FEBRUARY 2018

VOL. 14 ISSUE I
METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FEBRUARY 2018
$
3
www.chaldeannews.com
THEN AND NOW
How Chaldean weddings have changed
across place and time
INSIDE
2018 WEDDING TRENDS
GROOMING THE GROOM
MORE THAN THE KHIGGA

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2018
THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 15 ISSUE I
on the cover
26 THEN AND NOW
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO
How Chaldean weddings have changed
across place and time
26
departments
6 FROM THE EDITOR
BY VANESS DENHA GARMO
Capturing the history
8 YOUR LETTERS
10 IN MY VIEW
BY MICHAEL SARAFA
Opioid epidemic reaches crisis proportions
11 WHERE DO YOU STAND?
BY MICHAEL SARAFA
In the balance
12 NOTEWORTHY
14 IRAQ TODAY
BY RAGHEB ELIAS KARASH
On Iraq’s Nineveh Plains, a ten-year-old
girl dares to dream again
16 CHAI TIME
18 RELIGION
19 OBITUARIES
40 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE
BY STEPHEN JONES
Riding in style
54 CHALDEAN ON THE STREET
ON THE COVER
BY HALIM SHEENA
Wedding Etiquette
features
22 VOICE OF THE
CHARLOTTE CHECKERS
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
From childhood passion to full time profession,
Jason Shaya goes from watching hockey
games to calling them
24 LIVE FROM BABYLON
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
CASA at U of M hopes to host most
successful fundraiser yet.
30 CAPTURING THE MOMENT
36 GROOMING THE GROOM
BY MONIQUE MANSOUR
Helpful tips for the husband-to-be
38 HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS
BY WEAM NAMOU
Travel agents talk what is trending after
the wedding festivities
42 PLANNING THE BIG DAY
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO
Event coordinator share the wedding trends for 2018
48 MORE THAN THE KHIGGA
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
Ashley Barno has taken on the task of
teaching traditional Chaldean dances
50 FOOD FOR ALL THE FESTIVITIES
BY WEAM NAMOU
Local caterer specializes in all-kinds
of wedding celebrations
HISTORICAL PHOTOS:
COURTESY OF
THE CHALDEAN
CULTURAL CENTER
LAZAR FAMILY:
PHOTO COURTESY
HADEER POLLIS
MATTHEW AND CRYSTAL:
PHOTO COURTESY
IVAN GEORGE
FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 5

from the EDITOR
PUBLISHED BY
The Chaldean News, LLC
EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Vanessa Denha Garmo
MANAGING EDITORS
Denha Media Group Writers
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ashourina Slewo
Monique Mansour
Stephen Jones
Halim Sheena
Weam Namou
ART & PRODUCTION
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Vince Gaggo of Vince Gaggo Photography
Jean Smith Photography
Le Cape Photography
Bill McDad Photography
Wilson Sarkis and Welson Sarkis Jr.
of Wilson Photography & Cinematography
Ivan George of Futurewave Images
Anthony Samona of Quick Pix
Wali Kalou of Alluring Impression
Fadi Azzo of Everlasting Imaging
Hadeer Poliss of HP Film & Photography
OPERATIONS
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DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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CLASSIFIEDS
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SALES REPRESENTATIVES
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MANAGERS
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Capturing the history
VANESSA
DENHA-GARMO
EDITOR IN CHIEF
CO-PUBLISHER
These pictures of my
parents live in a
family photo album.
They were taken in the late
50s in Iraq where my parents
were married. Not quite sure
the year she was born, my
mother was either 14 or 15
on her wedding day. My father
about ten years older.
They were from two different
villages – my mom
from Alquosh and my dad
from Telkeppe. It was kind
of a forbidden union. My dad used
to say, it was as silly as someone from
West Bloomfield getting upset because
his child married someone
from Southfield. Today, it is more
of a commentary between East
side and West side but that is another
story.
My mother actually had two
weddings gowns – one she wore
during her wedding in Telkeppe,
which she donated to the nuns
for brides who couldn’t afford
wedding dresses. She later wore
another gown in Bagdad for professional
photos. That particular
picture hangs in my living room
next to my wedding photo and a photo
of my in-laws on their wedding day.
My father’s family picked up my
mother and her family from Alquosh
and took them to Telkeppe for the
wedding. They married on the same
day with two other couples inside the
same church and by the same Bishop.
They had a dinner party at my father’s
house on the roof that also included
people celebrating downstairs
in the hallway and courtyard. My
mother has talked about how the entire
town came out to watch
their celebration and she said
families in Alquosh came out
to watch my father’s family
come to get my mother.
They had a maid of honor
and three bridesmaids and
best man and three groomsmen.
The music played all
over Telkeppe with a Tubble
and Zyrna (musical instruments).
“We danced in the
streets and as we were going
around, we ran into the other two
weddings that day,” my mom noted.
“We actually joined each other’s
weddings for a bit and then went
back to our own wedding. It was really
a historic event in Telkeppe at
the time. It was one big celebration.”
In this issue we bring you our annual
wedding guide with a bit of a twist.
We wanted to know what weddings
were like in Iraq and how they have
changed over time and over an ocean.
I really had a fun time talking to
Samira and Peter Essa over chai and
yummy Kelecha (Chaldean cookies)
about their wedding that took place
almost 60 years ago. I so want her
recipe. Thanks to their daughter Teresa
for setting up the interview.
They also shared a bit more with
me about their experience in Iraq
and arrival to America, which I
thought fitting to include. My parents
were married not long before
Peter and Samira. My mother was,
unexpectedly, stuck in Iraq just like
the Essas because of the revolution
that was going on at the time. I share
that experience in the cover story.
“When we visited Telkeppe,” noted
Peter, “Your grandfather took us
around and introduced me to people.
Your father was my translator, because
I didn’t speak the language.”
I am so happy to share their story
and the story about our weddings in
this issue’s cover story. Thanks to
Mary Romaya and Fr. Manuel Boji
for giving me a history lesson on
our Chaldean wedding traditions.
That is not all we include in
our wedding guide. Our event
planners give us insight on the
trends for 2018 while our photographers
show us their favorite
photos over the years and tell us
why the love them so much.
We have several other stories
tied into the wedding theme.
We hope we captured the history
and tradition sufficiently in this
issue.
Alaha Imid Koullen
(God Be With Us All)
Vanessa Denha-Garmo
vanessa@denhamedia.com
Follow her on Twitter @vanessadenha
Follow Chaldean News on Twitter @
chaldeannews
6 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN 1/19/18 NEWS 9:32 AM7

your LETTERS
Many thanks!
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the Chaldean
News for recognizing the Chaldean
Cultural Center (CCC) and the
opening of its Museum as one of
the main highlights of 2017 that
affected the Chaldean community.
It was a long time in coming but
our goal was to make it a true, credible
museum with state of the art
exhibits and media. I would like to
just clarify a point. The Museum is
certainly the most visible and historic
accomplishment of the CCC.
However, we are not just the Museum.
We have sponsored guest
speakers in the past as well as other
forms of programming. Throughout
the years, since our inception
in 2003, we have given many presentations
about Chaldeans to law
enforcement personnel, educators,
health care professionals, and participated
in corporate staff in-services
based on cultural diversity.
We have and will continue to be
the archivist for the entire, global
Chaldean community. We have a
multitude of photographs that we
have saved electronically for present
and future use. We are always
seeking more photos and artifacts
of Chaldeans throughout the world
from past centuries to today. In our
office, which serves as a resource
center, there is a growing library
of books by or about Chaldeans
in English, Aramaic, and Arabic.
There is also a gift shop. A major
part of our mission is to preserve
our rich heritage and disseminate
it to others, whether Chaldean or
not. The Museum has been the
most major feat of the CCC but we
have done much more to promote
our identity and will continue to do
so now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Mary Romaya
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in my VIEW
Opioid epidemic reaches crisis proportions
Two-thirds of all
people that ever
hit the age of 65
years old in the history of
the world are alive today.
In the United States alone,
approximately 10,000 per
day turn 65.
Those are staggering
demographic statistics that
will impact the U.S. economy
and public policy in
areas like health care, employment
and more. But those demographics
also speak head on to another
point. People are living longer than
ever due to advances in science, medicine
and technology.
That has been the case until now.
For the first time in nearly 50 years,
life expectancy in the United States
decreased instead of increased. Why?
The opioid crisis. So many people have
died from opioid related use that it has
pushed down life expectancy rates in
MICHAEL G.
SARAFA
SPECIAL TO THE
CHALDEAN NEWS
the U. S in a material way.
More than 140 Americans
die every day from an opioid
overdose, according to the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Consider the following
statistics from the American
Society of Addiction Medicine.
The information is dated
so you can assume everything
is actually worse today.
Drug overdose is the
leading cause of accidental death
in the US, with 52,404 lethal drug
overdoses in 2015. Opioid addiction
is driving this epidemic, with 20,101
overdose deaths related to prescription
pain relievers, and 12,990 overdose
deaths related to heroin in 2015.
From 1999 to 2008, overdose death
rates, sales and substance use disorder
treatment admissions related to prescription
pain relievers increased in
parallel. The overdose death rate in
2008 was nearly four times the 1999
rate; sales of prescription pain relievers
in 2010 were four times those in
1999; and the substance use disorder
treatment admission rate in 2009 was
six times the 1999 rate.
In 2012, 259 million prescriptions
were written for opioids, which is more
than enough to give every American
adult their own bottle of pills.
Four in five new heroin users
started out misusing prescription
painkillers.
94% of respondents in a 2014 survey
of people in treatment for opioid
addiction said they chose to use heroin
because prescription opioids were far
more expensive and harder to obtain.
This past October, President
Trump declared a public health
emergency to deal with the opioid
epidemic, freeing up significant resources
for treatment. “We are currently
dealing with the worst drug
crisis in American history,” Trump
said, adding, “It’s just been so long in
the making. We can be the generation
that ends the opioid epidemic.”
Still, critics have said it’s not
enough. There is not any earmarked
funds but rather the ability to use
existing resources within the various
departments and agencies. A more
serious approach would have been
to declare a “national emergency” as
opposed to “public health emergency”
which carries with it more immediate
tools including funding.
I agree with critiques of the current
approach. This crisis touches on
many areas from mental health to
out of control doctors and pharmacists.
A holistic approach is needed
and one that is truly grounded in
public health concerns as opposed to
criminal justice remedies.
The last war on drugs had minimal
positive consequences. Let’s make sure
we get it right this time and address the
demand side of the equation.
Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the
Chaldean News.
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where do you STAND?
In the Balance
Hollywood, big business, national
news personalities
– no one and no institutions
have been spared from the
#Metoo movement. That is a good
thing. These institutions have been
exposed for what they are—elitist
organizations or industries that use
power, fame and money in the most
heinous way possible.
The people in these industries
and organizations protect and enable
each other in a way that is the
height of hypocrisy. Some of the perpetrators
are criminals. Some are just
creeps. In either case, the fact that
they have been exposed is leading to
a cultural revolution that can only
mean better and more equal times for
women. As the father of two teenage
daughters, I applaud this.
But let’s us not belittle and demean
the women who have been
subjected to this type of behavior
from men by cheapening it to the
point that the die is cast so wide as
to lose all meaning. I read this quote
and I believe it to be on point. I
wrote it down but forgot where I read
it or who wrote it.
We are in a national moment
where rough justice stands in the
place of careful analysis, nuance and
due process.
So while some of these men
deserve what they are getting plus
some, including criminal investigations,
it is possible that some do
not. As one observer pointed out in
the case of comedian Aziz Ansari
who was accused of sexual assault
by a woman who pursued him and
then went on a date with him –
“Was it sexual assault or just a bad
date.” Ansari and his representatives
maintain that everything that
occurred was consensual. Who will
ever know for sure?
In the balance lies the struggle
between justice for women and
due process for those accused; perception
and reality; creepiness and
criminal conduct; exploitation by
men and exploitation by women
looking for an angle.
Most of what has been reported
on publicly and the national news is
revolting and disgusting. Much of the
abuse has been committed by men
against women who they have influence
on or over. As I said, much of
it may rise to criminal activity which
is what it is, in spite of the statute of
limitations for sexual assault.
But then there is this vast area
of grey where signals and interpretations
are often in the eye of the
beholder. Rough justice is ok sometimes.
There’s something innately
human about it. But we are still
a country based on the rule of law.
While there are exceptions, our system
of justice works most of the time
and we remain the most progressive
democracy in the history of the
world. So the legalities will take care
of themselves. Most of the time one
party or both is dissatisfied but, on
balance, it works.
The other half of the equation is
not about the law but about fairness,
and careers and livelihoods. Some of
the #Metoo perpetrators deserve to
have their careers wrecked. Some of
their victims may never receive real
justice just as some of the accused
may have not fully deserve the repercussions.
As a society and as a culture, we
must take care to try to get it right.
It is not easy. But the effort must be
made, in all circumstances, to get to
the truth.
Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the
Chaldean News.
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Congresswoman
issues statement in
support of detained
Iraqi Nationals
In response to Judge Mark Goldsmith’s
ruling on January 2 – in
which he ordered federal authorities
to release Iraqi nationals that have
been held for six months or more or
grant them individual bond hearings
by February 2 – Congresswoman
Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) issued the
following statement on January 3.
“In America, due process is not
a privilege, but an inalienable right
for all. It is unacceptable, unjust and
un-American for our government
to simply lock up these individuals
and hold them without proper cause
and without full access to our judicial
system and process. The Iraqi
detainees and their families have suffered
months of uncertainty and denial
of basic rights. This court ruling
is a step in the right direction. We
must continue to demand a fair and
transparent judicial process and adherence
to the right of due process.”
The following is an excerpt from
Judge Goldsmith’s ruling. “Our legal
tradition rejects warehousing human
beings while their legal rights are being
determined, without an opportunity
to persuade a judge that the
norm of monitored freedom should
be followed. This principle is familiar
to all in the context of the criminal
law, where even a heinous criminal
— whether a citizen or not — enjoys
the right to seek pre-trial release.”
Tune In
Songwriter and vocalist Steve Acho
just signed an agreement to have his
songs in commercials and movies in
Europe.
Liberated and
Celebrating
Holy Mass was celebrated on Sunday,
January 20 in the town of Telkaif one
year after being liberated from ISIS.
Telkaif was primarily Chaldean Catholic
before its people were forced out.
AFPD Partners with
Convenience Stores
Against Trafficking to
take a stand against
human trafficking
Recognizing the pivotal role that
convenience stores can play in combatting
the growing issue of human
trafficking, the Associated Food and
Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) have
teamed up with Convenience Stores
Against Trafficking to take a stand
against the crime. Using a brief video
and printed reference cards for instore
use, CSAT will provide training
so that employees can understand
the indicators of human trafficking
and employee appropriate response
protocols. These items were mailed
to AFPD members, along with an informational
packet.
Through this partnership, AFPD
is hoping to educate convenience
store owners and their staff of the
warning signs of human trafficking
and how to effectively deal with it.
Human trafficking is a form of
modern slavery that occurs in every
state, including Michigan. “We are
asking store owners to work with us
by displaying hotlines in their stores,”
12 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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CSAT provides training, victim
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Belting the Tunes
Shelbi Jouni played the role of Molly
Pitt and a huntress in the Opera
Martha by Friedrich Von Flowtow
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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 13

