JANUARY 2024

VOL. 12 ISSUE IX 

PASSIONS FLARE IN 

STERLING HEIGHTS 

INSIDE 

REFLECTING ON THE POPE’S VISIT 

COFFEE WITH THE OLD TIMERS 

JUSTIN MERAM SCORES AGAIN 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY OCTOBER 2015 

www.chaldeannews.com 

$ 3 

VOL. 12 ISSUE IX 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 20 ISSUE XII JANUARY 2024 

THE MOSQUE 

PASSIONS FLARE IN 

STERLING HEIGHTS 

DEBATING 

INSIDE 

REFLECTING ON THE POPE’S VISIT 

COFFEE WITH THE OLD TIMERS 

JUSTIN MERAM SCORES AGAIN 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY OCTOBER 2015 

$ 3 


Chaldean community celebrates two decades 

of publication by paper of record 


Chaldean community celebrates 

two decades of publication 

DEBATING 

THE MOSQUE 

by its own paper of record 


DEBATING 

THE MOSQUE 

Chaldean community celebrates two decades 

of publication by its paper of record

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4 CHALDEAN NEWS JANUARY 2024

Building 

Business 

Advocacy 

Building 

Community 

Networking 

Building 

Relationships 

Economic 

Development 

METRO 

DETROIT 

IS HOME 

TO MORE 

THAN 

187,000 

CHALDEANS 

WHO 

CONTRIBUTE 

NEARLY 

$ 

18 BILLION 

ANNUALLY 

TO THE 

MICHIGAN 

ECONOMY 

Affiliates 

41,000+ 

Individuals Served in 2023 

20,600+ 

The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce serves 

1,000+ MEMBERS 

Representing 

5,000+ BUSINESSES 

Website Visitors per Month 

CN SOCIAL MEDIA REACH 

20K+ 500K+ 

Followers 

Reached 

Including 

140 CORPORATE 

MEMBERS 

30 % 

Of Members Are 

Non-Chaldean 

$ 

125,000+ 

Campaign Contributions 

15,000+ CACC 

Combined 

Social Media 

Followers 

5,000+ Attendees 

at Annual 

Events 

Invested Nearly 

$ 

1 MILLION 

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Rasing Up To 

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METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | JANUARY 2024 | VOL. 20 ISSUE XII 

ON THE COVER 

22 Two Decades of the CN 

Celebrating 20 Years 

By Sarah Kittle 

FEATURES 

23 January Cover Stories 

A nostalgic look back 

28 Going to Church 

Changing traditions in worship 

By Cal Abbo 

30 Re-elected 

New Baltimore Mayor Thomas Semaan 

By Cal Abbo 

32 Immigration Update 

Options for visas 

By N. Peter Antone 

DEPARTMENTS 

8 From the Publisher 

20 Years of the Chaldean News 

By Martin Manna 

10 From the Editor 

The Community Experience 


12 Guest Column 

Alexander Karana 

A Journey Back to Tel Keppe 

14 Foundation Update 

Chef Nev, Consumer Energy 

Foundation grant 

16 Noteworthy 

Chaldean Holy Cross, 

Rising Writers Contest 

18 Chaldean Digest 

Faiths unite for peace, ACN report 

20 In Memoriam 

26 Iraq Today 

Going back to Baghdad 

By Dr. May Antone 

40 Health & Wellness 

Embracing the Winter Blues 

By Dr. Rena Daiza 

42 Culture & History 

Chaldean Immigrant Media Pioneers 

By Dr. Adhid Miri 

44 Economics & Enterprise 

Businesses giving back 

By Paul Natinsky 

46 From the Archives 

Chaldean media pioneers 

42 

34 Breaking Stigmas in 

Mental Health 

Dalia Mammo 


36 Numbers Paint a Picture 

Walsh College survey on Chaldean 

community 

By Cal Abbo 

38 Essays 

My Missing Reflection 

By Sophia Snell 

Chaldean American Values 

By Christine Sharrak 


FROM THE EDITOR 

PUBLISHED BY 

Chaldean News, LLC 

Chaldean Community Foundation 

Martin Manna 

EDITORIAL 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Sarah Kittle 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Cal Abbo 

Dr. May Antone 

N. Peter Antone 

Dr. Reina Deza 

Alexander Karana 

Sarah Kittle 

Dr. Adhid Miri 

Paul Natinsky 

Christine Sharrak 

Sophia Snell 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

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PHOTOGRAPHER 

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Subscriptions: $35 per year 

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Story ideas: edit@chaldeannews.com 

Advertisements: ads@chaldeannews.com 

Subscription and all other inquiries: 

info@chaldeannews.com 

Chaldean News 

30095 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 101 

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Phone: (248) 851-8600 

Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); 

Published monthly; Issue Date: January 2024 

Subscriptions: 12 months, $35. 

Publication Address: 

30095 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 101, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334; 

Permit to mail at periodicals postage rates 

is on file at Farmington Hills Post Office 

Postmaster: Send address changes to 

“The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern 

Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334” 

Rewinding Forward 

Dear Readers: 

I’ve been with the Chaldean News for going on 

four years, and the incredible growth I have seen 

in that time is nothing short of amazing. Chaldean 

community members are rising in the ranks 

of law enforcement, being appointed to positions 

of authority, affecting elections, creating business 

empires, and then turning around with a hand offered 

to help those that come after them. It is inspiring 

and uplifting to witness; I can only imagine 

the pride felt by those involved. 

Looking back through issues spanning two 

decades, we discover that history really does repeat itself. 

You’ll find story after story detailing success and generosity, 

unwavering faith, and deep and abiding love of family. 

We are happy to share articles from new writers this 

month, including May 

Antone and Alexander 

Karana, two guest writers 

who visited Iraq recently 

and wrote about their experiences. 

They sent the 

stories to us so we could 

share them with the 

community and maybe 

change your perspective 

on the “old country.” 

We also feature essays 

SARAH KITTLE 

EDITOR 

IN CHIEF 

from a couple of Rising Writers Contest honorable mention 

winners, Sophia Snell and Christine Sharrak. These young 

voices are so important to the community and its future. 

We recently had the honor of presenting checks to two of 

our three first place winners in that contest, Hayley Gappy 

and Miranda Kattula. Hopefully, you will see their byline on 

more stories in the future. 

The CN had the chance to profile two more prominent 

community members, New Baltimore Mayor Thomas 

Semaan, featured in an earlier issue as one of the first Chaldean 

American mayors, and Dr. Dalia Mammo, 

Medical Director of Crisis Services at Detroit Wayne 

Integrated Health Network. These individuals are 

making a difference, not only for Chaldeans but in 

the greater community as well. 

And we thought it a good time to give you an 

immigration briefing, in case you or someone you 

know is applying for or waiting on a visa. The immigration 

laws seem to always be in flux, so we turned 

to expert N. Peter Antone for an update. 

Since January is a time for reflection and growth, 

we wanted to highlight some companies that are 

doing it right, by not only giving back to the community but 

by making it part of their mission. It’s a real win/win when 

companies can feel good by doing good, and we think they 

deserve a shoutout. 

Looking back through issues spanning two decades, 

we discover that history really does repeat itself. 

You’ll find story after story detailing success and 

generosity, unwavering faith, and deep and abiding 

love of family. 

Finally, as we celebrate two decades of the paper, Dr. Miri 

graces us with the history of early Chaldean media pioneers, 

without whom we might not exist. Kudos to them, and to all 

of you, too! We wouldn’t be here without you. 

Have a blessed and happy New Year, 

Sarah Kittle 

Editor in Chief 


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FROM THE PUBLISHER 

Celebrating 20 Years of the Chaldean News 

MARTIN 

MANNA 

PUBLISHER 

Dear Readers, 

It is with immense pride 

and joy that I extend my heartfelt 

gratitude to you as we celebrate 

a remarkable milestone 

— the 20th anniversary of the 

Chaldean News. Two decades 

ago, we embarked on a journey 

to amplify the voices, stories, 

and achievements of the 

Chaldean community. Today, 

as we reflect on this incredible journey, 

we are filled with gratitude for the unwavering 

support and encouragement 

from our readers, contributors, and the 

community at large. 

The inception of the Chaldean News 

was not just a journalistic endeavor but 

a commitment to preserving and sharing 

the rich tapestry of the Chaldean 

heritage. Over the years, our publication 

has endeavored to be a beacon of information, 

fostering unity, awareness, and 

celebration of Chaldean culture, traditions, 

and achievements. 

In an era where the world 

is constantly evolving, our aim 

has always been to provide a 

platform that not only informs 

but also inspires, educates, 

and connects our readers. We 

have striven to encapsulate 

the essence of our community 

through feature articles, interviews, 

and news stories that 

reflect the diverse facets of Chaldean 

life, both locally and globally. 

The journey to this significant anniversary 

has been marked by moments 

of triumphs, challenges, and 

evolution. We have adapted to changing 

times, embraced new technologies, 

and expanded our reach while 

staying committed to the core values 

that define the Chaldean News — integrity, 

authenticity, and inclusivity. 

Our publication stands as a testament 

to the resilience, strength, and 

contributions of the Chaldean community. 

It is a canvas that paints the myriad 

colors of our heritage, the vibrant successes 

of our individuals, and the collective 

achievements that inspire us all. 

As we celebrate this milestone, we 

acknowledge and honor the dedication 

of our talented team whose relentless 

efforts have been the driving force 

behind the success of the Chaldean 

News. Their passion for storytelling 

and commitment to excellence have 

been instrumental in shaping our publication 

into what it is today. 

Moreover, none of this would have 

been possible without you, our dear 

readers. Your loyalty, support, and engagement 

have been the cornerstone 

of our journey. Your stories, feedback, 

and enthusiasm continue to fuel our 

commitment to delivering quality content 

that resonates with you. 

Looking ahead, we are excited about 

the future possibilities and the opportunities 

that await us. We’ve been ramping 

up our podcasts and video content and 

will be hosting events in the coming 

months. As we enter a new chapter, we 

remain steadfast in our mission to serve 

as a unifying voice for the Chaldean 

community, amplifying stories that uplift, 

inform, and unite us all. 

On behalf of the entire Chaldean 

News team, I extend my deepest appreciation 

to everyone who has been 

a part of this remarkable journey. Your 

trust and belief in us have been our 

greatest reward. We are immensely 

proud to celebrate 20 years of the Chaldean 

News, and we pledge to continue 

our commitment to being a beacon of 

inspiration, information, and celebration 

for many years to come. 

With sincere gratitude, 

Martin Manna 

Publisher, Chaldean News 


PUBLISHER'S CIRCLE 

Join the 

Publishers Circle 

As the publication of record for Michigan’s 

Chaldean community, the mission of the 

Chaldean News is to preserve and archive 

Chaldean heritage and history, and to tell the 

ongoing story of Chaldean contributions to the 

communities in which we live and work — in Michigan 

and around the world. 

Since being acquired by the Chaldean Community 

Foundation in 2019, the Chaldean News has substantially 

increased its readership and social media following, 

introduced new digital and website content, and expanded 

storytelling with the help of small grant funding. 

The Publisher’s Circle initiative empowers community members 

to provide major support for the Chaldean News and its 

important mission. With the generous help of individuals and 

organizations, together, we can ensure that this vital resource 

continues to educate and connect the community, while 

evolving to meet the needs of future generations. 

The Chaldean News has ambitious plans which include 

launching a CN app and continuing to expand into new 

media such as radio and TV, all with the goal of preserving 

our culture and telling the story of our people. You 

can take part in helping to preserve your Chaldean 

heritage by joining the Publisher’s Circle today. 

Jibran “Jim” Manna 

Martin and Tamara Manna 

Sylvester and Rita Sandiha 

We are grateful for the generous and 

continuing support of our community. 

To learn more, visit chaldeannews.com 

or contact us at 248-851-8600 

Let’s grow the circle. 

SEPTEMBER JANUARY 2024 2023 CHALDEAN NEWS 11 7

GUEST COLUMN 

A Journey Back to Tel Keppe 

Rediscovering Roots in the Nineveh Plain 

September 2023 marked 

a profound pilgrimage 

for me – a journey back 

to the cradle of my heritage, 

the Nineveh Plain in Iraq; 

particularly to Tel Keppe, the 

village where my family, the 

Karana family, has its roots 

in the Shangu district. This 

trip was a reconnection with 

the land that has shaped the 

identity of our people for 

generations. 

History and heritage 

My journey through the Nineveh Plain, 

along with a group from Nineveh Rising, 

was akin to stepping into a living 

museum of our culture and history. 

In Tel Keppe, every corner whispered 

tales of the past, connecting me with 

generations of my family who once 

walked these streets. The village, although 

still suffering from the Daesh 

occupation, stood as a testament to 

the enduring legacy of our people. 

I had the chance to attend Mass 

at Libbi’d Esho (Sacred Heart) Church 

in the center of the town, while also 

witnessing the destruction of our ancestral 

gravesite. I was hopeful when 

I learned that all the Daesh prisoners 

had been removed and that homes 

only cost between $5,000-$30K. 

There’s an opportunity for revival. 

Venturing beyond Tel Keppe, I explored 

the ancient monasteries of Mar 

Matti, Mar Odishu, and Mar Oraha—each 

a repository of our spiritual heritage. The 

majestic Rabban Hormizd Monastery 

built in the mountains of Alqosh, with its 

ancient walls and majestic views, was a 

highlight, offering a glimpse into the devotional 

life of our ancestors. 

Interwoven with these experiences 

were the stories from our past, particularly 

those of Saints Mar Bahnam and 

Mart Sarah from the 4th century, who 

fought battle after battle against their 

father-King of the region, until their lives 

were lost in Baghdida. These tales, more 

than just folklore, are integral to our 

collective identity, showcasing the resilience, 

faith, and strength of our people. 

ALEXANDER 

KARANA 

SPECIAL TO 

THE CHALDEAN 

NEWS 

The journey through the 

Nineveh Plain also allowed me 

to embrace the majestic mountains 

of Nohadra, Amedia, 

and Dure. These regions, with 

their soaring peaks and lush 

valleys, offered a breathtaking 

panorama that was both 

awe-inspiring and humbling. 

In Nohadra (modern-day 

Dohuk), the mountains stood 

as silent guardians of history. 

Amedia, with its ancient 

fortress perched high upon a 

mountain, was a sight straight 

out of a historical epic. The mountains 

of Dure were like open arms, welcoming 

and nurturing, a reflection of the 

warmth and hospitality of our people 

where I spent the night singing songs 

in Sureth, drinking arak, and stargazing 

under our ancient skies. 

A highlight of my trip was the opportunity 

to swim and hike in the canals 

of Dera Loka near the Turkish border. 

The unparalleled natural beauty 

of these areas and turquoise water was 

breathtaking. The clear waters and 

lush landscapes provided a stark contrast 

to the bustling cities of America 

and reminded me of the diverse beauty 

of our homeland. Amidst the serene 

landscapes and clear waters, I found a 

piece of untouched beauty with crisp 

air filled with the whispers of history. 

The views were simply spectacular. 

Dolma, kebab, kubba hamouth, 

fattoush, kouzi, lemon and mint juice, 

kleicha, gamer…. the food was on another 

level. The culinary experiences 

on this journey were also deeply rooted 

in the land I was breathtakingly enjoying. 

