APRIL 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 21 ISSUE III APRIL 2024
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APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

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6 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | APRIL 2024 | VOL. 21 ISSUE III
ON THE COVER
20 Detroit: The City of Faith
A new PBS film includes the Diocese
By Sarah Kittle
FEATURES
22 Holy Cross!
35-foot tall cross erected in California
By Cal Abbo
24 Ice Wars
Home City gives customers
the cold shoulder
By Cal Abbo
26 A Man of the People
Frank Jonna: CACC’s
Businessperson of the Year
By Sarah Kittle
30 Culture & History
Fundamentals of Arabic
By Dr. Adhid Miri
DEPARTMENTS
7 From the Editor
Back to Basics
By Sarah Kittle
10 Guest Column
My Friendship with Chaldeans
By Ibrahim Al Zobedi
12 Foundation Update
CCF celebrates 13 years, hosts Iraqi
Consulate, Job Fair
14 Noteworthy
C.H.A.I Program, Rockman Somo, From
Baghdad to Detroit, NFL Artist
16 Chaldean Digest
Dr. Hanna-Attisha champions program
18 Iraq Today
New Church in Baqofa
By Hanan Qia
42 Economics & Enterprise
Marijuana Update
By Paul Natinsky
46 Sports
Making the Cut: 20 Years of Good Sports
By Steve Stein
48 In Memoriam
49 Obituary
John Mikha Mackay
20
50 From the Archives
Beauty in Baghdad, Kids at a Wedding
32 The Mortgage Man
Danny Marogy leads sales at UWM
By Sarah Kittle
34 Chaldean Kitchen
Leanne & Amira Kizy’s Pozole
By Z.Z. Dawood
36 Beyond the Silk Road
Great Michigan Stories event
By Sarah Kittle
40 Exploring April
April covers through the years
By Sarah Kittle
28
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 7

FROM THE EDITOR
PUBLISHED BY
Chaldean News, LLC
Chaldean Community Foundation
EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Sarah Kittle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cal Abbo
Ibrahim Al Zobedi
Z.Z. Dawod
Sarah Kittle
Dr. Adhid Miri
Paul Natinsky
Steve Stein
Hanan Qia
ART & PRODUCTION
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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GRAPHIC DESIGNER
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PHOTOGRAPHER
Alex Lumelsky
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Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6);
Published monthly; Issue Date: April 2024
Subscriptions: 12 months, $35.
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Postmaster: Send address changes to
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Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334”
Back to Basics
When spring cleaning this year, take a
little time to do some internal decluttering.
Our minds, like our homes, become
cluttered without regular scrutiny. Spring, with its
fresh air and rising temperatures, is a great time to
do some self-evaluation.
In a world often overwhelmed by complexity
and distraction, returning to basics offers a profound
sense of clarity and grounding. It’s about
stripping away the layers of excess and reconnecting
with the fundamental elements that nurture
our well-being and sense of purpose.
Whether it’s simplifying our daily routines,
embracing nature, or focusing on the
SARAH KITTLE
EDITOR
IN CHIEF
Just as the blossoming flowers reach
towards the sun, we too can embrace
this season to reassess our priorities.
core values that define us, getting back to basics
serves as a guiding principle for a more
meaningful existence.
In this month’s issue, we celebrate our core
beliefs with the PBS documentary “Detroit:
City of Faith.” The film explores the churches
of Detroit’s immigrant community, which were established
to support the early settlers and give them a sense of hope
and home.
We also examine the road traveled to get here. In “Beyond
the Silk Road,” we offer four different stories of entrepreneurism
and trade. This month’s Chaldean Kitchen,
which is celebrating its one-year anniversary, takes us to
Mexico for a new family recipe.
Also included is a story about a 35-foot Chaldean cross
that stands in California and a profile of Danny Marogy, top
seller at United Wholesale Mortgage.
The Chaldean Chamber’s 2024 Businessperson of the
Year, Frank Jonna, is profiled as well. “Honest” is a word that
has been applied to Frank, over and over, from people that
know him. It is a basic core tenet of his philosophy.
Cal Abbo writes about the difference in customer service received
from U.S. Ice versus Home City Ice, and talks about good
customer care, a basic quality in many Chaldean businesses.
At its essence, getting back to basics involves a conscious
shift towards simplicity and authenticity. It’s about rediscovering
the joy in life’s simple pleasures – the warmth
of a shared meal with loved ones, the tranquility
found in a quiet moment of reflection, or the satisfaction
of engaging in hands-on activities that reconnect
us with our innate creativity.
By decluttering our lives of unnecessary distractions
and obligations, we create space for deeper
connections with ourselves and those around us.
This return to simplicity fosters a greater sense of
gratitude and contentment, reminding us of what
truly matters in the midst of life’s constant flux. In
embracing the basics, we find not only a path towards
inner peace but also a renewed appreciation for the
beauty of the present moment.
Spring emerges with a gentle reminder to return to basics.
Nature sheds its winter coat, unveiling a vibrant tapestry
of colors and scents. It’s a time for renewal, a call to
simplify and reconnect with the essentials. Just as the blossoming
flowers reach towards the sun, we too can embrace
this season to reassess our priorities and strip away the unnecessary
complexities that have accumulated over time.
Spring encourages us to rediscover the beauty in simplicity,
to revel in the joy of fresh beginnings, and to nurture the
seeds of growth that lie dormant within us. It’s a season of
rejuvenation, a time to refocus our energies on what truly
matters, and to find solace in the pure and uncomplicated
wonders of life.
Sarah Kittle
Editor in Chief
8 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

PUBLISHER'S 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.
In the last 5 years the Chaldean News has
substantially increased its readership and social
media following, introduced new digital and website
content and expanded storytelling and video offerings
with the help of small grant funding.
The Publisher’s Circle is a unique opportunity for community
members to support the Chaldean News and its continuing
mission to be a voice for the community, wherever they
may be. With the warmhearted help of individual and
organizational supporters we can ensure that this important
resource remains to educate and connect the community
while evolving to meet the needs of future generations.
The Chaldean News has recently launched a CN app
and will continue 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
We are grateful for the overwhelmingly
generous support of our community.
To learn more, visit chaldeannews.com
or contact us at 248-851-8600
Let’s grow the circle.
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 9