IRAQ today
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On Iraq’s Nineveh Plains,
a ten-year-old girl dares
to dream again
BY RAGHEB ELIAS KARASH
Mosul, Iraq, (Aid to the
Church in Need).- Tenyear
old Helda Khalid Jacob
Hindi, a fifth-grader, is not at a loss
for words. She is passionate about her
life, her future, and that of her loved
ones. Helda and her family—mom,
dad and a younger brother—recently
moved back to Qaraqosh on Iraq’s
Nineveh Plains after spending three
years in exile in Kurdistan.
She remembers vividly the night
of Aug. 6, 2014, when ISIS overran
her town and Christian families had
to flee overnight.
She says: “Alarm bells rang out
in our streets – we had to escape the
living hell of violence and terrorism.
I went along, crying, with no hope
of ever returning to my town, my
school; with no hope of ever seeing
my friends again. We had no idea
how long we would be displaced from
our beloved city. The days passed and
we lived in torment and tragedy until
we got used to it.”
Eventually a new school was built
for displaced children and Helda
and her family began a new life. She
remembers: “I was sad, clinging to
hope of returning to my old school;
but I made new friends. And today,
by God’s grace, we have returned to
our town and I am back in my old
school among my old friends.”
Life in exile has been hard, perhaps
particularly for a proud girl like
Helda, who says: “we felt humiliated
when we were receiving humanitarian
aid, because we didn’t think that
the day would come when we would
become like beggars, oppressed people,
with no power or strength.”
“We had only God and we never
stopped believing in his power and
his mercy for all those hurting in Iraq
and around the world. Whenever we
approach him in prayer and faith, we
feel joy and confidence without end.
My family, friends and relatives never
felt that God was far away from
us. As far as I can see into the past,
God has been with me always. God is
with me everywhere and I make sure
to always keep nearby some pictures
of Jesus Christ and a Bible.”
Helda proclaims she has her own
ideas about her country. She explains:
“Sometimes I want to stay in Iraq
because it is my home, my beloved
country. Sometimes I want to leave,
especially when I see photographs and
videos of terrorism striking innocent
civilians. My heart cannot bear those
horrifying scenes, but when I feel
scared, I ask God to save me.”
“Frankly I’m not really sure about
my future here in Iraq. I would want
to go abroad with my family if we
have to continue suffering war and
persecution; how long it will take for
us to finally be safe and secure? My
message to the West is to do as much
as possible to support Christians in
Iraq because they are close to extinction.
Help us. Have compassion, and
you will be rewarded by the one who
is in heaven.”
“Stop oppressing poor people. We
want stability and peace. Let’s work
together and pray together for peace
and love – for all of us.”
Helda insists: “I have a beautiful
dream in life. My hobbies are painting,
music, singing, and I like acting
a lot, but my ambition is – with the
help of God – to become a dentist, to
serve my community and my country,
wherever I may end up living.”
She adds, however: “I do not know
where to start because things are still
so unsettled. What will be next for us?
It’s so hard to tell right now…”
– Catholic News Agency
14 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 15

CHAI time
CHALDEANS CONNECTING
COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT FEBRUARY 2018
Thursday, February 4
Music: This year’s Sphinx Competition Finals Concert
will be hosted at 2:00 p.m. on February 4. The competition
offers young Black and Latino classical string
players a chance to compete under the guidance of
an internationally renowned panel of judges and to
perform with established professional musicians. The
winner of the Senior Division will receive the $50,000
Robert Frederick Smith Prize. The concert will include
a number of performances including the Sphinx Competition
finalists, the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, and
the inaugural performance of EXIGENCE. For more
information, visit http://SphinxMusic.org
Friday, February 9
Music: The Michigan Philharmonic presents An
Evening of Artistic Expression on February 9th at
7:30pm. This intimate musical and artistic experience
will feature vocalist Lonnie Reed, guest artist
for the “Rock, Pop & Soul” concert. This event will
be taking place at artist Tony Roko’s Warehouse Studio
in Plymouth. Tickets for the event are $40, and
light appetizers, wine, as well as Atwater Brewery
craft beer are included. This event benefits Music
and Arts Education Programs of the Michigan Philharmonic
and Art Foundation. For more information,
visit http://www.michiganphil.org/
Friday, February 9
Theatre: The Detroit Mercy Theatre presents “A
Bright New Boise”, starting Friday, February 9
through February 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. This
event occurs weekly, on Sunday, Friday and Saturday.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students.
For more information about A Bright New Boise and
showtimes, visit http://Detroitmercyarts.com or call
(313) 993-3269.
Friday, February 9
Dancing: Put on your dancing shoes and come
dressed in your best vintage attire for the ultimate
swing dance party experience at The Cube in Midtown.
Arrive early and receive a dance lesson and a
classic cocktail. Live music will be provided by the
Civic Jazz Orchestra with special guest clarinetist
Dave Bennett. Cocktails and live DJ – 9:00 p.m.,
dance lesson – 9:30 p.m., live music and open dance
floor – 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. For more information,
visit http://www.dso.org/ShowEventsView.
aspx?id=4971∏=4970
Saturday, February 10
Music: Rock, Pop, and Soul with the Michigan Philharmonic
at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton
on February 10 at 7:30 p.m. Rock it out with the
Michigan Philharmonic as the orchestra carries you
back in time to the great music from the iconic groups
of the 70s and 80s. Tickets are $30 for general admission,
$25 for seniors, and $10 for students. For
tickets and information, visit www.michiganphil.org
Wednesday, February 14
Art: Join Detroit Loves Dogs this Valentine’s Day at
the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
with your four-legged furry family member. PetCalls is
hosting Detroit’s second annual fundraiser for the Detroit
Dog Rescue on February 14 from 5:30 to 10:00
p.m. Bring your dog and mingle with other dog lovers.
Food and drinks will be provided. Tickets are priced
between $60 to $140. For more information or to purchase
your tickets, visit http://www.petcalls.net
Saturday, February 17
Bridal Show: Join us Saturday, February 17 from
12:00 to 6:00 p.m. for the ultimate bridal event. Keasha’s
Spectacular Beautiful Bridal Showcase will be
located at 2921 E Jefferson Ave Detroit, M.I. inside
the historic Bagley Mansion. Interact with Keasha’s
preferred bridal vendors, find your perfect sample
sale dress at a discounted price, and speak with Keasha
herself during a Q&A session at 1:00 p.m. For
more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/
events/1813251195353928/
Sunday, February 18
Magic: An Evening of Wonder is coming to the Berman
Center for the Performing Arts on February 18
from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The evening will feature master
illusionist Vitaly Beckman, who invented and designed
each illusion in his stage show, treating spectators
to a theatrical experience not seen anywhere else in
the world. Beckman is regarded as one of the most
captivating and enjoyable illusionists in the world. To
purchase tickets, visit www.theberman.org or call
248-661-1900 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday. For groups of 10 or more, please call
or email theberman@jccdet.org.
Wednesday, February 21
Wine & Music: Sommelier and music expert, Ron Merlino
leads a wine tasting experience at the Max M. &
Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center from 8:00 to 10:00
p.m. The evening will feature rare French wines paired
with live music by DSO musicians. Sip, savor, listen and
learn about composers—Berlioz, Saint-Saens, Debussy,
and Ravel—their wine tastes, histories, music and more!
Tickets for this event are $60 and will include wine tasting,
live classical music, mini crepe bites and light fare,
and a commemorative wine glass. For more information
or to purchase tickets, visit http://https://www.dso.org/
ShowEventsView.aspx?id=4873∏=4872
Saturday, February 24
Faith: ECRC is hosting the Vigil Project at St. Thomas
Chaldean Catholic Church. This event is in collaboration
with ECRC’s monthly Ignite the Spirit Event and
will be taking place at 7:00 p.m. For more information,
visit www.ecrc.us
Sunday, February 25
Bridal Show: Viviano’s Annual Bridal Showcase is
back at the MotorCity Casino Hotel on February 25
from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be over 200 floral
designs on display, all crafted by Viviano Flower Shop.
This in attendance will be able to hold and sample
bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, as well as view numerous
samples of ceremony and reception designs.
Meet with some of Michigan’s best wedding vendors
including, photographers, videographers, bakeries,
caterers, DJ’s, boutiques, and more. Thousands of
dollars in prizes and discounts will be given away. Admission
is $5 ahead of time, or $7 at the door. Children
12 and under are free. For more information, visit
http://bit.ly/1XQ80Ar
Tell them you saw it
in the Chaldean News!
16 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 17