Tasting fresh figs, pomegranates, 

dates, grapes, honey, and tahin 

from Baghdida, Barwar, Aradin, Nohadra, 

and other villages, was not just 

a delight to the senses but also a profound 

connection to the earth that has 

nourished our community for centuries. 

Each fruit bore the essence of our 

land, reminding me of the deep bond 

we share with this soil. They tasted 

sweeter, richer, more natural. 

However, amidst these enriching 

experiences, I also encountered moments 

of somber reflection. The wedding 

fire in Baghdida on September 26 

was a stark reminder of the challenges 

and uncertainties our people face. It 

underscored the importance of resilience 

and the need to look forward with 

hope and determination. No matter 

what, losing hope is the real disaster. 

Supporting our culture 

This journey was not just a trip down 

memory lane; it was a clarion call for 

our community worldwide to reconnect 

with their roots and heritage. I urge everyone 

in our community, especially 

when times are relatively stable, to 

make this journey to the Nineveh Plain 

and see their ancestral villages. Visiting 

our ancestral villages and historical 

My journey through 

the Nineveh Plain, 

along with a group 

from Nineveh Rising, 

was akin to stepping 

into a living museum 

of our culture and 

history. 

sites is a unique opportunity to reconnect 

with our roots, to understand the 

depth and significance of our culture, 

and to experience firsthand the land 

that has shaped our identity. 

A significant part of protecting and 

preserving our culture is the revival 

and use of our native language, Sureth. 

Although I did not grow up speaking 

Sureth, I have been actively learning it 

and making a conscious effort to use it 

in my daily life. I have asked my family 

members to speak to me in Sureth instead 

of English, and I encourage others 

to do the same. So, if you see me 

on the streets, I prefer to be greeted in 

Sureth first. This is not just about language 

preservation; it is about keeping 

our unique identity alive. 

The Nineveh Plain, with its storied 

history and resilient spirit, will always 

hold a special place for us. My visit to 

these places was not just a personal 

exploration; it was an affirmation of 

the rich, diverse, and historic culture 

that we possess. Moreover, this visit 

isn’t just about looking back; it’s also 

about looking forward. Our visit, our 

interest, and our involvement can play 

a crucial role in the rebuilding and development 

of these regions. 

Another vital aspect of cultural 

preservation is considering investments 

in the development of the 

Nineveh Plain. I advocate for Chaldeans 

and Assyrians to consider 

investing nominal amounts for the 

development of our ancestral lands. 

This investment isn’t merely financial; 

it’s an investment in sustaining 

our culture, heritage, and the livelihood 

of our people over there. Just as 

other nations have transformed their 

landscapes and economies, we too 

can contribute to the prosperity and 

growth of our historic lands. 

The transformation of the Nineveh 

Plain, akin to the growth seen in 

places like Singapore, Dubai, and Israel, 

may not happen overnight, but a 

dedicated, long-term commitment can 

bring about significant change over 

the years. If we start anew today, our 

children may have a homeland to visit; 

their children certainly will. 

My journey to Tel Keppe and the 

Nineveh Plain was more than just a visit; 

it was a reawakening of my identity and 

a call to action. It is a journey every Chaldean 

and Assyrian should endeavor to 

make – to reconnect with our past, contribute 

to our present, and shape our future. 

The Nineveh Plain awaits, holding 

the keys to our collective heritage and 

the promise of our shared destiny. 

I am currently working with others 

on developing a sustainable economic 

model for our communities in 

diaspora to economically support our 

people in the homeland. If you are interested 

in the revival, please contact 

me at AlexKarana@gmail.com. Let’s 

embrace this journey together. 



FOUNDATION UPDATE 

Building Future Leaders 

On November 29, Wireless Vision, in collaboration with the CCF, 

wrapped up the inaugural Learn with a Leader program. 

The program was a 10-month journey which provided participants 

the opportunity to hear from top leaders in the community, 

visit successful businesses and participate in exclusive learning 

experiences. 

Vision and purpose, character and trust, and leading culture 

were topics for a few of the sessions that took place. 

More information will be announced in the coming months 

regarding the ongoing program. 

Neville Powell with his U.S. Citizenship certificate. 

Powered by Passion and Palate 

In 2022, the CCF embarked on a multi-media educational and informational campaign designed to 

raise awareness of the work and impact of the Foundation and the Chaldean community in general. 

The campaign, in motion at this time, also seeks to underscore the inclusiveness of the community 

and how it is interwoven into the very fabric of Metro Detroit – including serving more than 40,000 

individuals each year from 58 countries of origin. 

Neville Powell was one of those over 40,000 individuals visiting CCF, seeking assistance in becoming 

a U.S. Citizen. Neville, a culinary wizard and Sterling Heights entrepreneur whose first love 

is food, goes by “Chef Nev.” Growing up in Jamaica, he learned about food by observing his grandparents, 

who were herbalists cultivating a farm, known for their cooking skills. 

At first cooking was simply a hobby as Chef Nev earned an engineering degree and began working 

full-time. Looking for more opportunity, he emigrated to England and eventually the U.S., finally landing 

in Michigan. Gaining a job by utilizing his engineering degree, Chef Nev found work with a local Chaldean 

owned business. His employer suggested he visit the CCF and take the steps to become a U.S. Citizen. 

Chef Nev shared he had a restaurant, Caribbean Authentic Cuisine. The restaurant is located on 

16 Mile Road and features a variety of Caribbean traditional dishes including braised oxtail, curry 

goat, curry chicken, yams, coconut rice and the Jamaican staple – fried plantain. 

Every individual that enters the CCF doors has a story, a background, a journey. We capture 

where that person came from, how many people are in their family, and their employment, along 

with other general information. Often, CCF clients and their families enroll in programs and the staff 

gets to know a bit more about them. Congratulations to Chef Nev, Neville Powell, on achieving his 

dream of becoming a U.S. Citizen. 

Learn with a Leader Class I participants, speakers, and staff. 

Supporting Community 

Initiatives 

The Chaldean Community Foundation received a $50,000 grant 

from the Consumers Energy Foundation on December 18. The 

donation will be used to support the overall operations of the 

Chaldean Community Foundation’s work on behalf of vulnerable 

families and adults with disabilities. 

Consumers Energy Foundation Grants support “our economic 

development priority to improve the welfare of whole communities, 

with a focus on funding projects with long-term benefits 

on Michigan’s economy.” 

Preserving our Language 

Intro to Surath for Adults is an 8-week course taught by Mahir Awrahem beginning January 25 and 

running until March 14, 2024. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The 

course fee is $185 and includes a book. 

Intro to Surath for Kids is an 8-week course taught by Rita Amma beginning January 25 and 

running until March 14, 2024. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm-7:15pm. The 

course fee is $120 and includes a book. 

All classes will be held at the Chaldean Community Foundation, 3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling 

Heights, MI 48314. For more information or to register, please visit aramaicstudies.org. 

From left: Martin Manna, President of the Chaldean Community 

Foundation, Susan Smith, Grant Writer for the CCF, 

Catherine Wilson, Executive Director at the Foundation and 

Corporate Giving and Lauren Brosch, Community Affairs 

Manager, Macomb and St. Clair Counties. 



NOTEWORTHY 

The Chaldean Holy Cross Monument 

Located in Jamul, California, 

and erected on December 

14, 2023, the Chaldean 

Holy Cross Monument is 

dedicated to the Savior, Jesus 

Christ. A magnificent 

37.9-feet-tall, the Chaldean 

Holy Cross Monument 

(with pedestal), rises 900 

feet above sea level. Placed 

atop a Rancho San Diego 

hill by Chinook helicopter, 

it is the tallest in San Diego 

County. The Monument is 

located on Via Caliente del 

Sol, and faces true north; 

in other words, “the Holy 

Cross faces the Heavens.” 

The monument, made 

possible by Sam and Evone Attisha and their 

family, was erected in memory of Mary and 

Yelda Attisha. In June 1976, Mary and Yelda, the 

Chaldean parents of six boys and one girl, landed 

as immigrants in San Diego, California. Just 

Chinook helicopter delivering the 35- 

foot 20,000-pound Chaldean Holy 

Cross Monument in Jamul, CA. 

like hundreds of other Chaldean 

families before them, 

they left Iraq due to political, 

cultural, and economic 

reasons to settle in America. 

Like most immigrants, the 

Attisha family had to start 

from almost nothing. 

This sacred site near 

San Diego serves as a focal 

point for the Chaldean 

community in the area, 

offering a place for gatherings, 

prayer, and reflection. 

The Chaldean Holy Cross 

Monument stands tall, not 

only as an architectural 

marvel but as a living testament 

to the resilience, 

faith, and cultural legacy of the Chaldean 

community—a cherished landmark embodying 

history, spirituality, and unity. It will serve as 

a symbolic memorial for persecuted Christians 

throughout Iraq and all of the Middle East. 

Young Writers 

Reap Rewards 

On December 21, Chaldean News staff presented the winners 

of the Rising Writers Contest with their prizes. Miranda 

Kattula and Hayley Gappy, along with Yara Bashoory (not 

pictured) each won $500 for their winning entries. They 

earned their honors the hard way, working on their submissions 

for weeks and having to delve deep into their cultural 

identity. The winners were chosen by a panel who reviewed 

the submissions independently and rated them on points 

such as grammar, topic, writing style, and originality. All 

of the entrants are winners in our book, and we would like 

to encourage all of the young writers to submit story ideas 

and pitches for future features. If you have a story idea, send 

your pitch to edit@chaldeannews.com. 

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There are enough things 

out there going viral. 

Get your COVID-19 

and flu vaccines. 

Help keep your immune system 

from going viral. Talk to your 

health care provider. 

Michigan.gov/COVIDFluRSV 


CHALDEAN DIGEST 

Auxiliary Bishop Richard Umbers, Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay from the Maronite Eparchy, Archbishop Amel Nona 

from the Chaldean Catholic Diocese, and Bishop Daniel from the Coptic Orthodox Church. 

Faiths unite for peace in the Holy Land 

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher 

OP has called on people of all faiths 

to unite for peace at an event at St. 

Mary’s Cathedral on December 6, 

hosted jointly with the chair of the 

Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s 

Commission for Christian Unity 

and Inter-Religious Dialogue, Bathurst 

Bishop Michael McKenna. 

The evening of prayer, silent reflection, 

bell-tolling, candle lighting, 

solemn music and scripture readings 

brought together people from many 

different faith traditions, united in 

solidarity to lament the horrors and 

heartache of wars around the world 

and to pray for a just and lasting peace. 

Church leaders from the Eastern 

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox 

churches were particularly well represented 

at the event, including archbishops 

and bishops from the Greek 

Orthodox, Coptic, Maronite, and Chaldean 

Churches. 

The brutality of war can often lead 

believers to question their faith in 

God, but it is in these dark times, we 

can indeed find peace in place of turmoil, 

Archbishop Fisher said. 

“Our hope is not ultimately in human 

peace processes, important as 

these are; it is hope in the God who 

can change hearts, put forgiveness 

where there is vengeance, peace in 

place of turmoil, love instead of hate.” 

– Catholic Weekly 

Middle East Christians dwindle as anti-Christian 

hate crimes rise globally, says report 

Anti-Christian hate crimes are escalating 

globally, says the latest 

report issued by Aid to the Church 

in Need UK. The study shows 

that oppression or persecution of 

Christians has increased in 75 percent 

of the countries surveyed in 

the last two years. The report also 

shows that Christian numbers in 

the Middle East have plummeted 

over the years as they are impacted 

by conflicts. 

The Organization for Security 

and Cooperation in Europe 

(OSCE) also reports that hate 

crimes, including graffiti and 

vandalism in places of worship, 

are up as well. These included the desecration 

of cemeteries and arson attacks 

against churches. 

Of particular concern is the plight 

of Christians in the Middle East where, 

Participants from world-wide Christian organizations 

and churches in Strasbourg, France on 

September 9, 2014. They met to discuss ways for 

church groupings to tackle Christian persecution. 

in several countries, once flourishing 

communities risk disappearing because 

of mass migration due to various 

reasons, ranging from Islamic fundamentalism 

to discrimination, wars 

and economic woes. 

PHOTO BY KIM CAIN 

According to the report, 

since the foundation of the 

State of Israel, in 1948, the 

number of Christians in the Palestinian 

territories has fallen 

from 18 percent to under 1 percent 

of the population, due to 

ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions 

and economic difficulties. 

The Catholic report said the 

emigration of Iraqi Christians 

continues today, despite the 

military defeat of Daesh (ISIS), 

due to the economic crisis, discriminations 

and ongoing political 

instability and insecurity, and 

cites the primate of the Chaldean 

Church, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, 

who says this exodus is unprecedented 

and may be the end of the Christian 

community in the Middle East. 

– Ecumenical News 

PHOTO BY PATRICK LEE/CATHOLIC WEEKLY 

99 percent 

of Christian 

communities 

live in Erbil, 

Duhok, says 

KRG minister 

About 99 percent of the Christian 

communities in the Kurdistan Region 

live in Erbil and Duhok provinces, 

said Kurdistan Regional 

Government (KRG) minister Ano 

Jawhar. 

Jawhar, the KRG Minister of 

Communication and Transport, 

made the remarks during a presser 

held at a meeting of various members 

of the ethnic and religious 

communities to discuss the ongoing 

legal challenges by the Patriotic 

Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to 

the quota seats of ethno-religious 

components. 

Unlike the Kurds in the Kurdistan 

Region, the Turkmen, Assyrians, 

and Chaldean populations are 

not scattered, said Jawhar, who is 

a Chaldean from Ankawa. “Ninetynine 

percent of Chaldean and Assyrians 

reside in Duhok and Erbil 

provinces,” he said. 

The former head of the PUK bloc 

in the Kurdistan Region in recent 

months filed a lawsuit against the 

“minority quota seats” in the Region’s 

legislative house. Per the current 

Kurdish election law, five seats 

of the 111-member chamber are allocated 

to Chaldean and Assyrians, 

as well as another one for an Armenian 

member of parliament. 

The PUK has also objected to 

the single-member district electoral 

system, arguing the current form 

has given electoral advantage to its 

rival, KDP, which has refused the 

allegations and expressed willingness 

to work out new legislation, 

so the long-delayed election is no 

longer delayed. 

Due to political infighting, the 

Kurdistan Region parties could not 

agree on amending the election 

law last year, triggering the extension 

of the current Kurdistan Parliament 

term by a year. 

– Kurdistan24 


YOUR 

Therapy can be a big step toward being the 

healthiest version of yourself and living the best 

life possible — our licensed, professional therapists 

are here for you to access. Through therapy, you 

can change self-destructive behaviors and habits, 

resolve painful feelings, improve your relationships, 

and share your feelings and experiences. Individuals 

often seek therapy for help with issues that may be 

hard to face alone. 

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY: The CCF and Project Light is 

committed to your privacy and confidentiality and are sensitive to 

the stigma and stress that come with seeking mental health support. 

Therefore, all counseling records are kept strictly confidential. 

Information is not shared without client’s written consent. Exceptions 

to confidentiality are rare and include persons who threaten safety of 

themselves others or in circumstances of a court order. 

In therapy your therapist will help you to establish 

person centered goals and determine the steps you 

will take to reach those goals. Your relationship 

with your therapist is confidential and our common 

therapeutic goal for those we engage is to inspire 

healthy change to improve quality of life — no 

matter the challenge. 

We invite you seek out the Light of Project Light! 

Serving individuals ages 13 years and up. Please call 

to request a Project Light Intake at (586) 722-7253. 