GUEST COLUMN
My Friendship with Chaldeans
My relationship of friendship, admiration,
and deep mutual understanding
with the Chaldean-Iraqi American
community goes back to 1984, when I first
arrived in the state of Michigan as an immigrant,
or more accurately, an exile.
I began my professional life with a
weekly newspaper that I called TODAY.
Then, after four weeks, I discovered that
the readership of the Arabic language press
was less than what was necessary for an
excellent newspaper to withstand time and
enjoy a long life.
I closed it without regret. Subsequently,
I went on to establish an Arab television channel
called TV Orient, which gained the support of the
Iraqi community who rallied around it, provided
support, and made it a great success.
This channel was a new bridge that deepened
my relationship with the community members and
a wonderful bridge to introduce and connect me to
the “Forum/Al Muntada” group and its founder, Mr.
Fouad Manna; we quickly became good friends. As
a media man, I found joy in being amidst an atmosphere
and weekly gatherings surrounded by a distinguished
journalist, community activists, intellectuals,
and visitors from all walks of life.
My presence in Michigan since 1984 allowed me
to make many new friends and distinguished scholars.
With my consistent outlook, declared views, and
well-known rejection of sectarianism, racism, and regionalism,
I was fortunate to have dozens of sincere
Iraqi Chaldean friends which were far more than the
three friends from other Arab and Iraqi communities.
I should also mention that successive Iraqi governments
have proven to be the stupidest and most
ignorant governments when it comes to understanding
the value of the Iraqi communities outside Iraq.
Its officials and representatives do not understand,
know, and want to know the great value of Iraq’s immigrant
or displaced countrymen in the diaspora.
It is sad to know that they do not recognize the
impact, strength, experience, traditions, knowledge,
economic strength, and political weight of the community
in the United States. If the Iraqi government
was interested in embracing their worldly experience,
broad knowledge, and diverse competencies, or
sought to establish bridges of cooperation and hope
to enable them to assist with important development
experience gained in the countries they live in.
My friend Dr. Adhid Miri, who is a contributing
writer and member of the editorial staff at the Chaldean
News magazine, was kind to share with me
articles about the story of the immigration of Iraqi
Christians to the United States, the reasons behind
their long presence in the state of Michigan, and an
analysis of the main motives that were behind their
IBRAHIM
AL-ZOBEDI
SPECIAL
TO THE
CHALDEAN
NEWS
migration from their homeland, Iraq.
Dr. Miri stated that “Between the years
1910 and 1947, a small number of Chaldeans
(mostly from Iraq) immigrated to the United
States, and they were part of the era of mass
immigration that brought millions from
all over the world to America, which was
then in dire need of workers to support its
growing economy. Detroit was very popular
among immigrant groups due to its growing
automobile industry and the presence
of a Middle Eastern community consisting
mainly of Christian immigrants who came
from Lebanon and Syria.”
“In 1943, community statistics documented the
presence of 908 Chaldeans in the Detroit area, and in
1947, 80 Chaldean families lived within the city limits
of Detroit. By 1963, this number had tripled to 3,000.
A larger number of Iraqi citizens then immigrated to
the United States due to Iraq’s political conditions
and changes in US immigration laws during the mid-
1960s, and the growth of the Chaldean-American
community in Detroit became more dramatic, and
this number gradually rose to 45,000 in 1986 - 75,000
in 1992 - and 160,000 in 2017, reaching about 200,000
currently in the state of Michigan.”
I found the Chaldean community very patriotic and
keen to maintain strong ties with their motherland Iraq
and to preserve their Christian identity, culture, language,
traditions, and heritage. When you delve into
the details of the lives of Iraqi Chaldeans in their workplaces,
homes, cultural, economic, and service institutions,
social organizations, marketplaces, restaurants,
and shops, you will feel that you have not left Iraq. One
will quickly discover that they are more patriotic than
other Iraqis who have not managed to preserve their
roots, and national identity, unfortunately.
Journalism in America was an interesting challenge.
As the number of Iraqi immigrants increased,
their first publications appeared in Arabic, while
the second generation of journalists adopted Arabic
and English in their journalism. The new generation
of journalists who were born in the United States
did not master the Arabic language and adopted
English as a language but with a pure Iraqi spirit.
The content of the Iraqi press in the United States
remained a living part of the news of the national
press, even if it was written in languages other than
Arabic (English, Chaldean, Syriac).
What Dr. Miri did not say in his article about the
Iraqi Chaldean community, is that the community
in Michigan and other American states is considered
among the most important, most successful,
most effective, most vibrant, and influential Middle
Eastern communities in American political life, followed
by the successes and impact of the Lebanese
Muslim community in Dearborn, and the Palestinian
Christian community, most of whose members
come from the city of Ramallah.
Worth noting that over time the Iraqi Chaldean
community and families became most concerned with
educating their sons and daughters. This enabled them
to advance, possess experience, and competence, and
establish a momentum that made many of them distinguished,
and influential in the surrounding American
society. They excelled in the economic field as well
as politics, education, services, and investments. It is,
without a doubt the richest Middle Eastern community
with its prominent, successful scientists, doctors,
engineers, politicians, and businessmen.
The successes and size of the community attracted
the attention of many politicians and statesmen.
It has become a ritual for many American presidents,
vice presidents, and state politicians to visit the community
and seek to win its support.
The community also became a destination for
major officials, ministers, politicians, and visitors
from Iraq, however, little was accomplished to help
establish strategic relationships, organized communication,
and continuity.
Among the most prominent visitors to the Chaldean-Iraqi
American community, were the late King
Faisal II, Saeed Qazzaz, the last Minister of the Interior
during the pre-1958 monarchy era, and Talib
Shabib, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq during
the era of the first Baath in 1963.
President Bush Sr. visited the Chaldean community
in Michigan 40 years ago, and former President
Donald Trump told a group of community members
when he visited them that he loved them. It is noteworthy
to note that their votes were the decisive factor
in his victory in the 2016 elections.
The businessman, Mr. Adil Bacall, says “Iraqi
Christians have not forgotten their Iraq, but Iraq has
forgotten them.” The Iraqi Chaldeans blame the Americans
for the troubles in their motherland. Iraqis, in
Michigan and regardless of the nature of the regimes
in Baghdad feel disappointed by the lack of representation
and reversals in Iraq since 2003. This is strange
when you consider how the participation of citizens
in other Arab countries, where specialized ministries
were established to communicate with the expatriate
citizens, maintain a strong relationship with them and
benefit from their experiences, capabilities, strength,
and influence on American policy that can help to advocate
for Issues in their home country.
In addition to articles by my colleague Dr. Adhid
Miri, the community historian and businessman Ayoub
(Jacob) Bacall has published important books in English
documenting the history of the Iraqi American Chaldean
Christian community, supported by valuable facts,
and pictures. They are an important source for anyone
who wants to learn more about this distinguished Iraqi
community in the United States of America.
It gives me great pleasure to affirm without hesitation
and confess my admiration of this kind and generous
community that has given me the most beautiful,
pure, sincere, and precious memories.
10 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 11

FOUNDATION UPDATE
Hosting the Iraqi
Consulate
The Chaldean Community Foundation recently hosted the Consul
General of the Republic of Iraq, Mr. Muhammad Hassan
Saeed Muhammad, for a special visit.
Martin Manna, President of the Foundation, warmly welcomed
the Consul and his delegation, expressing joy at their visit.
Together, they embarked on a tour of the Foundation, exploring
its programs and services in Michigan. The Consul admired
the Foundation’s initiatives and activities.
This meeting marks an important step towards enhanced collaboration
between the consulate and our Foundation and is a
precursor to the Ambassador’s expected visit in April. The CCF
will soon host a town hall meeting with the Consul that will be
open to community members.
The Chaldean Community Foundation Center in Sterling Heights.
Celebrating 13 Years
On March 8, the Chaldean Community Foundation
celebrated 13 years of community impact
in Sterling Heights. Since opening doors in
2011, the Chaldean Community Foundation has
been a center of hope and support for refugees,
immigrants, and the wider community. From
humble beginnings in a 1,200 square foot space
with a 10 member team, the Foundation has
grown to a 30,000 square foot building with
over 80 dedicated team members.
Last fiscal year alone, the Foundation
proudly served over 41,000 individuals from 58
different countries of origin, providing essential
services and support.
The Chaldean Community Foundation is
anticipating embarking on new ventures in
2024 and beyond.
Those projects include the attainable housing
project on Van Dyke in Sterling Heights,
which will provide much-needed housing for
new Americans and the upcoming CCF Oakland
County Campus, which will be a hub for the Chaldean
American Chamber of Commerce, Chaldean
News, and other affiliate organizations.
CCF President Martin Manna greeting Consul General
Muhammad Hassan Saeed Muhammad.
CCF Attends Nonprofit
Day at the Capitol
The Chaldean Community
Foundation celebrated
Nonprofit Day with the
Michigan Nonprofit Association
(MNA) on February
22. The MNA invited
the CCF to the annual
2024 Nonprofit Day at the
Capitol to speak about
engaging voters for an inclusive
democracy.
We thank MNA for
giving us and other nonprofit
organizations a
platform to support our
communities.
CCF Employees Stacy Bahri,
Susan Smith and Sharkey Haddad
attend Nonprofit Day in Lansing.
Some of the women on staff at the Chaldean Community Foundation.
International Women’s Day
Also on March 8, the CCF celebrated the women who make what we do possible. In honor of International
Women’s Day, we highlight the remarkable women who inspire us with their dedication, passion,
and unwavering commitment. Their hard work and leadership drives the organization forward
every day, and we are grateful to all of these wonderful women for their contributions.
CCF Hosts Penske
Logistics for Job Fair
The Chaldean Community Foundation hosted Penske Logistics
for a Job Fair on February 28. Job seekers discussed potential
warehouse employment opportunities with Penske staff.
Our Multi-Employer Spring Community Job Fair will be held
on May 1, 2024. Please contact Elias Kattoula at elias.kattoula@
chaldeanfoundation.org or call 586-722-7253 for more information.
12 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 13

NOTEWORTHY
CCF’s C.H.A.I. Program Recognized
CCF’s C.H.A.I. (Caregiver Helping Aid Initiative) has
been recognized by ARCH (Access to Respite Care
and Help) as an Innovative and Exemplary
Respite Service. A three-year designation,
CCF’s C.H.A.I. is one of only
four respite services from across the
country recognized with the highest
level of distinction. CCF is pleased to
have met the stringent set of criteria
that addresses the needs of family
caregivers of adults and older adult
family members.
C.H.A.I. strengthens CCF’s mission
by continuing to improve the stability, health, and
wellness of new Americans including refugees, immigrants,
and vulnerable families. Caregivers oftentimes
feel hesitant about leaving a loved one with
disabilities and those with dementia in another’s
care. CCF’s C.H.A.I. multilingual staff works to develop
trust with caregivers over time.
Respite is the most frequently requested support
service among the nation’s 53 million family
caregivers, yet 86% do not receive
respite services, despite the proven
benefits to caregivers and care recipients.
Respite for these families
can help reduce caregiver stress,
improve caregiver and family health
and well-being, help avoid more
costly out-of-home placements, and
may even help to reduce the likelihood
of abuse or neglect.
By recognizing high quality respite services
across the country, ARCH hopes to encourage the
study, expansion, and replication of such services.
The Chaldean Community Foundation will be recognized
at the 2024 National Lifespan Respite Conference
during May in Albany, New York.
Chaldean Boxer Rocky “Rockman” Somo
Rocky “Rockman” Salem Somo has been boxing for
seven years. His professional career started in 2023
with a May 26 win by unanimous decision over Carlos
Escobedo in the fourth round. He fought for the first
time in his home area of San Diego on March 2 of this
year at the Four Points Sheraton and won by knockout
in the second round.
Somo bouts in the super middle division. The
southpaw boxer is 26 years old and stands at 5’9”.
Born in El Cajon, he is currently fighting out of Chula
Vista and has a winning record of 3-0 as a professional
boxer. Somo is looking to earn a world championship
title. You can find him on Facebook and LinkedIn
under Rockman Somo, and his Instagram handle
is @rockmansomo.
Chaldean Artist
Featured in NFL Draft
Juliana Rabban, a local Chaldean artist, was commissioned
by City Walls Detroit to create a 5’ 8” tall football
cleat sculpture to be displayed for the NFL Draft
and auctioned off in May.
Juliana calls her cleat “Unite & Ignite,” which she
said embodies the shared human struggle as it relates
to cancer. As someone who has watched close family
struggle with cancer, she chose the charity Kids Without
Cancer to receive her donation. Her cleat will be
displayed at City Airport in Detroit in April.
From Baghdad to Detroit: Four Poems
In honor of April as Poetry Month, the Chaldean Cultural Center will host an event at the West Bloomfield
Public Library on April 13 from 1-3pm. The event, held in the meeting room of the library at 4600
Walnut Lake Road, features four Iraqi-born women including Weam Namou, director of the Chaldean
Cultural Center, and Dunya Mikhail, poet, author, and professor at Oakland University. The women
are in a short 10-minute documentary which was funded by the Knight Foundation.
The film will screen for the first time on April 13, followed by discussion and poetry reading. The documentary
includes a segment of each poet, in her home / work, or in certain significant locations with the
poets reciting their poems which focus on the Chaldean / Iraqi American experience.
More information may be found at https://westbloomfield.librarycalendar.com/event/
baghdad-detroit-four-poems-poetry-iraqi-born-women-976.
14 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 15