eligion
PLACES OF PRAYER
CHALDEAN CHURCHES IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT
THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS
THE APOSTLE IN THE UNITED STATES
St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Diocese
25603 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48033; (248) 351-0440
Bishop: Francis Kalabat
Retired Bishop: Ibrahim N. Ibrahim
HOLY CROSS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
32500 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334; (248) 626-5055
Rector: Msgr. Zouhair Toma Kejbou
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, noon in Chaldean; Saturdays, 4:30 p.m. in English;
Sundays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, noon in English, 6 p.m., in Arabic
HOLY MARTYRS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
43700 Merrill, Sterling Heights, MI 48312; (586) 803-3114
Rector: Fr. Manuel Boji
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Andrew Seba
Bible Study: Mondays, 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Thursdays, 8 p.m. Seed of Faith
in English;
Saturdays, 7 p.m. Witness to Faith in Arabic
Youth Groups: Wednesdays, 7 p.m. for High Schoolers
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 9 a.m. in Chaldean; Saturdays, 5 p.m. in English;
Sundays: 9 a.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, 10:30 a.m. in English, Morning
Prayer at noon, High Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean; 6 p.m. in English
MAR ADDAI CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
24010 Coolidge Highway, Oak Park, MI 48237; (248) 547-4648
Pastor: Fr. Stephen Kallabat
Retired Priest: Fr. Suleiman Denha
Adoration: Last Friday of the month, 4 p.m. Adoration; 5 p.m. Stations of the
Cross; 6 p.m. Mass; Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Bible Study: Fridays, 8-10 p.m. in Arabic and Chaldean
Youth Groups: Thursdays, 7:30-9 p.m. Jesus Christ University High School
and College Mass Schedule: Weekdays, noon; Sundays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean
and Arabic, 12:30 p.m. High Mass in Chaldean
MOTHER OF GOD CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
25585 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48034; (248) 356-0565
Administrator: Fr. Pierre Konja
Retired Priest: Fr. Emanuel Rayes
Bible Study: Mondays, 7-9 p.m. in English; Wednesdays, 7 p.m. for college
students in English
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m.; Tuesdays, 8:45 p.m. in English; Saturdays,
4 p.m. in English; Sundays: 8:30 a.m. in Arabic, 10 a.m. in English,
noon in Chaldean, 7 p.m. in English
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
11200 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48093; (586) 804-2114
Pastor: Fr. Fadi Philip
Parochial Vicar: Hermiz Haddad
Bible Study: Thursday, 8 p.m. for ages 18-45; Friday, 8 p.m. in Arabic.
Teens 4 Mary Youth Group: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Confession: 1 hour before mass or by appointment.
Adoration: Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Chapel open 24/7 for adoration.
Mass Schedule: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Thursday, 1 p.m.
in English and 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Friday 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Sunday, 10
a.m. in Arabic and 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean.
SACRED HEART CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
30590 Dequindre Road, Warren, MI 48092; (586) 393-5809
Pastor: Fr. Sameem Belius
Mass Schedule: Sundays, 10 a.m. in Arabic, 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean
ST. GEORGE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
45700 Dequindre Road, Shelby Township, MI 48317; (586) 254-7221
Pastor: Fr. Wisam Matti
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Matthew Zetouna
Youth Groups: Disciples for Christ for teen boys, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Circle of
Friends for teen girls; Thursdays, 6 p.m.; Bible Study for college students,
Wednesdays 8 p.m.
Bible Study: Wednesdays, 8 p.m. in English; Fridays, 8 p.m. in Arabic
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Adoration;
8-10 p.m. Confession; Saturdays, 6:30 p.m. in English (school year);
6:30 p.m. in Chaldean (summer); Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Chaldean, 10 a.m. in
Arabic, 11:30 a.m. in English, 1:15 p.m. in Chaldean; 7:30 p.m. in English
Submission Guidelines The Chaldean News welcomes submissions
of obituaries. They should include the deceased’s name, date of birth
and death, and names of immediate survivors. Please also include some
details about the person’s life including career and hobbies. Due to space
constraints, obituaries can not exceed 300 words. We reserve the right
to edit those that are longer. Send pictures as a high-resolution jpeg
attachment. E-mail obits to info@chaldeannews.com, or through the mail at
30850 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.
ST. JOSEPH CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
2442 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48083; (248) 528-3676
Pastor: Fr. Rudy Zoma
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Bryan Kassa
Bible Study: Mondays, 7 p.m. in Arabic; Tuesdays, 7 p.m. in English; Thursdays,
7 p.m. Chaldeans Loving Christ Youth Group for High Schoolers
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean except Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
in Arabic
Saturdays, 6 p.m. in English and Chaldean; Sundays, 9 a.m. in Arabic, 10:30
a.m. in English, noon in Chaldean, 2 p.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, 7 p.m. in
Chaldean
Baptisms: 3 p.m. on Sundays.
ST. PAUL CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
5150 E. Maple Avenue, Grand Blanc, MI 48439; (810) 820-8439
Pastor: Fr. Ayad Hanna
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 6 p.m.; Sundays, 12:30 p.m.
ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
6900 Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322; (248) 788-2460
Administrator: Fr. Bashar Sitto
Parochial Vicars: Fr. Jirgus Abrahim, Fr. Anthony Kathawa
Retired Priest: Fr. Emanuel Rayes
Bible Study: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. in Arabic
Youth Groups: Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Girls Challenge Club for Middle Schoolers;
Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Chaldeans Loving Christ for High Schoolers;
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Boys Conquest Club for Middle Schoolers
Other: First Thursday and Friday of each month, 10 a.m. Holy Hour; 11
a.m. Mass in Chaldean; Wednesdays from midnight to Thursdays midnight,
adoration in the Baptismal Room; Saturdays 3 p.m. Night Vespers (Ramsha)
in Chaldean
Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Saturdays, 5 p.m. in
English;
Sundays, 9 a.m. in English, 10:30 a.m. in English, 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean, 2
p.m. in Arabic; 6 p.m.
Grotto is open for Adoration 24/7 for prayer and reflection
CHALDEAN SISTERS/DAUGHTERS OF MARY OUR LADY OF THE
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ORDER
Superior: Benynia Shikwana
5159 Corners Drive
West Bloomfield, MI 48322; (248) 615-2951
CHALDEAN SISTERS/DAUGHTERS OF MARY HOUSE OF FORMATION
24900 Middlebelt Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48336; (248) 987-6731
ST. GEORGE CONVENT
Superior: Mubaraka Garmo
43261 Chardennay
Sterling Heights, MI 48314; (586) 203-8846
EASTERN CATHOLIC RE-EVANGELIZATION CENTER (ECRC)
4875 Maple Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48301; (248) 538-9903
Director: Patrice Abona
Daily Mass: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.
Thursdays: 5:30 Adoration and 6:30 Mass
First Friday of the month: 6:30 p.m. Adoration, Confession and Mass
Bible Study in Arabic: Wednesdays 7 p.m.
Bible Study in English: Tuesdays 7 p.m.
ST. GEORGE SHRINE AT CAMP CHALDEAN
1391 Kellogg Road, Brighton, MI 48114; (888) 822-2267
Campgrounds Manager: Sami Herfy
ST. MARY HOLY APOSTOLIC
CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST
4320 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092; (586) 825-0290
Rector: Fr. Benjamin Benjamin
Mass Schedule: Sundays, 9 a.m. in Assyrian; noon in Assyrian and English
ST. TOMA SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH
25600 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48335; (248) 478-0835
Pastor: Fr. Toma Behnama
Fr. Safaa Habash
Mass Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 6 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. All in
Syriac, Arabic and English
CHRIST THE KING SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH
2300 John R, Troy, MI 48083; (248) 818-2886
_
_
One of the most
common bible
verses read
at wedding
ceremonies
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men or
of angels, but do not have love, I
am only a resounding gong or a
clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy
and can fathom all mysteries and
all knowledge, and if I have a
faith that can move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the
poor and give over my body to
hardship that I may boast, but do
not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not
boast, it is not proud. It does not
dishonor others, it is not selfseeking,
it is not easily angered, it
keeps no record of wrongs. Love
does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth. 7 It always
protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where
there are prophecies, they will
cease; where there are tongues,
they will be stilled; where there is
knowledge, it will pass away. For
we know in part and we prophesy
in part, but when completeness
comes, what is in part disappears.
When I was a child, I
talked like a child, I thought like
a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put
the ways of childhood behind
me. For now we see only a reflection
as in a mirror; then we shall
see face to face. Now I know in
part; then I shall know fully, even
as I am fully known.3 And now
these three remain: faith, hope
and love. But the greatest of
these is love.
18 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

obituaries
Jennifer Yatuoma Yousif was born
on March 2nd, 1984, the third
girl in the family that would
eventually welcome two more girls
and a boy. She was a happy, spontaneous
child. As a teen, Jen was Miss
Popular, a straight-A student and
All-Star athlete, most notably as the
point guard of her high school basketball
team. As an adult, Jennifer
was a real go-getter and successful
businesswoman.
At 23, she was diagnosed with a
rare case of ovarian cancer. Though
confused and uncertain, she believed
in miracles, she believed in God, and
she would fight this to the end.
She married Johnnie Yousif on August
19, 2016. He loved her even after
knowing all the battles she was facing.
Jennifer and her parents and siblings
had an unimaginable bond that will
never be broken. She has 3 nieces and
7 nephews that she loved to spoil, and
all who loved their Auntie Jen. She
also had special relationships with her
father-in-law and four sisters-in-law.
On January 16, 2018, Heaven
gained another angel. She was only
33 years old.
Jennifer is survived by her parents,
Talal and Manahil Yatuoma;
her husband Johnnie Yousif; her
sisters Karen Kasmikha (Norman),
Kristine Toma (Brian), Janie Gasso
(Brandon), and Stephanie Johns
(Ryan); her brother Joseph Yatuoma;
and several nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased in death by
her mother-in-law Nazik Ketty Sanati,
and is survived also by her fatherin-law
Yousif Sanati and her sistersin-law,
Jennifer, Sylvia, Michelle,
and Nicole.
May she rest in peace.
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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 19

obituaries
RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Majdoline
Semaan
June 21, 1939 -
Jan. 22, 2018
Kamal Mikho
(Mikhail) Youno
Dec. 09, 1953 -
Jan. 22, 2018
Adil Thomas
Denha
Dec. 24, 1944 -
Jan. 21, 2018
Mansour Assy
Shammami
June 01, 1923 -
Jan. 20, 2018
LaFata Cabinets are manufactured
right here in Southeast Michigan
We offer full remodeling services in addition to
providing beautiful hand crafted cabinetry for your
home. Stop in one of our showrooms or give us a
call to talk to a designer today!
Jamila Kalasho
Qarana
July 01, 1924 -
Jan. 18, 2018
Taghrid Kiryakoza
Yaldoo
Sept. 23, 1963 -
Jan. 18, 2018
Dadesho Nano
Audisho
July 01, 1934 -
Jan. 16, 2018
FREE In-Home Estimates
Full Remodeling Services Available
George
Khammo
Kanouno
July 01, 1938 -
Jan. 15, 2018
Tofiq Abed
Gappy
Feb. 02, 1942 -
Jan. 12, 2018
Najiba Daoud
Gumma Kassab
July 10, 1936 -
Jan. 11, 2018
George
Abdulahad
Ketty
Feb. 23, 1926 -
Jan. 10, 2018
Hikmat Zaya
Shammas
Feb. 06, 1932 -
Jan. 10, 2018
Labiba Matti
Murad
Al-Shaikh
Aug. 29, 1924 –
Dec. 10, 2017
Shelby Township • West Bloomfield
www.lafata.com • 1.800.LAFATA1
20 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

2017 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY
WWW.CHALDEANFOUNDATION.ORG 3601 15 MILE ROAD | STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310 | 586-722-7253
FOUNDATION
BREAKING BARRIERS
2,265
INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES SERVED
RESPITE, COUNSELING AND
ADVOCACY SERVICES PROVIDED
Project Bismutha provided more than
worth of in-kind medical services.
463 PHYSICIAN
APPOINTMENTS 187
AND SERVICES PATIENTS
$
80,000
1,585+
PRESCRIPTIONS
VALUED IN
EXCESS OF $63.400
More than $34,000 worth of lab work thanks to a generous grant from St. John Health System
IN 2017…
MORE THAN
C O M M U N I T Y
26,000
INDIVIDUALS
SERVED
EMPLOYMENT
610
CLIENTS
PLACED IN
FULL TIME
JOBS
1,250 JOB
PLACEMENT
SERVICES
CONDUCTED
FINANCE
The Chaldean Loan Fund
closed the year with
more than $
390,000
in outstanding auto loans
FUNDED ENTIRELY THROUGH
COMMUNITY DONATIONS
N-400
I M M
I G R AT
I O N
3,343
IMMIGRATION
APPLICATIONS
FILED
49 %
PLACEMENT
RATE
EDUCATION
510
ESL, CITIZENSHIP
AND COMPUTER
TRAINING STUDENTS
ENROLLED
FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 21