Looking for a great opportunity to make a difference? 

NOW HIRING Behavioral Health Professional Therapists. 

— Apply at www.chaldeanfoundation.org 

Chaldean Community Foundation 

3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 


IN MEMORIAM 

Sarah Satar Agoubi 

Sevany Zaitouna 

Aug 31, 2009 – 

Nov 21, 2023 

Assad Atia Jarbo 

Jul 1, 1955 – 

Nov 22, 2023 

Basima 

Bahnam Mona 

Jul 1, 1936 – 

Nov 22, 2023 

Mary Tobia Gasso 

Jun 1, 1937 – 

Nov 23, 2023 

William Joseph 

Sulaka 

Sep 18, 1941 – 

Nov 23, 2023 

Helen Zolo 

Apr 3, 1964 – 

Nov 24, 2023 

Nazhat Yacoub 

Romaya 

Jul 1, 1941 – 

Nov 25, 2023 

Najeeba Tobya Kejbo 

Jul 1, 1932 – 

Nov 26, 2023 

Mary Abdul 

Ahad Bidawid 

Jul 1, 1947 – 

Nov 27, 2023 

Sabah Yousif Esso 

Sep 1, 1949 – 

Nov 27, 2023 

Kamila Murad 

Dally Kallo 

Jul 1, 1938 – 

Nov 28, 2023 

Salha Sadek Mansoor 

Jun 5, 1950 – 

Nov 30, 2023 

Sabah Zakaria 

Jul 1, 1951 – 

Nov 30, 2023 

Layla Abdulmaseeh 

Younan 

Jul 1, 1934 – 

Nov 30, 2023 

Sara Hurmiz Bidawid 

Jul 1, 1934 – 

Dec 1, 2023 

Najat Basheer Fatohi 

Jul 1, 1937 – 

Dec 1, 2023 

Awatif Saleem Dikho 

Jul 1, 1951 – 

Dec 2, 2023 

Valantina Poles Maia 

Oct 16, 1966 – 

Dec 2, 2023 

Hikmat Shaba 

Jul 1, 1943 – 

Dec 2, 2023 

Masood Talia 

Jul 1, 1937 – 

Dec 3, 2023 

Ann Kacho 

Dec 24, 1980 – 

Dec 4, 2023 

Angel Gerges 

Jan 1, 1930 – 

Dec 4, 2023 

Nazhat Rishan Petros 

Jul 29, 1936 – 

Dec 4, 2023 

Hanna Polus Abdullah 

Jul 1, 1945 – 

Dec 5, 2023 

Yasir Abed Danno 

Jul 1, 1944 – 

Dec 5, 2023 

Darrin Adil Denha 

Jan 2, 1985 – 

Dec 6, 2023 

George Yousif Mio 

Dec 24, 1955 – 

Dec 7, 2023 

Dolar Yousif Baba 

Jul 1, 1957 – 

Dec 10, 2023 

Basil Mikhail Hami 

Oct 10, 1965 – 

Dec 12, 2023 

Firas Mushtaq Shakir 

Apr 1, 1975 – 

Dec 12, 2023 

Najat Toma 

Aug 1, 1957 – 

Dec 13, 2023 

David Enwia Youanes 

Jul 1, 1930 – 

Dec 14, 2023 

Noeel Issa Cholagh 

Jul 1, 1947 – 

Dec 16, 2023 

Adel Savaya Dadoo 

Aug 20, 1954 – 

Dec 17, 2023 

Wardy Eshow 

Jul 1, 1948 – 

Dec 18, 2023 


CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 

Educational programs 

Registration now open! 

Please call for an appointment. 

ALL NATIONALITIES 

WELCOME! 

CITIZENSHIP 

PREPARATION 

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SCHOLARS 

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PRE-KINDERGARTEN 

Offers instruction and training for successful completion 

of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 

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January 9, 2024 – March 21, 2024 

Prepares children for kindergarten through a variety 

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opportunities. 

September 16, 2024 - June 13, 2025 

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Small group instruction in math, science, social 

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February 12, 2024 – June 28, 2024 

Provides individuals English instruction at basic/beginner and 

intermediate/advanced levels. 

February 5, 2024 – June 28, 2024 

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Please contact Rachel Hall 

at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call (586) 722-7253 



COVER STORY 

Two 

Decades 

of the 

CN 

BY SARAH KITTLE 

The Chaldean News emerged as 

a crucial voice for a burgeoning 

community of Chaldean Americans 

in southeast Michigan at a pivotal 

time in history. Saddam Hussein 

was just ousted from Iraq and the Iraqi 

people began to experience democracy 

for the first time. Thousands had fled the 

war-torn country, many of them landing 

on the shores of America, heading for 

Michigan and the established immigrant 

community there. 

Driven by a need to maintain a sense 

of identity, preserve cultural values, and provide 

a platform for information dissemination within the 

diaspora, the Chaldean News came into being. Its 

origins lie in the collective efforts of community leaders, 

journalists, and passionate individuals devoted 

to showcasing the triumphs, struggles, and achievements 

of the Chaldean people. 

Most of the publication’s original readers were 

first-generation Americans, as were the four original 

publishers: Tony Antone, Vanessa Denha (Garmo), 

Martin Manna, and Michael Sarafa. “The four of us 

came together to fill the need in the community for 

an English language newspaper,” remembers Sarafa. 

Why these four? Martin and Vanessa separately 

came up with the idea for a Chaldean newspaper. 

Martin is the son of a publisher – you could say 

newspapers are in his blood, and Vanessa studied 

journalism at Wayne State University. Tony wanted 

to unite the community and Mike explains, “I always 

enjoyed writing and graduated from a writing intensive 

college (James Madison at MSU).” 

“We saw how the Jewish News strengthened the 

Jewish community and helped them retain a strong 

cultural identity,” says Martin Manna, the only one 

of the original publishers still in that position. “We 

thought we could do the same for our community.” 

The paper, representing the rich heritage, culture, 

and stories of the Chaldean people, strove to 

unite a fledgling community. “All of us had an orientation 

for community building,” says 

Sarafa. 

Vanessa Denha Garmo, one of 

the founders, worked with the other 

publishers to get the paper off the 

ground and served as the original editor-in-chief, a 

role she filled for 16 years. “The four of us spent two 

years working on the magazine before we launched 

it in February of 2004,” Garmo recalls. “We launched 

the magazine the same year I got married. I was 

launching a magazine and planning a wedding at 

the same time.” 

The inaugural issue’s cover told the story of the 

community at that point in history: “An Ancient People 

in Modern Times.” It featured a photo of Saddam 

Hussein after his capture, a picture of the Church’s 

new leader, Mar Emmanuel III Delly (27 September 

1927 – 8 April 2014), and promised a story about Detroit 

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s war on liquor stores. 

In her very first letter from the editor, Garmo paid 

tribute to Jamal Shallal, Andy Acho, Freddie Najor, 

Mike Khami, and Bill George, who had published 

the first Chaldean newspaper in Michigan 40 years 

before the CN was launched. She also thanked Arthur 

Horwitz of The Jewish News, who she said was 

“instrumental in the beginning as he consulted with 

us.” 

From above: This spread from 2015 

shows some interior pages of Jacob 

Bacall’s book, “Chaldeans in Detroit.” 

The 2013 story celebrating 

80 years of Michael J. George. 

The 2023 story about the first 

CACC/CCF mission trip to Iraq. 

“Arthur didn’t think about losing ad dollars for 

the Jewish News or anything selfish,” says Antone. 

“He was an advocate for us to charge ahead even 

though we all knew how difficult the road would be.” 

Others who contributed to the effort include Mike 

George, Rosemary Antone, Jane Shallal, and Diane 

D’Agostini, along with myriad investors who put up 

the funds to publish. 

The startup was not without challenges. The goal 

of uniting the Chaldean community, with its numerous 

viewpoints, into a single voice was (and still is) 

difficult. The founders struggled to find that voice. 

“As partners, we didn’t always agree on things. We 

had different perspectives on issues,” said Garmo, 

adding, “We also shared a lot of laughs.” 

“We met regularly (day and night) to discuss 

story ideas, potential advertisers, circulation, and 

anything else a startup business has to deal with,” 

says Antone. “The most fun was picking our cover 

story. We tried so hard to make it relevant, timely, 


and something that would get people 

engaged in the Chaldean News.” 

Asked about early challenges, 

Sarafa responds, “Being accepted in 

the community as an alternative to a 

couple of other publications” was a 

hurdle, along with “editorial differences 

between the managers.” 

Alex Lumelsky, the original and 

current Creative Director, recalls the 

difficulty in trying to please everyone 

with the first cover. “There were many 

cooks in the kitchen,” he recalls, “and 

we ended up with a sort of collage 

on the cover.” It was designed democratically, 

and the publishers couldn’t 

agree on the most important story, so 

they included them all. 

Initially established through grassroots 

initiatives as a small-scale publication, 

the Chaldean News steadily 

evolved into a reputable and influential 

source of news and information. 

Its early editions primarily focused 

on local community events, religious 

affairs, cultural celebrations, and the 

dissemination of relevant news from 

the homeland in Iraq. 

“It was a thin, inexpensive production 

at first, but we grew it and professionalized 

it over the years,” says 

Sarafa. 

Lumelsky, who has been the creative 

force behind the Chaldean News’ 

design for two decades, says he met 

Martin Manna first out of all the publishers. 

“He had a creative vision,” 

Lumelsky recalls, “and felt the community 

had ‘come of age,’ and reached 

a point where it needed its own voice.” 

The layout was modeled on the 

Jewish News. Lumelsky, who had 

worked at the Jewish News previously, 

was familiar with the format (tabloid), 

and the layout (a 4-column grid). This 

made it easier for advertisers, who 

could place the same ad in multiple 

outlets. “It all comes down to advertising,” 

shares Lumelsky. 

As we peruse the pages of each January 

issue of the Chaldean News since 

the first (in 2005, because the paper 

was born in February of 2004), some 

stories just stand out. They are not all 

cover stories—although those, a veritable 

timeline of topical treasures, are 

listed in a separate article—but they 

are all relevant in some way. 

Take the story in the now-defunct 

CN@20 continued on page 24 

January Cover Stories 

Through the Years 2005-2023 

As part of our anniversary celebration, each month 

we will feature cover stories from that month over 

the past two decades. These articles will serve as a 

timeline of what we thought were relevant and worthy of the 

cover through the years. 

The very first January issue debuted in 2005, almost a 

year into the publishing endeavor, and focused on the democratic 

vote in Iraq. For the first time, it seemed Iraqis had 

a voice. January 2006 was all about the Super Bowl coming 

to Detroit, and how some members of the community got 

involved through the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce 

(CACC). “It’s why I joined,” said Tom Hajji, who is now 

employed as a special projects manager for the Chamber. 

The cover story for the first edition in 2007 was about the 

conflict in Iraq that followed the US invasion and ouster of 

Saddam Hussein. January 2008 predicted (correctly) a bad 

year for the economy, and 2009 highlighted the woes of Detroit’s 

automakers. 

The Chaldean News was writing about vaccine safety 

back in 2010, and interviewed parents who believed their 

child became autistic from the MMR vaccination. Medical 

personnel on the other side swore childhood vaccines are 

backed by solid science. The debate still rages. 

January 2011 addressed the issue of domestic violence, and 

2012 focused on young community members living in Detroit. 

The CN strives to celebrate successes as well as individual 

life stories, like that of Michael George, who was featured 

in January 2013 as he celebrated his 80th birthday. A quote 

from George in that article underscored his business drive: 

“When I retire you are all invited. It will be my funeral.” His 

philanthropy lives on, in the Michael J. George Chaldean 

Loan Fund, run by the Chaldean Community Foundation 

(CCF), among other endowments. 

2014 celebrated the dedication of Chaldean sisters 

(nuns), 2015 told the story of the new reality for many Iraqi 

refugees living in makeshift camps in Iraq, and 2016 saw the 

Bank of Michigan, the first bank owned by Chaldean-Americans, 

merge with Level One Bank. 

January 2017’s cover showcased two George Shaounis, 

(father and son), Powerhouse Gym, and their holistic approach 

to fitness. 2018 focused on emerging trends, such 

as the exponential growth of the medical marijuana industry, 

the expanding food delivery industry, and real estate 

development in the metro area. “I expect a substantial uptick 

in real estate development in the city of Detroit,” Zaid 

Elia of Elia Group was quoted as saying. He was not wrong. 

In 2019, recreational marijuana use was legalized in 

Michigan, and CN asked the question, “Now what?” It is a 

question that still resonates, as that industry has seen some 

major upheaval in the last few years. This topic, along with 

vaccinations, is one of the most hotly debated within the 

community. 

2020 brought us COVID-19, but it also brought the muchneeded 

Shenandoah Country Club expansion. Shenandoah 

has already grown into all the space, utilizing every square 

inch to serve the community. 

The 2021 January issue looked back at the COVID crisis 

and highlighted how much the Chaldean community contributed 

to the good of the overall community. From donating 

medical supplies and meals to providing healthcare 

workers serving in the front line, Chaldeans were there. We 

celebrated all the community’s healthcare workers, including 

doctors, nurses, and emergency personnel, of which 

there were plenty! We were a little bit shocked by the tremendous 

response to our call for photos. 

In 2022, our cover featured the “Brave Bishop” of Mosul 

and Kirkuk, Mar Nicodemus Daoud Matti Sharaf. Forced to 

flee Mosul as ISIS invaded in 2014, the bishop left with the 

clothes on his back and “seven manuscripts that are very 

old.” He spoke out against the Western powers, laying the 

blame for the decreased Christian population in the Middle 

East squarely at their feet. 

That brings us to 2023. The first cover of this year brought 

us full circle, back to Iraq. A delegation from the CCF and 

the CACC made an inaugural mission trip to the motherland, 

to see what can be done to aid those still living there. 

Sadly, most of those families that left will not return, having 

no good reason to do so. Plagued by drought, internal conflict, 

and corrupt governance, Iraq still calls out for justice. 

And we will continue to report about it. 


COVER STORY 

CN@20 continued from page 23 

section of the paper called “In Our View,” about 

a (then) recently passed liquor bill that set a state 

minimum for pricing on liquor. This new law made 

it illegal for big box stores like Meijer and Costco to 

set their liquor prices any lower than the state minimum; 

a common practice that really hurt mom-andpop 

stores who couldn’t sell below cost. 

It was a victory for the Associated Food Dealers of 

Michigan (AFD), but as the 19-year-old article states, 

it wasn’t enough. The story went on to mention the 

need to raise the base discount (profit) store owners 

make on liquor sales from the static 17 percent it was 

then and still is now. 

That’s a fight the Chaldean American Chamber 

of Commerce has taken on. A new bill which would 

raise the profit percentage from 17 to 35 is expected to 

be reviewed in January and may be in effect, at least 

in some form, as early as spring. Advocacy is a journey; 

sometimes it takes decades. 

Another notable story in the first January issue 

detailed the opening of Shenandoah Country Club, 

a staple of the community that has weathered some 

storms and come out on top. Subsequent issues followed 

the organization’s evolution and expansion 

and eventual development into a private club. 

A 2011 issue highlighted the year-old partnership 

between the CN and the Jewish News, a program that 

knit the two groups and formed a relationship that 

exists to this day. In 2015, the CN did a spread on Jacob 

Bacall’s book, Chaldeans in Detroit. The tome 

was a definitive look at the developing Chaldean 

community in southeast Michigan, and a veritable 

photo album of the warm and rich culture that immigrants 

brought from their homeland and continue 

to celebrate here. 