CHALDEAN DIGEST
PHOTO COURTESY FLICKR
Dr. Mona Hanna Attisha visits with students from University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability.
Moms in Flint Receive Cash Aid
In a story shared by NPR and featured
on All Things Considered, Dr. Mona
Hanna Attisha is again in the news.
Penned by reporter Jennifer Ludden,
the article details a new program cofounded
and promoted by Hanna- Attisha
called Rx Kids.
Rx Kids is a cash transfer program
that began in the city of Flint, Michigan
in January 2024. It benefits expectant
mothers, regardless of income.
The city has one of the highest poverty
rates in the country, over 50%.
Recipients of the program begin
receiving help during pregnancy. The
initial $1,500 payment helps expectant
mothers receive adequate prenatal
care. After delivery, mothers receive
$500 a month over the course of the
baby’s first year, for a total of $7,500.
The idea is that the money will cover
costs for diapers and formula, freeing
up funds to put food on the table
or pay the rent. Many new mothers
must make a choice between returning
to work and caring for their children
themselves, and this amount, small
though it may be, will make an impact.
“What happens in that first year of
life can really portend your entire life
course trajectory. Your brain literally
doubles in size in the first 12 months,”
While critics worry
that giving cash
aid will encourage
mothers not to work,
evidence suggests
otherwise.
says Hanna-Attisha in the article.
In addition to her practice, she also
serves as a public health professor at
Michigan State University.
The article states that the United
States is one of the only developed
countries that doesn’t currently offer
substantial child cash benefits. Studies
have found such payments reduce
financial hardship and food insecurity
and improve mental and physical
health for both mothers and children.
Ludden’s article underscores the
benefits that improving finances has
on a family and cites the expanded
child tax credits offered during the
pandemic as proof. Luke Schaefer,
co-director of the program and a
poverty expert at University of Michigan,
agrees. “We saw food hardship
dropped to the lowest level ever,”
Shaefer says in the article. “And we
saw credit scores actually go to the
highest that they’d ever been in at the
end of 2021.”
While critics worry that giving cash
aid will encourage mothers not to work,
evidence suggests otherwise. Hanna-
Attisha and Shaefer will measure outcomes
of the babies that are in the program,
tracking their prenatal care, birth
rates, whether fewer people move out
of Flint, gun violence, voter participation,
and faith in government — which
took a major hit during the lead water
crisis, according to the article.
The program is currently funded
for three years. Sources of funding
include foundations, health insurance
companies and a small part of
the state’s Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families.
Hanna- Attisha has heard from other
places around the country who are
interested in creating similar programs
of their own. She was happy to learn
recently that her mother received cash
payments when she was born in the
UK. “And my mom just shrugged her
shoulders and said, ‘Of course we did,’”
shared Hanna-Attisha. “Everybody got
money. That was normal.”
A TTORNEYS & C O UNSELORS AT LAW
16 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

KASE MANNA
248-763-4818 CELL
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 17

IRAQ TODAY
New Church
in Baqofa
BY HANAN QIA
This past March 14 was a significant day for the
Christian community of Baqofa, Iraq in the
Nineveh Plain. Bishop Mar Thabit led the consecration
ceremony of the newly built Virgin Mary
Church, an effort that has taken five years. Speaking
exclusively to Chaldean News, Bishop Mar Thabit
expressed his gratitude towards the generous contributions
from various Catholic organizations and
compassionate locals, which made the construction
of the church possible.
The ceremony was attended by numerous locals
from the towns and villages of Alqosh diocese, including
the Chaldean residents of Baqofa. The new
church, a modern and spacious place of worship,
symbolizes a new chapter for the community. The village
has also an old church, St. George (Mar Gorgis),
which has been under restoration for many years.
The consecration ceremony was a moment of joy
and celebration for the residents of Baqofa, who eagerly
embraced the new church as a symbol of hope
and faith for generations to come. As the sun set on
this historic day, the Virgin Mary Church stood tall,
ready to welcome all who seek solace and communion
with the divine.
From top of page: 1. The new Virgin Mary Church in Baqofa 2. The clergy — bishop,
priests, and deacons — in the consecration Mass of the new church. 3. Young girls in
traditional Chaldean attire presenting the chalice and the Holy Host to the bishop.
18 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 19

COVER STORY
Detroit: The City of Faith
Chaldean faith traditions featured in new PBS documentary
BY SARAH KITTLE
Nestled along the shores of a
great river, Detroit’s story is
one of triumph over adversity.
From its humble beginnings as a
French fur-trading post to its rise as
the automotive capital of the world,
Detroit has weathered economic
downturn, social upheaval, and urban
decay. Yet, amidst the challenges, one
constant has remained – the power of
faith to inspire, unite, and uplift.
In a new PBS documentary, producer/director
Keith Famie explores
the aspect of faith through the lens
of family – the family of churches in
metropolitan Detroit. Saint John’s Resort
in Plymouth hosted a premier of
the new film on Sunday, March 17; it
seemed fitting to explore faith on St.
Patty’s Day surrounded by men in
kilts, cassocks, and headdresses.
The short film explores the Polish,
German, Irish, Hispanic, African
American, Scottish, Lebanese, Chaldean,
Jordanian, Palestinian, Syrian
and Armenian communities of faith.
These are all immigrant communities.
In a program for the event, Famie
states, “We often take for granted
just how hard that must have been for
those early travelers who came to our
country, often by themselves or to meet
up with a brother or sister or cousin,
in hopes that this new foreign land,
where they do not speak the language,
was going to become their home.”
My father was first generation Scottish
American, a Presbyterian who
converted to Catholicism to marry my
mother. He shared with me his wonder
at the faith of immigrants, many who
boarded a ship to a strange land not
knowing if they would see their parents,
family, or homeland ever again.
Famie’s introduction in the premier
program book goes on to say,
“This is faith, not only in one’s spiritual
beliefs, which I’m sure drove a certain
level of confidence, but also faith
in one’s self, faith in family and faith
in their community who offered open
arms to these weary travelers.”
Prior to the screening there was
a reception in the Wine Grotto that
featured food from all the different
communities. It was interesting to see
how many of these groups prioritized
faith, food and family, just like Chaldeans.
Many of the communities share
an emphasis on family celebrations.
A photo of the store “Big Dipper” in
1957, which was founded by the Jonna
family, is seen in the film, as well as a
beautiful Chaldean wedding.
The film begins with Fr. Patrick
Setto setting brush strokes onto canvas.
“Painting is entering the spiritual
realm,” he explains. He talks about
the conversion of his community in
the Middle East during apostolic times
and how true Chaldean priests have
been to the Mass, even speaking the
same language as Jesus.
Fr. Patrick discusses Christian
churches and why he thinks having different
practices shouldn’t keep faiths
from supporting each other. That’s
exemplified here in Detroit, where
“church people” from many faiths do
support each other, especially people
that have been oppressed for their faith.
A priest from Kirk in the Hills, a
Scottish Presbyterian church in Bloomfield
Hills, talks about “kirking in the
tartan,” a practice where Scots wore
their tartans to church under other
clothes when they were banned from
doing so as a show of support for all
whose religious beliefs were oppressed.
Armenians share a lot of similarities
with Chaldeans. They, too, were converted
by early apostles; in fact, they lay
20 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