Voice of the Charlotte
Checkers
From childhood passion to full time profession, Jason Shaya
goes from watching hockey games to calling them
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
With a lifelong passion for
hockey, it was only a matter
of time before Jason Shaya
carried his passion into his broadcasting
career. While Shaya’s broadcasting
career started in 1983 when he was
only 17 years old, it was only after receiving
his broadcasting career that he
realized he wanted to be a sports caster.
After high school, Shaya attended
Specs Howard School of
Broadcast Arts where he earned his
broadcasting degree. From there,
Shaya then went on to receive his
Bachelor’s degree in radio and television
communications from Madonna
University. Following his graduation,
he found himself at WDIV, the NBC
affiliate, in Detroit, where he worked
as a sports producer for one year.
“There [at WDIV] I worked with
Fred McLeod who at the time was did
play-by-play for the Detroit Pistons,”
said Shaya. “I saw Fred’s passion for
calling games and it was infectious. I
wanted to share the same enthusiasm
so I decided to work for the one sport
I truly enjoyed.”
It was then that Shaya decided that
not only did he want to be a sports
broadcaster, but he wanted to call
hockey games. According to the Charlotte
Checkers’ website, “He began his
hockey career in the United Hockey
League with the Motor City Mechanics
and then the Chicago Hounds before
moving on to Charlotte in the East
Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the
American Hockey League (AHL).”
In 2007, Shaya became the official
voice of the Charlotte Checkers
and has continued to reach many
milestones, calling hundreds of
games and even filling in as a goaltender
for the team in November of
2017. It was on December 19, 2017
that Shaya reached a major milestone
that he won’t soon forget.
Shaya was called up to call his
very first game in the National Hockey
League (NHL). He was selected
above others to fill the full in role because
the Charlotte Checkers are the
top affiliate of the Hurricanes. Shaya
would begin preparing for the Toronto
game one month before his debut.
“It was very satisfying but also quite
daunting,” explained Shaya. “I had a
month or so to think about it before
it happened so I went through a lot
of preparation to ensure I was ready.”
Shaya contributes his ability to truly
pursue his passion to his father. “I dedicate
my NHL game to the greatest man
I ever knew, my father Shafiq Shaya,”
said Shaya. “Because he had the guts
and foresight to raise his family in a different
country from where he was born
and raised, it gave me and my siblings
a chance to live a much more fulfilling
life. He taught me the necessity of hard
work and the importance of studying in
order to become successful.”
“It was incredibly stressful but also
very exciting,” said Shaya. “I’m very
happy with my work for that game
and I am looking forward to my next
broadcast on February 6th in Raleigh
against the Philadelphia Flyers.”
Looking to the future, the Detroit
native’s aspirations remain the
same. “My full-time job is to be the
Voice of the Charlotte Checkers in
the American Hockey League,” explained
Shaya. “My goal remains the
same however, to become a full-time
NHL broadcaster. Occasionally, at
this point, I will continue to work
[Hurricanes] games when needed.”
Shaya’s advice to broadcasting
hopefuls, in and out of the Chaldean
community, is to remain focused on
the goal, no pun intended, and work
hard as the industry can be difficult
to break into.
“My message would be the same
to any up and coming broadcaster:
if you work hard enough and are a
upstanding person with integrity,
you can accomplish your goals,” said
Shaya. “This is a very difficult business
because there is almost no turnover.
Getting a job in the NHL is
extraordinarily rare. Practicing your
craft and meeting the right people is
essential to advancing.”
22 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

CHARGING SOLUTIONS
BLUETOOTHS
SPEAKERS
TEMEPRED GLASS
HANDS-FREE
USB CABLES
CASES
POUCHES
FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 23

Live From Babylon
CASA at U of M hopes to host most
successful fundraiser yet
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
Continuing the long standing
tradition, University of
Michigan’s Chaldean American
Student Association (CASA)
chapter is hosting their tenth annual
Live From Babylon event. Live From
Babylon is U of M CASA’s largest
fundraiser of the year. Members of
every CASA chapter are invited for
a night out in Ann Arbor to enjoy
food, entertainment and networking.
“We invite members from all
the CASA chapters to join us for a
night out at one of Ann Arbor’s hot
spots to enjoy a night of food, dancing,
and getting to see people from
other schools,” said Britanny Hamama,
president of U of M’s CASA.
“University of Michigan CASA has
been hosting Live From Babylon for
about 10 years now and this year the
event will take place at BTB Cantina
on March 9th 2018.”
In an effort to alleviate as much
of the event expenses, CASA reaches
out to businesses to sponsor the
fundraiser. “We try and collect as
many donations, monetary and raffle
prizes, to help eliminate as much expenses
as we can in order to donate
as much as possible to our recipient,”
explained Hamama. “We are always
looking for people to sponsor the
event in any type of way.”
Each year, members of CASA
present charities that they believe
should be the year’s beneficiary. The
chapter then votes on which candidate
will be honored at the event.
In previous years, CASA has honored
charities such as MERCY and
TEACH of Help Iraq.
This year, CASA will be honoring
CODE Legal Aid. “A couple of
members brought up all the hard
work and efforts that CODE has
been doing especially these past
few months with the detainee crisis
going on in our community,” said
Hamama. “Our chapter believes that
CODE and its members have truly
made a difference in our community
and we would love to give back to
them.”
The hopes for this year’s event is
to not only raise the largest goal of
$10,000, but to bring people together
and put a spotlight on the work of
CODE Legal Aid over the last several
months. “This event is important
because it not only is bringing
people from all over together, but it’s
also bringing awareness to organizations
that help our people who go
through more problems than we can
imagine,” explained Hamama.
CODE Legal Aid is a non-profit
organization founded by attorneys
Nadine Yousif Kalasho and Nora
Youkhana. CODE Legal Aid is dedicated
to providing legal advocacy
and assistance to the Middle Eastern
community. “Shortly after Nora and
I finished Law School, we felt like
it was time to establish a clinic that
would serve a great need,” explained
Kalasho. “Since my family operates
schools that have a significant immigrant/refugee
population, Nora
and I figured that we could start out
by servicing local families by offering
seminars, pro-bono immigration
work and advocacy.”
Through their organization,
CODE Legal Aid and their volunteers
have been able to assist several
members of the Chaldean community.
“We live in extremely trying
times, and the uncertainty facing
immigrant communities is rapidly
increasing,” said Kalasho. “Cultural
and language barriers often lead to
24 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

“ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
HAS BROADWAY ROCKING!”
—REUTERS
,
Fisher Theatre
April 10–22
BroadwayInDetroit.com,
ticketmaster.com, 800-982-2787 & box office 313-872-1000.
Groups (12+): Groups@BroadwayInDetroit.com or
313-871-1132. 7:30PM April 13.
panic. Having members within the
community that can advocate and
counsel them is crucial.”
Most recently, and the reason
for this honor, CODE Legal Aid has
spearheaded the fight to help hundreds
of Iraqi nationals detained by
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) alongside the American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
As CODE Legal Aid receives this
honor, CODE and their many volunteers
continue their effort to aid the
community during this crisis, measuring
their successes by the people
they can help. “Ultimately, our successes
are determined by the communities
we serve,” said Kalasho. “If
we can shield the vulnerable among
us enough that they no longer have
to cower in fear or feel marginalized,
then we can count that as an
achievement.”
For Kalasho, this honor not only
highlights the tireless work of her
and her partner’s, but it also brings
a certain air of sentimentality as her
brother, a U of M alum, founded
the Live From Babylon event during
his time as a member of U of M’s
CASA chapter. “We shared a laugh
about things coming full circle,” said
Kalasho. “I’m truly humbled by the
honor, and I’m looking forward to
the event.”
To donate to the cause, visit https://
www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/
live-from-babylon-2018-to-benefitcode-legal-aid
FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 25

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
Then and now
How Chaldean weddings have changed
across place and time
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO
They are documented as the first Chaldean
wedding on American soil. George and Susie
Essa exchanged vows inside a Lebanese
church on November 22, 1922 in Detroit.
“They had a very small wedding,” said Samira
Essa speaking about her in-laws. “There were not
many Chaldeans at all living here,” chimed in Peter
Essa, the only son of George and Susie.
The photo of the Essa wedding is documented
in books about Chaldeans and is now archived
inside the Chaldean Cultural Center where Chaldean
weddings are highlighted in the Faith and
Church Gallery.
The gallery shows a wedding at Mother of God
church. “We as Chaldeans use customs of our own
and American customs for example,” said Mary Romaya,
retired Director. “When I got married in the
70s and when my sisters got married in the early 60s
in Detroit there was not a custom of putting crowns
on the bride and groom yet, it is done today.”
“This was a custom not in Iraq but it became one
in the United States however, it is liturgical,” said
Fr. Manuel Boji. “It shows that this couple along
with Christ have formed their own Kingdom and
that their family is the own Kingdom with Christ.”
In Iraq, wearing of the bows on the groom’s arm
was a common tradition that continued in America.
The significance is that it is a Sacrament. Babies
wear the same bow during a baptism, because
that too is a Sacrament. At the Baptism it signifies
that he is now a member of a Kingdom of God. At
weddings, it signifies that is the groom is the king
of his household.
“Back in Iraq, the best man had to be married,
because it was required of them to pass on knowledge,”
said Shamasha Kairi Foumia.
Here in America, it is not common for the best
man or maid of honor to be married.
Chaldean weddings have changed over the years
and as the community emigrated to the United
States. “We have incorporated so much of the American
traditions and Latin Rite into our ceremonies
and celebrations,” said Romaya. “At the wedding we
show inside the gallery you will hear someone singing
the Ave Maria in Latin. That is not a Chaldean tradition
or religious custom in our church.’
Romaya’s parents, Yelda and Zarifa Saroki were
married in Telkaif in 1936. “My mother says after
the church ceremony, she rode a horse,” recalled
Romaya. “I said, ‘you mean a donkey? But, she said
a horse and he was very gentle. She was paraded
around the village from the church to her in-laws
to show that she now belonged to her husband’s
family and people would come out of their home
and give her sweets or candy. It was a village affair.
Everyone was part of the celebrations, the entire
village not just the families.”
When Romaya’s sisters were married in the 60s,
she remembers the entire community attending
the wedding. It was still a very small community
in Detroit then. Also, in the 1960s and 1970s, the
Chaldean weddings were actual full masses.
“That is a Latin tradition,” said Fr. Boji. “Weddings
were never part of the mass or included a full
mass in Iraq. We adopted that tradition from the
Latin Rite and then we went back to our traditions
of a wedding ceremony.”
Romaya remembers her sister marrying on a
Sunday at Mother of God church when it was on
Hamilton Street in Detroit “The wedding was part
of the Sunday Mass that day,” she said. “The entire
congregation witnessed the Sacrament of Marriage
and took communion. It was so nice. I realize with
the size of the community today, it is not feasible
to have wedding ceremonies include a full mass.”
In those years, the weddings were day-long affairs
and sometimes lasted several days. “I am old
enough to remember how wedding traditions have
changed over time,” said Romaya. “They might
start out with breakfast and the entire event would
last all day into early morning hours the next day.”
When Peter and Samira Essa married in Bagdad
in 1958, their celebrations lasted about four days
in the capitol city and then seven more days in
Telkeppe where Peter Essa had relatives living.
“In Telkeppe, they celebrated for us from early
morning to night with food, dancing and singing in
the streets,” recalled Samira. “They didn’t want it
to end,” said Peter.
The two married at Our Lady of Sorrow’s
church in Baghdad just a few blocks from Samira’s
home. “It was a beautiful ceremony,” she said.
“They recited all the beautiful prayers you hear at
our wedding ceremonies here. We married at night
around 7:30.”
“There 12 priests at the ceremony,” said Peter.
“After we were married, we all walked back to my
in-law’s house.”
“They recited the prayers, they blessed us and
we exchanged our rings,” said Samira. “I had a
maid of honor and Peter had a best man.”
Samira rented her dress from a local boutique.
“We had beautiful stores like we have here in
America,” she said. “But, I didn’t buy my dress.”
However, she did purchase a dress to wear after
she arrived in America for a wedding celebration
her in-laws hosted at their home in Detroit for
about 150 guests.
In the 40s and 50s, it was very common for the
entire town to be involved in the wedding. That
became less common in the 60s and 70s. “People
26 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