Owning the paper meant controlling the narrative. 

“I think the paper united the community, 

informed the community, and engaged the community,” 

reflected Garmo. “We brought awareness on 

several key issues such as the 2014 [ISIS] invasion in 

Iraq, something that other media was not covering in 

depth at the time.” 

Above: The 2005 story chronicles the 

opening of Shenandoah Country Club. 

Right: The 2011 article highlights the 

partnership with the Jewish community 

through the Jewish News. 

A personal triumph for Garmo was when one of 

the readers contacted her after the paper published 

a story on abortion. The reader, a teenager, was pregnant 

and wanted to keep the baby but didn’t know 

what to do. Garmo hooked her up with resources 

and, just last summer, finally met the “baby” whose 

life was impacted because of her intervention. “It 

brought such joy to my heart,” Garmo shared. 

“I think the most positive thing about the CN’s history 

is the job it did telling individual, often heroic, 

sometimes tragic, stories of our community,” says Sarafa. 

“There is so much talent, so much growth, so many 

great organizations, so many good people and positive 

stories that the Chaldean News was a repository for. 

Taken together, the 20 years of publications are like a 

written history of the community over those years.” 

One article that Sarafa remembers well has to do 

with the child abuse scandal/cover up in the Catholic 

Church. Amid the controversy, he called for Pope 

Benedict to resign. “It was pretty raw,” recalls Sarafa. 

“Calling for the Pope to resign caused a scandal in 

the community and a lot of heartache for my partners, 

which I regretted.” Pope Benedict later did resign, 

although for different reasons. 

In 2019, the publication had reached a crossroads. 

It had just started receiving enough ad revenue 

to operate in the black, and its shareholders were 

considering their options, including converting to a 

nonprofit or selling to other investors. 

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) purchased 

the paper in August of that year. According to 

an article in Crain’s Detroit Business, Martin Manna 

said of the purchase, “We felt it made the most sense 

to remain a community publication, run by a community 

foundation.” 

The CCF made some investments in the Chaldean 

News, expanding its digital offerings and scope and is 

currently developing an app. “It’s a paper for the digital 

age,” says Manna. “We’re on the forefront of new 

media, and we are excited to see where it takes us.” 

Plans are in place to create a working studio for 

the Chaldean News inside CCF West, a project in West 

Bloomfield that is still in its preliminary stages but 

is expected to be completed by late next year. There 

will be space for taping CNTV segments and recording 

podcasts as well as editing suites and a stage for 

live broadcasts. 

“We are doing it right,” says Manna, who has 

tasked his team with touring local studios and creating 

a “wish list” for the new building. (He gave no 

guarantees to staff, however.) 

Even as the CN embraces the future, there’s still 

attention being paid to the past. In addition to historical 

photos that are becoming a regular feature, 

recently, the CN introduced Arabic versions of some 

of their stories. “It feels like home for some people,” 

says Manna, “and we want to encourage that.” 

Over the years, the Chaldean News expanded its 

scope, embracing technological advancements to 

reach a wider audience through digital platforms, 

transcending geographical boundaries to connect 

Chaldeans worldwide. This publication continues to 

play a pivotal role in preserving the Chaldean heritage, 

fostering unity, and serving as a bridge between 

the diaspora and the ancestral homeland, reflecting 

the resilience and vibrant spirit of the Chaldean community. 

“I am so proud of how far the Chaldean News has 

come,” says Antone. “It is a treasure for the entire 

Chaldean community.” 



IRAQ TODAY 

From left to right: 

Dr. Aseel Kadhim, Dr. Bushra Hindi, 

Dr. May Antone, and Dr. May Kasim 

at a mall in Baghdad. 

Returning Home 

Going back to Baghdad 

BY DR. MAY ANTONE 

My name is May Antone, and 

I am a practicing internist 

physician in Southfield, 

Michigan. I finished medical school in 

Baghdad, Iraq in 1993 and immigrated 

to the U.S. in 1995 where I did my residency. 

I have not returned to Iraq for 

over 25 years. 

I recently received news that one of 

my medical school friends’ daughters 

was getting married. The reception in 

Baghdad was going to include several 

of my old classmates. We explored the 

idea of visiting and making it a reunion 

of our graduating class. A friend 

of mine in California and another from 

Sweden encouraged me to attend. 

I admit I was a bit concerned with 

the current conflict in Gaza, the attacks 

on U.S. forces in Iraq by Iranianbacked 

militia, and with atrocities 

committed by the terrorist group ISIS 

still in mind. But, after some thought 

and discussion with my husband who 

encouraged me, I concluded this was a 

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and decided 

to make the trip. I visited there 

for 10 days this November and am so 

glad I did. It ended up being the trip 

of a lifetime, and more rewarding than 

anything I could have imagined. 

When I arrived at Baghdad International 

Airport, I found the customs 

officers professional, caring, kind, and 

friendly. They went out of their way 

to provide special attention to visitors 

from foreign countries. Once they 

knew I was a former Iraqi with a current 

U.S. passport, they welcomed me 

warmly and, on their own initiative, 

waived the entry visa fees. 

I stayed in Baghdad for 10 days on 

my own, staying in the Babylon Hotel. 

I visited Baghdad’s modern suburbs 

and was amazed with all the busy 

construction and the creativity of new 

building designs. I was pleasantly surprised 

by all the new technologies that 

appeared to be everywhere. 

The wedding I attended was in 

a banquet hall that would compete 

with any fancy one here in the United 

States. The reception itself (other than 

the lack of alcohol since my friends 

were all Muslim) was otherwise indistinguishable 

from any here in the U.S., 

with celebrations and dancing—without 

the old-time culture of separation 

of the sexes. 

Speaking about interaction among 

the sexes, I visited many coffee shops, 

restaurants, and public places and 

similar to what you find here, they 

were full of couples, some holding 

hands, without any awkwardness that 

used to accompany such gatherings 

decades ago when I grew up there. 

I also visited older more congested 

markets like the “Suk Al-Surai” and 

the “Mutanabi Street.” I ate sandwiches 

and drank fresh orange juice from 

street vendors. I found everyone whom 

I met to be an example of kindness, 

simplicity, and humbleness. Everyone 

with whom I interacted showed me 

an amazing level of hospitality, care, 

and politeness and without any of the 

street harassment females walking 

alone used to sometimes encounter 

decades ago. 

To be clear, it was obvious to many 

that I was visiting from another country 

since I did not wear a head scarf 

and appeared clearly to be of the 

PHOTO COURTESY DR. MAY ANTONE 

Christian faith (I wear a cross). Yet, everyone 

I met was accepting and tolerant. 

Although I have no more relatives 

there, I felt I was among my larger family 

in Baghdad. 

While there, I visited my old high 

school, a Christian one run by nuns. 

I found them still teaching, with the 

school fully protected by the government. 

The head nun told me most of 

the girls are Muslims and many wear 

the traditional head scarf. But their 

families appreciate the high level of 

teaching by the nuns, so much so that 

there is a huge demand and a long wait 

list from the general Muslim public to 

enroll their daughters into that school; 

another example of the tolerance that 

has developed there. 

Another astonishing observation 

is that when I visited shops, I found 

them full of Christmas decorations, 

trees, and ornaments, even though 

most shoppers are Muslim. I was told 

many Muslims now install the Christmas 

tree. I visited the churches that I 

knew when I lived there, and found 

them all still there and well, and even 

found some newer ones—another example 

of the newfound tolerance and 

acceptance of others. 

My friends there told me about the 

sectarian violence between Shiite and 

Sunni that took place in 2006 to 2008 

and was started by the terrorist group 

ISIS and how it affected many. Luckily, 

and despite the personal tragedies of 

some of the stories I heard (as an example, 

a friend’s brother was killed 

based on his sect), it seems society 

learned hard lessons from those years. 

It is clear that that ugly history is behind 

them and there were no religious 

issues that I could detect that could 

cause future harm. Hopefully none. 

As I was preparing to leave Baghdad 

to go back to the U.S., I felt that although 

I had arrived with a spirit that 

was shattered with fear and concern, 

it had been put back together with the 

love and warmth I felt from my friends 

and everyone there. As I hugged them 

goodbye, I felt I was leaving a land 

that could be a paradise on earth if the 

people continue to substitute love for 

hate, and acceptance for intolerance. 

And from everything I experienced 

there, the people of Iraq are indeed on 

a most wonderful journey towards a 

happy future. 

I pray that they keep it that way. 


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FEATURE 

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHALDEAN CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM 

Dedication of the first Chaldean Church in Detroit, 1947 

Going to Church 

Changing traditions of worship from Tel Keppe to Detroit 

BY CAL ABBO 

The traditions, values, interpretations, 

and actions of Christians 

change drastically throughout 

history. As Chaldeans were likely 

among the religion’s first converts, our 

community has followed those changes 

and is still experiencing them today. 

Early Christianity 

In its earliest form, Christianity resembled 

very closely the Jewish practices 

and customs that immediately preceded 

it. This meant that it was easy for 

Jewish people to convert to Christianity 

and it was also relatively familiar 

for non-Jews. 

Churches in the Middle East, like 

the one that would become the Chaldean 

Church, used Aramaic as a liturgical 

language, which was the language 

spoken by Jesus himself and his 

disciples, who went on to Christianize 

large parts of the world. 

Early Christianity also featured a 

vast array of beliefs that were as diverse 

as the churches spread around 

the globe. Some areas of the world focused 

heavily on individual spirituality 

rather than the global Church and 

its unity as a cohesive religion. Theology 

was heavily debated in the first few 

centuries as Christians decided what 

to believe and what was unacceptable, 

eventually deemed heretical. 

Even more varied were the ways 

that Christians gathered to practice 

and celebrate their religion. In its 

most early days, when it was relatively 

unknown and stayed mostly within 

Jewish cultures, the Christian Church 

could use the old Jewish infrastructure 

to practice. 

As time passed, however, the Church 

began to experience persecution and 

even developed an identity of martyrdom. 

It was honorable to die for your 

religion, declaring your beliefs to the 

world. While this was an option that 

happened to many different people, 

it also inspired a more secret practice 

of the world’s newest religion. People 

would often practice in private or gather 

in the homes of friends and family to 

continue their customs undisturbed. 

Village-Style 

Some hundreds of years later, the beliefs 

and customs of Christians became 

solidified, and when Christianity was 

made the official religion of Rome, its 

followers became powerful and more 

confident. 

While Aramaic was still spoken 

and used, especially in the Middle 

East, the Roman Catholic Church began 

to develop and reify traditional beliefs 

into a more cohesive religion and 

regulate the customs that went along 

with the Church. 

In addition, the villages Chaldeans 

know today formed their own 

churches. In these places, the Christian 

religion was ubiquitous. People 

in the village community regarded the 

Church highly, its clergy were considered 

social leaders, and the physical 

church was considered a community 

gathering place, often the center of village 

life. 

Over the years, villages were attacked 

and persecuted in ways different 

than before. Now, these places 

were openly and proudly Christian. If 

some group, empire, or army wanted 


to persecute Christians in the area, 

they might sack an entire village, force 

the people to go somewhere else, or 

simply kill them for their beliefs. 

This type of existence for village 

Christians induced centuries-long 

periods of isolation and hermitage 

that still inspires some of the most 

religious people today. Among Chaldeans, 

it’s considered special to come 

from a village that has a long Christian 

history and one that stood on its feet 

in the face of attacks and persecution. 

PHOTO COURTESY MAR SHARB VIA FLICKR 

Modernity 

Village-style Christianity continued 

in the Chaldean community until it 

was faced with modernity. Some of 

the towns in which Chaldeans lived, 

like in modern-day Eastern Türkiye, 

became larger cities. In addition, 

plenty of Chaldeans moved to alreadyestablished 

large cities, like Mosul and 

Baghdad in Iraq. 

The experience of Christianity in 

these places was fundamentally different; 

instead of being widespread and 

accepted, Chaldeans were thrust into a 

minority status in their daily lives. This 

led to more frequent but less harsh 

forms of persecution, like second-class 

citizenship and daily discrimination. 

Church became an important place to 

retain your identity and prove that you 

couldn’t be swayed by persecution to 

abandon your Christian heritage. 

The final stage of this story is the 

transplanting of the community to the 

Western world. In this move, Chaldeans 

tried to bring their deep, spiritual, 

and historical church life into the 

materialistic and individualistic society 

that is the United States. Churches 

here are often regarded as secondary 

to one’s individual identity and unity 

is far less common. There are plenty of 

options to choose from when picking a 

church, and some Chaldeans in Michigan 

have chosen to leave the Chaldean 

Church entirely and join another with 

American roots. 

Melony Mikhail leads a youth 

group composed of high school teens 

at Mother of God Church, and she also 

started a bible study for adult women. 

She thinks the change in behavior of 

Chaldeans and their church habits is 

exacerbated by attacks on the family 

and children. 

“We are living in one of the most incredible 

times in history,” Mikhail said. 

Chaldean Catholics in Tel Keppe. 

“We have a 24-hour eucharistic adoration 

available at every church here.” 

Mikhail sees the increased availability 

of this adoration as an opportunity 

for Chaldeans to use the church 

more than they did in the past. “Before, 

it was very difficult to go to Mass,” 

she said. “I’d imagine there were only 

certain times when the church was 

available.” 

The Chaldean Church in the United 

States has also taken on many qualities 

that you would expect to see from its 

American counterparts. For example, 

some Chaldeans maintain their identity 

as Christians but consider their religion 

a smaller part of their lives with each 

passing generation. It’s common now 

for some families to avoid going to weekly 

Mass and instead participate in and 

attend church only on special holidays. 

Beshar Shukri is a Chaldean from 

metro Detroit who works as an accountant 

with the Chaldean American 

Chamber of Commerce. He was a 

life-long participant in the Chaldean 

Catholic Church but has since left 

and moved to a non-denominational 

church called Lord of the Harvest. 

Shukri noted the culture of shame 

CHALDEAN 

STORY 

throughout the Middle East as well 

as the tighter-knit relations in the 

Chaldean community back home. As 

a result of the fractionalization in the 

United States, he said, we can’t monitor 

our community as tightly and keep 

one another in check. 

“In America, with all of its freedoms 

and diversity, we have the ability to remove 

ourselves from the community 

and cling to other identities,” he said. 

Shukri took advantage of those 

freedoms and began to explore and 

understand the history of church expressions. 

“I looked at Protestantism 

and saw the validity in their arguments 

and what they believe,” he said. Eventually, 

he left the Chaldean Church 

and joined another one, an option that 

would not be available to him if he still 

lived in his traditional village. 

In village life, Shukri sees a community 

connected and unified by 

Christ. “We’re identified collectively 

back home with our religion,” he said. 

“In America, it seems like we identify 

with status and wealth.” 

In Mikhail’s mind, people leave 

the Church for plenty of reasons. “It’s 

a denial of God and not a denial of 

This report is made possible with generous support from 

Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative. 

yourself,” she said. “A lot of people 

are uncomfortable with the Church’s 

teachings.” 

“It’s all because people used to be a 

community and a family,” Mikhail said. 

“We have so much more freedom. Back 

home, things were tougher, and they 

had to rely on each other and God.” 

Paradoxically, it can appear from 

the inside that the Church is growing 

because of increased participation 

from youth. The clergy itself has seen a 

resurgence of youth and participation 

over the last few decades. 