claim to the first Christian nation. The
history of their religious oppression includes
the Persian Empire, which tried
to forcibly covert them, and the Ottoman
Empire, which nearly erased them. They
escaped to America and settled in metro
Detroit. But they had no church.
In an act of solidarity that local
faith communities continue to exhibit,
St. John’s Episcopalian Church
on Woodward in Detroit allowed the
Armenian worship community to hold
services there until 1931, when the first
Armenian church was built.
Detroit is home to a vibrant array
of immigrant churches that reflect the
city’s status as a melting pot of cultures
and faiths. From the Polish Cathedralstyle
architecture of St. Florian Church,
built by Polish immigrants in the early
20th century, to the history-rich halls of
Second Baptist Church, founded by 13
African Americans in 1836 and serving
CHALDEAN
STORY
This report is made possible with generous support from
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.
as a stop on the Underground Railroad,
each immigrant church tells a unique
story of resilience, community, and cultural
identity.
Observing the timeline of Detroit’s
historic churches is like watching the
community develop in stages. These
churches serve not only as places of
worship but also as centers of cultural
preservation and community engagement,
offering support, resources, and
a sense of belonging to generations of
Detroit residents from diverse backgrounds.
Through their architecture,
traditions, and ongoing contributions
to the fabric of the city, Detroit’s historic
and immigrant churches continue to
play a vital role in shaping the spiritual
and cultural landscape of our city.
The Detroit: The City of Faith film
crew spent time with the “Ignite the
Spirit” group at St. Joseph Chaldean
Catholic Church this past January, capturing
the congregation’s Eucharistic
adoration, meditation and song and
emphasizing the significance of music
to religion. A social media post of
the taping states that, “The melodies,
harmonies, and rhythms in religious
music evokes emotions and creates a
sense of unity among worshipers.”
The film is more than just a historical
retrospective. It’s a celebration of
the enduring faith that sustains Detroit’s
residents through both triumph
and tragedy. From the grassroots efforts
of faith-based organizations to
the innovative approaches to social
justice and community development,
we witness the profound impact of
spirituality on the city’s ongoing revitalization
efforts.
“Having a great deal of admiration
and respect for our Chaldean community
here in Michigan,” states Famie,
“I was so honored to be able to feature
their rich story of faith as well as their
community leadership in our film Detroit:
The City of Faith.”
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 21

FEATURE
Holy Cross!
New 35-foot monument in San Diego
BY CAL ABBO
Atop Rancho San Diego Hill sits the California
Chaldean community’s most recent achievement:
A 35-foot tall, 20,000-pound Chaldeanstyle
cross pierces the landscape for thousands to see.
Last year, on December 14, 2023, the largest cross
in San Diego was airdropped into place by a Chinook
heavy-lift helicopter. After nearly four years of hard
work, negotiations with the county, and fielding
questions and opposition from the public, the cross
stands tall as a testament to and memorial for the
hardships and persecution that Chaldeans and all
Christians have faced.
Vince Kattoula is a San-Diego based land use
consultant and registered lobbyist who specializes in
large projects like this that require extensive permitting
and government approval. In 2019, Samad Attisha
approached him, who had purchased land on
this hill in order to place a cross on it.
“This property is about 80 acres, with very rugged
terrain, completely surrounded with sensitive and endangered
species,” Kattoula said, explaining how difficult
it was to get approval to build anything on the land.
“In fact, it’s adjacent to the national wildlife refuge.”
Mountain lions, rattlesnakes, golden eagles, and
other dangerous animals frequent the property. Poor
terrain meant the cross could not be moved over the
ground. These issues, nor any others, would not stop
Kattoula and Attisha from reaching their goal and establishing
the site of the cross on this large hill.
The hill’s location is significant too. It stands on
the highest peak in the Rancho San Diego area across
from a large Chaldean neighborhood where many admirers
can see the cross at all times of the day and
night. It means a lot, then, that the cross is designed
in a distinct Chaldean style. Its features hearken back
to that of the ancient churches, with three red circles
on each point, imitating what Chaldeans are used to
seeing in their own communities.
Attisha conceived the idea from the beginning when
he purchased the property. His reasons for pursuing the
project range from his personal faith experience to honoring
persecuted Christians around the world.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling,” Attisha said,
reflecting on how he feels since the project was completed
and the cross was installed. “The cross gives
me ongoing pleasure. Ongoing happiness. I can see
it from every part of my house. I cannot help but to
be happy.”
Attisha gets frequent thanks from his neighbors
who revere the cross and pray to it daily, but he defers
the glory to God. “What else could someone wish in
his life besides achieving a project like that?”
Sam Attisha and Vince Kattoula in front of the cross.
San Diego has some history with putting crosses
on top of mountains. Since 1913, Mt. Soledad in La
Jolla has been home to a few different styles of crosses
over the years. The original cross was stolen and
later burned; a second cross was blown down in
1952; the present cross was installed in 1954.
There was some public and legal opposition to
the cross over the years that caused some problems.
For a long period, it was unclear whether the cross
was a war memorial or a symbol of the Christian religion,
legally speaking. Finally, in 2015, a private organization
purchased the land from the Department of
Defense, which resolved its legal issues and helped
pave the way for future crosses like Attisha’s.
Kattoula negotiated with the county to get out of
the various permits that, if required, would grind the
project to a halt and increase its costs significantly.
The biggest issue that remained was how to transport
the massive cross to the top of the hill. While there
was a road leading up to the designated area, it was
far too small to carry the cross all the way up, so Attisha
suggested a Chinook helicopter.
Normally, helicopters cannot carry anything of
this size, but Kattoula found a company in Washington
with aircraft that can airlift up to 25,000 pounds
with a Chinook helicopter. After his own firm designed
the cross, he found a great partner in Coastline
Steel to manufacture and deliver it. In its fabrication,
Coastline Steel used a welding technique called
complete joint penetration, which makes the connections
extremely strong and stable, essentially making
it one solid piece of steel.
When the Chinook helicopter arrived at the site with
the cross, Kattoula and his team realized the wind from
the helicopter would make it impossible to secure the
cross standing up, so they laid it down gently. Later,
they brought a crane to hold it while his team bolted it
down in the foundation. By pure chance, according to
Kattoula, the cross happens to be facing true North.
This is not the end of the project, however, nor the
hassle from various government agencies. Kattoula had
to find a way to light up the cross at night without getting
approval for a permanent fixture. To that end, he
brought some construction lights and a diesel generator
to the cross. Every morning, someone hikes to the site
and turns the light on. Every night, someone returns to
turn it off. Every few days, someone fills the generator
with fuel. Kattoula is working with a team of electrical
engineers to design an off-grid solar-powered battery
that will light up the cross at night automatically.
In addition, Kattoula and Attisha have plans to
add various features to the site. For example, they
envision a “crown of thorns” by placing a fence with
barbs surrounding the cross. They also plan to include
a centerpiece that will feature the heart of Jesus
and the heart of mercy.
Attisha mentioned two people specifically whom
he called his “heroes” and dedicated the cross to.
Each is a martyr in the Chaldean Church and was a
victim of a brutal murder.
Fr. Ragheed Ganni was killed in June 2007 after
receiving multiple death threats. Walking out of his
church, Holy Spirit Chaldean Church in Mosul, he and
a few deacons were stopped by a group of armed men.
According to news reports, when asked why he hadn’t
closed the church like he was ordered to, Fr. Ragheed
replied, “How can I close the house of God?” He and
his colleagues were shot down shortly after.
Bishop Paulos Faraj Rahho was kidnapped and
killed in Mosul in early 2008. Bishop Rahho was taken
from his car after his kidnappers killed two of his bodyguards.
Reports say that Bishop Rahho got on his cell
phone and asked the church not to pay his ransom because
the money would be used to do more evil things.
Two weeks later, his body was found in a shallow grave.
These stories among others inform Attisha’s devout
worship and faith. “Hopefully, the cross will be
there for thousands of years,” he said. Attisha added
a special thanks to the Chaldean community in Michigan,
which played a huge role in spreading the word
about the cross and celebrating its installation.
While the cross is not open to the public, there is
a path to walk there. It’s a narrow trail and there are
some dangerous animals on the way, according to Kattoula.
Nobody is stopping anyone from making the
trek, he added, if someone wanted to take their chances.
He and his family walk up there a few times a week.
“We have so many people in our community that
are successful and have humble roots,” Kattoula said.
“This is the tallest cross in San Diego and it serves
as an inspiration. It serves as a reminder to look up
and thank God for all the blessings he’s bestowed on
our families, on our community, and on the people
around us.”
22 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 23