Peter and Samira Essa at Willow Run Airport with family and friends when they arrived to America.
started to actually create printed invitations at this
time in Iraq,” said Fr. Boji. “In the 40s and 50s,
they hosted two important events, the Henna and
the Begana where they took food from the bride’s
house to the groom’s house.”
This happened on the same day, typically a Saturday,
but at different times of the day. “The henna
then was a lot simpler than it is today in America,”
said Fr. Boji. “It was just a few women and the close
relatives with the mother-in-law.”
During this time period some wedding ceremonies
would take place in the early morning hours
around 2 or 3 a.m. “The tradition was that the father
of the bride would not allow his daughter to
leave the house without being married,” said Fr.
Boji. “Usually early morning and it lasted a long
time. Priests recited prayers and blessings.”
After the prayers and blessing, the bride and
groom were taken out and paraded in a circle to
the entire village. The drums and zurna were
played. “As the bride and groom passed, people in
the town, young men, would bring them a bottle of
Arak. “It was a sign of respect,” said Fr. Boji.
Riding a horse was common in the 60s and 70
but not typically ridden by the bride. “They would
put a mattress, the cover sheets and the pillows on
a horse and young boys around 9 or 10 years old
would sit on the mattresses,” said Fr. Boji.
Those invited to the wedding would gather at
the groom’s house for dinner. The next morning,
guests would gather again and bring the envelopes,
the wedding gifts. “They usually cooked Pakota
(Barley dish) for the guests the next day.”
There were traditional celebrations of dancing.
“Usually before the wedding was a couple of days
of gathering and some of the youth of that neighborhood
would dance. But the day of the wedding
itself, whomever wanted to dance could dance but
it was not as big tradition for all weddings.”
In the 50s and 60s, the wedding ceremonies
were moved to 10 or 11 in the morning. “The
groom’s family would go to the bride’s family house
and the youth boys about 15 or 16 years old would
go to the door with a bottle of Arak and a chicken
for mezza later,” said Fr. Boji. “This was like in the
form of payment. They would not let the bride out
of the house until this was paid.”
This is how the tradition became that the
groom’s family paid for the wedding. Later the bottle
of Arak and the chicken were replaced with money.
There was a similar tradition where the groom
would go the bride’s house and young men would
hit the bottom of their shoes with sticks until the
bride’s family gave them Arak and a Chicken.
Although these traditions were left behind in Iraq,
the significant traditions that remain in America are
the prayers. The actual wedding vows today are from
the Latin Rite. The blessing of the bride and groom
and the rings are from Chaldean traditions.
“In 30s and 40s, vows were between the father of
the groom and the father of the bride,” said Fr. Boji.
“The father of groom was proposing and the father
of bride in is accepting. This was part of the ceremony.
In the engagement back then, it was not the
bride and groom, it was groom’s father to the bride’s
father. These traditions are in the liturgical books.”
In Iraq, the groom buys the dresses, “the Chass,”
said Fr. Boji. “The brides’ family would kind of pay
it back with making the food and putting money
in the coat pocket of the groom. The entire town
would see that the bride’s family would pay the
groom back in this way.”
Also in Iraq, the marriages were arranged up
until the 70s and early 80s.
Peter and Samir Essa knew each other for about
three days before they married and didn’t speak to
each other until about three days after the wedding.
“Here is the picture of the two of us on the
day Peter side hi to me and I said hi back,” said
Samira as she pointed to the photo.
That was almost the limit of their conversations
as Peter only spoke English and Samira only
spoke Arabic and Chaldean.
“My mother-in-law would translate for me,”
said Samira, ‘when I first arrived in the United
States. She spoke Sourath. I loved it because I felt
like I was speaking to my own mother.”
During these days of their wedding there was
a revolution in Iraq and King Faisal’s regime was
overthrown. Peter and Samira were unable to leave
Iraq. “My passport was stamped by King Faisal,”
said Samira. “It was no longer valid. I needed a new
stamp by the Prime Minister.”
As an American, Peter was taken by the Em-
THEN AND NOW continued on page 28
FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 27

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
Samira wears her dress for her wedding celebrations in America
Peter and Samira Essa.
THEN AND NOW continued from page 27
bassy to stay in a hotel run by Chaldeans
for protection. The newlyweds
barely saw each other for the next
two weeks.
“I was on the rooftop of our home
one afternoon when my sister came
in to tell me my husband was there
to see me,” recalled Samira. “I never
rushed so fast to finish a bath before in
my life. I wrapped myself in this beautiful
white robe my sister bought me.”
“She came down and I saw her
with her hair wrapped in a towel,”
said Peter.
“I looked at him as I
walked down the stairs
and at that moment fell
in love,” said Samira. “I
had no idea what love
was until that moment.”
Wanting desperately
to start her new life
with her new husband,
Samira mustered up the
courage to go to Abd al-
Karim Qasim’s residence
that was heavily guarded.
Peter hid a couple
of blocks away behind
trees. “I was too scared
to even speak English,”
said Peter. “They hated
America at the time,”
noted Samira. “We did
not want the government
to know I married
an American.”
Shaking and tearful,
Samira asked the guards
at the door to see Qasim.
“The guards looked at me
like was crazy and even
George and Susie Essa. asked me if I was crazy,”
she said. “I explained
that I got married and
wanted to move to America with my
husband. One guard asked if I had
my passport and told me that Qasim
would certainly tear it to shreds if he
got his hands on it.”
Samira took the risk. The guards
grabbed her purse and threw it to the
ground. Another guard approached
and saw her, asking what she wanted.
They explained and to the surprise of
the military forces guarding Qasim
The Prime Minister agreed to see the
17-year-old.
“I walked up the stairs with
guards on each side of me lined up
all the way the stairs,” she recalled.
“I began to cry more and shake more.
I entered the room and there sat Qasim.
He looked at me and stood from
28 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

this chair fit for a king. He asked me
who I was and what I wanted. Speaking
Arabic, I explained.”
He looked at the young woman
and questioned why she would want
to go the United States. “I tried explaining
that I had just gotten married
but he was so upset that I would
want to leave Iraq.”
He asked her for her passport.
“Surprising he stamped it and signed
it. He put his stamp right over King
Faisal’s stamp and signed it. His vice
president or whoever he was also
stamped it and signed it. He then
walked over to me, patted my back
and said, ‘don’t ever forget your Arabic.’
He blessed me and sent me on
my way. I was in shock.”
Qasim ordered his guards to escort
her back to the front doors.
“The same guards that laughed at me
when I walked in were actually saluted
me,” said Samira. “They could
not believe what happened. I felt like
a queen at that moment.”
The couple left Iraq for Egypt. The
American Embassy in Iraq had been
blown to pieces in the revolution.
They needed to finalize their paperwork
in Egypt. From there they flew
to Europe and eventually to New York.
“Peter was on the phone at the time
talking to his mother,” said Samira.
“He was telling her we arrived in the
United States. While he was busy on
the phone, he didn’t hear the last call
for our flight. I didn’t understand English
so we missed our flight to Detroit.”
“It was a good thing,” said Peter.
“When we finally arrived at Willow
Run, we heard the flight we were supposed
to be on crashed and people died.”
There was a large group of Peter’s
friends and family waiting
for the couple at the airport. “My
George and Susie Essa.
friends actually had bets I would not
get married,” Peter chuckled.
This June, Samira and Peter Essa
will celebrate their 60-year anniversary
as Peter turns 93 on the same day.
Although the traditions have
changed over time and across the
ocean, the Chaldean wedding ceremony
is still very cherished. Today,
there are about 500 wedding ceremonies
that take place in the St. Thomas
Chaldean Catholic Diocese each
year. There are many American traditions
that have been incorporated
in Chaldean weddings such as having
a ring boy and flower girl or buying
gifts for the bridal party. The bridal
dance and father/daughter dance are
all part of the American culture.
“Our prayers and our blessings
are the same,” said Fr. Boji. “That is
the most important part of the wedding.
The ceremony and the Sacrament.”
FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 29

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
CAPTURING
THE MOMENT
They have been capturing images of couples for years, some for decades.
We asked local photographers to share with us some of their favorite photos
and explain why each was sentimental.
ANTHONY SAMONA
Anthony Samona with Quick Pix in
West Bloomfield explains to his clients
that he loves to capture LOVE.
His photos are about modern, timeless
and artistic moments.
1 Udday proposing to Sue was
an amazing moment that I captured
in 2017. The detail of the stone wall
background with the crucifix in the
center of the photo right behind them,
tells a story. A story of Udday’s neverending
love for his soon-to-be-wife:
Sue, promising her that Christ will
always be in the center of their life together,
just as shown in the photo.
2 Alvin & Lenor celebrating
with their arms up in the air ready to
party it up at their wedding! Loved
the chandeliers on their backdrop
design by Quik Pix!
3 Andrew popped the question
to Mary at Somerset Mall last summer!
He hired a Flash Mob to perform
“Marry You” by Bruno Mars!
The proposal attracted hundreds of
people on all three levels of the mall.
I loved capturing her shocked reaction,
along with the detail of all of
the mall-shoppers behind them witnessing
this cool proposal!
4 The architecture of Detroit’s
Renaissance Center is just so profound!
Justin asked Rawan to meet
him for lunch at the steps of the Detroit
River Walk. Little did she know,
friends and family surrounded her on
the bottom of the steps holding posters
and signs and cheering the newly
engaged couple on!
5 Randy & Remy tied the knot
last November, guests had a blast
striking a pose in the Quik Pix Photo
Booth! The black backdrop added a
modern sleek look to her lobby. Backdrop
was designed by the bride’s friend!
6 A sunny summer day on the
Detroit River sparked my love for
this photo. Sam proposed to Dalia on
2. Alvin & Lenor
the Detroit River Walk, with a scenic
crystal blue sky, the Detroit River
and Canada right behind them!
7 Michael & Tessa tied the knot
last May. The beautiful couple are
cheering on their love in front of
their gorgeous modern backdrop provided
by Quik Pix!
8 Danny & Sandra ready to
have some fun at their wedding! I
loved the couple’s awesome and fun
personalities, taking in their wedding
day and just having a great time!
Backdrop designed by Quik Pix.
9 Andrew & Norhan strike a
pose at their wedding! I love their
elegant backdrop designed by Quik
Pix, for guests to stand in front of &
strike poses!
3. Andrew & Mary
10 Eddie & Valerie cheer to
LOVE! The couple branded their
wedding with their last name: Cheers
to the Zeers! Making it their known
catch-phrase that everyone used to
hash tag and post on social media
for some wedding fun! Backdrop designed
by Quik Pix.
4. Justin & Rawan
5. Randy & Remy
6. Sam & Dalia 7. Michael & Tessa
1. Udday & Sue
8. Danny & Sandra
9. Andrew & Norhan
10. Eddie & Valerie
30 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

IVAN GEORGE
Ivan George with Futurewave Images in
Farmington Hills grew up in the photography
and videography business, working
alongside his father before he ventured
out on his own. Sharing in his passion,
Ivan’s son Reno, has also joined the Futurewave
family. He and his team fully
understand that a Wedding is a reflection
of the couple. Hours of planning have
gone into making the day perfect. His
photographs capture that perfect day.
1. Pierre and Raquel Samona
1 At Pierre & Raquel Samona’s wedding,
we loved how the bride changed her
hair. It was a true honor capturing Pierre &
Raquel’s Winter wedding from beginning
to the end, their wedding was a classic.
2 Fadi & Karla were such a fun couple.
There was so much laughter at the
wedding and when we took photos, you
could feel the joy. The couple decided
to have their images taken at the Edsel
& Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe
Shores. These photo captures a simple
look against architectural details of the
historic venue.
2 In these photos of Matthew &
Crystal you can really see the bond between
the two of them. We love capturing
the love between couples. These images of
are worth noting because of the expression
on their faces — it says everything! Every
groom and bride have their own fairytale
wedding, this couple had a very special
bond that was sentimental; A moment of
happiness on their face tells it all!
4 Daniel & Angela: Cranbrook
House of Gardens has always been one of
our clients’ favorite, gorgeous views and
the bride had a inspiration of true beauty.
2. Fadi and Karla
3. Matthew and Crystal
4. Daniel and Angela
FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 31

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
2. Jaqueline
1. The Lazars
3. Carmen & Evan 4. Mark & Evet 5, Anita & Zaya
HADEER POLISS
Hadeer Polis with HP Film & Photography
based in Sterling Heights has
been looking at couples behind the
lens for decades. He has been a special
events photographer for more than 30
years. He started his business at a very
young age with limited resources. Today,
he is able to happily say that his
business is specializing in weddings
with more than 120 weddings a year.
1 Sibling love, what is more
beautiful than that? Of course, the
Lazar’s! These beautiful twin sisters
married two brothers, the love
and excitement shared on this day
is a very unforgettable memory for
us, born together, married together,
nothing more beautiful.
2 During this bride’s wedding
day, she was full of excitement and
joy. Jaqueline was able to tie the knot
in a church that had been a part of
her life since she was a child. Being
able to capture this moment with
Jaqueline is very special to us as well.
3 This photo of Carmen & Evan
stood out to us more than most photos
do, but it wasn’t just the photo itself
that had us in awe, it was the couple
in front of the lens. The two hearts
that became one this day couldn’t
have been more in sync and in love;
seeing this type of newlywed bliss and
being able to capture it on the most
magical day of their lives is what
makes it all worth it for us in the end.
4 Simplicity… Mark & Evet
selfless, pure, and loving. This couple’s
innocence made us fall in love
with capturing their wedding day.
They allowed us to capture the natural
beauty in both of them.
5 Traveling for out-of-state weddings
could be a hassle sometimes,
but when it comes to dealing with
a beautiful bride & groom, it makes
the distance worth every mile. Anita
& Zaya made their wedding day not
only special for themselves, but for
our team as well, being able to share
the laughter and memories with them
that day makes them stand out to us.
32 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 33

