JANUARY 2024

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.
JANUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 23