FEATURE
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Ice Wars
Home City Ice gives customers
the cold shoulder
BY CAL ABBO
Chaldeans in Detroit are known
for owning various businesses,
often party stores or gas stations,
or industries affiliated with
them. They have a specific kind of
quality that separates them from other
operators: excellence of service and
dedication to their customers.
There are many examples of the
Chaldean factor in business, but none
as clear as the recent shakeup in the
retail ice market. In late 2022, Saad
Abbo sold his successful ice company,
U.S. Ice, to a large corporate firm called
Home City Ice. Since then, retailers
have reported a dramatic increase in
prices and a substantial reduction in
the quality and frequency of service.
Sam Bakkal owns a BP gas station
on the corner of 13 mile and Greenfield.
Before the acquisition, he was a
loyal customer to U.S. Ice. In his own
words, “I, for one, never considered
calling anybody else.”
Abbo’s entire business model was
focused on providing good service for
his customers. In today’s corporate
world, this attitude is often lost. Even
as Abbo’s ice empire grew larger, and
perhaps because of it, his focus never
shifted to making money alone. It was
always about the customers.
The idea for U.S. Ice was born
when the ice delivery service failed to
deliver to the family store and Abbo’s
father suggested the family start their
own ice company. The rest is history.
“My father was aggressive,” Abbo
added. “We opened up the ice company
and put a plant together. It was
producing 10,000 pounds of ice every
day. At the time, we thought that was
a lot.”
Abbo and his brother bought a
few trucks. After the first year, they
had about 50 customers. Not bad for a
startup, but it wasn’t something to start
a career over. The following year, that
number tripled to 150. After that, they
really believed they could succeed in
this business. So they sold the store.
“The whole idea behind it is service,”
Abbo said. “We built this thing
around the idea that you don’t delay a
customer. They call, and we were there
every time.”
In the beginning, it was the Chaldeans
who helped Abbo and his family
succeed. His high level of service
and ability to keep prices down was
appealing to the large community of
store owners. Eventually word spread
about U.S. Ice, and they deservedly got
many more clients. A bit over a year
ago, Abbo decided to retire, and sold
his company to Home City Ice.
“We kept the price down in Michigan
compared to every other state in
the country,” Abbo said. “Since we sold
the business one year ago, the prices
have almost doubled from what they
used to be, which is actually a normal
price compared to the rest of the country.
And the service is not there.”
Abbo won the Chaldean Chamber
of Commerce Businessperson of the
Year Award in 2014 and was inducted
into the Great Lakes Ice Association
Hall of Fame in 2023.
This quality of service and dedication,
as represented by Abbo’s example,
is what allows Chaldean businesses
to succeed over others. The new
issues with the corporate Home City
Ice only testifies to the large divide.
In the past, other large acquisitions
of Chaldean companies went
somewhat differently. Melody Farms,
the largest independent dairy company
in the Midwest at its peak, was
24 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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purchased by Dean Foods in 2003.
During the transition period, Dean
Foods promised to donate 1% of all
its sales back to the community, and
specifically funded programs at the
Chaldean Cultural Center as well as
the Chaldean American Chamber of
Commerce, according to its President
Martin Manna.
In addition, he said, when Level
One Bank purchased the Bank of
Michigan, which was known as a Chaldean
community bank, they continued
to hire from within the community
and accelerated their sponsorships in
many community organizations.
Bakkal’s experience with Home
City Ice confirms what Abbo has heard
from his former customers. The company
was not easy to get a hold of, he
said, and he was spoiled by U.S. Ice’s
personal service.
“If I needed something, not because
of my personal relationship
with Saad, everybody in the company
would take my concerns seriously
whether it’s about delivery, performance
of the cooler, or anything,” he
said. “We had a person to talk to on the
other end.”
Bakkal’s corporate experience,
on the other hand, has been far from
satisfying. As ice service transitioned
between companies, many changes
were made to procedure as well as
standards.
Since the company is so large, in
Bakkal’s own words, they have an inhouse
call center in Ohio. “I would leave
a message and it would be returned a
few days later,” he said, “which is nothing
like U.S. Ice. When they first took
over, the company was shorthanded
when it came to deliveries and drivers.”
While Home City Ice appears to be
well-staffed now, Bakkal said, they’ve
made some changes that make his
business more difficult. For instance,
they gave each of their customers a
designated delivery day, which was
not the case with U.S. Ice.
If Bakkal calls and requests a delivery
outside of his designated delivery
day, Home City Ice adds a service fee
on top of the cost of the product, and
the delivery likely won’t come for 2-3
days, he said. With U.S. Ice, Bakkal
could request a delivery and it would
arrive the same day or next day, without
any added charge.
In addition, since the takeover just
over one year ago, Bakkal said Home
City Ice has raised their prices almost
twofold. Before, he could get ice from
Abbo’s company for as low as $0.95
per bag, but with Home City Ice, he
said he can pay up to $1.75, sometimes
with added service fees.
“I think us Chaldeans in particular
are really honorable in our business
and focus on service,” Bakkal said.
“When we get used to a company or a
customer, we make the personal connection
and it’s not just about price.
And when I honor my word with you, I
stick with it for the longest time unless
I have a good reason not to.”
Home City Ice was contacted but
did not respond to a request for comment.
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 25

FEATURE
A Man of the People
Frank Jonna honored at Chamber dinner
BY SARAH KITTLE
People tend to get emotional
when talking about Frank
Jonna, the Chaldean American
Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Businessperson
of the Year. Frank, who
will be honored at their 21st Annual
Awards Dinner on April 26, has the
reputation of a man who listens to
people and makes them feel valued.
Frank was born in Iraq, coming to
the United States when he was just 5
months old and settling with his family
on the edge of the Boston Edison District.
There, he and his six brothers and one
sister grew up within walking distance of
Mother of God Church, Palmer Park, and
Blessed Sacrament School. It was a great
time and place to grow up Chaldean,
with many families on the block.
Sports were a common theme in
his family, and Frank and his siblings
and friends broke the local park rule of
“No Ball Playing,” on many occasions
and with many kinds of balls, much to
his parents’ dismay. “We played any
sports we could find the equipment
to use,” says Frank. “We even scoured
the alleys to uncover anything we
could put wheels on.”
Frank’s brother John was a gifted
student who paved the way for his
brothers to follow his path at Catholic
Central High School, setting Frank on a
course which would guide him his entire
life. “I immediately embraced the spirit
of Catholic Central,” recalls Frank. “It
was a life-changing experience.”
Jonna Construction
His brother Jimmy founded Jonna
Construction, creating a family legacy
that lives on in the firm Frank runs today.
Jimmy was a tireless worker, says
Frank, and a great communicator and
innovator. “He was clearly the most
intellectual,” states Frank, “and was
able to treat a bank president the same
way he treated a laborer on the job.”
When you treat people with respect,
people notice. Jimmy was the
“captain of customer service,” a model
that Frank has taken to heart. Eddie,
another brother, was “the prime guy I
learned retail from,” says Frank. Eddie
also served as a great example of
good customer service. Countless customers
speak about the Jonna family’s
exemplary service, one that builds a
relationship of trust and loyalty. They
feel known and heard when in the
Jonna Construction offices.
Jimmy was the CACC’s 2005 Businessperson
of the Year. A photo of
him at the podium, arms raised
in a victory salute, hangs just inside
the entrance to the CACC
office in Farmington Hills. It is
the first in a line of black and
white photos detailing the
long and successful history
of the Chaldean business
community that grace the
walls of those offices.
Frank’s photo will join
his brother’s there,
spanning two decades
of success for Jonna
Construction.
The Jonna Family
has a rich history
in retail, food and
beverages. Union
Pacific grocery store
stood in what is currently
Brush Park.
Jimmy took over the supermarket
and opened an expanded
12,000 square foot store called Big Dipper
in 1957. Frank’s brother Manuel
was partner. All the family members
were involved in the operation of the
store. Frank’s brother Eddie was “a
forward thinker” who owned several
food and beverage operations. His skill
in sales gave him the confidence to
launch Trade Winds, a specialty food
store in the Palmer Park area. Out of
this grew a chain of six Merchants Fine
Wine stores which were ultimately sold
to Whole Foods.
Relationships
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Frank
for a long time,” says Robert Rainey,
president and CEO of Henry Ford
Health. “I first met him when he was a
trustee on the Henry Ford West Bloomfield
Board. And, you know, you instantly
know after spending just a little time
with somebody that they are a ‘What
you see is what you get’ kind of guy.
“He is a really effective listener,”
adds Rainey. “He has a good sense
of humor, and he really cares about
people. And so, all his questions as a
trustee were always about how we’re
going to enhance our relationship
with the community.”
“Frank is one of the leaders that
joined in this movement to create an
economic transformation of New Center
in Midtown in Detroit, one of the
early adopters,” shares Rainey. “You
know, there’s a lot of people excited
now, but you always appreciate those
early adopters who are willing to take
some risk when you’re not sure how it’s
going to, you know, exactly pan out.”
Rich Homberg, president and CEO
of Detroit Public Television, shares,
“In the late nineties, we were looking
to build a building for WWJ; we knew
nothing about building buildings, and
we came across a company called Jonna.
And as Frank built our building, he
guided me through something I’d never
done before. And I know sometimes
you finish a building, you never want
to talk to the contractor again. In this
case, we were friends by the end of it.
“There are a few people I know
who, they’re just people that give you
energy in life,” says Homberg. “And
Frank is one of those people – great
smile, positive vibe. When the blackout
happened in 2003, our generator
at WWJ started to run out of fuel and
I started calling people for help. Frank
26 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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• People Intelligence
• Character as a Leader
• Creating Vision & Purpose
• Critical & Strategic Thinking
Program start date - May 22, 2024
Tuition for Learn with a Leader (if selected) is $250
and covers all program related costs.
Deadline to apply is april 8, 2024
For more information, visit: www.learnwithaleader.com
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 27