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
2 3
1 4
5
6 7
WILSON SARKIS
Wilson Sarkis of Wilson Photography & Cinematography
in Farmington Hills has been capturing
life moments since 1986. With studios
in Metro Detroit, Chicago, and San Diego, the
company also includes Wilson’s son Welson Jr.
The photographers set out to re-define elegance.
1 This image was shot at the Intercontinental
Hotel in downtown Chicago. We love
the drama in the room!
2 The famous red bridge at Cranbrook
Gardens! Wilson Sr. jumps in the water to take
this stunning image on a beautiful July day.
Everything was perfect from the couple to the
scenery. Definitely, one of our favorites!
3 The Fox Theatre’s red elevator! This was
the first time we shot this image and it’s been a
masterpiece in our studio ever since! It’s been
more 10 years and still one of our faves!
4 It’s the Fox Theatre all over again! This
wedding was at the Fox and one of our most
memorable weddings ever! Just gorgeous!
5 Summer weddings at Cranbrook Gardens
never get played out! Timeless beauty!
6 This image is by far our favorite engagement
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8 Black & white engagement photos will
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34 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 35

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
Grooming the groom
Helpful tips for the husband-to-be
BY MONIQUE MANSOUR
The beautiful, blushing bride
is often what first pops into
our minds when we hear the
word “wedding,” but the handsome
and eager groom plays an equally
valuable role in the wedding process.
Event planners Lawrence Yaldo and
Andrew Keina from Top that Table,
Dalia Atisha, CWPTM from The
Event Planner, Inc., Suhair Kallabat
from Eventfully Yours, and June
Abro and Lauren Waterstone from A
June Event shared their favorite tips
for grooming the groom for the big,
celebratory day.
Yaldo and Keina of Top that Table
in West Bloomfield believe the
wedding planning works best when
both the bride and the groom are involved.
“By harnessing the strengths
of each partner – where they naturally
flourish –the planning process will
become more fun and the outcome
fantastically unique. Let the wedding
be reflective of a couple’s style
and tastes. For example, if the bride
and groom have a sweet tooth for a
specific dessert, they may incorporate
that into the wedding for all of their
guests to enjoy,” said Keina.
The groom should never overlook
the communication lines to
his groomsmen. “I’d suggest that the
groom oversee his groomsmen to ensure
they understand the schedule
and what is expected of them. He
should choose gifts to give to the
groomsmen as well. A fairly new
trend for the groom is to wear a lapel
pin instead of a boutonniere. The
pin will look good all throughout the
special day, because it won’t wilt like
flowers do. Lapel pins also make for
great groomsmen gifts,” said Yaldo.
Practice makes perfect and this
rings true for wedding preparations as
well. “The groom should always practice
vows before the ceremony.” Another
big tip for the groom –remember
to think of the bride before the
ceremony. “Traditionally, the groom
gives his bride a thoughtful gift before
the wedding. It doesn’t have to
be lavish, but something thoughtful
like a letter and a bouquet of flowers
will help make a special day even
more meaningful,” said Yaldo.
Both Yaldo and Keina agreed that
both couples should decide on a budget
before the process begins to avoid
“sticker shock.” “Even the smallest
things add up very quickly in the
realm of everything considered. A
dream wedding is a dream, unless
you’re prepared to pay the price!”
said Keina.
Atisha of The Event Planner,
Inc. in West Bloomfield has noticed
a variety of patterns from grooms
over the years –and, in particular,
something they especially love to be
part of. “Most grooms really want to
be involved with the food selection
and the cake tastings.” You know
how the saying goes – the way to a
man’s heart is through his stomach!
Atisha stressed that couples
should use the entire wedding planning
process as a vehicle to recognize
how one another communicates.
“Planning a wedding is a great way
for the couple to understand each
other and find ways to compromise,
as that is just the beginning of the
rest of their lives as a couple.” In
order to avoid wedding-talk burnout,
Atisha recommends the following.
“Plan a date once a week and
agree to not discuss anything about
wedding planning. Also, consider a
couple’s retreat, celebrate mass every
Sunday, and attend the classes
the church recommends for engaged
couples. I’m going to get philosophical
here, but couples who put God
first in their relationship will have a
state of grace throughout their wedding
planning which will guide them
through the ups and downs of their
marriage.”
As far as advice for the groom
goes, Atisha said pre-planning is
key. “Follow a timeline. Make your
grooming appointments well in advance
of the wedding and, on the day
of, early enough in the day to alleviate
time constraints on the wedding
36 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

schedule.” Something the groom
should really consider? “The first
dance! Think about the timelessness
of that moment and make it more
than just a wedding ritual. Embrace
that moment as being husband and
wife for the first time. If taking dance
lessons will enhance that experience,
then I highly recommend that.”
Kallabat from Eventfully Yours
in West Bloomfield urges all of her
brides to bring
their fiancés to important planning
meetings. “I always make sure
that for the vital meetings, the
groom is present. Sometimes incorporating
the groom into the wedding
planning
process is as simple as adding him
into a group text with the bride and
me,
and other times it’s more detailed
and includes one-on-one meetings or
phone calls when the groom has an
idea or wants to plan a surprise for his
bride,” said Kallabat.
Is there a magic number of hours
the groom should put into wedding
planning? No. “There really is no
one-size-fits-all amount of right or
wrong involvement for the groom.
I do, however, appreciate when a
groom is involved in the planning
process. After all, a wedding is about
the union of two, and it’s always
more special when both the groom
and bride’s opinions, likes, and interests
are reflected in the wedding,”
said Kallabat.
Kallabat had an important piece
of advice for couples struggling with
trying to please everyone during the
wedding planning process. “Couples
can make their wedding more about
the both of them by ignoring the outside
noise. When you’re planning a
wedding, everyone around you has
an opinion. People are excited and
truly mean well, but sometimes it’s
overwhelming and leads a couple
to make choices they otherwise
wouldn’t make. Couples can make
their wedding day be more about the
both of them by simply doing what
they want!”
In terms of the perfect time to
start planning a wedding, Kallabat
had some wise counsel. “I always say
that there really is no such time as
too soon to start planning a wedding.
Our Chaldean community especially
tends to rotate between the same
venues and vendors, so it’s always
best to plan as far ahead as possible to
ensure that you get the date, venue,
and vendors that you want.”
Abro from A June Event in West
Bloomfield had a fun idea to offer as
it related to incorporating the groom
into the wedding day celebrations.
“Something special to do is dedicate
the cocktail hour to the groom.
Maybe implement darker tones into
the space, incorporate food he likes,
have a tequila bar, a cigar bar, and
perhaps even late-night snacks that
he enjoys,” said Abro. Waterstone
agreed, and she can’t stress enough
that a wedding is “the first party that
a couple will host together as a Mr.
& Mrs. It should be a reflection of
exactly that!”
There is one area of wedding
planning where the groom’s meddling
isn’t necessary, nor welcomed.
“By no means should a groom get
involved with the wedding dress or
the bridesmaids,” said Abro, with a
chuckle. As far as tips for the groom
on the day of? “I always say the best
grooms are the ones that stay sober.
You can catch a buzz but you
still want to be proper!” said Abro.
“Also, I know the groom often gets
annoyed with the many photographs
on the wedding day, but it’s one day
out of your life...remember to smile
as you go along with it. It’s an exciting
time for everyone involved,” said
Waterstone. Both Abro and Waterstone
value the importance of communication
in the wedding planning
process. “It makes for a better day instead
of surprises that you do not care
for,” said Abro.
All helpful tips to consider. And,
after all the planning has been done,
and the groom has been groomed and
the bride begins her walk down the
aisle, one unifying thought should be
at the forefront of the minds of everyone
involved –the love the couple
shares for one another.
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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 37

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
Honeymoon destinations
Travel agents talk what is trending after the wedding festivities
BY WEAM NAMOU
Honeymoon is a concept that
dates back to the fifth century
in European cultures
when time was measured in moon
cycles. Couples were provided with a
“moon,” approximately one month’s
worth of mead which is an alcoholic
honey wine. The idea was for couples
to drink it together to help form sexual
intimacy.
Honeymoons changed over time.
In the nineteenth century, couples
in Britain spent their honeymoon on
a bridal tour, where they visited friends
and family who could not attend the
wedding ceremony. Many couples in
the Middle East, some even in the
United States, didn’t even know what
a honeymoon was. In modern times,
honeymoons became a romantic and
even a luxury affair. Today’s couples
invest a great deal of thought, time, and money
into their honeymoon destination.
As the wedding season approaches, we consulted
with a few travel experts on what the favorite
honeymoon spots are. Of course, much depends
on the couples’ interests, whether they’re
looking to lounge on beautiful beaches or have an
adventurous or exotic experience. Several other
important factors help couples determine their
destination.
“It all depends on the season the couple is going
and on the budget,” said Amira Bajoka, owner
of Rena Travel & Tours which is named after her
daughter Rena, a family physician. The travel
agency has been in business for 30 years and is
located in Bajoka Plaza at 34528 Dequindre Rd.
It will open another location this spring between
Haggerty and M5 on Maple Road.
One popular resort, for example, is the Caribbean
– Jamaica, Punta Cana, and St. Lucia – because
they provide all-inclusive trips.
“Honeymooners love all inclusive,” said Cathy
Daldin, owner and travel consultant at Shamrock
Travel located at 413 S Main St., Rochester and
has been in business for more than 29 years. “It
takes away any worry about how much it is going
to cost when you are there. Many of the allinclusive
options can be adult only resorts. They
really like those.”
Daldin said that Hawaii is another popular
destination for honeymooners. But while the
island’s clear water, tropical sunsets and lavish
greenery makes it a really romantic getaway, it is
not all-inclusive.
“I have booked many honeymoons to Europe,”
she said. “That is an option for people who are
more adventurous.”
There are numerous favorite European destinations
for newlyweds, some which include Santorini,
Greece, a small volcanic island known for
its striking sunsets and virgin whitewashed villas;
Venice, Italy with its gondola rides through the
Grand Canal that sail past historic buildings; and
Paris, France, known for its architecture, food,
and art.
Bajoka has numerous specials to Rome, Paris,
and Greece, but she has a particularly special offer
in Rome. She said, “For those going to Rome, we
arrange a private audience with the Pope so the
couple can meet him personally.”
Daldin says that the more affordable destinations
are Cancun/Riviera Maya in Mexico. Punta
Cana can be better priced depending on the resort.
And before you plan, keep in mind that the
recent hurricanes have had an impact on the US
Virgin Islands, St. Martin and Puerto Rico.
“I also like to see if they are into staying in the
US,” Daldin said. “If so, then I can find something
romantic but a place that fits their budget and the
activities they like.”
There are many beautiful US cities to explore
and enjoy including three in California - Palm
Springs, San Diego or Monterey. There’s St. Augustine
in Florida and Martha’s Vineyards in Massachusetts.
Bajoka advises couples to come in person to
talk about their travel plans because these trips
require great preparation and details. She adds,
“We’re wholesalers and we’ll beat any price.”
Bajoka also specializes in Christian and other
unique tours. In May 2017, she had a trip for couples
who renewed their vows at a Church in Israel.
December she took a group of fifty people to
the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico
City, Mexico, and in May, she’s doing a ten day
exploration of the Holy Land.
Regardless of the trip the couples choose to go
on, it’s important to keep in mind that how they
treat each other while there is what will make
the honeymoon memorable. Honeymoons are intended
to help the couples relax and have fun, but
more importantly, to establish a strong, enjoyable,
and lifelong union.
38 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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2018 WEDDING GUIDE
product and an unrelenting commitment
to customer service has
made Top Notch a popular, fastgrowing
business and a preferred
choice among professional athletes,
like Matthew Stafford, Taylor
Decker, Sam Martin and Eric
Ebron.
Top Notch just opened in November
but they already have three
buses with plans to roll out two
more by March and, eventually,
increase their inventory to 10 by
the summer. A strong social media
presence that includes an Instagram
page with over a thousand followers,
and a state of the art website
has paved the way for Top Notch
Riding in style
Brand-new party bus and limousine
service aims to set a new precedent.
BY STEPHEN JONES
Formed as a partnership between
two sets of brothers,
Marlow and Monte Abdulnoor
and Rimon and Raymen Yaldo,
Top Notch Party Bus & Limousine
is a fresh business that has its
sights set on provziding an experience
that’s unsurpassed in the party
bus industry.
“We are among the most recent
Chaldeans to actually be in the
party bus and limousine business,”
Monte Abdulnoor said. “That’s
part of the reason we got into it.
We want to be Michigan’s biggest
party bus and limousine transportation
company, and we want to be
the best. We want people to have
happy experiences with our buses
and limousines. We want people to
have fun.”
The pair of brothers decided to
pursue the venture after personal
experiences led them to recognize
a lack of customer appreciation in
the industry.
“We would rent party buses to
go out and have a good time, but we
would experience so many kinds of
problems,” Abdulnoor said. “Then
we just realized this could be done
better.”
Some of the problems the
brothers experienced included
faulty sound systems and glitches
in heating and cooling. The
group was further bothered by
the response they’d get from
party bus owners when bringing
these issues forward.
“The owners of the party buses
never wanted to take responsibility
and accommodate customers
properly,” Abdulnoor said. “It was
always like they were saying ‘hey,
tough luck’, and that’s not the way
we like to do business.”
The foursome knew they could
make a splash by creating a premier
party bus service that put the experience
of the customer first. Abdulnoor,
a seasoned professional in the
hospitality industry, knows what it
takes to provide the ultimate customer
service experience. He grew
up in the industry, and is currently
a controlling partner in Thrive
Hospitality Group.
“We own and operate several
different hotels with Hilton, Marriott,
IHG, Choice and Wyndham,”
Abdulnoor said. “I started working
at 13 years old, doing things
like cleaning parking lots, pulling
weeds and delivering roll-away
beds. My experience in the industry
taught me the importance of
great customer service and that›s
what it›s about for me.»
Customer service is an important
part of the business model at
Top Notch, but that doesn’t mean
they neglect the product. Top
Notch has state of the art buses,
equipped with all of the essentials
for an awesome night on the town.
“All of our buses have upgraded
sound systems,” Abdulnoor said.
“We don’t buy any used buses. All
of our products are brand new. We
personally clean and inspect the
buses before we go out. We’re completely
owner-operated. We don’t
just have a third party or someone
else operating our business, and doing
that ensures that we’re going to
give the best experience possible.”
The combination of an elite
to gain quite a bit of popularity for
a brand-new company. Top Notch’s
efforts on Instagram are part of an
initiative to continuously reach out
to the public.
“We want to take our marketing
to a whole other level,” Abdulnoor
said. “We need to take advantage of
this new day and age. We’re doing
this from the view of a millennial.
I don’t think a millennial has ever
really opened a party bus and limousine
company.”
Top Notch is led by four ambitious
individuals that understand
the nuances of running a business
and it captures the flair that customers
expect out of a party bus,
while delivering on its pledge, “to
deliver the best in quality and class
while ensuring your safety and satisfaction
whether you are getting
married, celebrating a birthday or
having a night-out.”
40 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 41