In the old country, there were a few 

dozen people per priest, which meant 

nearly everyone was connected to a 

priest in some way. In metro Detroit, 

the number is closer to 10,000 people 

to one priest. 

“It’s difficult for a priest to serve 

thousands of people. He’s only human,” 

Shukri said. “Because there’s 

so much more opportunity in America, 

fewer people want to become priests.” 

In addition, Shukri thinks that the 

biggest hindrance is the celibacy of the 

priestly order. He suggests that allowing 

priests to marry would ease this 

tension. 

In the United States, Mikhail recognizes 

that living a Catholic life is not 

easy. She thinks the personal relationships 

with the clergy are extremely 

valuable and suggests people fall back 

on them to stay in the faith. 

“There was a point when we were 

so strong, and I think we will get that 

strong again,” Mikhail said. “We will 

be even stronger than back home.” 


FEATURE 

Re-elected 

New Baltimore reelects Chaldean Mayor Thomas Semaan 

BY CAL ABBO 

When Thomas Semaan was 

elected as New Baltimore’s 

Mayor two years ago, he 

became one of the highest elected officials 

in the Chaldean community. 

Since then, he proved his worth to the 

small town located on Anchor Bay and 

his constituents returned the favor by 

reelecting him in November. 

Semaan’s family moved out of Detroit 

and to the New Baltimore area 

when he was three years old. His father, 

Aziz Semaan, immigrated to Detroit 

in 1929 and lived there until 1963 

when a friend advised Aziz to leave 

Detroit because of its worsening safety 

and economic conditions. 

Thomas has lived in New Baltimore 

and watched it develop since his childhood. 

For many decades, he lived and 

thrived in this community, contributing 

to its economy, starting a family, 

volunteering with its fire department, 

and participating in local charities. 

More than 35 years ago, Semaan 

served on New Baltimore’s city council 

and dipped his toes into the local 

politics scene. He left politics for the 

most part to pursue his career in medical 

consulting before returning to the 

profession years later and running for 

mayor in 2022. He ousted incumbent 

John W. Dupray, who led the town 

for eight years straight, by about 100 

votes. 

Semaan was also elected to SEM- 

COG, the Southeast Michigan Council 

of Governments, which allows him to 

coordinate initiatives and plan with 

other towns and counties in the area. 

Two years ago, Semaan set out to 

develop the city’s waterfront and bring 

more business to the downtown area. 

The mayor has achieved and is expanding 

those goals. He has already 

helped secure plenty of opportunities 

for the city. 

According to Semaan, his proudest 

accomplishment is balancing the 

city’s budget and even returning a surplus 

to its general fund. In addition, he 

helped secure several grants for city 

Mayor Thomas Semaan 

of New Baltimore 

development that total over $1 million. 

The Chaldean mayor works closely 

with the building department to expedite 

the permit process for new buildings 

and businesses looking to develop 

the area. In addition, he makes it 

easier for new businesses to enter New 

Baltimore and service its residents. 

New Baltimore’s oldest building 

currently sits vacant in its downtown 

area as it has for many years. The 

building, which is now 150 years old, 

was purchased several years ago by 

locals who wanted to use it to open a 

food and drink establishment. In 2018, 

however, they discovered issues with 

the building that would require about 

twice as much money as they had expected 

to bring it to code, according to 

a local newspaper, The Voice. 

Semaan has worked with the 

building’s owners to help smooth out 

these issues and bring some life to the 

project, eventually receiving an approval 

from the planning commission. 

“As of right now,” Semaan said, “the 

building will feature two high-end 

apartments, one boutique apartment 

upstairs, and retail space downstairs.” 

New Baltimore’s newest addition 

to the bustling downtown area is Tashmoo 

Distilling, a brand-new high-end 

distillery. It opened in December with 

a retail section as well as a tasting area 

where you can try what you buy. Small 

and locally owned businesses like 

Tashmoo help smaller cities like New 

Baltimore, which has a population of 

around 12,000 people, attract tourists 

as well as new residents while keeping 

money in the local economy. 

“People are looking to come and 

open a business here because the 

economy is strong and our residents 

are so supportive,” Semaan said. 

“When a house goes up, it sells almost 

immediately.” 

Semaan sees New Baltimore as a 

great place for Chaldean families in 

particular, with a small and relatively 

quiet community. “At one time, my 

family were the only Chaldeans that 

lived here,” he said. “Now, there are 

dozens more.” 

Since he won his second election, in 

which he ran unopposed, Semaan will 

now occupy the mayor’s office until at 

least 2026. Developing the waterfront 

and downtown area is still at the top 

of his agenda. His first two years were 

critical, he said, in order to gain confidence 

and a network of people to navigate 

New Baltimore’s local politics. 

On the waterfront, Semaan has big 

plans. “We are currently in the process 

of engineering and designing a habitat 

restoration project in our main city 

park,” he said. “It will include things 

like piers, a kayak launch, breakwater, 

and safe harbor for boats.” In total, the 

project may cost $4-8 million. 

New Baltimore, according to 

Semaan, has some dire needs that 

must be addressed this term. His priorities 

include housing the fire department, 

relining sewers to limit lake 

leakage, and repairing the city’s roads. 

“We’re an extremely welcoming 

and diverse community,” Semaan 

said. “We are a crown jewel that is still 

being polished.” 




POLICY 

Immigration Update 

BY N. PETER ANTONE 

Our Chaldean community has 

been blessed with opportunities 

to immigrate to the U.S. 

since the early 20th century. The first to 

arrive did so via Ellis Island, like many 

other immigrants at the time. Later, our 

community utilized both the family 

unification provisions of the immigration 

law, as well as U.S. laws allowing 

refugees and asylees to relocate here; 

however, there are other options under 

our immigration laws available both 

to individuals who wish to immigrate 

as well as to Chaldean employers who 

need employees in this labor-tight market. 

The purpose of this article is to explain 

some of these options. 

First, looking at the big picture, 

there are two broad categories of work 

or employment-based visas. Some allow 

a temporary entry into the U.S. 

and are generally known as “non-immigrant” 

work visas. The others allow 

the immigrant to get a green card and 

those are called “employment-based 

immigrant” visas. 

Non-immigrant work visas include 

the H-1b category, which is intended 

for those with special focused college 

degree such as engineering, accounting, 

and the like (or its equivalent in 

education), petitioned by a U.S. employer. 

Unfortunately, because of the 

limited number of those visas, there 

is an annual lottery which restricts the 

likelihood of inclusion in this category. 

For those who are extremely qualified 

due to their education or abilities 

in art, business, or athletics, there is 

what is called an O visa for extraordinary 

individuals. 

For those who may wish to train 

in the U.S, there are H-3 and J training 

visas, assuming there is an employer 

willing to do the training. Those with 

passports other than (or in addition 

to) the Iraqi one (especially a passport 

from a western European country) 

might wish to consider an investment 

visa that has a modest investment 

requirement. This visa allows the immigrant 

to work in a position related 

to his or her investment but does not 

provide for a green card. 

Chaldeans who obtained a Canadian 

passport might be able to utilize 

a TN visa based on a treaty between 

the U.S. and Canada. There might be 

other available visas for more specific 

purposes than those already listed. A 

main limitation of the non-immigrant 

visas is that they do not provide for a 

green card, and most are limited in the 

time allowed in the United States. 

Visas that lead to a green card 

are called “immigrant visas.” Unlike 

many temporary visas, these are open 

not only to persons with a bachelor’s 

degree (or higher), but also to many 

skilled workers. They require a petition 

by a well-established employer. 

With the right employer, they can be 

more likely to be approved than the 

non-immigrant visas listed above. 

The downside is that the process 

for them may take up to two or more 

years to conclude and they require extensive 

effort to prove the need for the 

foreign workers. Consequently, due to 

the extensive effort and advertising required, 

the cost involved is substantial 

and according to the law, most of the 

costs must be paid by the employer. 

There is also an investment-based 

green card that requires an investment 

of about $1 million dollars which may 

be tied up and unable to be used for 

several years. It also requires about 3 

years to conclude. 

Chaldean employers who need 

more workers in this tight labor market 

can utilize all the above categories 

to sponsor an immigrant, plus more. 

For example, Chaldean employers 

needing seasonal workers might 

wish to investigate the H-2b category, 

which allows hiring of skilled and 

unskilled workers for seasonal needs 

such as landscape during the summer 

or hospitality workers during the 

busy season, mostly from mid- and 

South American countries. 

In addition to all the above, Chaldeans 

living in Iraq who have schoolaged 

children and have the means to 

do so might consider sending their 

kids to study in the U.S. to gain an 

early foothold here. 

For Chaldeans who have the ability 

to visit the U.S, it is always wise to 

visit first and chat with an immigration 

specialist and get the full picture 

of our complicated immigration 

rules before starting the immigration 

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JANUARY 2024 NEWS 33

PROFILE 

Breaking Stigmas 

in Mental Health 

Dalia Mammo 

serves crises in 

the community 

BY SARAH KITTLE 

Dalia Mammo, M.D., is the Medical 

Director of Crisis Services 

at Detroit Wayne Integrated 

Health Network. Opening this winter, 

the center will provide 24/7 psychiatric 

crisis intervention services for the 

underserved community in Detroit and 

Wayne County. Providing outreach, 

quick response to a wide age range of 

patients, and thirty-two beds for care, it 

will be a first-of-its-kind adult and child 

and adolescent crisis center in the state. 

Armed with initiative and passion 

towards providing services to communities 

in need, Dr. Mammo felt a call to 

help individuals experiencing mental 

health concerns. “Throughout my clinical 

rotations, I was drawn to the field of 

psychiatry,” she explains. Mammo, a 

dual board-certified psychiatrist, completed 

her residency and fellowship 

at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State 

University and graduated in June. 

You might say psychiatry runs in 

her blood. Her maternal grandfather, 

Dr. Mammo wants to 

remove the stigma 

of mental health, 

specifically with 

young people… 

“They need to know 

they’re not alone… 

and that they can ask 

for help.” 

Dr. Fadhil Zia Yousif, was a psychiatrist 

in Iraq, and she grew up admiring 

him and hearing stories about how 

he was the first psychiatrist in Basra 

and opened the first psychiatric ward 

there. “He was a trailblazer,” she says. 

“I decided in med school to follow in 

his footsteps.” 

Dr. Mammo did her undergraduate 

studies at University of Michigan, 

where she was vice president of Honor 

Council and took part in several mission 

trips – one to Greece and others to 

sites in the US to help individuals with 

developmental disabilities. After earn- 


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and Francophone Studies from U of M, 

she spent some time teaching and volunteering 

in France. 

Dalia earned her Doctor of Medicine 

from Central Michigan University 

College of Medicine, where she served 

as vice president of the medical student 

council and a student representative 

during the medical school’s pursuit 

of accreditation. During her time 

at CMU, she co-founded the Global 

Health Equity Student Interest Group 

and Alternative Breaks, a program 

which organized medical mission trips 

to Haiti. Mammo coordinated and led 

the first two trips. She was inducted in 

the Gold Humanism Honor Society. 

At Detroit Medical Center/Wayne 

State University, Mammo held various 

roles, including Psychiatry Resident 

Physician, followed by Child & Adolescent 

Psychiatry Fellow, and eventually 

Chief Fellow in Child & Adolescent 

Psychiatry. She went on a mission trip 

to Iraq to assess the mental health 

needs of the children and adolescents 

that live there. She knew she wanted 

to specialize in child and adolescent 

psychiatry. “People asked me, ‘why?’” 

Dalia laughs. 

Dr. Mammo likes talking to kids in 

groups. She wants to remove the stigma 

of mental health, specifically with 

young people; unfortunately, there’s a 

long wait list for child psychiatrists in 

our state. “They need to know they’re 

not alone,” she says, “and that they 

can ask for help.” 

If there’s a shortage of psychiatrists 

to treat kids, then there’s a dearth of 

doctors to assist Chaldean kids. It’s 

not that they aren’t seeking assistance. 

“Reactions have changed,” declares Dr. 

Mammo, referring to a time when the 

Chaldean community was resistant to 

mental health care. “People are excited 

to see Chaldean psychiatrists,” she asserts, 

“especially child psychiatrists.” 

Says Mammo, “Providers need 

to understand Chaldean culture. 

Hopefully, there will be an increase 

in Chaldean mental health providers.” 

Culture can influence treatment. 

Sometimes extreme embarrassment 

will result in nontreatment or there is 

the perception that mental health issues 

are a crisis in faith. 

“It’s okay not to be okay,” says Dr. 

Mammo. 

Dr. Mammo believes in giving back 

to the community she was raised in 

and is the vice president of CAAHP, the 

Chaldean American Association for 

Health Professionals, a nonprofit and 

nonpolitical educational organization 

founded in 1999 to support Chaldean 

health care providers. 

Made up of physicians, pharmacists, 

dentists, nurses, and other allied 

health professionals of Chaldean descent, 

CAAHP serves as a professional 

forum offering education, networking, 

and community service opportunities. 

Mammo and her colleagues work with 

other organizations like the Chaldean 

Community Foundation to provide 

free or low-cost healthcare to the 

underserved through programs like 

Project Bismutha, just like Mammo’s 

grandfather did in Iraq. 

“I have a care for the underserved,” 

says Mammo. 

That’s an understatement. 


FEATURE 

Numbers Paint a Picture 

Walsh College survey reveals 

striking demographic data about 

Metro Detroit’s Chaldeans 

BY CAL ABBO 

Walsh College, in partnership 

with the Chaldean American 

Chamber of Commerce, 

recently published results of its extensive 

survey on the demographics 

of Chaldeans in metro Detroit. This 

follows the last survey which was 

published in 2018 by the CACC and 

University of Michigan Dearborn and 

an earlier survey from 2008 that was 

conducted by Walsh College. 

The 2018 survey sent a directmail 

piece to 1,772 random Chaldean 

households and received responses 

from 13% of them. It collected demographic 

data like education, household 

income, business ownership, and 

investments. One key finding showed 

that Chaldeans in metro Detroit had an 

annual economic impact of $10.7 billion, 

up from $3.7 billion in 2008. The 

2018 report estimated 160,000 Chaldeans 

in Detroit compared to 113,000 

from 2008. 

The 2023 survey was distributed 

online through the Chamber’s network 

and social media accounts, and 

was sent to thousands of Chaldeans 

via email. In total, the new survey received 

more than 1,200 responses and 

estimated that 183,500 Chaldeans live 

in metro Detroit and the community’s 

economic impact is $17.6 billion. 

In general, many surveys tend to 

undercount minorities for several reasons. 

A language barrier, for example, 

could prohibit many Chaldeans from 

participating. For that reason, in addition 

to the online survey, which was 

only available in English, the CACC 

distributed some paper versions in 

Arabic. 

Chaldean Americans may also be 

more cautious than other Americans 

about providing personal information 

in a survey, and they might not trust 

the survey’s anonymity, especially 

if they are undocumented. This can 

$3.7 

BILLLION 

113,000 

POPULATION 

62% 

GROWTH 

SINCE 

2008 

also introduce a bias into the surveys. 

Chaldeans who are older along with 

more recent immigrants tend to speak 

less English and are not as plugged 

into the Chamber’s network. These 

demographics may have responded to 

the survey at a lower rate than others. 