15 year
anniversary
CALL US!
248.539.8800
G o i n P o s t a l W B . c o m
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4301 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD STE. 180
WEST BLOOMFIELD
WE SHIP
we specialize in shipping to iraq
and the whole middle east
said, ‘Rich, I’ll call you back.’ An hour
later, a truck pulls up with fuel for our
generator. That’s Frank. He’s all about
customer service. I invited him to join
the Board of DPTV.”
“I met Frank and Judy about 25
years ago when I first started,” remembers
Barbara Urbiel, Chief Development
Officer at Angel’s Place, a
residential care service for individuals
with developmental difficulties. “They
couldn’t have been any warmer or welcoming
to me my first day on the job.”
Frank and Judy’s son Jeffrey has
developmental challenges which require
round-the-clock care. “What
strikes me about Frank is that he’s
so humble,” says Urbiel. “He is such
a smart, loving, kind man, and he’s
very humble. I admire that.”
“I admire watching the Jonna Family
and Frank in particular,” says Urbiel.
“He loves his family deeply and
he’s really passed on a legacy of giving
and selflessness to his children and
grandchildren. He’s built a legacy of
giving to others; he’s truly a servant.”
Family
“Albert was a great basketball player,”
remembers Pete, Frank’s brother,
talking about childhood friend Albert
Yono. “He was shot to death, I mean
riddled, for no reason.” Albert was
murdered while at work in a Detroit
convenience store in 1969.
“Frank and my brother John were
shot at in Food Farm Market on Dexter
and had to run back into the office for
their lives,” recalls Pete. “The guy was
hiding in the store that night and came
running out and it was gunfire. That was
the end of being a store owner for Frank.”
Family was too precious to risk.
“Frank was special,” says Pete.
“He was an incredibly loving son and
did everything for mom and dad above
and beyond all the rest of us; he just
knew what they needed, and he took
care of it.”
“Franks was a really hard worker
from the day we got married,” says
Judy, Frank’s wife of nearly 50 years.
“What attracted me to him was he was
very funny and worked very hard…
he used to come home so dirty after
work that sometimes I made him take
his clothes off in the garage before he
came into the house.”
“My dad was always present,” says
Frank’s son Joey. “He always had time
for us at home and was involved in our
activities.”
Frank led by example. “He’s a doer,”
says Joey, “who doesn’t require recognition
or accolades. He listens intently and
then just goes out and does it.
“He has a famous saying: ‘Are you
committed to the line of scrimmage?’
and it means so many things to different
people,” explains Joey. “You’ve got to be
willing to get in the trenches to get things
done. My father is that committed.”
Legacy
Frank has served as director on the
Board of Henry Ford Health West
Bloomfield as well as the boards of
Catholic Central High School, Angel’s
Place and Detroit Public Television.
In 2022, Frank was inducted into the
Michigan Construction Hall of Fame.
Last year, he was honored as the 2023
Distinguished Alumni for his many
years of service to Catholic Central.
Frank served on the Board of the
Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce
in its early years, including a
stint as Chairman. He wasn’t initially a
believer that the Chamber could make
a difference, but he put his whole heart
into it and became one of the CACC’s
greatest ambassadors.
His legacy lives on in the beautiful
buildings his work has made possible.
“We are thrilled to have historically preserved
buildings in our portfolio,” says
Frank. That portfolio also includes the
Michigan National Building, the newest
Detroit Piston’s Center, Mother of
God and St. Thomas Churches, Shenandoah
Country Club, and the Chaldean
Community Foundation in Sterling
Heights. Jonna Construction is currently
working on the new Oakland County
Campus for the Chaldean Community
Foundation in West Bloomfield.
“My legacy is one of gratitude,”
says Frank. It is a gift he has passed
down to his 4 children, 7 grandchildren,
and the countless lucky individuals
who get the opportunity to deal
with him daily.
28 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

SPRING
JOB
FAIR
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 3:00PM – 5:00PM
SPRING
COMMUNITY
JOIN US
JO BF A IR
The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) invites you to participate in our 1st Spring
Edition of the Annual Community Job Fair.
Get connected with these employers (and
many more!) and discover your limitless
career possibilities!
Bring your resume
Dress to impress
Apply and interview in person
Full and part time jobs available
Giveaways
For more info contact Elias at Elias.Kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org or call 586-722-7253.
Chaldean Community Foundation
Wireless Vision Gymnasium
3601 15 Mile Rd.
Sterling Heights, MI, 48310
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 29

CULTURE & HISTORY
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The Arabic language is considered
one of the most elegant, pure
forms of language in modern literature.
With its rhythm and precision,
it is the cornerstone of poetry and expression.
What many people don’t know
is that, although it is the language of
prayer, recitation and poetry throughout
the Islamic world, the Arabic language
predates Islam. Its different dialects are
spoken by around 422 million speakers,
making it one of the top five most spoken
languages in the world.
The Arabic lexicon is extensive,
with over 12 million distinct words;
the Oxford English Dictionary has only
around 170,000. For example, Arabic
has 23 different words that mean “love.”
Choosing the correct word to use might
depend on the stage or strength of the
love and whether it is familial love, adoration,
sincere affection, infatuation,
burning desire, or any of the multitude
of feelings in between.
The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters,
all consonants; however, three of
those characters may be used to make
a long vowel sound in certain contexts.
Letters change shape depending
on their placement in a sentence
– they look different if they appear at
the beginning, middle, or end.
There are no capital letters in Arabic.
It is a cursive script, and the letters
are joined with connecting strokes. Unlike
English, it is read right to left and
everything sounds like it is spelled.
There is no neuter form, nouns are either
masculine or feminine. And there
is no format for abbreviations, which
makes translation work difficult.
Translation Challenges
Arabic is a figurative, poetic language,
often written with long sentences and
filled with literary devices such as
metaphor, figure of speech, allegory,
and simile – all of which are also difficult
to translate. Accordingly, and unfortunately
too much Arabic poetry is
waiting to be translated into English.
Translation between English and
Arabic is not always straightforward.
Arabic calligraphy is a highly regarded
element of Middle Eastern art.
This can result in some ambiguity and
presents challenges in preserving both
style and tone and avoiding multiple
interpretations of the same text.
Many Arabic letters, words, and
expressions have no direct English
counterpart. The alphabet itself even
includes some sounds that do not have
direct correlations in the English language.
For example, the sound of the
letter ‘ ’ is thought to be unique to
Arabic. In such cases, translators may
need to combine English letters to attempt
to create an equivalent sound.
Given the lexical ambiguity and figurative
nature of the Arabic language,
translation between Arabic and English
is not literal. To thoroughly understand
the context of the text and
capture the nuance of the language,
translators must be an expert in the
target language and highly proficient
in the source language.
The Arabic language stands as a
testament to the rich tapestry of human
expression, steeped in history, culture,
and tradition. Its intricate grammar,
nuanced semantics, and diverse dialects
present formidable challenges for
translation into English or any other
language. Yet, within these challenges
lie opportunities for discovery, understanding,
and appreciation of the depth
and beauty inherent in Arabic literature,
poetry, and everyday discourse.
While the task may be daunting, it
is also deeply rewarding. Through the
act of translation, we not only convey
words but also transmit ideas, emotions,
and cultural nuances across
linguistic boundaries. It is in this exchange
that the true magic of language
reveals itself, fostering connections,
fostering understanding, and enriching
the tapestry of human experience.
30 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 31

