,” said Peter.<br />
“After we were married, we all walked back to my<br />
in-law’s house.”<br />
“They recited the prayers, they blessed us and<br />
we exchanged our rings,” said Samira. “I had a<br />
maid of honor and Peter had a best man.”<br />
Samira rented her dress from a local boutique.<br />
“We had beautiful stores like we have here in<br />
America,” she said. “But, I didn’t buy my dress.”<br />
However, she did purchase a dress to wear after<br />
she arrived in America for a wedding celebration<br />
her in-laws hosted at their home in Detroit for<br />
about 150 guests.<br />
In the 40s and 50s, it was very common for the<br />
entire town to be involved in the wedding. That<br />
became less common in the 60s and 70s. “People<br />
26 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
Peter and Samira Essa at Willow Run Airport with family and friends when they arrived to America.<br />
started to actually create printed invitations at this<br />
time in Iraq,” said Fr. Boji. “In the 40s and 50s,<br />
they hosted two important events, the Henna and<br />
the Begana where they took food from the bride’s<br />
house to the groom’s house.”<br />
This happened on the same day, typically a Saturday,<br />
but at different times of the day. “The henna<br />
then was a lot simpler than it is today in America,”<br />
said Fr. Boji. “It was just a few women and the close<br />
relatives with the mother-in-law.”<br />
During this time period some wedding ceremonies<br />
would take place in the early morning hours<br />
around 2 or 3 a.m. “The tradition was that the father<br />
of the bride would not allow his daughter to<br />
leave the house without being married,” said Fr.<br />
Boji. “Usually early morning and it lasted a long<br />
time. Priests recited prayers and blessings.”<br />
After the prayers and blessing, the bride and<br />
groom were taken out and paraded in a circle to<br />
the entire village. The drums and zurna were<br />
played. “As the bride and groom passed, people in<br />
the town, young men, would bring them a bottle of<br />
Arak. “It was a sign of respect,” said Fr. Boji.<br />
Riding a horse was common in the 60s and 70<br />
but not typically ridden by the bride. “They would<br />
put a mattress, the cover sheets and the pillows on<br />
a horse and young boys around 9 or 10 years old<br />
would sit on the mattresses,” said Fr. Boji.<br />
Those invited to the wedding would gather at<br />
the groom’s house for dinner. The next morning,<br />
guests would gather again and bring the envelopes,<br />
the wedding gifts. “They usually cooked Pakota<br />
(Barley dish) for the guests the next day.”<br />
There were traditional celebrations of dancing.<br />
“Usually before the wedding was a couple of days<br />
of gathering and some of the youth of that neighborhood<br />
would dance. But the day of the wedding<br />
itself, whomever wanted to dance could dance but<br />
it was not as big tradition for all weddings.”<br />
In the 50s and 60s, the wedding ceremonies<br />
were moved to 10 or 11 in the morning. “The<br />
groom’s family would go to the bride’s family house<br />
and the youth boys about 15 or 16 years old would<br />
go to the door with a bottle of Arak and a chicken<br />
for mezza later,” said Fr. Boji. “This was like in the<br />
form of payment. They would not let the bride out<br />
of the house until this was paid.”<br />
This is how the tradition became that the<br />
groom’s family paid for the wedding. Later the bottle<br />
of Arak and the chicken were replaced with money.<br />
There was a similar tradition where the groom<br />
would go the bride’s house and young men would<br />
hit the bottom of their shoes with sticks until the<br />
bride’s family gave them Arak and a Chicken.<br />
Although these traditions were left behind in Iraq,<br />
the significant traditions that remain in America are<br />
the prayers. The actual wedding vows today are from<br />
the Latin Rite. The blessing of the bride and groom<br />
and the rings are from Chaldean traditions.<br />
“In 30s and 40s, vows were between the father of<br />
the groom and the father of the bride,” said Fr. Boji.<br />
“The father of groom was proposing and the father<br />
of bride in is accepting. This was part of the ceremony.<br />
In the engagement back then, it was not the<br />
bride and groom, it was groom’s father to the bride’s<br />
father. These traditions are in the liturgical books.”<br />
In Iraq, the groom buys the dresses, “the Chass,”<br />
said Fr. Boji. “The brides’ family would kind of pay<br />
it back with making the food and putting money<br />
in the coat pocket of the groom. The entire town<br />
would see that the bride’s family would pay the<br />
groom back in this way.”<br />
Also in Iraq, the marriages were arranged up<br />
until the 70s and early 80s.<br />
Peter and Samir Essa knew each other for about<br />
three days before they married and didn’t speak to<br />
each other until about three days after the wedding.<br />
“Here is the picture of the two of us on the<br />
day Peter side hi to me and I said hi back,” said<br />
Samira as she pointed to the photo.<br />
That was almost the limit of their conversations<br />
as Peter only spoke English and Samira only<br />
spoke Arabic and Chaldean.<br />
“My mother-in-law would translate for me,”<br />
said Samira, ‘when I first arrived in the United<br />
States. She spoke Sourath. I loved it because I felt<br />
like I was speaking to my own mother.”<br />
During these days of their wedding there was<br />
a revolution in Iraq and King Faisal’s regime was<br />
overthrown. Peter and Samira were unable to leave<br />
Iraq. “My passport was stamped by King Faisal,”<br />
said Samira. “It was no longer valid. I needed a new<br />
stamp by the Prime Minister.”<br />
As an American, Peter was taken by the Em-<br />
THEN AND NOW continued on page 28<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 27
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
Samira wears her dress for her wedding celebrations in America<br />
Peter and Samira Essa.<br />
THEN AND NOW continued from page 27<br />
bassy to stay in a hotel run by Chaldeans<br />
for protection. The newlyweds<br />
barely saw each other for the next<br />
two weeks.<br />
“I was on the rooftop of our home<br />
one afternoon when my sister came<br />
in to tell me my husband was there<br />
to see me,” recalled Samira. “I never<br />
rushed so fast to finish a bath before in<br />
my life. I wrapped myself in this beautiful<br />
white robe my sister bought me.”<br />
“She came down and I saw her<br />
with her hair wrapped in a towel,”<br />
said Peter.<br />
“I looked at him as I<br />
walked down the stairs<br />
and at that moment fell<br />
in love,” said Samira. “I<br />
had no idea what love<br />
was until that moment.”<br />
Wanting desperately<br />
to start her new life<br />
with her new husband,<br />
Samira mustered up the<br />
courage to go to Abd al-<br />
Karim Qasim’s residence<br />
that was heavily guarded.<br />
Peter hid a couple<br />
of blocks away behind<br />
trees. “I was too scared<br />
to even speak English,”<br />
said Peter. “They hated<br />
America at the time,”<br />
noted Samira. “We did<br />
not want the government<br />
to know I married<br />
an American.”<br />
Shaking and tearful,<br />
Samira asked the guards<br />
at the door to see Qasim.<br />
“The guards looked at me<br />
like was crazy and even<br />
George and Susie Essa. asked me if I was crazy,”<br />
she said. “I explained<br />
that I got married and<br />
wanted to move to America with my<br />
husband. One guard asked if I had<br />
my passport and told me that Qasim<br />
would certainly tear it to shreds if he<br />
got his hands on it.”<br />
Samira took the risk. The guards<br />
grabbed her purse and threw it to the<br />
ground. Another guard approached<br />
and saw her, asking what she wanted.<br />
They explained and to the surprise of<br />
the military forces guarding Qasim<br />
The Prime Minister agreed to see the<br />
17-year-old.<br />
“I walked up the stairs with<br />
guards on each side of me lined up<br />
all the way the stairs,” she recalled.<br />
“I began to cry more and shake more.<br />
I entered the room and there sat Qasim.<br />
He looked at me and stood from<br />
28 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
this chair fit for a king. He asked me<br />
who I was and what I wanted. Speaking<br />
Arabic, I explained.”<br />
He looked at the young woman<br />
and questioned why she would want<br />
to go the United States. “I tried explaining<br />
that I had just gotten married<br />
but he was so upset that I would<br />
want to leave Iraq.”<br />
He asked her for her passport.<br />
“Surprising he stamped it and signed<br />
it. He put his stamp right over King<br />
Faisal’s stamp and signed it. His vice<br />
president or whoever he was also<br />
stamped it and signed it. He then<br />