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
Planning the big day
Event coordinators share the wedding trends for 2018
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO
With Valentines marking
the middle of the month
and just coming off the
holiday season and New Year’s Day,
there are and will be many newly
engaged couples. Proposals are very
popular from Thanksgiving through
Valentine’s Day. According to WeddingWire.com,
included in the top
10 most popular days to propose are
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Valentine’s
Day and New Year’s Day. So,
now there are weddings to organize.
Local wedding and event planners
shared what was vogue in 2017 and
what is expected to trend in 2018.
Top that Table
Table is the collaboration of Lawrence
Yaldo and Andy Keina.
Yaldo and Keina have been not
only following trends but they have
been topping them in the event planning
business for more than a decade
as owners of Top that Table. “With
any trend, it’s important not to go
overboard,” said Yaldo. “Remember
that at the end of the day, this is your
wedding and you will have these
photos for decades to come—the end
goal should be a wedding that you’ll
love just as much in 30, 40, or 50
years.”
With that said, the duo planners
recommend to “try your best to strike
a balance with trends that reflect
you and traditional elements to keep
everything “grounded” and timeless,”
said Yaldo. “Finding harmony between
the two will ensure that your
wedding stands the test of time.”
Food for thought? What to serve
at the wedding is definitely part of
the planning. “With a plethora of
food already being served from the
beginning to end, couples are opting
for different ideas to provide a
late-night snack for their guests,”
he said. “The options are unlimited
from food trucks to custom dessert
stations, leaving guests feeling full
and energized to partake in all the
festivities for the evening.”
The Mod Mix is trending in
2018. “We love the idea of balancing
sleek geometric shapes with soft
flowers and natural elements,” said
Yaldo. “Aside from the traditional
decor, adding in geometric shapes
are an unexpected and a totally cool
addition to your décor. The chic
pairing of modern and traditional is
beautiful at weddings to add warmth
and contrast.”
A June Event
June Abro of A June Event in West
Bloomfield travels for inspiration.
“My partner and I look for the best
and latest trends so we can service
our clients,” said Abro. “We not only
look for what our clients are trying
to achieve, we look for the unique.”
Working in both the Chaldean
and Jewish communities, at A June
Event, they work with a variety of
vendors so they can offer whatever a
client wants. “We definitely were the
first to do “oversize” at Shenandoah
and probably the last in 2017; our client
had a vision,” he said. “We definitely
wanted to make things come
to life so starting the trend with the
Sawa wedding and ending with the
George wedding, we bookended with
two big statements of the year.”
Abro noted that couples want to
make statement as soon as the guests
walk in. “I would definitely say A
June Event is known for all of the
big and prominent seating arrangements,”
he said. “We were the first
ones to be doing the acrylic boards
and an oversize pattern.”
Now into 2018, June noted that
people are going more dreamy, romantic
and intimate. “White is going
to be a big trend this year,” he
said. “I think a lot more girls are going
romantic. They are not going as
bold. They are going simple but still
very beautiful. Less of the big cake
and more romance and a personal
cake.”
With the remodel at Shenandoah
this year, June said that couples are
anxious to see what new things can
be done inside the West Bloomfield
country club. Meanwhile, weddings
in Detroit are becoming more popular.
“People are getting a real feel for
the city,” he said. “Brides and grooms
are making more money than maybe
a generation ago and today they are
hosting their weddings.”
These young entrepreneurs are
throwing a wedding reception that
PLANNING continued from page 44
42 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 43

2018 WEDDING GUIDE
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is more reflective of themselves as a
couple then a wedding that was hosted
by the couple’s parents. “Parents
are letting their kids organize the
weddings more,” said June. “They are
allowing the couple design the day.”
However, brides more so today are
trying to get inspiration from their
mom’s wedding day from decades earlier.
“They might not wear the same
dress but somehow they are incorporating
themes from their parents wedding
into their own,” he noted. “They
might incorporate the color scheme
from that time period like mustard
yellow or navy. The tradition of wearing
the mother’s dress doesn’t really
exist in our culture but getting inspiration
from their weddings does.”
In addition to be being acknowledged
by Hour Magazine as the Best
Event Planner for four consecutive
years, A June Event is also a preferred
vendor at the top destination
spots in the Metro Detroit area.
The Event Planner
Dalia Atisha, known as The Event
Planner, has a close working relationship
with many vendors in the
event planning business. “A lot of
the wedding tends we have had since
2017 are evolving and creating more
of an imprint with the help of vendors
providing more options making
it easier to create a theme and really
get into it,” said Atisha. “We are
looking at what vendors are offering
as we create personalized weddings
for each couple.”
In 2018, the laser cut custom and
personalized invitations continue with
different types of printing, letter press,
foil press and embossed lettering.
When it comes to colors, Atisha
is seeing green and whites in 2018 as
a more natural feel emerges. “Bold
colors are giving more vibrant presentations,”
she noted. “Rustic styled
weddings are now being altered to
feel more woodsy. metallic/industrial
Lucite, rose gold, different tones of
gold and silver, and the garden-esque
look is also popular.”
When it comes to lighting, couples
have made it a standard using
pin spotting at guest tables. “Gobos to
personalize the couple with their logo
by branding their wedding and using
texture lighting to really set a mood
for the evening have become popular,”
said Atisha. “In addition, bands
and DJ’s tying in lighting with music
that creates an unprecedented event.”
It’s not just tables and chairs anymore.
“Couples are bringing in family
antiques, heirlooms and other personal
items that are near and dear to
them,” said Atisha. “They are tying
it into their wedding décor whether
it be the wedding bouquet, at the entrance
or even on the head table.”
Couples are renting furniture giving
the reception a different look such as
PLANNING continued on page 46
44 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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placing the wedding cake or late-night
snack with props and unique pieces to
really set the tone of their theme or presentation
they are trying to give.
Speaking of food. Today, couples
are looking to create an experience
for their guests. “They are doing this
by offering nostalgic foods from their
younger years or even including their
favorite foods and serving them to
their guests,” she noted.
Crowd-pleasing action stations
and carts are fun and interactive. An
Action Station is an interactive display
of food, where it’s typically chef
attended and gives guests ways to engage
and entertain all while heightening
taste buds and taking the enjoyment
of food to another level.
Food trucks have rolled in and
made a big hit as well as favorite and
national food vendors have begun
setting up stations at weddings.
“Couples are more and more
seeking ways to engage and entertain
their guests not with just the music,
but through other avenues to help
create memories of the couple’s wedding
nuptials,” said Atisha.
Eventfully Yours
From Fashion to food, Suhair Kallabat
from Eventually Yours is paying
attention to it all. She notes various
changes happening in the wedding
world. For instance, the bridal dance
during dinner is not a must. “Starting
the bridal dance during a later
part of dinner isn’t necessarily a new
trend, but it’s a trend that is definitely
taking over and more so becoming
the norm now,” said Kallabat.
Customizing the cuisine has been
trending for a while. “Our culture
revolves around food and while the
foodie phenomena has made its mark
on weddings in years past through
cool midnight snacks, a trend that my
couples and I have been loving this
year is the incorporation of new and
cool foods into the dinner menu itself,”
she noted. “I’ve had a lot of couples
this year break away from the standard
banquet menu and change the menu to
incorporate either their favorite snacks
on the table as appetizers including
Potato chips, hummus, tabbouleh,
shrimp, and eggplant salad at one wedding,
to a couple catering in their favorite
soup from their go-to restaurant,
or another couple serving each table a
shareable dish of fries at another wedding.
Fun and new foods are definitely
a focus at weddings and it’s nice to see
couples exploring new dinner options.”
Fashion trends are not just for the
bride to follow. “Bride’s aren’t the
only ones having fun with fashion on
their wedding day,” said Kallabat. “It’s
no longer assumed that a groom will
be in a black tux now. Grooms have a
variety of fun options now which include
navy tuxes, and mix and matching
their black pants with various colored
and patterned tuxedo jackets!”
The dresses will always be the focal
part of the evening’s fashion statement.
“Bridal Dresses with pockets
are actually popular,” she said. “This
is probably one of my favorite bridal
trends! I LOVE a dress with pockets,
so I think it’s awesome to see pockets
being fused with bridal fashion. It’s a
chic and practical trend!”
46 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 47