One quarter of the survey’s responses 

came from someone 18 years 

or younger, which is an astounding 

result that suggests the Chaldean community 

is extremely young and full of 

children who are mature enough to 

take the survey or took it in place of 

their non-English speaking parents. 

For comparison, only 22% of the United 

States is under 18, and few are old 

enough to answer a complex survey 

like the one created by Walsh. It also 

CHALDEAN 

STORY 

$10.7 

BILLLION 

160,000 

ECONOMIC 

IMPACT 

475% 

GROWTH 

SINCE 

2008 

$17.6 

BILLLION 

(ESTIMATE) 

ECONOMIC 

IMPACT IN 

MICHIGAN 

183,500 

(ESTIMATE) 

METRO DETROIT 

CHALDEAN POPULATION 

2008 2018 2023 

hints at the future of the Chaldean 

community and shows that it’s still 

growing at a significant rate in metro 

Detroit. 

Walsh College used a direct linear 

formula to calculate the Chaldean 

population in metro Detroit based on 

the two previous surveys. Since these 

figures come from a simple estimate, 

it’s possible they underrepresent the 

Chaldean community, and the real 

population surpasses 200,000. 

In the United States, according 

to the Census Bureau, the average 

household consists of 3.13 people. In 

the Chaldean community, according 

to the newest survey, that number is 

4.08, almost an entire person more 

than the rest of the U.S., showing 



how the community’s living situations 

are still family oriented. 

The 2023 survey also asked for data 

regarding businesses owned, type of 

work, income, business worth, and 

real estate worth. More than 31% of the 

responders own a business and 32% 

have a career in a profession. These 

are not mutually exclusive, as many 

Chaldean professionals own and run 

their own business. 

Over the last 17 years, since the 

first survey was conducted, the economic 

activity of Chaldeans has 

continued to shift from small-time 

entrepreneurs to larger and more 

diverse businesses as well as educated 

professions like doctors, lawyers, 

engineers, realtor, and more. 

More than 40% of Chaldeans’ 

real estate values total less than 

$500,000, and the percentage slowly 

tapers off as the value gets higher. 

In contrast, more than 20% of Chaldeans 

have real estate holdings 

worth more than $5 million. 

The most common zip code that 

the survey collected was 48322, a 

section of West Bloomfield. The 

second most common zip code 

was 48323, which represents parts 

of West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, 

and Commerce Township. The next 

most common zip codes were 48310 in 

Sterling Heights and 48331 in Farmington 

Hills. 

By analyzing the individual responses 

and correlating them to the 

zip codes, we can approximate a 

picture of income inequality in the 

Chaldean community. Among Chaldeans 

who live in 48323, nearly 20% 

of households bring in over $500,000 

per year in income and only about 13% 

bring in less than $100,000 per year. 

On the other hand, in the Sterling 

Heights zip code 48310, more than 40% 

of Chaldean households make less than 

$100,000 and only 1 person responded 

that their household makes $500,000 or 

more. This data is important when considering 

where to place different kinds 

of social services for the community. 

In total, the survey is a selling point 

for the Chaldean community and a 

celebration of our success in the diaspora. 

Business organizations like the 

Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce 

can use this data to make the 

case to corporations that Chaldeans 

are worth paying attention to. 


ARE YOU 

HIRING? 

PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING IN ONE 

OF OUR NEW AMERICANS. 

WHAT WE DO 

The Career Services Department at the Chaldean Community Foundation offers one-on-one assistance to help 

clients identify goals and develop careers. 

• Career Fairs 

• Employer Referrals 

• Job Application Completion 

• Training Opportunities 

• Resume Building 

• Mock Interviews 

• Cover Letter Writing 

• FAFSA Completion 

To inquire about adding your open positions to our job bank and hiring one of our 

clients, please call or email Elias at 586.722.7253 

or elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org 

Chaldean Community Foundation | 3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 


ESSAYS 

My Missing Reflection 

BY SOPHIA SNELL 

The story of how my parents met, fell in love, 

and got married is like the storyline of “My Big 

Fat Greek Wedding.” My mom is Chaldean, the 

daughter of two immigrants, and was taking classes 

at Oakland University, at a time when people like her 

were still in the minority at the college. It’s where she 

met my dad, who is white and had parents who didn’t 

know what hummus was and thought their people 

invented baklava. (My dad took it to a cultural lunch 

event when he was a kid. Needless to say, he misrepresented 

his culture). They eventually fell in love, got 

married with a very Chaldean wedding, (complete 

with the band, the halhole, the works) and had me, a 

Chaldean-American girl. 

Growing up, my parents raised me in an American 

way, but as I started to get older, my mom introduced 

me to more and more parts of my culture, and I 

embraced it whole-heartedly. I’m proud to call myself 

Chaldean, and I hope that sentiment never changes. 

But when we all sit down at the table together with 

our plates filled with yellow rice, shawarma, and dolma, 

there’s a missing spot on our plates. It creates a 

hunger that can’t be quieted by home-cooked meals: 

My people have been starving for representation. 

When I stare into the pages of a book or the bright 

TV screen, I don’t see my reflection staring back at 

me. Whenever writers create stories about Arab- 

Americans, they usually write about Muslims. What 

I need to clarify is that that isn’t necessarily a bad 

thing. It’s good that Muslim-Americans are getting 

the representation that they’re starving for, but that 

doesn’t leave anything on our plates for us. 

After 9/11, writers have been trying their best to 

extinguish the stereotype that all Arab-Americans 

are terrorists, but they’ve unintentionally been fueling 

the flames of a different stereotype: All Arabs are 

Muslim. Until they realize the cultural harm they are 

doing by only focusing on Muslim-American stories, 

nobody in my beautiful culture will ever get to see 

themselves reflected in books and TV shows. 

To them, I ask: Where are our stories? Where are 

the stories like those of my grandparents, who lived 

in Iraq and had similar magical, innocent childhoods, 

experienced similar immigration processes 

and somehow met each other in this big and dreambuilding 

country they now call home? 

Where are the stories like that of my great grandma, 

who taught herself English on her own by meticulously 

reading through elementary school workbooks 

day and night? Where are the stories like that of my 

mom, who grew up mispronouncing words because 

her parents didn’t understand certain English phrases 

and who took it all in stride when her friends corrected 

her, laughing at herself, owning her mistakes? 

Where are stories like that of my own, a girl born 

with lighter skin than most in her family, causing her 

to not experience the worst of humanity because she 

doesn’t look like what most people think of when 

they think of an Arab-American girl, who’s just starving 

for representation for herself and for her beautiful 

culture that deserves to be put on a pedestal for all 

to see? Where are those stories? 

The truth is, I already know. They are hidden inside 

every writer, buried under ignorance, either unintended 

or not. All it takes is an essay like this, reaching 

out, spreading the message far and wide like a wake-up 

call, that gives them the inspiration they need, yet always 

had deep down inside them. But until they hear 

that wake-up call, I’m not going to wait. Page by page, 

rewrite by rewrite, I’ll write my story, our story, for all of 

us to see our reflections in. 

Chaldean American Values 

BY CHRISTINE SHARRAK 

As I am writing this piece, I am simultaneously 

sitting in my room watching my parents’ 

wedding video. It took weeks for me to 

reach this moment. I spent a good chunk of the last 

month attempting to convert AV to HDMI so that I 

could experience these cherished moments that I 

was, unfortunately, unable to live through. Throughout 

my childhood, I watched this video at least once 

a month. 

I’ve always had a deep desire to revisit memories 

from my early years and even those preceding my 

birth. To me, these years encapsulate the essence of 

what it meant to be a Chaldean in America. My parents 

didn’t have a lot but they still managed to make 

the most out of their wedding. Rather than driving 

from his wedding in a limo, my father drove away in 

his blue SUV, with a license plate that read “PicPac,” 

which was the name of the first store he ever owned. 

My mother was unable to see her parents on her 

wedding day because they were still in Iraq. Nevertheless, 

they are visibly enjoying their time despite 

not having a lot of things or all the people they love 

and cherish around them. 

While I am certainly familiar with the stories behind 

these photos and videos, I know for a fact that 

even without this intimate knowledge I could discern, 

with the utmost certainty, that the people in these 

pictures and videos were Chaldean Americans—they 

made the most out of what they had. When I delve 

into these memories, it is almost bittersweet because 

I always end up asking myself the same question: “If 

the children of future generations were to look back 

at what the Chaldean community is doing today, 

would they think that we too encapsulate the essence 

of what it means to be Chaldean American?” 

This is the question I hope to answer today. 

First and foremost, to answer this question, it is 

necessary to ask another one: “What does it mean to 

be Chaldean American?” At the end of the documentary 

Chaldeans in America: Our Story, the narrator 

says something that I feel captures what it means to 

be a Chaldean American: “Hope. Faith. Work. Family. 

This is the Chaldean community.” 

While I firmly believe that these values are still 

displayed throughout our community today, there is 

no doubt that some of these values are diminishing 

to a certain extent. It is important to identify what 

is causing these values to diminish to ensure that 

future generations can remember the principles of 

those who came before them. 

The first value I would like to focus on is that of 

work. The Chaldean community was built on the entrepreneurial 

spirit. From Mesopotamia to America, 

Chaldeans have always been go-getters. Like many 

other Chaldeans, my parents sacrificed a lot for me 

to be where I am today. Because of their sacrifice and 

the grace of God, I can attend university to become 

whatever I desire to be, not what my parents want me 

to be; which leads me to the main point of this paragraph. 

As far back as I could remember my parents 

always told me that I could be whatever I wanted to 

be; If I told them I wanted to be an astronaut they 

would simply tell me to reach for the stars. Of course, 

there are times when I hear the phrase “You would 

make a great attorney,” yet they have never stepped 

on my toes and forced me into anything. 

In our community today, the youth are pressured 

by their parents to do great things, but the professions 

they are pressured to take on are not even 

something they are necessarily passionate about. If 

this trend continues, we will see the hardworking 

spirit of Chaldeans fade into a thing of the past. After 

all, one cannot work hard if one is not passionate 

about their work. 

The older generation must encourage the younger 

generation to do what they love. We have plenty of 

Chaldean doctors, lawyers, and engineers; that is 

great, but I hope that there will come a day when we 


“H H H H H 

UNMISSABLE AND UNFORGETTABLE.” 

FEBRUARY 20-25 

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GROUPS (10+) BROADWAYINDETROITGROUPS@THEAMBASSADORS.COM 

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RICHARD THOMAS is 

ATTICUS FINCH in 

HARPER LEE’S 

TO KILL A 

MOCKINGBIRD 

A new play by 

AARON SORKIN 

Directed by 

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MARCH 5-17 • FISHER THEATRE 

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see an abundance of Chaldean artists, 

journalists, and musicians, because 

passion is what will help keep our values 

of hard work alive. 

The second value I would like to 

focus on is family. The Chaldean community 

was built on the premise that 

“It takes a village to raise a child.” The 

structure of our families has always 

been relevant to the success of those 

within our community. We take care of 

each other and each one of us would lay 

down our lives for our family, although 

this structure is beginning to diminish 

today. 

Pride has run rampant throughout 

our community and is affecting our families 

every day. Shockingly, a community 

that was built on putting family first is 

starting to lose these values. To keep our 

families stable we must put down our 

pride and remember that family is the 

most important thing we have in this 

world. Blood is thicker than water—our 

family should always come first. 

It is within our own families that 

we gain our sense of self and learn 

to rely on people who will always be 

there for us. When the children of future 

generations look back at our community, 

I want them to remember us 

for keeping our families together in 

the face of hardship. This humility will 

truly give strength to our community. 

We have all heard the phrase “Faith 

moves mountains.” If I could give any 

motto to the Chaldean community, it 

would be that. Faith and hope are trust; 

trust in ourselves and above all, something 

greater than us. Because of our 

faith, our community has had unfathomable 

success. Without faith and hope our 

community would never find strength 

in the face of adversity; that is how one 

knows that these are the values we continue 

to hold closest to our hearts. 

Our community has faced a lot of 

hardship, but we have always come 

back stronger. It is important to keep 

these values near and dear to us because 

the world is changing negatively—and 

although it is silent, our 

community is facing more adversity 

than ever before. The world has no appreciation 

for our faith. When the children 

of future generations look back 

on our current community, I hope they 

commend us for remaining inviolable 

in our values of faith and hope. 

There is no community that even 

comes close to the Chaldean community. 

Our successes and triumphs will 

be remembered by future generations, 

but these are not the only things we 

should want to be remembered for. 

Our success is admirable, but it is not 

the most important thing about our 

community. 

Our community should be remembered 

for our strong values and beliefs. 

True strength and success come 

from faith, hope, and love, and we can 

only keep these values by keeping our 

family and our values of hard work 

and faith in God at the forefront of our 

community. 


HEALTH & WELLNESS 

Embracing the Winter Blues 

A guide to conquering 

season slumps 

BY DR. RENA DAIZA 

Step up your smile game by adding mouthwash 

to your routine. It can help reduce your risk for 

cavities and gum disease. When choosing an 

over-the-counter mouthwash, look for the 

American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. 

Delta Dental of Michigan 

A TTORNEYS & C O UNSELORS AT LAW 

As the holiday season 

ends, days get shorter 

and the temperatures 

drop, it’s not uncommon 

for some of us to feel 

like bears contemplating hibernation. 

The winter blues, 

also known as Seasonal Affective 

Disorder (SAD), might 

be nipping at your heels, but 

I’ve got the perfect arsenal of 

coping mechanisms to turn 

that frown upside down. 

Sunlight: Nature’s Prozac 

Missing the sun? Join the club. Winter 

brings shorter days and less sunlight, 

leaving many of us in a state of solar 

withdrawal. Combat this by taking 

advantage of the precious daylight 

hours. Go for a walk, indulge in some 

outdoor activities, or simply bask in 

the sunlight streaming through your 

window. It’s like a natural dose of happiness, 

minus the co-pay. 

Light Therapy: A bright idea 

For those days when the sun decides 

to hide, consider investing in a light 

therapy box. Multiple studies have 

shown the benefits of light therapy on 

our mood. These bright contraptions 

mimic natural sunlight and can help 

regulate your circadian rhythm. Think 

of it as your own personal sunshine. 

Cozy Comforts: Snuggle up 

Winter is the perfect time to embrace 

all things cozy. Wrap yourself in a 

warm blanket, cuddle with your dog, 

sip on a cup of hot cocoa, and indulge 

in a good book or movie. Create a cozy 

environment that is your winter haven, 

and you will be warding off those 

winter blues in style. 

Exercise: Winter wonderland 

workouts 

Don’t let the cold weather freeze your 

fitness routine. Exercise releases those 

feel-good endorphins, and you don’t 

need a gym membership to get moving. 

Try new winter activities like ice 

DR. RENA 

DAIZA 

SPECIAL TO 

THE CHALDEAN 

NEWS 

skating or building a snowman 

with the kiddos. Winter 

workouts can be both fun 

and effective. 

Vitamin D: Sunshine in a pill 

It’s Michigan and we just don’t 

get enough sunshine this time 

of year. The sun produces vitamin 

D in the skin through a 

series of chemical reactions. 

During winter months, many 

of us depend on maintaining 

adequate vitamin D in our 

diet. If your diet is lacking in vitamin 

D, consider supplements. Known as the 

sunshine vitamin, it plays a crucial role 

in mood regulation. Consult with your 

doctor to find the right dosage and start 

popping those sunshine pills. 