walked over to me, patted my back<br />
and said, ‘don’t ever forget your Arabic.’<br />
He blessed me and sent me on<br />
my way. I was in shock.”<br />
Qasim ordered his guards to escort<br />
her back to the front doors.<br />
“The same guards that laughed at me<br />
when I walked in were actually saluted<br />
me,” said Samira. “They could<br />
not believe what happened. I felt like<br />
a queen at that moment.”<br />
The couple left Iraq for Egypt. The<br />
American Embassy in Iraq had been<br />
blown to pieces in the revolution.<br />
They needed to finalize their paperwork<br />
in Egypt. From there they flew<br />
to Europe and eventually to New York.<br />
“Peter was on the phone at the time<br />
talking to his mother,” said Samira.<br />
“He was telling her we arrived in the<br />
United States. While he was busy on<br />
the phone, he didn’t hear the last call<br />
for our flight. I didn’t understand English<br />
so we missed our flight to Detroit.”<br />
“It was a good thing,” said Peter.<br />
“When we finally arrived at Willow<br />
Run, we heard the flight we were supposed<br />
to be on crashed and people died.”<br />
There was a large group of Peter’s<br />
friends and family waiting<br />
for the couple at the airport. “My<br />
George and Susie Essa.<br />
friends actually had bets I would not<br />
get married,” Peter chuckled.<br />
This June, Samira and Peter Essa<br />
will celebrate their 60-year anniversary<br />
as Peter turns 93 on the same day.<br />
Although the traditions have<br />
changed over time and across the<br />
ocean, the Chaldean wedding ceremony<br />
is still very cherished. Today,<br />
there are about 500 wedding ceremonies<br />
that take place in the St. Thomas<br />
Chaldean Catholic Diocese each<br />
year. There are many American traditions<br />
that have been incorporated<br />
in Chaldean weddings such as having<br />
a ring boy and flower girl or buying<br />
gifts for the bridal party. The bridal<br />
dance and father/daughter dance are<br />
all part of the American culture.<br />
“Our prayers and our blessings<br />
are the same,” said Fr. Boji. “That is<br />
the most important part of the wedding.<br />
The ceremony and the Sacrament.”<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 29
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
CAPTURING<br />
THE MOMENT<br />
They have been capturing images of couples for years, some for decades.<br />
We asked local photographers to share with us some of their favorite photos<br />
and explain why each was sentimental.<br />
ANTHONY SAMONA<br />
Anthony Samona with Quick Pix in<br />
West Bloomfield explains to his clients<br />
that he loves to capture LOVE.<br />
His photos are about modern, timeless<br />
and artistic moments.<br />
1 Udday proposing to Sue was<br />
an amazing moment that I captured<br />
in 2017. The detail of the stone wall<br />
background with the crucifix in the<br />
center of the photo right behind them,<br />
tells a story. A story of Udday’s neverending<br />
love for his soon-to-be-wife:<br />
Sue, promising her that Christ will<br />
always be in the center of their life together,<br />
just as shown in the photo.<br />
2 Alvin & Lenor celebrating<br />
with their arms up in the air ready to<br />
party it up at their wedding! Loved<br />
the chandeliers on their backdrop<br />
design by Quik Pix!<br />
3 Andrew popped the question<br />
to Mary at Somerset Mall last summer!<br />
He hired a Flash Mob to perform<br />
“Marry You” by Bruno Mars!<br />
The proposal attracted hundreds of<br />
people on all three levels of the mall.<br />
I loved capturing her shocked reaction,<br />
along with the detail of all of<br />
the mall-shoppers behind them witnessing<br />
this cool proposal!<br />
4 The architecture of Detroit’s<br />
Renaissance Center is just so profound!<br />
Justin asked Rawan to meet<br />
him for lunch at the steps of the Detroit<br />
River Walk. Little did she know,<br />
friends and family surrounded her on<br />
the bottom of the steps holding posters<br />
and signs and cheering the newly<br />
engaged couple on!<br />
5 Randy & Remy tied the knot<br />
last November, guests had a blast<br />
striking a pose in the Quik Pix Photo<br />
Booth! The black backdrop added a<br />
modern sleek look to her lobby. Backdrop<br />
was designed by the bride’s friend!<br />
6 A sunny summer day on the<br />
Detroit River sparked my love for<br />
this photo. Sam proposed to Dalia on<br />
2. Alvin & Lenor<br />
the Detroit River Walk, with a scenic<br />
crystal blue sky, the Detroit River<br />
and Canada right behind them!<br />
7 Michael & Tessa tied the knot<br />
last May. The beautiful couple are<br />
cheering on their love in front of<br />
their gorgeous modern backdrop provided<br />
by Quik Pix!<br />
8 Danny & Sandra ready to<br />
have some fun at their wedding! I<br />
loved the couple’s awesome and fun<br />
personalities, taking in their wedding<br />
day and just having a great time!<br />
Backdrop designed by Quik Pix.<br />
9 Andrew & Norhan strike a<br />
pose at their wedding! I love their<br />
elegant backdrop designed by Quik<br />
Pix, for guests to stand in front of &<br />
strike poses!<br />
3. Andrew & Mary<br />
10 Eddie & Valerie cheer to<br />
LOVE! The couple branded their<br />
wedding with their last name: Cheers<br />
to the Zeers! Making it their known<br />
catch-phrase that everyone used to<br />
hash tag and post on social media<br />
for some wedding fun! Backdrop designed<br />
by Quik Pix.<br />
4. Justin & Rawan<br />
5. Randy & Remy<br />
6. Sam & Dalia 7. Michael & Tessa<br />
1. Udday & Sue<br />
8. Danny & Sandra<br />
9. Andrew & Norhan<br />
10. Eddie & Valerie<br />
30 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
IVAN GEORGE<br />
Ivan George with Futurewave Images in<br />
Farmington Hills grew up in the photography<br />
and videography business, working<br />
alongside his father before he ventured<br />
out on his own. Sharing in his passion,<br />
Ivan’s son Reno, has also joined the Futurewave<br />
family. He and his team fully<br />
understand that a Wedding is a reflection<br />
of the couple. Hours of planning have<br />
gone into making the day perfect. His<br />
photographs capture that perfect day.<br />
1. Pierre and Raquel Samona<br />
1 At Pierre & Raquel Samona’s wedding,<br />
we loved how the bride changed her<br />
hair. It was a true honor capturing Pierre &<br />
Raquel’s Winter wedding from beginning<br />
to the end, their wedding was a classic.<br />
2 Fadi & Karla were such a fun couple.<br />
There was so much laughter at the<br />
wedding and when we took photos, you<br />
could feel the joy. The couple decided<br />
to have their images taken at the Edsel<br />
& Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe<br />
Shores. These photo captures a simple<br />
look against architectural details of the<br />
historic venue.<br />
2 In these photos of Matthew &<br />
Crystal you can really see the bond between<br />
the two of them. We love capturing<br />
the love between couples. These images of<br />
are worth noting because of the expression<br />
on their faces — it says everything! Every<br />
groom and bride have their own fairytale<br />
wedding, this couple had a very special<br />
bond that was sentimental; A moment of<br />
happiness on their face tells it all!<br />
4 Daniel & Angela: Cranbrook<br />
House of Gardens has always been one of<br />
our clients’ favorite, gorgeous views and<br />
the bride had a inspiration of true beauty.<br />
2. Fadi and Karla<br />
3. Matthew and Crystal<br />
4. Daniel and Angela<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 31
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
2. Jaqueline<br />
1. The Lazars<br />
3. Carmen & Evan 4. Mark & Evet 5, Anita & Zaya<br />
HADEER POLISS<br />
Hadeer Polis with HP Film & Photography<br />
based in Sterling Heights has<br />
been looking at couples behind the<br />
lens for decades. He has been a special<br />
events photographer for more than 30<br />
years. He started his business at a very<br />
young age with limited resources. Today,<br />
he is able to happily say that his<br />
business is specializing in weddings<br />
with more than 120 weddings a year.<br />
1 Sibling love, what is more<br />
beautiful than that? Of course, the<br />
Lazar’s! These beautiful twin sisters<br />
married two brothers, the love<br />
and excitement shared on this day<br />
is a very unforgettable memory for<br />
us, born together, married together,<br />
nothing more beautiful.<br />
2 During this bride’s wedding<br />
day, she was full of excitement and<br />
joy. Jaqueline was able to tie the knot<br />
in a church that had been a part of<br />
her life since she was a child. Being<br />
able to capture this moment with<br />
Jaqueline is very special to us as well.<br />
3 This photo of Carmen & Evan<br />
stood out to us more than most photos<br />
do, but it wasn’t just the photo itself<br />