More than the Khigga
Ashley Barno has taken on the task of
teaching traditional Chaldean dances
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
As engagement season continues,
many couples will find
themselves planning their
wedding and preparing for an evening
that is sure to bring lots of love,
food, and dancing. Wedding planning
comes with many details and
intricacies that almost always take
precedence over being concerned
about being able to keep up with traditional
Chaldean dances.
Creating a sense of unity and excitement,
dances like the khigga yagoora
and shaykhani are one of the
focal points of Chaldean weddings.
These line dances are an important
Chaldean custom that dates back
even before recorded history. Each
dance is dictated by the song and its
tempo, if the song is fast, the dancers
move fast.
For Ashley Barno, the traditional
dances are her favorite part of weddings,
as they root her to her culture.
“My absolute favorite activity
is dancing Chaldean dances,” said
Barno. “I went to a wedding a few
years ago and the dance floor was
empty and everyone was at the bar,
hanging out until the DJ came on
and played English music. The sight
of that made me so sad.”
Noticing the generational disconnect,
Barno decided that she would
take on the task of teaching these
traditional Chaldean dances. “I saw
that the generation I grew up in didn’t
really learn our dances as I did growing
up,” explained Barno. “I quickly
realized that it would eventually be a
dying tradition and thought to myself
that I had to try to keep it alive.”
Having learned the dances early
on in her childhood, Barno was well
equipped to pass on her knowledge.
Barno’s revelation at the wedding,
paired with the fact that she had
friends who had requested lessons
solidified her drive to teach traditional
dances.
“I’ve been teaching since I was
about 14 or 15 years old, but when
I was younger, I taught family and
friends,” said Barno. “I began doing
this as a profession a couple of years
ago when a friend of mine asked me
to teach him how to dance in preparation
for his wedding.”
The San Diego native does not
currently have a studio in which
she teaches out of, instead opting
to make house calls. Barno is flexible
in her methods as she teaches
wherever her clients feel most comfortable,
whether it’s their home or
business, and even opens her own
home up to clients.
In keeping the clients comfortable,
Barno offers private lessons,
both to individuals and groups.
Many of her clients come to her in
the wake of a wedding and according
to Barno, not all of her clients
are Chaldean. “My usual clients are
couples getting married or bridal
parties,” she explains. “[The] majority
are Chaldean or if they aren’t
Chaldean they’re usually marrying
someone that is Chaldean.”
Barno feels that knowing these
traditional dances is just one way for
Chaldeans to stay connected to their
culture and history. “Our dances
are a big part of our Chaldean culture
which is incredibly beautiful,”
she said. “We all need to work hard
at keeping our traditions alive and
not forget how to dance our dances
among other things.”
She prides herself on being able
to aid in the preservation of this major
Chaldean tradition. “I teach all of
the dances: gorgina, khigga yaqoora,
chobi, shaykhani yaqoora (bagiye),
shaykhani, gubarey and more,” said
Barno. “I have given belly dancing
tips but I would say my expertise is
traditional Chaldean dance.”
“The response has been amazing,”
said Barno. “I get messages and comments
from Chaldeans from all over
the world telling me how much they
love what I am doing and appreciate
my efforts to continue these traditions.”
Even as Barno resides in California,
she has made an effort to spread
her knowledge to those wanting
to learn in Detroit and Chicago, as
well. As advertised on her Instagram,
Barno will take the opportunity to
teach when she is in either city. In
addition to teaching when she’s in
Detroit, Barno has even brought
her cousins, who live in Detroit, on
board to help teach.
Barno attributes much of her success
to her uncles Ameed and Abeer
Asmaro. Abeed is a singer, while
Abeer is a drummer. “I wouldn’t be
doing this without them and growing
up with their influence.”
“I just want everyone to know
that everyone can learn [to dance],”
said Barno. “I was born in the U.S.
and I’m teaching Chaldeans from all
over. I know a lot of people are shy
and don’t want to learn at a wedding
or party. This is why I am doing private
lessons so everyone can learn in
their own comfort.”
For more information about Barno and
lessons offered, find her on Instagram
@chaldean_dances
48 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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2018 WEDDING GUIDE
Food for all
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Local caterer specializes in all-kinds
of wedding celebrations
BY WEAM NAMOU
Chaldeans are known for
their extravagant and large
gatherings, especially when
it comes to those associated with
weddings. Not long ago, they celebrated
the tenetha, word, where the
fiancé’s and fiancée’s family came
together to give their promise that
they’re committing to each other.
That celebration was followed by
an elaborate engagement party, a
henna party, the wedding rehearsal,
and the blessing of the couples’ bedroom.
Next came the wedding and
the after-wedding party.
The new generation is doing
things a little differently, having
proposal parties, henna/shower parties,
honeymoon parties, gender
reveal parties, and on a more creative
note, doing friendship dinners
around Thanksgiving. While the
types of gatherings vary depending
on how traditional or nontraditional
people are, the food is always a
high priority. Middle Eastern food
is a favorite for Chaldean Americans.
It’s not only delicious but it’s
also considered one of the healthiest
diets in the world.
Previously, the parents of both
the bride and groom slaved to get
the food prepared for their guests
but, nowadays, it’s much simpler.
They basically cater, oftentimes
calling Chef Carl.
FOOD continued on page 52
50 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 51

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FOOD continued from page 50
“Back in the days, the mothers
cooked,” said Chef Carl. “These days
women don’t cook like our mothers
cooked. They say, hell no! Why
should I?” He laughed, and added,
“They just call their husbands and
say this is what we’re doing, and
we’re going to Chef Carl to do it.”
Carl Hakim has been a chef for
more than 40 years, and for 30 years,
he has done catering for wedding
gatherings, house, proposal parties,
communions, graduations, hennas,
and rehearsal dinners. He caters to
parties that have anywhere from 50
to 300 guests.
“Usually house parties are about
a hundred people,” he said. “Nobody
wants to have 300 people in
their homes.”
For larger parties, people normally
rent a place and order the
food from him. The cost is between
$20 to $100 per person depending
on their budget and what they want
to order. Do they want a full three
course meal, with or without drinks,
or just hors d’oeuvres? He once did
a surf and turf dinner with lobster,
filet mignon, and wine. For a big
party, especially one that requires
service, he needs at least a two to
three week advance notice.
“I have a full staff that bring the
food, set up, serve, and clean up just
like at any party,” he said. “It’s really
nice, but if someone just needs the
food, we can drop that off to them.”
For the gatherings at the bride’s
home, before she leaves to go to
church, popular orders include roll
ups, boorek, spinach pies, and cheese
platters to name a few. He’ll serve
anything as long as it’s not from the
red family, like grapes or strawberries.
“Rule of thumb is to stay away
from red foods because I don’t want
the bridal party walking down the
aisle with stains on their clothes,”
he said.
A good idea would also be not to
include foods that are possibly difficult
or messy to eat, like hummus
and tabooleh, and instead to bring
in meat, cheese, and spinach pies.
Chef Carl’s expertise can help you
work out a menu plan that would
keep the guests’ and bridal party’s
fancy clothes clean and their appetites
nourished until the wedding reception.
He has done countless catering,
including for his daughter’s
engagement party, and for celebrities
and athletes like Mitch Albom
and Matthew Stafford.
“It’s a lot of work but it’s also a
lot of fun because I’m a people person,”
said Chef Carl.
52 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 53

2018 WEDDING GUIDE / CHALDEAN ON THE STREET
Wedding Etiquette
BY HALIM SHEENA
As we dedicate the February issue to being our Annual Wedding Guide, we presented
a series of wedding related questions for this month’s Chaldean on the Street.
Courtney Haboosh, 21,
Clinton Township
Rena Kassa, 32,
Sterling Heights
Eva Sinawi, 25,
Ferndale:
Sabrina Hermiz, 21,
Troy:
1.How do you feel about weekday
weddings?
I don’t like weekday weddings because
most people have work so they
would leave earlier on a weekday.
2.How much should you gift the bride
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?
If you rsvp’d a ‘no’, I would not gift
the couple. If you rsvp’d a ‘yes’ but
you were not able to attend I would
still gift them 50-100 depending on
the relationship with the person.
3.Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?
Yes, I think a to-go bag is appropriate
because you are paying for the meal
and may not finish it.
4.Should the bridal party be drinking before
the ceremony?
I don’t think it is a big deal if the
bridal party drinks before the ceremony,
but they need to be cautious
on how much they are drinking. You
wouldn’t want someone to get out of
hand or not remember the wedding.
5.Who should you invite?
Many people enjoy big weddings but
I believe it should be close family
and friends. It would be nice to know
everyone that attends your wedding
and to celebrate together.
1.How do you feel about weekday
weddings?
I don’t really like weekday weddings.
Lots of people have work and weekends
are the best time to party!
2.How much should you gift the bride
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?
If you can’t attend a wedding but respond
yes, you should still gift what
you wanted to give to begin with.
If you respond, zero you should still
send 50-100.
3.Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?
I would say it’s ok to take a to go bag.
Why waste food?
4.Should the bridal party be drinking before
the ceremony?
I don’t think it’s a big deal if the bridal
party drinks before the ceremony
as long as they know their limits.
They need to be there for the bride
and groom and cherish that moment
with them.
5.Who should you invite?
You should invite close family and
friends. It would be nice to know everyone
at your own wedding. Sometimes
the parents invite people you
have never seen in your life but then
again, big weddings are a blast!
1.How do you feel about weekday
weddings?
Weekday weddings can be challenging
because most people still work
and have to function the next day.
However, as long as the bride and
groom are happy that’s all that matters!
2. How much should you gift the bride
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?
I believe $100 minimum should be
gifted, depending on your relationship
between the bride and groom.
3. Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?
I’m indifferent to the to-go bag, so I
don’t have much to say here!
4. Should the bridal party be drinking
before the ceremony?
I honestly think the bridal party
shouldn’t be drinking before the ceremony
because that’s just a recipe for
disaster. It still happens, and as long
as everyone is presentable and not
wasted I’m okay with it.
5.Who should you invite?
When you are planning your special
day, you should want to share it with
people who have supported you both
from the start and who are genuinely
excited to celebrate your love!
1.How do you feel about weekday
weddings?
The WORST.
2.How much should you gift the bride
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?
At least $100 per each person that
you RSVP’d for.
3.Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?
Noooo. Embarrassing.
4.Should the bridal party be drinking before
the ceremony?
No. You shouldn’t be intoxicated before
Jesus Christ in his home.
5.Who should you invite?
Immediate family, First cousins,
best friends, anyone close to you
honestly. There are people who are
best friends with their third cousins,
which makes it difficult because if
you invite one others get upset. Also,
your parents’ friends, your parents attend
a lot of events throughout their
life and are happy for others as they
would want other people to be happy
for their children. At the end of the
day, it doesn’t matter it’s about the
bride and groom.
54 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018

Savine Zora, 23,
West Bloomfield
Mary Jaddou, 19,
Bloomfield Hills:
Mark Zakar, 28,
Troy:
Fadi Sadik, 22,
Rochester:
1.How do you feel about weekday
weddings?
Weekday weddings are not considerate
to the guests because most people
are working that day and the day after.
But it’s the bride and groom’s day
and whoever they really want to be
there will make arrangements
2. How much should you gift the bride
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?
It depends on how close you are to
the bride or groom
3. Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?
A to-go bag is not really appropriate.
But if you haven’t really touched
your food. Then it’s better to take
it home and eat it tomorrow than
waste it.
4. Should the bridal party be drinking
before the ceremony?
I’d say no but if they can carry themselves
into church appropriately then
it’s fine. But the bride and groom
should not be so they give their full
heart and mind to the Lord.
5. Who should you invite?
Whoever you want to be there and
who would be truly happy for your
day. Not anyone more
1.How do you feel about weekday
weddings?
I love weekend weddings. I think it’s
amazing when you can attend a wedding
and celebrate with family and
friends, while not worry about having
to go to work the next day.
2.How much should you gift the bride
and groom if you don’t attend the wedding?
I would gift the bride and groom
$100 if I didn’t attend their wedding.
3. Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?
I don’t think it’s inappropriate, but
if someone doesn’t take a “to-go” because
they don’t leave the reception
right away than that’s okay as well!
4. Should the bridal party be drinking
before the ceremony?
The ceremony is a time to be reverent
to Christ joining 2 people to
become one. Unless the goal is not
to get drunk, I think that drinking
should be left for the reception.
5. Who should you invite?
Close family and friends!
1.How do you feel about weekday
weddings?
I would never mind a weekday wedding!
If I love the bride and groom
enough, I will celebrate love with all
my heart!
2. How much should you gift the bride and
groom if you don’t attend the wedding?
In my opinion, if they attended your
occasion you should gift them the
same! If you decline ahead of time, it
would be okay not to put a gift!
3. Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?
If referring to a to go bag as when
people take home their unfinished
meals, it is not only appropriate but
necessary since Christians should
not be wasting food anyways!
4. Should the bridal party be drinking
before the ceremony?
Drinking before going to a Sacrament
instituted by Jesus Christ is not
honoring what Jesus considers holy!
Pretty sure He knows what’s holy!!!
5. Who should you invite?
The first invitation should be inviting
Jesus into the marriage! Second
is whoever your heart desires!!!
1.How do you feel about weekday
weddings?
I think they’re less classy than weekend
weddings. Most people have to work or
go to school the next day, leaving less
time for having fun and making preparations
more difficult for the guests.
2.How much should you gift the bride
and groom if you don’t attend the
wedding?
It depends on how close you are to
the bride and groom. Typically, 50-
100 but if it’s close family, maybe
around a few hundred.
3.Is a “to-go” bag appropriate?
Yes, it’s appropriate. Weddings have
a lot of food and the guests may not
be as hungry during the wedding.
4.Should the bridal party be drinking
before the ceremony?
People may say no, but I think they
should. It’s a fun celebration and a
good day for everyone, if the bridal
party want to drink, I think they
should go for it, just not too much
before the party starts.
5.Who should you invite?
Close friends and family, maybe
people you’ve been around with for
a long time such as close coworkers,
neighbors, etc.
FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 55

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www.chaldeanfoundation.org
Twitter: @ChaldeanChamber
Instagram: @ChaldeanAmericanChamber
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 851-8600 office
(248) 469-3568 cell
(248) 851-1348 fax
christen@chaldeannews.com
30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
TEL (248) 851-1200
FAX (248) 851-1348
snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com
www.chaldeanchamber.com
www.chaldeanfoundation.org
Twitter: @ChaldeanChamber
Instagram: @ChaldeanAmericanChamber
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30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

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