Socialize: Hold the winter hibernation 

Resist the urge to hibernate. Socializing 

can be a powerful antidote to the 

winter blues. Organize a game night, 

plan a cozy dinner party, or simply 

catch up with friends over a warm 

cup of tea. Human connection is like a 

warm blanket for the soul. 

Plan a Winter Escape: Beat the 

winter blues at their own game 

If all else fails, why not plan a winter 

escape? This is a staple of mine. As the 

daughter of a travel agent, I am always 

planning my next getaway - especially 

in the winter months. Whether it’s a 

weekend getaway to a snowy cabin 

or jet-setting to a tropical paradise, a 

change of scenery can do wonders for 

your mood. Just think of it as a midwinter 

reset button. 

So, there you have it - your guide to 

embracing the winter blues with a smile. 

Remember, it’s okay to feel a bit down 

during the colder months, but with a 

dash of sunlight, sprinkle of socializing, 

and a lot of self-care, you’ll be conquering 

those seasonal slumps. As always, 

check on your friends and family and 

look for changes in behavior. Let’s be 

there for one another. Stay warm, stay 

happy, and let the sunshine in. 


WE ARE 

HIRING 

Do you possess a passion for bettering the lives of others? 

Join our ever expanding team! 

Behavioral Health Case Worker • Behavioral Health Therapist 

Case Worker • Citizenship Instructor • Social Media Coordinator 

Advocacy 

Acculturation 

Community Development 

Cultural Preservation 

For More Information 

HR@chaldeanfoundation.org 

586-722-7253 

www.chaldeanfoundation.org/careers

CULTURE & HISTORY 

Chaldean Immigrant Media Pioneers 

In Michigan and the United States 

BY ADHID MIRI, PHD 

To commemorate the 20th anniversary 

of publishing the Chaldean 

News, we take this opportunity 

to look back and honor the 

first Chaldean newspapers published 

in the US. We remember a host of 

Chaldean Iraqi immigrants who were 

journalists, writers, poets, and media 

entrepreneurs, and we celebrate their 

accomplishments here in America. 

Between 1910 and 1947, few Chaldeans 

(mainly from Iraq) immigrated 

to the United States. They were part 

of the era of mass migration which 

brought millions from across the world 

to an America desperately in need of 

workers for its growing economy. Detroit 

was a popular destination for 

immigrants from Iraq because of the 

growing automobile industry and an 

established Middle Eastern community 

consisting primarily of Christian 

immigrants from Lebanon and Syria. 

In 1943, community sources listed 

908 Chaldeans in the Detroit area. 

Three years later, 80 Chaldean families 

were recorded as living within the city 

limits of Detroit; by 1963, this number 

had tripled, to about 3,000 individuals. 

Many Iraqi citizens immigrated to 

the United States during the mid-1960s 

due to changes in US immigration 

laws, and the growth of Detroit’s Chaldean 

American community became 

even more dramatic. By 1967, the number 

of Chaldeans in metro Detroit had 

risen to about 3,400; by 1986, the number 

had climbed to 45,000. In 1992, the 

number reported was 75,000. Surveys 

sponsored by the Chaldean American 

Chamber of Commerce placed the 

number at 160,000 in 2016 and more 

than 187,000 in 2023. 

One of the cultural necessities the 

early generation immigrants yearned 

for was communication in the form 

of journalism—newspapers, magazines, 

books, radio, television, and 

later, social media. With the increase 

in the number of Iraqi immigrants, the 

need for the diaspora’s intellectuals to 

share their knowledge and opinions 

emerged. 

The early community press in the 

US was part of the Arab press; its birth 

came with the issuance of Al- Mashriq/ 

The Orient in 1949 by Hanna Yatooma 

in Michigan. Some historians cite the 

famous Al-Islah/the Reform, published 

in 1954 in New York by Father 

Jameel Alfons Shourez. These early 

publications were followed in 1962 

by Al A’lam Al Jadid/New World, published 

by a lawyer named Yousif Antoun. 

In 1968, Faisal Arabo published 

his first paper, Voice of the Immigrant/ 

Sout Al-Muhajir. The freely distributed 

newspaper was self-described as “The 

newspaper of record for the American 

Arab community.” It was a short-lived 

endeavor, publishing only 4 issues 

(June, July, August, and October 1968). 

Al Hadaf by Fouad Manna was 

published in 1970, followed by the issuance 

of several newspapers in other 

US cities. This was in addition to magazines 

issued by churches, organizations, 

and institutions. 

The Iraqi-immigrant press went 


استذكار رواد الصحافة واإلعالم يف أمريكا 

بقلم د عضيد يوسف مريي،‏ 

through stages, initially addressing 

the first generation who spoke and 

thought only in Arabic, to a second 

generation who spoke additional languages, 

leading up to a generation 

born in the US that mastered only the 

English language. We must understand 

that the content of Iraqi press 

in the diaspora was a living part of the 

homeland’s press, even if it was written 

in languages other than Arabic. 

Occasions of note that took place 

during this period include the reign of 

Saddam Hussein, the Gulf Wars, and the 

US invasion of Iraq. Metropolitan Detroit 

witnessed the birth of several new 

publications, magazines, newspapers, 

radio, and TV programs between the 

years 1980 and 2003; many were funded 

by Saddam Hussein and became mouthpieces 

for the Ba’ath regime. 

The content was always affected 

by what was happening inside Iraq, 

but the media outlets also shared community 

news for those living in the US. 

Topics of importance included immigrant 

issues, news of the homeland, 

and various cultural events. 

After the first Gulf War outbreak, 

a division emerged between the progovernment 

and the opposition press. 

The most prominent of the latter was 

the Chaldean News Detroit Times 

(CDT). Editor Amir Denha published 

the first issue on April 1, 1990. For over 

25 years, the CDT was the Chaldean 

and Arab-American community’s 

leading publication; it ceased publishing 

in 2015. 

Other popular publications were 

Al-Muntada, Al-Mahjar, Al-Qithara, 

Hammurabi Magazine, and Al-Sunbula 

Magazine. 

Chaldean journalists dedicated 

time and energy to the principles of 

faith, family, and history of their life 

in Iraq. The years that followed 2003 

and the US invasion produced a different 

form of journalistic work and led to 

the decline of a unique group of journalists 

who did not keep pace with the 

new changes. Dr. Faiq Butti chronicled 

the diaspora press in his book, The 

Iraqi Press in Exile, published in 2006. 

Factored in the decline were the 

structural restraints, cost of printing, 

distribution costs, low number of paying 

subscriptions, and writers’ salaries—which 

meant most media organi- 

MEDIA continued on page 45 

تزامناً‏ مع ذكرى مرورعرشون عاماً‏ تقريباً‏ عىل إصدار نرشة اخبار الكلدان ‏)كالديان 

نيوز(،‏ واستجابة لرغبات جيل من القراء الذين يتابعون املجلة ويرغبون يف قراءة 

صفحات باللغة العربية،‏ تقرر اضافة صفحة أو صفحتني باللغة العربية ضمن اعداد 

املستقبل،‏ نأمل من خاللها تحفيز القراء والكتاب للتواصل معنا ورفدنا مبقاالتهم 

وإبداعاتهم الفكرية والقلمية.‏ 

وكبداية لهذه االنطالقة التأريخية البد أن ننظر إىل الوراء القريب واالحتفاء بالرواد 

األوائل والصحف املهجرية الكلدانية التي نُرشت يف والية ميشيغان والواليات 

املتحدة األمريكية ولنستذكر مجموعة من املهاجرين العراقيني الكلدان الذين 

كانوا صحفيني وكتاب وشعراء وإعالميني ونشارككم بدايات أعاملهم وهمومهم 

واهتامماتهم وإنجازاتهم يف مجال اإلعالم.‏ 

فبني األعوام 1910 و‎1947‎ هاجر عدد قليل من الكلدان ‏)معظمهم من العراق(‏ إىل 

الواليات املتحدة،‏ وكانوا جزءًا من عرص الهجرة الجامعية التي جلبت املاليني من 

جميع أنحاء العامل إىل أمريكا التي كانت حينذاك يف أمس الحاجة إىل العامل من 

أجل دعم اقتصادها املتنامي.‏ وكانت ديرتويت تحظى بشعبية كبرية بني مجموعات 

املهاجرين بسبب صناعة السيارات املتنامية ووجود مجتمع رشق أوسطي يتكون 

أساسً‏ ا من املهاجرين املسيحيني الذين أتوا من لبنان وسوريا.‏ 

ويف عام 1943، أدرجت مصادر واحصائيات الجالية وجود 908 كلدانيًا يف منطقة 

ديرتويت،‏ ويف عام 1947، كان هناك 80 عائلة كلدانية تعيش داخل حدود مدينة 

ديرتويت.‏ وبحلول عام 1963، تضاعف هذا العدد ثالث مرات ليصل إىل حوايل 

3000 شخص.‏ ثم هاجر عدد أكرب من املواطنني العراقيني إىل الواليات املتحدة 

بسبب أحوال العراق السياسية والتغيريات يف قوانني الهجرة األمريكية خالل منتصف 

الستينيات،‏ وأصبح منو الجالية الكلدانية األمريكية يف ديرتويت أكرث دراماتيكية،‏ 

‏-وارتفع هذا العدد تدريجياً‏ إىل 45000 يف عام - 1986 و‎75000‎ يف عام -1992 

و‎160000‎ يف عام 2017 ووصل اىل 200000 حالياً‏ يف والية ميشيغان.‏ 

يؤطر الكلدان واملسيحيون العراقيون عالقاتهم بوطنهم األم بهويتهم وثقافتهم ولغتهم 

وتقاليدهم وتراثهم،‏ ويعلقون أهمية وقيمة كبرية عىل هويتهم جنبًا إىل جنب مع إميانهم 

املسيحي،‏ وبناءٍ‏ عىل ذلك استلزمت تحدياتهم وتجاربهم يف البيئة األمريكية الجديدة إعادة 

بناء أنفسهم وهوياتهم املجتمعية وتحديث منط عالقاتهم مبجتمعهم الجديد.‏ 

وشكل التواصل مع الصحافة ‏)الصحف واملجالت والكتب(‏ والراديو والتلفزيون 

‏)ووسائل التواصل االجتامعي الحقًا(‏ رضورة من الرضوريات الثقافية للجيل األول 

من املهاجرين ومثلام كانوا قد تعودوا عليه يف العراق.‏ ومع تزايد أعداد املهاجرين 

العراقيني،‏ ظهرت حاجة ملثقفي الشتات إلطالق صحافتهم باللغة التي تعودوا عليها 

وحينها مرت الصحافة الجديدة مبراحل مخاطبة الجيل األول الذي تحدث وفكر 

باللغة العربية فقط،‏ عبوراً‏ إىل الجيل الثاين الذي تحدث مبزيج شمل لغة أخرى،‏ 

وصوال إىل جيل ولد يف الواليات املتحدة ال يتقن سوى اللغة اإلنجليزية.‏ 

كانت لغة الصحافة املهجرية املبكرة للجالية يف الواليات املتحدة جزءاً‏ من الصحافة 

العربية،‏ وكانت والدتها مع صدور ‏)املرشق-‏ 1949( للنارش حنا يتوما يف ميشيغان،‏ 

و)اإلصالح - 1954( يف نيويورك لألب جميل ألفونس شوريز،‏ الذي أسبغ عليها صفة 

“ الجريدة الوطنية االدبية السياسية”‏ وتناولت الشؤون السياسية العربية يف فرتة 

منتصف الخمسينات من وجهة نظر املغرتبني العرب يف الواليات املتحدة.‏ وصحيفة 

‏)العامل الجديد-‏ 1962( للمحامي يوسف أنطون.‏ 

يف عام 1968 نرش فيصل عربو ‏)صوت املهاجر(،‏ التي وصفت نفسها بأنها ‏“الجريدة 

الرسمية للجالية العربية األمريكية”‏ وكانت مجانية وقصرية العمر،‏ نرشت 4 أعداد 

فقط ‏)يونيو،‏ يوليو،‏ أغسطس وأكتوبر 1968(. ثم أصدر فؤاد منّا جريدة ‏)الهدف(‏ 

عام 1970، تالها صدور عدة صحف أخرى ومجالت تصدرها الكنائس واملنظامت 

واملؤسسات املحلية.‏ 

مرت صحافة الجالية املحلية منذ انطالقها وعرب تاريخها الطويل بالعديد من 

التغريات والرصاعات التي كثريا ما أدت إىل تدهور العمل الصحفي وضعف أداء 

رواد اإلعالم نتيجة عوامل عدة منها سياسية،‏ واقتصادية،‏ ومالية،‏ واجتامعية.‏ وكانت 

غالبية املطبوعات مجانية أو تباع بسعر رخيص جدا ومتيزت بطباعة رديئة بسبب 

نوعية الورق وعناوين جذابة وصور ألغلفة بألوان باهتة إال أن القراء كانوا يعشقون 

قراءتها لدرجة اإلدمان واالحتفاظ بنسخها يف بيوتهم،‏ هذه هي بكل بساطة كان ما 

موجود يف عامل املطبوعات حينذاك.‏ 

وعلينا أن نفهم بأن محتوى الصحافة العراقية يف املهجر كان جزءا حيا من أخبار صحافة 

الوطن،‏ حتى لو كانت مكتوبة بلغات غري العربية ‏)اإلنجليزية،‏ الكلدانية الرسيانية(،‏ 

ولكن جميعها وخاصة املكتوبة بالعربية واإلنجليزية احتوت األحداث والتجارب 

املحلية،‏ والتقلبات السياسية والجوانب الثقافية،‏ والتأثريات املجتمعية والروحية.‏ 

ومل يكون الرواد مختلفني عن األخرين يف هذا الحس والتجربة الذاتية وجعلوا 

السنتهم واقالمهم ومجالتهم وسيلة للتعبري عام يجري يف حياتهم اليومية وسط 

حياتهم الغربية وكانت جرائدهم منبعثة من حقيقة حياتهم وأدت اىل جامل أثارهم 

وإصداراتهم املتسمة بسمة الواقع والبساطة فأبدعوا وثقفوا وحفظوا وعلمونا روعة 

القراءة واهمية الثقافة القريبة للوجدان والروح.‏ 

وبوسعنا أن نعترب فرتة حكم البعث وصدام حسني وحرب الخليج والغزو األمرييك 

للعراق،‏ فرتات ذات اهتامم ومتابعة أكرب بني جيل القراء.‏ إذ شهدت منطقة مرتو 

ديرتويت والدة العديد من املطبوعات واملجالت والصحف والربامج اإلذاعية 

والتلفزيونية الجديدة بني األعوام )1980 و‎2003‎‏(،‏ وال غرابة ان تم متويل العديد 

منها من قبل نظام صدام حسني،‏ وأصبح بعضها أبواقًا لنظام البعث وسياساته.‏ 

أنتجت السنوات التي تلت عام 2003 والغزو األمرييك ردود فعل فئة من الصحفيني 

وهجرة الذين مل يعربوا إىل الجانب اآلخر أو مل يواكبوا املتغريات الجديدة،‏ وكان 

الكتاب واملحررون يف شد وجذب مع معممي الحكم ورصاع مع أنفسهم نتيجة 

تقاطع الرؤى الفكرية والسياسية بني النخبة املثقفة والسلطة الطائفية الحاكمة،‏ 

وظهر انقسام بني الصحافة املوالية للحكومة واملعارضة وكان املحتوى يتأثر دامئًا 

مبا يحدث داخل العراق وردود املجتمع يف الواليات املتحدة األمريكية كام واهتم 

املحررون بقضايا املهاجرين وأخبار الوطن واملواضيع الثقافية املختلفة.‏ 

يف األول من أبريل عام 1990، أصدر املحرر أمري دنحا العدد األول من جريدة ديرتويت 

كالديان تاميز وعىل مدى أكرث من 25 عامًا،‏ كانت املطبوعة الرائدة للمجتمع الكلداين 

والعريب اىل حني توقفت عن الصدور نهائيًا يف عام 2015. وكان الرتاجع مصري كثري من 

اإلصدارات الشهرية األخرى التي توقفت عن النرش واإلصدار مثل:‏ املنتدى،‏ املهاجر،‏ 

القيثارة،‏ مجلة حمورايب،‏ والسنبلة وغريها كثري كرّس فيها الرواد الصحافيون الكلدان 