that had us in awe, it was the couple<br />
in front of the lens. The two hearts<br />
that became one this day couldn’t<br />
have been more in sync and in love;<br />
seeing this type of newlywed bliss and<br />
being able to capture it on the most<br />
magical day of their lives is what<br />
makes it all worth it for us in the end.<br />
4 Simplicity… Mark & Evet<br />
selfless, pure, and loving. This couple’s<br />
innocence made us fall in love<br />
with capturing their wedding day.<br />
They allowed us to capture the natural<br />
beauty in both of them.<br />
5 Traveling for out-of-state weddings<br />
could be a hassle sometimes,<br />
but when it comes to dealing with<br />
a beautiful bride & groom, it makes<br />
the distance worth every mile. Anita<br />
& Zaya made their wedding day not<br />
only special for themselves, but for<br />
our team as well, being able to share<br />
the laughter and memories with them<br />
that day makes them stand out to us.<br />
32 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 33
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
2 3<br />
1 4<br />
5<br />
6 7<br />
WILSON SARKIS<br />
Wilson Sarkis of Wilson Photography & Cinematography<br />
in Farmington Hills has been capturing<br />
life moments since 1986. With studios<br />
in Metro Detroit, Chicago, and San Diego, the<br />
company also includes Wilson’s son Welson Jr.<br />
The photographers set out to re-define elegance.<br />
1 This image was shot at the Intercontinental<br />
Hotel in downtown Chicago. We love<br />
the drama in the room!<br />
2 The famous red bridge at Cranbrook<br />
Gardens! Wilson Sr. jumps in the water to take<br />
this stunning image on a beautiful July day.<br />
Everything was perfect from the couple to the<br />
scenery. Definitely, one of our favorites!<br />
3 The Fox Theatre’s red elevator! This was<br />
the first time we shot this image and it’s been a<br />
masterpiece in our studio ever since! It’s been<br />
more 10 years and still one of our faves!<br />
4 It’s the Fox Theatre all over again! This<br />
wedding was at the Fox and one of our most<br />
memorable weddings ever! Just gorgeous!<br />
5 Summer weddings at Cranbrook Gardens<br />
never get played out! Timeless beauty!<br />
6 This image is by far our favorite engagement<br />
photo ever! Doesn’t get better than a<br />
Bonnie & Clyde theme! #trainstation!<br />
7 DIA! A classic Detroit monument! This<br />
photo was shot in the winter and the reason<br />
we love it so much is because it doesn’t matter<br />
what time of year it is Wilson Sarkis & Co. will<br />
bring your vision to life. Who doesn’t want to<br />
feel like royalty!<br />
8 Black & white engagement photos will<br />
never go out of style! Urban flair and a classic<br />
couple is the perfect recipe for a beautiful image!<br />
8<br />
34 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 35
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
Grooming the groom<br />
Helpful tips for the husband-to-be<br />
BY MONIQUE MANSOUR<br />
The beautiful, blushing bride<br />
is often what first pops into<br />
our minds when we hear the<br />
word “wedding,” but the handsome<br />
and eager groom plays an equally<br />
valuable role in the wedding process.<br />
Event planners Lawrence Yaldo and<br />
Andrew Keina from Top that Table,<br />
Dalia Atisha, CWPTM from The<br />
Event Planner, Inc., Suhair Kallabat<br />
from Eventfully Yours, and June<br />
Abro and Lauren Waterstone from A<br />
June Event shared their favorite tips<br />
for grooming the groom for the big,<br />
celebratory day.<br />
Yaldo and Keina of Top that Table<br />
in West Bloomfield believe the<br />
wedding planning works best when<br />
both the bride and the groom are involved.<br />
“By harnessing the strengths<br />
of each partner – where they naturally<br />
flourish –the planning process will<br />
become more fun and the outcome<br />
fantastically unique. Let the wedding<br />
be reflective of a couple’s style<br />
and tastes. For example, if the bride<br />
and groom have a sweet tooth for a<br />
specific dessert, they may incorporate<br />
that into the wedding for all of their<br />
guests to enjoy,” said Keina.<br />
The groom should never overlook<br />
the communication lines to<br />
his groomsmen. “I’d suggest that the<br />
groom oversee his groomsmen to ensure<br />
they understand the schedule<br />
and what is expected of them. He<br />
should choose gifts to give to the<br />
groomsmen as well. A fairly new<br />
trend for the groom is to wear a lapel<br />
pin instead of a boutonniere. The<br />
pin will look good all throughout the<br />
special day, because it won’t wilt like<br />
flowers do. Lapel pins also make for<br />
great groomsmen gifts,” said Yaldo.<br />
Practice makes perfect and this<br />
rings true for wedding preparations as<br />
well. “The groom should always practice<br />
vows before the ceremony.” Another<br />
big tip for the groom –remember<br />
to think of the bride before the<br />
ceremony. “Traditionally, the groom<br />
gives his bride a thoughtful gift before<br />
the wedding. It doesn’t have to<br />
be lavish, but something thoughtful<br />
like a letter and a bouquet of flowers<br />
will help make a special day even<br />
more meaningful,” said Yaldo.<br />
Both Yaldo and Keina agreed that<br />
both couples should decide on a budget<br />
before the process begins to avoid<br />
“sticker shock.” “Even the smallest<br />
things add up very quickly in the<br />
realm of everything considered. A<br />
dream wedding is a dream, unless<br />
you’re prepared to pay the price!”<br />
said Keina.<br />
Atisha of The Event Planner,<br />
Inc. in West Bloomfield has noticed<br />
a variety of patterns from grooms<br />
over the years –and, in particular,<br />
something they especially love to be<br />
part of. “Most grooms really want to<br />
be involved with the food selection<br />
and the cake tastings.” You know<br />
how the saying goes – the way to a<br />
man’s heart is through his stomach!<br />
Atisha stressed that couples<br />
should use the entire wedding planning<br />
process as a vehicle to recognize<br />
how one another communicates.<br />
“Planning a wedding is a great way<br />
for the couple to understand each<br />
other and find ways to compromise,<br />
as that is just the beginning of the<br />
rest of their lives as a couple.” In<br />
order to avoid wedding-talk burnout,<br />
Atisha recommends the following.<br />
“Plan a date once a week and<br />
agree to not discuss anything about<br />
wedding planning. Also, consider a<br />
couple’s retreat, celebrate mass every<br />
Sunday, and attend the classes<br />
the church recommends for engaged<br />
couples. I’m going to get philosophical<br />
here, but couples who put God<br />
first in their relationship will have a<br />
state of grace throughout their wedding<br />
planning which will guide them<br />
through the ups and downs of their<br />
marriage.”<br />
As far as advice for the groom<br />
goes, Atisha said pre-planning is<br />
key. “Follow a timeline. Make your<br />
grooming appointments well in advance<br />
of the wedding and, on the day<br />
of, early enough in the day to alleviate<br />
time constraints on the wedding<br />
36 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
schedule.” Something the groom<br />
should really consider? “The first<br />
dance! Think about the timelessness<br />
of that moment and make it more<br />
than just a wedding ritual. Embrace<br />
that moment as being husband and<br />
wife for the first time. If taking dance<br />
lessons will enhance that experience,<br />
then I highly recommend that.”<br />
Kallabat from Eventfully Yours<br />
in West Bloomfield urges all of her<br />
brides to bring<br />
their fiancés to important planning<br />
meetings. “I always make sure<br />
that for the vital meetings, the<br />
groom is present. Sometimes incorporating<br />
the groom into the wedding<br />
planning<br />
process is as simple as adding him<br />
into a group text with the bride and<br />
me,<br />
and other times it’s more detailed<br />
and includes one-on-one meetings or<br />
phone calls when the groom has an<br />
idea or wants to plan a surprise for his<br />
bride,” said Kallabat.<br />
Is there a magic number of hours<br />
the groom should put into wedding<br />
planning? No. “There really is no<br />
one-size-fits-all amount of right or<br />
wrong involvement for the groom.<br />
I do, however, appreciate when a<br />
groom is involved in the planning<br />
process. After all, a wedding is about<br />
the union of two, and it’s always<br />
more special when both the groom<br />
and bride’s opinions, likes, and interests<br />
are reflected in the wedding,”<br />
said Kallabat.<br />
Kallabat had an important piece<br />
of advice for couples struggling with<br />
trying to please everyone during the<br />
wedding planning process. “Couples<br />