PROFILE
The Mortgage Man
Danny Marogy leads sales at UWM
BY SARAH KITTLE
“
I
actually hate mortgages,” says Danny Marogy.
“I think it’s the most boring transaction in the
history of mankind.”
Yet Marogy, Senior Director of Sales at United
Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), is known as one of the
highest performing account executives across the
country for the past 15 years. What motivates him?
“What I love is putting consumers in their dream
home,” he clarifies. “That’s the part that gets me out
of bed every single day.” It’s what drives Marogy and
his team at Pontiac-based UWM, the nation’s number
one overall lender and brainchild of Mat Ishbia.
According to his bio, Marogy is credited with being
the number one executive, not only at United
Wholesale Mortgage, but across the country. He
works hand-in-hand with company CEO and president
Mat Ishbia; together they created a specialized
division focusing on West Coast development. Marogy
continues to lead that initiative.
“Mat is involved with everything on the floor,”
says Marogy. “He isn’t your typical sit-in-the-office
CEO; you see him on the sales floor daily.”
UWM is all about educating the customer. Marogy
calls the company “the Amazon of mortgages.” Using
technology for ease of use and speed, UWM averages
13 days or fewer until closing. With less paperwork,
a streamlined process, and automatic syncing, they
are “faster, easier, and cheaper” than retail mortgage
companies, which typically run 40-45 days after an
offer has been accepted for a closing date.
“Tech definitely makes getting a mortgage easier,”
states Marogy. “And virtual closings are getting
better.” Processing over 30,000 mortgages a month,
the company must embrace technology. And it’s not
just mortgages to buy a home, it’s loaning money to
pay off debt or do home improvements, too.
Marogy has been in the business a while, over 20
years. Marogy met Ishbia through a friend of a friend,
and the rest, as they say, is history. “Mat shared his
vision of becoming a top-20 wholesale lender and
explained his business model,” says Marogy, “and I
thought, ‘we could be a contender.’”
The analogy is apt, as he compares the mortgage
company to a team. “We’ve turned it into a sports
team, basically,” says Marogy. “It’s very competitive.”
As much as he hates mortgages, Marogy gets excited
about explaining the qualification process and
teaching clients about financial literacy. “Many are
self-employed,” he says, “and they don’t understand
that there are tax benefits to showing income.”
Educating clients turns out to be a great business
model. While they’re at it, they
drive to educate mortgage brokers
about different products
as well.
“We don’t actually do the
lending,” explains Marogy,”
That’s what brokers do.” As a
wholesale mortgage company,
UWM funds home loans
originated by independent
mortgage brokers across the
United States.
A wholesale company offers
more choices to the consumer,
resulting in an average savings
to them of around $9,400, says
Marogy. He and the rest of UWM
are working to teach the public
and change the dynamic. “We have
10,000 brokers in our system,” explains
Marogy. “We have almost
40,000 originators nationwide.”
Wholesale makes profits on margins.
Currently, wholesale brokerages
represent about 24% of the market,
something that Marogy would like to
see reversed, aiming for 60% within the
next five years. It’s been their biggest
push for the past five years.
How can that happen? “Hiring great
talent,” Marogy says decisively. They aim to
recruit 2,000 more employees to work directly
for UWM and 20,000 retail agents to come
over to wholesale, hundreds per month, says
Marogy. “When we recruit retail originators,
we put them with wholesale brokers or help
them start their own company,” says Marogy.
The loan officers are not direct employees of UWM.
Not bad for a company that started in an old
Farmer Jack grocery store building in Birmingham
with 100 employees. In 2009, they had 200 employees.
Their employees now number in the thousands.
Diversity is a big part of the makeup at UWM, and
positivity is a must if you wish to work there. Marogy
says a great attitude helps develop strong and meaningful
relationships with brokers, and that is how the
company operates. They have recruited many Chaldeans
who share the same mentality.
Having a great spirit also allows UWM to make a
difference in their community. They purchased the
UWM Sports Complex for all kids in Pontiac to use
and gave the
tax break to the
schools. The company
issues “pay
it forward” points,
where employees
earn dollars to donate
to the charity
of their choice. And of
course, they adopt hundreds of families at Christmas.
Family is extremely important to Marogy. When he
is not working, he’s with his family. Danny and his wife,
a real estate agent who has been in the top 10 performers
for her company for the last 5 years, have three sons,
aged 7, 5, and 3, who like to run with dad on the soccer
field. His oldest plays soccer for Liverpool Academy and
his youngest enjoys the sport already. His middle child
is more into golf. He is usually home in Rochester with
them by 6:30pm every weekday.
Marogy’s advice for young professionals? “Do
something you love,” he says, “and compete only
with yourself.”
32 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

WE ARE
HIRING
Do you possess a passion for bettering the lives of others?
Join our ever expanding team!
Behavioral Health Therapist
Case Worker • Citizenship Instructor
Advocacy
Acculturation
For More Information
HR@chaldeanfoundation.org
586-722-7253
www.chaldeanfoundation.org/careers
Community Development
Cultural Preservation
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 33

CHALDEAN KITCHEN
Leeanne Kizy and
her mother, Amira,
cooking together.
Discovering New Cultures
To feed her large family, Jamila cooked many of the traditional
Chaldean dishes she grew up eating in Telkaif.
As the years passed, she began to learn about the local
cuisine as well, adding traditional Mexican meals,
with their freshest of ingredients, to her family’s diet.
From their mom, Amira and her sisters would learn
the recipes for making meals from both traditions.
During those mid-century decades, a growing
number of Chaldeans were also making their way to
Detroit, Michigan. One such individual was Ramzy
Kizy. Ramzy left his hometown of Telkaif and traveled
to the United States alone, arriving in the Detroit area
in 1954. Like many others, Ramzy also shared the goal
of working to establish a life so he can start a family.
By the late 1950s, there had already been two or three
waves of Chaldeans who had immigrated to Detroit.
The Next Generation
As word of this migration spread to Mexico, Elias
Curioca began to visit Detroit, reconnecting with his
newly-arrived friends. Amira recalls taking such trip
with her father at the age of 21, when she was asked
to be the maid of honor for her girlfriend’s wedding.
They stayed with family friends, Joseph and Mary
Shouneyia. As one of the few Chaldean families in
Detroit, Mary would invite some of the single men to
The Mexican Connection
A mother and daughter prepare Pozole
and reminisce of family memories
BY Z. Z. DAWOD
Back in 1937, a group of Chaldean Iraqi Christians
traveled from Telkaif to Mosul, then to
Adana to board a cargo ship bound for America.
However, the United States was not their final
destination. Upon reaching Ellis Island, New York
City’s famous point of entry, they would board another
ship, this one bound for Veracruz, which was
then the main port of entry into Mexico. From Veracruz,
the pioneers traveled by train toward Paso del
Toro, stopping in various towns along the way before
arriving in Ixtepec, where they would disembark. The
journey would take three months.
In Search of a New Life
As was the case with many early immigrants to North
America, it was mostly single men who tended to undertake
such a voyage. They ventured to leave their
hometown of Telkaif and travel to Mexico for what
they believed would be a better life. With a climate
that resembled Telkaif’s, this group decided to make
the city of Ixtepec in the state of Oaxaca their new
home.
After some time of settling in, some of the men
decided to travel back to Telkaif, with the goal of
marrying. Their mission was to start a family to
bring back to Ixtepec.
One of the men who undertook this journey was
Elias Curioca. Upon his return to Telkaif, he was
matched with and soon married a young woman
named Jamila Karana.
Starting a Family
Elias and Jamila Curioca had their first three children
in Telkaif but after saving enough money for the trip
back to Oaxaca, Elias departed once again, this time
with a wife and three young children, arriving at their
new home in Ixtepec three months later.
Over the years, the family continued to grow.
Their fourth child, Amira, was the first in this Chaldean
family to be born in Mexico. Three more babies
followed, blessing the Curioca family with a total of
seven children.
As Amira recalls, her home in Ixtepec was a villa
of sorts, at least compared with other nearby homes.
She remembers having a comfortable life, never
wanting for anything.
Ramzy and Amira on their wedding day in 1961.
her house on Sundays for Chaldean dinners. Ramzy
Kizy was one of the guests on the Sunday that Amira
was there, and she caught his eye.
The following morning, Amira’s father was excited
to tell her about a gentleman who was interested
in marrying her. At the time, Amira did not take the
comment seriously. Rushing out the door to visit a
friend, Amira recalls saying, “Baba, I have to go now,
do whatever you need to do.” So, he did.
The very next day, there was a shower gathering
for Juliet Casab at Jack Najor’s house. It was a big celebration
with lots of food and dancing when, all of a
sudden, one halhole after another began to sound.
Then came the announcement: Mary Shouneyia
spoke up and informed the guests that Amira Curioca
was now engaged to Ramzy Kizy. And that’s how
Amira learned that she was to be married.
34 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