وقتهم وطاقتهم ملبادئ الحق والعدالة واإلميان واألرسة وتاريخ ايامهم يف العراق.‏ 

وكانت عوامل الرتاجع األساسية هي التمويل وتكاليف الطباعة والتوزيع،‏ وانخفاض 

االشرتاكات،‏ ودفع الرواتب،‏ مام يعني خسارة معظم املؤسسات اإلعالمية واضطرارها 

إىل االعتامد عىل األحزاب أو الشخصيات البارزة للحصول عىل الدعم املايل.‏ وكان 

انتشار اإلنرتنت ووسائل التواصل االجتامعي من أهم أسباب الرتاجع،‏ مام أدى إىل 

حرص املطبوعات يف عدد قليل فقط.‏ 

حاولنا يف هذا العرض الرسيع تسليط األضواء عىل املطبوعات وفتح الباب أمام 

دراسات أوسع والتعريف بجزء من واقع الصحافة العراقية التي كانت تابعة بشكل 

ما لألطراف التي مولتها واستفادت منها ومن الواقع الدويل املحيط بالعراق بعد 

حرب الخليج والغزو األمرييك للعراق عام 2003. ومن يقرأ املوضوع قد مل يعرف 

تأريخ هذه املطبوعات ولذة وصعوبة أيامها،‏ ورمبا من يعرفها هم القراء الذين عاشوا 

هذه التجربة،‏ واآلن هناك مئات املواقع التي تقدم كل هذه املعلومات مجانا عىل 

مواقع شبكة االنرتنيت ونتمنى أن يكون قراءها كرث حتى يستمتعوا ويستفيدوا.‏ 

ورغم كل ما سبق يبقى الجانب املرشق يف مجال اإلعالم يأيت من خالل ظهور جيل 

جديد من الصحفيني الشباب وسط مجتمع الجالية وتنوع ابتكاراتهم يف القنوات 

الرقمية والصحف واملواقع اإللكرتونية التي استوعبت فئات كثرية من الباحثني عن 

فرص الحداثة ورمبا رسقوا األضواء من األسامء التقليدية التي مل تتمكن من مواكبة 

متغريات القرن الجديد،‏ ومن جيل الرواد الذي كان له السبق يف أكرث من مجال 

إعالمي يف العقود املاضية.‏ 

نحن نعتز بالجيل الصاعد من الكتاب والصحفيني ونفتخر بوصفهم ‏“بالشموس 

الساطعة”‏ إذ هم مثال إلحياء التجديد وتعّلموا من مسارات الرواد وفهموا آليات العمل 

الصحفي ومعارصة تقنيات الزمان وتحرير األخبار وكتابة املقاالت التي تتميز باملعرفة 

والوضوح وال عجب أن يصبح الكتاب الجدد ظاهرة إيجابية يف اإلعالم املحيل يرفعون 

من خاللها راية اإلبداع يف العمل الصحفي وثقافة التحرر من الخوف والرتدد والرتاجع 

وهم لذلك يستحقون الدعم والتقدير خاصة وأن الجالية يف حالة تطور مستمر يف 

مجاالت التعليم األكادميي واإلبداع املجتمعي وتأسيس ثقافة جامعة وفكر حر ومستقل 

بعيد عن التحزب واالستقطاب مييض قدماً‏ صوب تعزيز هويتنا والحفاظ عىل تراثنا 

وإعالء شأن إسهاماتنا الوطنية والثقافية واإلنسانية يف الديار املهجرية.‏ 

ويف هذا االستذكار البد أال ننىس تجارب الرواد املبدعني وجيل الصحفيني والكتاب الذين 

كانوا يؤمنون بحرية التعبري ويجيدون التفكري ونشكرهم إلصداراتهم يف سنوات بدايات 

اكتسابنا للمعرفة ولكل من مهد الطريق وجازف وساهم وكتب ونرش وأمسك بأيدينا وأقالمنا 

وقاسمونا الكلامت واملشاعر قوالً‏ وفعالً‏ وسالماً‏ لكل كاتب صافحت أبجدياته اًأليادي ولكل 

مفكر أغنت مقاالته الفكر ولكل نارش حربّ‏ ت أقالمه ذكريات ومقاالت ال تنىس.‏ 

القراء األعزاء:‏ ان هذه املقالة هي مساهمة يف أرشفة الجانب اإلعالمي 

لدى الجالية العراقية وخاصة يف مدينة ديرتويت،‏ رمبا هناك اسم او 

تاريخ ورد سهوا،‏ ورمبا هناك اضافة،‏ نرجوكم أن تكتبوا لنا،‏ ونرجو أيضا 

لو يتوفر عندكم صور للمجالت أو الجرائد او للشخصيات التي عملت يف 

اإلعالم منذ حقبة الخمسينيات،‏ نرجوكم ان تزودونا بها.‏ 


ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE 

’Tis Better to Give 

Businesses find creative ways to give back 

BY PAUL NATINKSY 

As so many of us look forward 

to the holiday season and the 

gifts we’ll exchange with family 

and friends, our thoughts also turn 

to those who are less fortunate and the 

true spirit of the season — “Give big, to 

get back, to give bigger,” as Rob Bava 

says. Bava is Community Choice Credit 

Union’s longtime president and CEO. 

We talked to Community Choice 

Business Development Officer Beth 

Spadafore about the company’s signature 

giving program, “Give Big 

Month,” which takes place every September. 

Each fall, employees are encouraged 

to “spend” some of the 24 

hours of community service they are 

required to perform each year. 

The time spent serving the community 

is paid time off. Spadafore 

says Community Choice’s Human 

Resources Department finds opportunities 

and helps employees connect. 

Departments band together “Business 

services might go to Forgotten 

Harvest for a half a day and pack boxes 

for people.” Weeding or gardening 

blighted areas in the city of Detroit is 

another opportunity. 

Each year Spadafore gets involved 

with the Stronger Warrior Foundation 

for “veterans that are not getting the 

support from government that they 

require.” She got involved through 

her brother-in-law. They do a September 

golf outing each year. This 

year they raised $14,000. Last year it 

was about $10,000. Last year’s money 

went to a veteran who needed a handicapped 

accessible bathroom built in 

his home. “He was bathing in a kiddie 

pool in the garage.” 

The beauty of targeting early fall 

for major fundraising activities is that 

summer vacations are over, and the 

winter holidays are still a ways off. Not 

to mention September boasts some of 

Michigan’s best weather. Weeding, gardening, 

and golf are very much in play. 

“One of the things I’m most proud 

of at our company is the way we’ve 

been able to give back to the community,” 

says Saber Ammori, CEO of 

Wireless Vision employees at various backpack drives throughout the area. 

Wireless Vision, a T-Mobile dealer with 

over 460 stores in more than 25 states. 

The company has about 20 stores 

spread across Michigan. 

“When you do business in a community, 

you have a responsibility to 

give back,” says Ammori. “It’s financial, 

but it’s also time. We’ve done 

leadership programs in the community, 

mentoring new Americans. We’ve 

done food banks. To me, it’s a responsibility 

and an obligation.” 

In addition to working with children’s 

organizations such as Brilliant 

Detroit, a nonprofit organization that 

provides programming and support for 

children aged 0-8 in high-need neighborhoods, 

and City Year, another program 

benefitting school kids who need 

help, Ammori says Wireless Vision 

works with the Chaldean Community 

Foundation to identify opportunities to 

help the communities in which it operates. 

He says CCF is a good place to start 

for businesses that are new to giving. 

Much like Community Choice, Wireless 

Vision has a signature program 

complete with a slogan. “We call it 

‘WV’s got your back,’” says Ammori. “It 

started eight or nine years ago, we started 

giving school backpacks to kids in 

areas of need, underprivileged areas.” 

Sly Sandiha of Pinnacle Hospitality 

leads a company that owns hotels and 

related properties throughout Michigan. 

Unlike many businesses, the hospitality 

industry serves a clientele that is not 

geographically related to its business. 

Guests come in, stay a few days or a week 

and then return to their homes in places 

throughout the country or abroad. For 

Pinnacle, the properties’ communities 

are the employees, who are local. Sandiha 

says Pinnacle relies on property 

managers and employees to help identify 

giving opportunities in communities. 

Being in the hospitality industry 

affords Pinnacle a unique opportunity 

to support communities. In cases 

where homes are destroyed by fires 

or floods, Pinnacle can host families 

until their property is rebuilt. “They 

stay with us for, sometimes, months 

at a time and it’s their home away 

from home,” said Sandiha. 

Sandiha and Ammori say that 

much of their passion for helping others 

reflects the values they learned 

growing up in the Chaldean community, 

where they were taught to give 

back to the people who helped support 

them and their businesses. 

A giving culture has its own rewards 

for those working in businesses imbued 

with it. Spadafore has worked in 

the banking industry her entire career. 

Now 65, she has been with Community 

Choice for 15 years and says a big part 

of the reason she is still working is because 

the credit union is still giving. 

“Coming into this culture was really 

kind of eye-opening for me to see 

that the president of the credit union 

is out there digging holes or pulling 

weeds.” 


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Professional Insurance Planners 

Individual & Group Health Plans 

Medicare Supplement Plans 

31000 Northwestern Hwy. • Suite 110 

Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 

Over 44 years of experience. 

Gabe Gabriel 

Associate Broker, 

Certified ABR, SFR 

29444 Northwestern Hwy, ste. 110 

Southfield, Michigan 48034 

Office (248) 737-9500 

Direct (248) 939-1985 

Fax (248) 737-1868 

Email MortgageGabe@aol.com 

Angela Kakos 

Producing Branch Manager - VP of Mortgage Lending 

o: (248) 622-0704 

rate.com/angelakakos 

angela.kakos@rate.com 

2456 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 48310 

Guaranteed Rate Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit 

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NMLS ID: 166374 

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Paul M. Al-Attar, M.D. 

Orthopedic Spine Surgery 

Auburn Hills 

3100 Cross Creek Pkwy 

Suite 150 

248-475-0502 

www.msspc.org 

855-450-2020 

Advertise 

Warren 

11012 E. 13 Mile Rd 

Suite 201 

586-582-0760 

JACQUELINE RAXTER, LMSW, LPC 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 

PROGRAM MANAGER 

in our business directory section! 

for As little As $ 85 

to place your ad, contact us today! 3601 15 Mile Road 

Sterling Heights, MI 48310 

TEL: (586) 722-7253 

FAX: (586) 722-7257 

phone: 248-851-8600 fax: 248-851-1348 

jacqueline.raxter@chaldeanfoundation.org 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101 

www.chaldeanfoundation.org 


Jaguar Land Rover Troy 

Sammi A. Naoum 

1815 Maplelawn Drive 

Troy, MI 48084 

TEL 248-537-7467 

MOBILE 248-219-5525 

snaoum@suburbancollection.com 

CHALDEAN 

AMERICAN 

CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE 

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY 

FOUNDATION 

CHALDEAN 

AMERICAN 

CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE 

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY 

FOUNDATION 

SANA NAVARRETTE 

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 



CELL (248) 925-7773 

TEL (248) 851-1200 

FAX (248) 851-1348 

snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com 

www.chaldeanchamber.com 


ELIAS KATTOULA 

CAREER SERVICES MANAGER 

3601 15 Mile Road 

Sterling Heights, MI 48310 

TEL: (586) 722-7253 

FAX: (586) 722-7257 

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org 


MARIAM ABDALLA 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STACY THERAPIST BAHRI 

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER 

3601 3601 15 15 Mile Mile Road Road 

Sterling Sterling Heights, Heights, MI MI 48310 48310 

TEL: 

TEL: (586) (586) 722-7253 722-7253 

FAX: 

FAX: (586) (586) 722-7257 722-7257 

mariam.abdalla@chaldeanfoundation.org 

stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org 



MEDIA continued from page 43 

zations ran at a loss and were forced to 

depend on parties or prominent figures 

for financial support. The spread of 

the internet, digitization, social media, 

and financing were the most significant 

reasons for the decline, which led to limiting 

the publications to just a few. 

On the bright side, the emergence 

of young journalists within the community 

and the diversity of journalistic 

work through satellite channels, 

podcasts, electronic newspapers, 

radio, and websites accommodated 

many opportunity seekers who did 

not find their place in the previous 

SANA NAVARRETTE 

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 

CHALDEAN 

STORY 



CELL (248) 925-7773 

TEL (248) 851-1200 

eras, perhaps stealing FAX (248) the 851-1348 spotlight 

from traditional snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com 

names who could not 

www.chaldeanchamber.com 

keep up with www.chaldeanfoundation.org 

the changes. 

The creative people behind the 

Chaldean News are an example of a new 

and inspiring trend. They have learned 

a great deal from the passion and purpose 

of the pioneers and understand 

the mechanisms of serious journalistic 

work in the field of news editing, analysis, 

and writing. They are ambassadors 

of a culture that represents freedom in 

journalistic work, freedom from regression, 

fear, and retreat. 



We are actively seeking new voices. 

Our upcoming journalists deserve recognition, 

appreciation, and support, 

especially since the community is in 

a state of constant evolution, forging 

forward in the fields of academic 

achievements, education, creativity, 

and independent thinking—far from 

partisanship and polarization—which 

will ultimately promote our identity 

and preserve our culture. 

Sources: Dr. Faiq Butti “The Iraqi Press 

in Exile,” published in 2006; Fouad 

Manna; Kamal Yaldo; Omar Abdul; 

and Ghafoor Al-Qattan. 


FROM THE ARCHIVE 

Chaldean Media Pioneer 

Faisal Arabo was a Detroit-area pioneer in publishing 

and broadcasting who dedicated his 

time to the education and entertainment of 

thousands of Iraqi Americans who longed to stay connected 

to their ethnic and cultural roots. 

In these archival photos, generously provided by 

the Chaldean Cultural Center and Museum, Faisal is 

seen broadcasting his radio show, circa 1967, when it 

was first aired, and in a television control room later 

in his career. 

After decades of contributing content in print, on 

television and radio, Faisal passed away in August of 

2023 and is survived by his wife Virjean. 

You can help to preserve Chaldean heritage by 

submitting your family photos to the Chaldean News 

and contributing to the Chaldean Cultural Center and 

Museum’s archives. 

The Chaldean Cultural Center and Museum owns a collection of captivating images from our vibrant community that 

we are delighted to share with the Chaldean News. If you have photographs that you would like us to incorporate into 

our archive, kindly reach out to us at info@chaldeanculturalcenter.org or call 248-681-5050.

JANUARY 2024

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