can make their wedding more about<br />
the both of them by ignoring the outside<br />
noise. When you’re planning a<br />
wedding, everyone around you has<br />
an opinion. People are excited and<br />
truly mean well, but sometimes it’s<br />
overwhelming and leads a couple<br />
to make choices they otherwise<br />
wouldn’t make. Couples can make<br />
their wedding day be more about the<br />
both of them by simply doing what<br />
they want!”<br />
In terms of the perfect time to<br />
start planning a wedding, Kallabat<br />
had some wise counsel. “I always say<br />
that there really is no such time as<br />
too soon to start planning a wedding.<br />
Our Chaldean community especially<br />
tends to rotate between the same<br />
venues and vendors, so it’s always<br />
best to plan as far ahead as possible to<br />
ensure that you get the date, venue,<br />
and vendors that you want.”<br />
Abro from A June Event in West<br />
Bloomfield had a fun idea to offer as<br />
it related to incorporating the groom<br />
into the wedding day celebrations.<br />
“Something special to do is dedicate<br />
the cocktail hour to the groom.<br />
Maybe implement darker tones into<br />
the space, incorporate food he likes,<br />
have a tequila bar, a cigar bar, and<br />
perhaps even late-night snacks that<br />
he enjoys,” said Abro. Waterstone<br />
agreed, and she can’t stress enough<br />
that a wedding is “the first party that<br />
a couple will host together as a Mr.<br />
& Mrs. It should be a reflection of<br />
exactly that!”<br />
There is one area of wedding<br />
planning where the groom’s meddling<br />
isn’t necessary, nor welcomed.<br />
“By no means should a groom get<br />
involved with the wedding dress or<br />
the bridesmaids,” said Abro, with a<br />
chuckle. As far as tips for the groom<br />
on the day of? “I always say the best<br />
grooms are the ones that stay sober.<br />
You can catch a buzz but you<br />
still want to be proper!” said Abro.<br />
“Also, I know the groom often gets<br />
annoyed with the many photographs<br />
on the wedding day, but it’s one day<br />
out of your life...remember to smile<br />
as you go along with it. It’s an exciting<br />
time for everyone involved,” said<br />
Waterstone. Both Abro and Waterstone<br />
value the importance of communication<br />
in the wedding planning<br />
process. “It makes for a better day instead<br />
of surprises that you do not care<br />
for,” said Abro.<br />
All helpful tips to consider. And,<br />
after all the planning has been done,<br />
and the groom has been groomed and<br />
the bride begins her walk down the<br />
aisle, one unifying thought should be<br />
at the forefront of the minds of everyone<br />
involved –the love the couple<br />
shares for one another.<br />
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 37
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
Honeymoon destinations<br />
Travel agents talk what is trending after the wedding festivities<br />
BY WEAM NAMOU<br />
Honeymoon is a concept that<br />
dates back to the fifth century<br />
in European cultures<br />
when time was measured in moon<br />
cycles. Couples were provided with a<br />
“moon,” approximately one month’s<br />
worth of mead which is an alcoholic<br />
honey wine. The idea was for couples<br />
to drink it together to help form sexual<br />
intimacy.<br />
Honeymoons changed over time.<br />
In the nineteenth century, couples<br />
in Britain spent their honeymoon on<br />
a bridal tour, where they visited friends<br />
and family who could not attend the<br />
wedding ceremony. Many couples in<br />
the Middle East, some even in the<br />
United States, didn’t even know what<br />
a honeymoon was. In modern times,<br />
honeymoons became a romantic and<br />
even a luxury affair. Today’s couples<br />
invest a great deal of thought, time, and money<br />
into their honeymoon destination.<br />
As the wedding season approaches, we consulted<br />
with a few travel experts on what the favorite<br />
honeymoon spots are. Of course, much depends<br />
on the couples’ interests, whether they’re<br />
looking to lounge on beautiful beaches or have an<br />
adventurous or exotic experience. Several other<br />
important factors help couples determine their<br />
destination.<br />
“It all depends on the season the couple is going<br />
and on the budget,” said Amira Bajoka, owner<br />
of Rena Travel & Tours which is named after her<br />
daughter Rena, a family physician. The travel<br />
agency has been in business for 30 years and is<br />
located in Bajoka Plaza at 34528 Dequindre Rd.<br />
It will open another location this spring between<br />
Haggerty and M5 on Maple Road.<br />
One popular resort, for example, is the Caribbean<br />
– Jamaica, Punta Cana, and St. Lucia – because<br />
they provide all-inclusive trips.<br />
“Honeymooners love all inclusive,” said Cathy<br />
Daldin, owner and travel consultant at Shamrock<br />
Travel located at 413 S Main St., Rochester and<br />
has been in business for more than 29 years. “It<br />
takes away any worry about how much it is going<br />
to cost when you are there. Many of the allinclusive<br />
options can be adult only resorts. They<br />
really like those.”<br />
Daldin said that Hawaii is another popular<br />
destination for honeymooners. But while the<br />
island’s clear water, tropical sunsets and lavish<br />
greenery makes it a really romantic getaway, it is<br />
not all-inclusive.<br />
“I have booked many honeymoons to Europe,”<br />
she said. “That is an option for people who are<br />
more adventurous.”<br />
There are numerous favorite European destinations<br />
for newlyweds, some which include Santorini,<br />
Greece, a small volcanic island known for<br />
its striking sunsets and virgin whitewashed villas;<br />
Venice, Italy with its gondola rides through the<br />
Grand Canal that sail past historic buildings; and<br />
Paris, France, known for its architecture, food,<br />
and art.<br />
Bajoka has numerous specials to Rome, Paris,<br />
and Greece, but she has a particularly special offer<br />
in Rome. She said, “For those going to Rome, we<br />
arrange a private audience with the Pope so the<br />
couple can meet him personally.”<br />
Daldin says that the more affordable destinations<br />
are Cancun/Riviera Maya in Mexico. Punta<br />
Cana can be better priced depending on the resort.<br />
And before you plan, keep in mind that the<br />
recent hurricanes have had an impact on the US<br />
Virgin Islands, St. Martin and Puerto Rico.<br />
“I also like to see if they are into staying in the<br />
US,” Daldin said. “If so, then I can find something<br />
romantic but a place that fits their budget and the<br />
activities they like.”<br />
There are many beautiful US cities to explore<br />
and enjoy including three in California - Palm<br />
Springs, San Diego or Monterey. There’s St. Augustine<br />
in Florida and Martha’s Vineyards in Massachusetts.<br />
Bajoka advises couples to come in person to<br />
talk about their travel plans because these trips<br />
require great preparation and details. She adds,<br />
“We’re wholesalers and we’ll beat any price.”<br />
Bajoka also specializes in Christian and other<br />
unique tours. In May 2017, she had a trip for couples<br />
who renewed their vows at a Church in Israel.<br />
December she took a group of fifty people to<br />
the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico<br />
City, Mexico, and in May, she’s doing a ten day<br />
exploration of the Holy Land.<br />
Regardless of the trip the couples choose to go<br />
on, it’s important to keep in mind that how they<br />
treat each other while there is what will make<br />
the honeymoon memorable. Honeymoons are intended<br />
to help the couples relax and have fun, but<br />
more importantly, to establish a strong, enjoyable,<br />
and lifelong union.<br />
38 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 39
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
product and an unrelenting commitment<br />
to customer service has<br />
made Top Notch a popular, fastgrowing<br />
business and a preferred<br />
choice among professional athletes,<br />
like Matthew Stafford, Taylor<br />
Decker, Sam Martin and Eric<br />
Ebron.<br />
Top Notch just opened in November<br />
but they already have three<br />
buses with plans to roll out two<br />
more by March and, eventually,<br />
increase their inventory to 10 by<br />
the summer. A strong social media<br />
presence that includes an Instagram<br />
page with over a thousand followers,<br />
and a state of the art website<br />
has paved the way for Top Notch<br />
Riding in style<br />
Brand-new party bus and limousine<br />
service aims to set a new precedent.<br />
BY STEPHEN JONES<br />
Formed as a partnership between<br />
two sets of brothers,<br />
Marlow and Monte Abdulnoor<br />
and Rimon and Raymen Yaldo,<br />
Top Notch Party Bus & Limousine<br />
is a fresh business that has its<br />
