OCTOBER 2023

FROM THE EDITOR
PUBLISHED BY
Chaldean News, LLC
Chaldean Community Foundation
Martin Manna
EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Sarah Kittle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cal Abbo
Valene Ayar
ZZ Dawod
Dr. Adhid Miri
Weam Namou
Beshar Shukri
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Falling Back
Autumn is a time of contemplation; it is
when we take stock of where we are and
perhaps re-evaluate and adjust our trajectory
for the future. For many, it seems like an end –
the end of summer, the end of the season, the end
of the year drawing to a close. Early next month,
on the 5th of November to be exact, our clocks will
turn back for perhaps the last time, if opponents of
Daylight Savings Time (DST) have their wish.
But “falling back” is not necessarily a bad
thing. Sometimes, falling back means taking extra
time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells
along the way. Here in Michigan, the spectacular
colors of the trees’ changing hue is
unmatched, save for a few New England
states. Fall produce like apples and cranberries
grace our orchards before they grace
our tables. You can literally smell the earth
in the fall in Michigan. How lucky we are to
live here!
You may know that we are advocating for the return of
property to Christians from Iraq who have been displaced
and their lands and homes confiscated. Weam Namou writes
about a Chaldean political activist named Diya Butros Sliwa,
who recently gave a talk hosted by the Iraqi Human Rights
Society in the US. Sliwa has been fighting for the rights of
religious minorities in Iraq for more than two decades and
takes the ruling government in Iraq to task for neither protecting
them nor the women and children who live in the
community.
Our cover story this month tells the sad story of an alcohol
ban in Iraq that will stifle the productivity and livelihood
of many Christians still living there. For some, this is seen as
another way to oust them from the country and take what is
theirs. Add the fact that the Chaldean Patriarch has removed
himself to Erbil and you have another recipe for disaster.
Speaking of recipes, Chaldean Kitchen returns this
month with a special dish. Aida Yousif invited CN staff into
her home and shared with them the recipe for “Mommy’s
SARAH KITTLE
EDITOR
IN CHIEF
We are advocating for the return of
property to Christians from Iraq who have
been displaced and their lands and homes
confiscated.
Salad.” It is fresh, healthy, and fulfilling – but don’t
tell the kids!
And of course, October means Halloween and
trick-or-treating for some. Our Family Time article
focuses on the hocus-pocus of it all but in nontraditional
ways, like hosting scary movie nights or
making your own haunted house. If you don’t want
your kids trick-or-treating, we have options.
Parents having options is what the article about
the Great School Initiative (GSI) is about. Parents
had issues with certain school mandates and organized
to make their protests known. The GSI was born and
is gaining momentum. Educational content and curriculum
can be changed, it just takes time and perseverance. Which
is what the champions of Sureth in schools have demonstrated
in their push to include the language in the local
school system. It happened in Illinois and may be happening
here soon.
Fall is also a great time to fall in love, although the road
to happily ever after may have some potholes. Beshar Shukri
(first-time writer!) shares his tale of speed dating in a guest
column. Lydia Michael’s new book, Brand Love, just came
out and it is a great read.
Turn the page for more, fall back into the cushions and
enjoy!
Sarah Kittle
Editor in Chief
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8 CHALDEAN NEWS OCTOBER 2023