sights set on provziding an experience<br />
that’s unsurpassed in the party<br />
bus industry.<br />
“We are among the most recent<br />
Chaldeans to actually be in the<br />
party bus and limousine business,”<br />
Monte Abdulnoor said. “That’s<br />
part of the reason we got into it.<br />
We want to be Michigan’s biggest<br />
party bus and limousine transportation<br />
company, and we want to be<br />
the best. We want people to have<br />
happy experiences with our buses<br />
and limousines. We want people to<br />
have fun.”<br />
The pair of brothers decided to<br />
pursue the venture after personal<br />
experiences led them to recognize<br />
a lack of customer appreciation in<br />
the industry.<br />
“We would rent party buses to<br />
go out and have a good time, but we<br />
would experience so many kinds of<br />
problems,” Abdulnoor said. “Then<br />
we just realized this could be done<br />
better.”<br />
Some of the problems the<br />
brothers experienced included<br />
faulty sound systems and glitches<br />
in heating and cooling. The<br />
group was further bothered by<br />
the response they’d get from<br />
party bus owners when bringing<br />
these issues forward.<br />
“The owners of the party buses<br />
never wanted to take responsibility<br />
and accommodate customers<br />
properly,” Abdulnoor said. “It was<br />
always like they were saying ‘hey,<br />
tough luck’, and that’s not the way<br />
we like to do business.”<br />
The foursome knew they could<br />
make a splash by creating a premier<br />
party bus service that put the experience<br />
of the customer first. Abdulnoor,<br />
a seasoned professional in the<br />
hospitality industry, knows what it<br />
takes to provide the ultimate customer<br />
service experience. He grew<br />
up in the industry, and is currently<br />
a controlling partner in Thrive<br />
Hospitality Group.<br />
“We own and operate several<br />
different hotels with Hilton, Marriott,<br />
IHG, Choice and Wyndham,”<br />
Abdulnoor said. “I started working<br />
at 13 years old, doing things<br />
like cleaning parking lots, pulling<br />
weeds and delivering roll-away<br />
beds. My experience in the industry<br />
taught me the importance of<br />
great customer service and that›s<br />
what it›s about for me.»<br />
Customer service is an important<br />
part of the business model at<br />
Top Notch, but that doesn’t mean<br />
they neglect the product. Top<br />
Notch has state of the art buses,<br />
equipped with all of the essentials<br />
for an awesome night on the town.<br />
“All of our buses have upgraded<br />
sound systems,” Abdulnoor said.<br />
“We don’t buy any used buses. All<br />
of our products are brand new. We<br />
personally clean and inspect the<br />
buses before we go out. We’re completely<br />
owner-operated. We don’t<br />
just have a third party or someone<br />
else operating our business, and doing<br />
that ensures that we’re going to<br />
give the best experience possible.”<br />
The combination of an elite<br />
to gain quite a bit of popularity for<br />
a brand-new company. Top Notch’s<br />
efforts on Instagram are part of an<br />
initiative to continuously reach out<br />
to the public.<br />
“We want to take our marketing<br />
to a whole other level,” Abdulnoor<br />
said. “We need to take advantage of<br />
this new day and age. We’re doing<br />
this from the view of a millennial.<br />
I don’t think a millennial has ever<br />
really opened a party bus and limousine<br />
company.”<br />
Top Notch is led by four ambitious<br />
individuals that understand<br />
the nuances of running a business<br />
and it captures the flair that customers<br />
expect out of a party bus,<br />
while delivering on its pledge, “to<br />
deliver the best in quality and class<br />
while ensuring your safety and satisfaction<br />
whether you are getting<br />
married, celebrating a birthday or<br />
having a night-out.”<br />
40 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 41
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
Planning the big day<br />
Event coordinators share the wedding trends for <strong>2018</strong><br />
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO<br />
With Valentines marking<br />
the middle of the month<br />
and just coming off the<br />
holiday season and New Year’s Day,<br />
there are and will be many newly<br />
engaged couples. Proposals are very<br />
popular from Thanksgiving through<br />
Valentine’s Day. According to WeddingWire.com,<br />
included in the top<br />
10 most popular days to propose are<br />
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Valentine’s<br />
Day and New Year’s Day. So,<br />
now there are weddings to organize.<br />
Local wedding and event planners<br />
shared what was vogue in 2017 and<br />
what is expected to trend in <strong>2018</strong>.<br />
Top that Table<br />
Table is the collaboration of Lawrence<br />
Yaldo and Andy Keina.<br />
Yaldo and Keina have been not<br />
only following trends but they have<br />
been topping them in the event planning<br />
business for more than a decade<br />
as owners of Top that Table. “With<br />
any trend, it’s important not to go<br />
overboard,” said Yaldo. “Remember<br />
that at the end of the day, this is your<br />
wedding and you will have these<br />
photos for decades to come—the end<br />
goal should be a wedding that you’ll<br />
love just as much in 30, 40, or 50<br />
years.”<br />
With that said, the duo planners<br />
recommend to “try your best to strike<br />
a balance with trends that reflect<br />
you and traditional elements to keep<br />
everything “grounded” and timeless,”<br />
said Yaldo. “Finding harmony between<br />
the two will ensure that your<br />
wedding stands the test of time.”<br />
Food for thought? What to serve<br />
at the wedding is definitely part of<br />
the planning. “With a plethora of<br />
food already being served from the<br />
beginning to end, couples are opting<br />
for different ideas to provide a<br />
late-night snack for their guests,”<br />
he said. “The options are unlimited<br />
from food trucks to custom dessert<br />
stations, leaving guests feeling full<br />
and energized to partake in all the<br />
festivities for the evening.”<br />
The Mod Mix is trending in<br />
<strong>2018</strong>. “We love the idea of balancing<br />
sleek geometric shapes with soft<br />
flowers and natural elements,” said<br />
Yaldo. “Aside from the traditional<br />
decor, adding in geometric shapes<br />
are an unexpected and a totally cool<br />
addition to your décor. The chic<br />
pairing of modern and traditional is<br />
beautiful at weddings to add warmth<br />
and contrast.”<br />
A June Event<br />
June Abro of A June Event in West<br />
Bloomfield travels for inspiration.<br />
“My partner and I look for the best<br />
and latest trends so we can service<br />
our clients,” said Abro. “We not only<br />
look for what our clients are trying<br />
to achieve, we look for the unique.”<br />
Working in both the Chaldean<br />
and Jewish communities, at A June<br />
Event, they work with a variety of<br />
vendors so they can offer whatever a<br />
client wants. “We definitely were the<br />
first to do “oversize” at Shenandoah<br />
and probably the last in 2017; our client<br />
had a vision,” he said. “We definitely<br />
wanted to make things come<br />
to life so starting the trend with the<br />
Sawa wedding and ending with the<br />
George wedding, we bookended with<br />
two big statements of the year.”<br />
Abro noted that couples want to<br />
make statement as soon as the guests<br />
walk in. “I would definitely say A<br />
June Event is known for all of the<br />
big and prominent seating arrangements,”<br />
he said. “We were the first<br />
ones to be doing the acrylic boards<br />
and an oversize pattern.”<br />
Now into <strong>2018</strong>, June noted that<br />
people are going more dreamy, romantic<br />
and intimate. “White is going<br />
to be a big trend this year,” he<br />
said. “I think a lot more girls are going<br />
romantic. They are not going as<br />
bold. They are going simple but still<br />
very beautiful. Less of the big cake<br />
and more romance and a personal<br />
cake.”<br />
With the remodel at Shenandoah<br />
this year, June said that couples are<br />
anxious to see what new things can<br />
be done inside the West Bloomfield<br />
country club. Meanwhile, weddings<br />
in Detroit are becoming more popular.<br />
“People are getting a real feel for<br />
the city,” he said. “Brides and grooms<br />
are making more money than maybe<br />
a generation ago and today they are<br />
hosting their weddings.”<br />
These young entrepreneurs are<br />
throwing a wedding reception that<br />
PLANNING continued from page 44<br />
42 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 43
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
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PLANNING continued from page 42<br />
is more reflective of themselves as a<br />
couple then a wedding that was hosted<br />
by the couple’s parents. “Parents<br />
are letting their kids organize the<br />
weddings more,” said June. “They are<br />
allowing the couple design the day.”<br />
However, brides more so today are<br />
trying to get inspiration from their<br />
mom’s wedding day from decades earlier.<br />
“They might not wear the same<br />
dress but somehow they are incorporating<br />
themes from their parents wedding<br />
into their own,” he noted. “They<br />
might incorporate the color scheme<br />
from that time period like mustard<br />
yellow or navy. The tradition of wearing<br />
the mother’s dress doesn’t really<br />
exist in our culture but getting inspiration<br />
from their weddings does.”<br />
In addition to be being acknowledged<br />
by Hour Magazine as the Best<br />
Event Planner for four consecutive<br />
years, A June Event is also a preferred<br />
vendor at the top destination<br />
spots in the Metro Detroit area.<br />
The Event Planner<br />
Dalia Atisha, known as The Event<br />
Planner, has a close working relationship<br />
with many vendors in the<br />
event planning business. “A lot of<br />
the wedding tends we have had since<br />
2017 are evolving and creating more<br />
of an imprint with the help of vendors<br />
providing more options making<br />
it easier to create a theme and really<br />
get into it,” said Atisha. “We are<br />
looking at what vendors are offering<br />
as we create personalized weddings<br />
for each couple.”<br />
In <strong>2018</strong>, the laser cut custom and<br />
personalized invitations continue with<br />
different types of printing, letter press,<br />
foil press and embossed lettering.<br />
When it comes to colors, Atisha<br />
is seeing green and whites in <strong>2018</strong> as<br />
a more natural feel emerges. “Bold<br />
colors are giving more vibrant presentations,”<br />
she noted. “Rustic styled<br />
weddings are now being altered to<br />
feel more woodsy. metallic/industrial<br />
Lucite, rose gold, different tones of<br />
gold and silver, and the garden-esque<br />
look is also popular.”<br />
When it comes to lighting, couples<br />
have made it a standard using<br />
pin spotting at guest tables. “Gobos to<br />
personalize the couple with their logo<br />
by branding their wedding and using<br />
texture lighting to really set a mood<br />
for the evening have become popular,”<br />
said Atisha. “In addition, bands<br />
and DJ’s tying in lighting with music<br />
that creates an unprecedented event.”<br />
It’s not just tables and chairs anymore.<br />
“Couples are bringing in family<br />
antiques, heirlooms and other personal<br />
items that are near and dear to<br />
them,” said Atisha. “They are tying<br />
it into their wedding décor whether<br />
it be the wedding bouquet, at the entrance<br />
or even on the head table.”<br />
Couples are renting furniture giving<br />
the reception a different look such as<br />
PLANNING continued on page 46<br />
44 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 45
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
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PLANNING continued from page 44<br />
placing the wedding cake or late-night<br />
snack with props and unique pieces to<br />
really set the tone of their theme or presentation<br />
they are trying to give.<br />
Speaking of food. Today, couples<br />
are looking to create an experience<br />
for their guests. “They are doing this<br />
by offering nostalgic foods from their<br />
younger years or even including their<br />
favorite foods and serving them to<br />
their guests,” she noted.<br />
Crowd-pleasing action stations<br />
and carts are fun and interactive. An<br />
Action Station is an interactive display<br />
of food, where it’s typically chef<br />
attended and gives guests ways to engage<br />
and entertain all while heightening<br />
taste buds and taking the enjoyment<br />
of food to another level.<br />
Food trucks have rolled in and<br />
made a big hit as well as favorite and<br />
national food vendors have begun<br />
setting up stations at weddings.<br />
“Couples are more and more<br />
seeking ways to engage and entertain<br />
their guests not with just the music,<br />
but through other avenues to help<br />
create memories of the couple’s wedding<br />
nuptials,” said Atisha.<br />
Eventfully Yours<br />
From Fashion to food, Suhair Kallabat<br />
from Eventually Yours is paying<br />
attention to it all. She notes various<br />
changes happening in the wedding<br />
world. For instance, the bridal dance<br />
during dinner is not a must. “Starting<br />
the bridal dance during a later<br />
part of dinner isn’t necessarily a new<br />
trend, but it’s a trend that is definitely<br />
taking over and more so becoming<br />
the norm now,” said Kallabat.<br />
Customizing the cuisine has been<br />
trending for a while. “Our culture<br />
revolves around food and while the<br />
foodie phenomena has made its mark<br />
on weddings in years past through<br />
cool midnight snacks, a trend that my<br />
couples and I have been loving this<br />
year is the incorporation of new and<br />
cool foods into the dinner menu itself,”<br />
she noted. “I’ve had a lot of couples<br />
this year break away from the standard<br />
banquet menu and change the menu to<br />
incorporate either their favorite snacks<br />
on the table as appetizers including<br />
Potato chips, hummus, tabbouleh,<br />
shrimp, and eggplant salad at one wedding,<br />
to a couple catering in their favorite<br />
soup from their go-to restaurant,<br />
or another couple serving each table a<br />
shareable dish of fries at another wedding.<br />
Fun and new foods are definitely<br />
a focus at weddings and it’s nice to see<br />
couples exploring new dinner options.”<br />
Fashion trends are not just for the<br />
bride to follow. “Bride’s aren’t the<br />
only ones having fun with fashion on<br />
their wedding day,” said Kallabat. “It’s<br />
no longer assumed that a groom will<br />
be in a black tux now. Grooms have a<br />
variety of fun options now which include<br />
navy tuxes, and mix and matching<br />
their black pants with various colored<br />
and patterned tuxedo jackets!”<br />
The dresses will always be the focal<br />
part of the evening’s fashion statement.<br />
“Bridal Dresses with pockets<br />
are actually popular,” she said. “This<br />
is probably one of my favorite bridal<br />
trends! I LOVE a dress with pockets,<br />
so I think it’s awesome to see pockets<br />
being fused with bridal fashion. It’s a<br />
chic and practical trend!”<br />
46 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 47
More than the Khigga<br />
Ashley Barno has taken on the task of<br />
teaching traditional Chaldean dances<br />
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO<br />
As engagement season continues,<br />
many couples will find<br />
themselves planning their<br />
wedding and preparing for an evening<br />
that is sure to bring lots of love,<br />
food, and dancing. Wedding planning<br />
comes with many details and<br />
intricacies that almost always take<br />
precedence over being concerned<br />
about being able to keep up with traditional<br />
Chaldean dances.<br />
Creating a sense of unity and excitement,<br />
dances like the khigga yagoora<br />
and shaykhani are one of the<br />
focal points of Chaldean weddings.<br />
These line dances are an important<br />
Chaldean custom that dates back<br />
even before recorded history. Each<br />
dance is dictated by the song and its<br />
tempo, if the song is fast, the dancers<br />
move fast.<br />
For Ashley Barno, the traditional<br />
dances are her favorite part of weddings,<br />
as they root her to her culture.<br />
“My absolute favorite activity<br />
is dancing Chaldean dances,” said<br />
Barno. “I went to a wedding a few<br />
years ago and the dance floor was<br />
empty and everyone was at the bar,<br />
hanging out until the DJ came on<br />
and played English music. The sight<br />
of that made me so sad.”<br />
Noticing the generational disconnect,<br />
Barno decided that she would<br />
take on the task of teaching these<br />
traditional Chaldean dances. “I saw<br />
that the generation I grew up in didn’t<br />
really learn our dances as I did growing<br />
up,” explained Barno. “I quickly<br />
realized that it would eventually be a<br />
dying tradition and thought to myself<br />
that I had to try to keep it alive.”<br />
Having learned the dances early<br />
on in her childhood, Barno was well<br />
equipped to pass on her knowledge.<br />
Barno’s revelation at the wedding,<br />
paired with the fact that she had<br />
friends who had requested lessons<br />
solidified her drive to teach traditional<br />
dances.<br />
“I’ve been teaching since I was<br />
about 14 or 15 years old, but when<br />
I was younger, I taught family and<br />
friends,” said Barno. “I began doing<br />
this as a profession a couple of years<br />
ago when a friend of mine asked me<br />
to teach him how to dance in preparation<br />
for his wedding.”<br />
The San Diego native does not<br />
currently have a studio in which<br />
she teaches out of, instead opting<br />
to make house calls. Barno is flexible<br />
in her methods as she teaches<br />
wherever her clients feel most comfortable,<br />
whether it’s their home or<br />
business, and even opens her own<br />
home up to clients.<br />
In keeping the clients comfortable,<br />
Barno offers private lessons,<br />
both to individuals and groups.<br />
Many of her clients come to her in<br />
the wake of a wedding and according<br />
to Barno, not all of her clients<br />
are Chaldean. “My usual clients are<br />
couples getting married or bridal<br />
parties,” she explains. “[The] majority<br />
are Chaldean or if they aren’t<br />
Chaldean they’re usually marrying<br />
someone that is Chaldean.”<br />
Barno feels that knowing these<br />
traditional dances is just one way for<br />
Chaldeans to stay connected to their<br />
culture and history. “Our dances<br />
are a big part of our Chaldean culture<br />
which is incredibly beautiful,”<br />
she said. “We all need to work hard<br />
at keeping our traditions alive and<br />
not forget how to dance our dances<br />
among other things.”<br />
She prides herself on being able<br />
to aid in the preservation of this major<br />
Chaldean tradition. “I teach all of<br />
the dances: gorgina, khigga yaqoora,<br />
chobi, shaykhani yaqoora (bagiye),<br />
shaykhani, gubarey and more,” said<br />
Barno. “I have given belly dancing<br />
tips but I would say my expertise is<br />
traditional Chaldean dance.”<br />
“The response has been amazing,”<br />
said Barno. “I get messages and comments<br />
from Chaldeans from all over<br />
the world telling me how much they<br />
love what I am doing and appreciate<br />
my efforts to continue these traditions.”<br />
Even as Barno resides in California,<br />
she has made an effort to spread<br />
her knowledge to those wanting<br />
to learn in Detroit and Chicago, as<br />
well. As advertised on her Instagram,<br />
Barno will take the opportunity to<br />
teach when she is in either city. In<br />
addition to teaching when she’s in<br />
Detroit, Barno has even brought<br />
her cousins, who live in Detroit, on<br />
board to help teach.<br />
Barno attributes much of her success<br />
to her uncles Ameed and Abeer<br />
Asmaro. Abeed is a singer, while<br />
Abeer is a drummer. “I wouldn’t be<br />
doing this without them and growing<br />
up with their influence.”<br />
“I just want everyone to know<br />
that everyone can learn [to dance],”<br />
said Barno. “I was born in the U.S.<br />
and I’m teaching Chaldeans from all<br />
over. I know a lot of people are shy<br />
and don’t want to learn at a wedding<br />
or party. This is why I am doing private<br />
lessons so everyone can learn in<br />
their own comfort.”<br />
For more information about Barno and<br />
lessons offered, find her on Instagram<br />
@chaldean_dances<br />
48 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 49
I’m Here When You Need Me<br />
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE<br />
Food for all<br />
the festivities<br />
Local caterer specializes in all-kinds<br />
of wedding celebrations<br />
BY WEAM NAMOU<br />
Chaldeans are known for<br />
their extravagant and large<br />
gatherings, especially when<br />
it comes to those associated with<br />
weddings. Not long ago, they celebrated<br />
the tenetha, word, where the<br />
fiancé’s and fiancée’s family came<br />
together to give their promise that<br />
they’re committing to each other.<br />
That celebration was followed by<br />
an elaborate engagement party, a<br />
henna party, the wedding rehearsal,<br />
and the blessing of the couples’ bedroom.<br />
Next came the wedding and<br />
the after-wedding party.<br />
The new generation is doing<br />
things a little differently, having<br />
proposal parties, henna/shower parties,<br />
honeymoon parties, gender<br />
reveal parties, and on a more creative<br />
note, doing friendship dinners<br />
around Thanksgiving. While the<br />
types of gatherings vary depending<br />
on how traditional or nontraditional<br />
people are, the food is always a<br />
high priority. Middle Eastern food<br />
is a favorite for Chaldean Americans.<br />
It’s not only delicious but it’s<br />
also considered one of the healthiest<br />
diets in the world.<br />
Previously, the parents of both<br />
the bride and groom slaved to get<br />
the food prepared for their guests<br />
but, nowadays, it’s much simpler.<br />
They basically cater, oftentimes<br />
calling Chef Carl.<br />
FOOD continued on page 52<br />
50 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 51
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FOOD continued from page 50<br />
“Back in the days, the mothers<br />
cooked,” said Chef Carl. “These days<br />
women don’t cook like our mothers<br />
cooked. They say, hell no! Why<br />
should I?” He laughed, and added,<br />
“They just call their husbands and<br />
say this is what we’re doing, and<br />
we’re going to Chef Carl to do it.”<br />
Carl Hakim has been a chef for<br />
more than 40 years, and for 30 years,<br />
he has done catering for wedding<br />
gatherings, house, proposal parties,<br />
communions, graduations, hennas,<br />
and rehearsal dinners. He caters to<br />
parties that have anywhere from 50<br />
to 300 guests.<br />
“Usually house parties are about<br />
a hundred people,” he said. “Nobody<br />
wants to have 300 people in<br />
their homes.”<br />
For larger parties, people normally<br />
rent a place and order the<br />
food from him. The cost is between<br />
$20 to $100 per person depending<br />
on their budget and what they want<br />
to order. Do they want a full three<br />
course meal, with or without drinks,<br />
or just hors d’oeuvres? He once did<br />
a surf and turf dinner with lobster,<br />
filet mignon, and wine. For a big<br />
party, especially one that requires<br />
service, he needs at least a two to<br />
three week advance notice.<br />
“I have a full staff that bring the<br />
food, set up, serve, and clean up just<br />
like at any party,” he said. “It’s really<br />
nice, but if someone just needs the<br />
food, we can drop that off to them.”<br />
For the gatherings at the bride’s<br />
home, before she leaves to go to<br />
church, popular orders include roll<br />
ups, boorek, spinach pies, and cheese<br />
platters to name a few. He’ll serve<br />
anything as long as it’s not from the<br />
red family, like grapes or strawberries.<br />
“Rule of thumb is to stay away<br />
from red foods because I don’t want<br />
the bridal party walking down the<br />
aisle with stains on their clothes,”<br />
he said.<br />
A good idea would also be not to<br />
include foods that are possibly difficult<br />
or messy to eat, like hummus<br />
and tabooleh, and instead to bring<br />
in meat, cheese, and spinach pies.<br />
Chef Carl’s expertise can help you<br />
work out a menu plan that would<br />
keep the guests’ and bridal party’s<br />
fancy clothes clean and their appetites<br />
nourished until the wedding reception.<br />
He has done countless catering,<br />
including for his daughter’s<br />
engagement party, and for celebrities<br />
and athletes like Mitch Albom<br />
and Matthew Stafford.<br />
“It’s a lot of work but it’s also a<br />
lot of fun because I’m a people person,”<br />
said Chef Carl.<br />
52 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 53
<strong>2018</strong> WEDDING GUIDE / CHALDEAN ON THE STREET<br />
Wedding Etiquette<br />
BY HALIM SHEENA<br />
As we dedicate the February issue to being our Annual Wedding Guide, we presented<br />
a series of wedding related questions for this month’s Chaldean on the Street.<br />
Courtney Haboosh, 21,<br />
Clinton Township<br />
Rena Kassa, 32,<br />
Sterling Heights<br />
Eva Sinawi, 25,<br />
Ferndale:<br />
Sabrina Hermiz, 21,<br />
Troy:<br />
1.How do you feel about weekday<br />
weddings?<br />
I don’t like weekday weddings because<br />
most people have work so they<br />
would leave earlier on a weekday.<br />
2.How much should you gift the bride<br />
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?<br />
If you rsvp’d a ‘no’, I would not gift<br />
the couple. If you rsvp’d a ‘yes’ but<br />
you were not able to attend I would<br />
still gift them 50-100 depending on<br />
the relationship with the person.<br />
3.Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?<br />
Yes, I think a to-go bag is appropriate<br />
because you are paying for the meal<br />
and may not finish it.<br />
4.Should the bridal party be drinking before<br />
the ceremony?<br />
I don’t think it is a big deal if the<br />
bridal party drinks before the ceremony,<br />
but they need to be cautious<br />
on how much they are drinking. You<br />
wouldn’t want someone to get out of<br />
hand or not remember the wedding.<br />
5.Who should you invite?<br />
Many people enjoy big weddings but<br />
I believe it should be close family<br />
and friends. It would be nice to know<br />
everyone that attends your wedding<br />
and to celebrate together.<br />
1.How do you feel about weekday<br />
weddings?<br />
I don’t really like weekday weddings.<br />
Lots of people have work and weekends<br />
are the best time to party!<br />
2.How much should you gift the bride<br />
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?<br />
If you can’t attend a wedding but respond<br />
yes, you should still gift what<br />
you wanted to give to begin with.<br />
If you respond, zero you should still<br />
send 50-100.<br />
3.Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?<br />
I would say it’s ok to take a to go bag.<br />
Why waste food?<br />
4.Should the bridal party be drinking before<br />
the ceremony?<br />
I don’t think it’s a big deal if the bridal<br />
party drinks before the ceremony<br />
as long as they know their limits.<br />
They need to be there for the bride<br />
and groom and cherish that moment<br />
with them.<br />
5.Who should you invite?<br />
You should invite close family and<br />
friends. It would be nice to know everyone<br />
at your own wedding. Sometimes<br />
the parents invite people you<br />
have never seen in your life but then<br />
again, big weddings are a blast!<br />
1.How do you feel about weekday<br />
weddings?<br />
Weekday weddings can be challenging<br />
because most people still work<br />
and have to function the next day.<br />
However, as long as the bride and<br />
groom are happy that’s all that matters!<br />
2. How much should you gift the bride<br />
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?<br />
I believe $100 minimum should be<br />
gifted, depending on your relationship<br />
between the bride and groom.<br />
3. Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?<br />
I’m indifferent to the to-go bag, so I<br />
don’t have much to say here!<br />
4. Should the bridal party be drinking<br />
before the ceremony?<br />
I honestly think the bridal party<br />
shouldn’t be drinking before the ceremony<br />
because that’s just a recipe for<br />
disaster. It still happens, and as long<br />
as everyone is presentable and not<br />
wasted I’m okay with it.<br />
5.Who should you invite?<br />
When you are planning your special<br />
day, you should want to share it with<br />
people who have supported you both<br />
from the start and who are genuinely<br />
excited to celebrate your love!<br />
1.How do you feel about weekday<br />
weddings?<br />
The WORST.<br />
2.How much should you gift the bride<br />
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?<br />
At least $100 per each person that<br />
you RSVP’d for.<br />
3.Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?<br />
Noooo. Embarrassing.<br />
4.Should the bridal party be drinking before<br />
the ceremony?<br />
No. You shouldn’t be intoxicated before<br />
Jesus Christ in his home.<br />
5.Who should you invite?<br />
Immediate family, First cousins,<br />
best friends, anyone close to you<br />
honestly. There are people who are<br />
best friends with their third cousins,<br />
which makes it difficult because if<br />
you invite one others get upset. Also,<br />
your parents’ friends, your parents attend<br />
a lot of events throughout their<br />
life and are happy for others as they<br />
would want other people to be happy<br />
for their children. At the end of the<br />
day, it doesn’t matter it’s about the<br />
bride and groom.<br />
54 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
Savine Zora, 23,<br />
West Bloomfield<br />
Mary Jaddou, 19,<br />
Bloomfield Hills:<br />
Mark Zakar, 28,<br />
Troy:<br />
Fadi Sadik, 22,<br />
Rochester:<br />
1.How do you feel about weekday<br />
weddings?<br />
Weekday weddings are not considerate<br />
to the guests because most people<br />
are working that day and the day after.<br />
But it’s the bride and groom’s day<br />
and whoever they really want to be<br />
there will make arrangements<br />
2. How much should you gift the bride<br />
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?<br />
It depends on how close you are to<br />
the bride or groom<br />
3. Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?<br />
A to-go bag is not really appropriate.<br />
But if you haven’t really touched<br />
your food. Then it’s better to take<br />
it home and eat it tomorrow than<br />
waste it.<br />
4. Should the bridal party be drinking<br />
before the ceremony?<br />
I’d say no but if they can carry themselves<br />
into church appropriately then<br />
it’s fine. But the bride and groom<br />
should not be so they give their full<br />
heart and mind to the Lord.<br />
5. Who should you invite?<br />
Whoever you want to be there and<br />
who would be truly happy for your<br />
day. Not anyone more<br />
1.How do you feel about weekday<br />
weddings?<br />
I love weekend weddings. I think it’s<br />
amazing when you can attend a wedding<br />
and celebrate with family and<br />
friends, while not worry about having<br />
to go to work the next day.<br />
2.How much should you gift the bride<br />
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?<br />
I would gift the bride and groom<br />
$100 if I didn’t attend their wedding.<br />
3. Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?<br />
I don’t think it’s inappropriate, but<br />
if someone doesn’t take a “to-go” because<br />
they don’t leave the reception<br />
right away than that’s okay as well!<br />
4. Should the bridal party be drinking<br />
before the ceremony?<br />
The ceremony is a time to be reverent<br />
to Christ joining 2 people to<br />
become one. Unless the goal is not<br />
to get drunk, I think that drinking<br />
should be left for the reception.<br />
5. Who should you invite?<br />
Close family and friends!<br />
1.How do you feel about weekday<br />
weddings?<br />
I would never mind a weekday wedding!<br />
If I love the bride and groom<br />
enough, I will celebrate love with all<br />
my heart!<br />
2. How much should you gift the bride and<br />
groom if you don’t attend the wedding?<br />
In my opinion, if they attended your<br />
occasion you should gift them the<br />
same! If you decline ahead of time, it<br />
would be okay not to put a gift!<br />
3. Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?<br />
If referring to a to go bag as when<br />
people take home their unfinished<br />
meals, it is not only appropriate but<br />
necessary since Christians should<br />
not be wasting food anyways!<br />
4. Should the bridal party be drinking<br />
before the ceremony?<br />
Drinking before going to a Sacrament<br />
instituted by Jesus Christ is not<br />
honoring what Jesus considers holy!<br />
Pretty sure He knows what’s holy!!!<br />
5. Who should you invite?<br />
The first invitation should be inviting<br />
Jesus into the marriage! Second<br />
is whoever your heart desires!!!<br />
1.How do you feel about weekday<br />
weddings?<br />
I think they’re less classy than weekend<br />
weddings. Most people have to work or<br />
go to school the next day, leaving less<br />
time for having fun and making preparations<br />
more difficult for the guests.<br />
2.How much should you gift the bride<br />
and groom if you don’t attend the<br />
wedding?<br />
It depends on how close you are to<br />
the bride and groom. Typically, 50-<br />
100 but if it’s close family, maybe<br />
around a few hundred.<br />
3.Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?<br />
Yes, it’s appropriate. Weddings have<br />
a lot of food and the guests may not<br />
be as hungry during the wedding.<br />
4.Should the bridal party be drinking<br />
before the ceremony?<br />
People may say no, but I think they<br />
should. It’s a fun celebration and a<br />
good day for everyone, if the bridal<br />
party want to drink, I think they<br />
should go for it, just not too much<br />
before the party starts.<br />
5.Who should you invite?<br />
Close friends and family, maybe<br />
people you’ve been around with for<br />
a long time such as close coworkers,<br />
neighbors, etc.<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 55
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56 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Chaldean News Feb<strong>2018</strong> Ad.indd 1<br />
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A U D I & P O R S C H E<br />
CHALDEAN<br />
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www.chaldeannews.com<br />
CHALDEAN<br />
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30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101<br />
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