RECIPE
Pozole
Stunned and caught off-guard, Amira had no idea
that her father had actually consented to Ramzy’s
proposal, on her behalf. But Ramzy was serious
about marrying her, and Amira did not object. The
following day, Ramzy arrived with a ring to make the
engagement official. They were married two weeks
later, and Amira moved to the Detroit area to start a
family with her new husband.
Growing Together Through Food
Despite the obvious lack of knowledge about one
another, the newlywed couple did have one thing in
common: A mutual love of good food.
By the time she was married, Amira was already
an excellent cook, preparing traditional Chaldean
dishes for her new husband. She was quite skilled
at this and, in fact, many years later, Amira’s gurgur
would land her a feature in the definitive Chaldean
cookbook, Ma Baseema!
In addition to the Chaldean dishes, Amira also began
to introduce Ramzy to Mexican cuisine, and he loved it.
Their five children would grow up enjoying foods from
both cultures and speaking both Sureth and Spanish.
1+1>2: Joining Cultures
Ramzy’s and Amira’s eldest daughter, Leeanne,
grew up speaking Spanish with her mother until
Recipe shared by Amira
and Leeanne Kizy
Ingredients
2 cans (28 oz.) of white hominy
2 lbs. pork ribs, cut to pieces
2 lbs. chicken drumsticks or thighs
1
/ 3 cup dried oregano
Salt to taste
2 large white onions, diced
1
/ 2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
2 jalapeños slices
2 lemons cut into wedges
Instructions
Separately boil the ribs and chicken in 6 quarts
of water until cooked. The ribs take about an
hour and a half; the chicken, about a half hour.
Once the ribs are cooked, drain and set aside.
Transfer the chicken and its broth to a larger
pot and bring to a boil, adding the ribs.
After the broth comes to a boil, add the white
hominy, salt and oregano. Bring to a boil once
again, then simmer for 15 minutes.
Serve in a bowl and garnish with shredded
lettuce, onions, jalapeños, and a lemon wedge.
Sprinkle some oregano on top, if desired.
CHALDEAN
STORY
This report is made possible with generous support from
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.
From left: Amira and Ramzy Kizy with their five children; Elias and Jamila; Amira Kizy and her siblings.
she started school, at which point she began to
practice English while continuing to speak Spanish
and Sureth at home. Leeanne Kizy also kept up her
Spanish speaking skills by spending every summer
in Ixtepec with her grandparents. She would take
this trip alone each summer, from the age of eight
until she was sixteen.
During these summer visits, Leeanne formed
many fond memories of being in the kitchen and
cooking alongside her la nana (grandmother). Leeanne
loved to help out and put the meals together.
During one such visit to Mexico, at the age of
15, Leeanne celebrated her Quinceañera, an elegant
traditional party highlighting God, family, friends,
music, food and dance. Such celebrations would
continue late into the night, often culminating with
a walk to the Plaza Garibaldi, where family and
friends enjoyed the Mariachi bands that played until
the wee-wee hours while eating Pozole, a favorite
dish served to the partygoers at the plaza.
Chicken Broth Soup with a Twist
Over the years, Pozole began to stand out as a family
favorite. On the day I visited Leeanne’s home, her
mom, Amira, was there and, together, they proceeded
to share family stories from days gone by while
preparing the soup.
Pozole is a super-simple and delicious soup. With
fewer than ten ingredients, it is not in the least bit laborintensive
to prepare. If you can boil water to cook the
ribs and chicken, shred some lettuce, dice onions and
slice a jalapeño pepper, you can make this soup. Add
salt and oregano to taste, top it off with the squeeze of
a lemon and you’ve got yourself the tastiest of soups.
Passing Down the Traditions
Rooted in two distinct cultures, Leeanne grew up eating
(and preparing) both traditional Chaldean and Mexican
dishes. When it was her turn to start a family, it was only
second nature for her to cook both, alternating between
Chaldean and Mexican cuisines for her husband, three
children, and now six grandchildren.
Amira is blessed with eleven grandchildren and
nine great-grandchildren, which is in itself a cause
for a celebration. To keep the family close, a tradition
they call “Mexican Day” regularly brings all four generations
together for a Sunday family dinner.
As the family continues to grow, new generations
now call metro Detroit their home. With each consecutive
generation, the family continues to celebrate
their Mexican heritage, blending it with the native
Chaldean traditions from back home in Telkaif.
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 35

FEATURE
36 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

Beyond the Silk Road
Event explores four stories of trade and entrepreneurship
BY SARAH KITTLE
“
Geography informs your
fate,” says Dr. Adhid Miri.
What he means by that is
our environment has an immense influence
on our chosen trade or livelihood.
The Silk Road—interwoven
passages, caravan routes, and byways
that stretched from China to the
eastern Mediterranean—connected
with other important trade routes in
ancient Mesopotamia, giving rise to a
culture adept at trade.
For centuries, through the Akkadian
(2nd millennia BC, sometimes
regarded as the first empire in history)
and Babylonian (18th-6th centuries
BC) eras and even throughout the Middle
Ages, the culture grew, and skills
were honed. Around the 3rd century
AD, the manufacture of silk garments
began, and the price of intricately
sewn garments and fantastic wares
were haggled over in the local bazaar.
The people of Iraq perfected trade and
developed an entrepreneurial spirit.
Cities in Iraq became centers of
commerce. Towns like Mosul (modern
day Nineveh) were important stops
along the route, specializing in goods
such as embroidery, using silk from
China as raw materials. Production of
embroidered goods and the art of embroidery
spread to other villages, becoming
a local industry that wouldn’t
exist without the trade route.
Besides Mosul, the cities of Ur,
Akkad, Basra, and Baghdad were important
centers for silk trade and production.
The skill and expertise of the
weavers residing in the region was as
vital as their geographic locations as
Silk Road hubs.
An interactive timeline on the
Iraqi Embassy website states, “In the
mid-13th century, Baghdad became a
great center of civilizations at the crux
of economic and informational trade
routes. Universities were established,
science, math, philosophy, and medicine
flourished, and literature reached
its height.”
Silk Road Roots
Mike Denha was born in Tel Kaif, Iraq
nearly 90 years ago; he remembers riding
a donkey to deliver produce. His
family were farmers and the extended
Denha family was known throughout
the region for their tahini production.
Mike was taught responsibility and
compassion at home. “My mother used
to say, ‘If you see a load down from a
mule, don’t close your eyes,’” remembers
Mike. “’If you can help them, put
the load back up on the mule.’”
When you are delivering goods
on the back of a mule, a “load down”
spells disaster.
Mike came to Michigan in 1956 with
$50 in his pocket, the first of his immediate
family to arrive. He stayed with
cousins for the first few years, finally
finding his bride Nedal, a life mate who
has stood by his side through good times
and bad. “None of my success would be
possible without her,” says Mike.
In his first store, Food Lanes,
Mike employed newcomers from Iraq,
knowing how hard they worked and
trusting in their honesty and reliability.
He credits their efforts, along with
his wife’s support, for his success. Although
they were the best workers he
could ask for, being new, they often
weren’t fluent in English. One day he
entered the store, and it seemed empty.
He wondered where everyone was
and wandered around, finally finding
a crowd in aisle two. It turns out, a new
hire whose only English was “aisle
two” was working that day.
The power couple of Mike and
Nedal eventually bought 8 Mile Foodland.
All six kids worked in their store,
doing office work, wrapping meat, and
cleaning the bathrooms. They worked
hard for each other and with the other
Ancient trade routes, including the famed Silk Road, ran through Mesopotamia
(modern-day Iraq), setting the conditions for a culture of trade.
workers, and made the business a success,
earning record profits.
Mike mentored his new immigrant
hires, helping them learn business
skills as well as English. His wife and
partner Nedal mentored their wives,
helping them acclimate to their new
home and hosting get togethers in
the Denha home. Most of them went
onto start their own businesses; many
of them today could buy and sell the
Denha family’s current business,
Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises
(BAFE), many times over. Mike is
proud of that fact.
Mike, known within the community
as “Uncle Mike,” was one of the panelists
featured in an event called “Follow
the Silk Road: From Mesopotamia to
Michigan” held on February 29, 2024.
Other speakers included Jacob Bacall,
Karam Banham and Jeff Denha, Mike’s
son and president/CEO of the family
business. The discussion sought to represent
the stories of different generations
of merchants stretching from Tel
Kaif to the Motor City.
The evening opened with an introduction
from Dr. Adhid Miri, who
educated the crowd of over 100 about
the history of the Silk Road in Mesopotamia.
He traced the route from China
through the Middle East, emphasizing
cities in modern day Iraq.
Jacob Bacall was born in Iraq and
immigrated to Michigan in 1977, quickly
establishing himself as a successful
businessman. Upon observation of the
community here in America, Jacob felt
compelled to tell the story, not only
for future generations but also for the
community itself.
His first book, Chaldeans in Detroit,
weaves the narrative of a generation of
immigrants who fled oppression and
set their sights on a better life in Michigan.
This group would never take for
granted the ability to worship freely
and the opportunity to build a dynasty
as a legacy for their successors.
Jacob asserts that business is in the
Chaldean blood and that trade skills
are innate to his people. The “$5 workday”
that Henry Ford promised not only
brought workers to Michigan but created
a need for grocery stores and shopping
centers in the area. Chaldeans and their
entrepreneurial spirit not only took advantage
of these niche needs but also
created their own opportunities.
Karam Banham, who cofounded
the Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization
Center (ECRC), a lay organization made
SILK ROAD continued on page XX
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 37

SILK ROAD continued from page XX
up of volunteers that are committed
to answering the call of St. Pope John
Paul II to re-evangelize the world, was
another panelist. He came to Michigan
from Iraq in 1994, ready to learn.
With his brother-in-law and mentor
Mike Koza, he cashed in on the video
craze and invested in Mammoth Video.
Riding that wave until the market
cooled, he began looking for other opportunities.
Casting his eye to the southern
Unites States, he observed that gas
stations in the region were larger and
offered more choices and thought there
might be something there.
Again, partnering with Koza, Karam
created USA to GO, a gas station/convenience
store model that disrupted
the industry and changed the way motorists
plan road trips. This successful
enterprise allowed him to pursue his
dream of seeking spiritual sustenance
and becoming a revivalist. Besides
ECRC, Karam founded REVIV3, a ministry
that offers one-on-one support for
Christians in their walk, and is heavily
involved in World Youth Day, an event
that brings young people from all over
the world together to worship Jesus
Christ. “The Church is alive,” says Banham,
“and it’s powerful.”
Jeff Denha was the only panelist
that was born in the United States. He
shared the story of how the Denhas
came to own and operate Brass Aluminum
Forging (BAFE). Mike (Jeff’s dad)
and his partner were in the business
of buying distressed companies and
figuring out how to make them profitable.
They would resell the business
once rescued or dissolve it if the business
was unsalvageable. Brass Aluminum
was one of those businesses.
The partner had moved on and
the Denha family was left holding the
company. Jeff felt that with hard work,
BAFE could turn around and show a
profit. “Entrepreneur” is a word much
overused today, but it is a word that
perfectly describes the spirit of Chaldean
businesspeople. Not many in
the community engage in production,
tending toward buying and selling,
but the Denhas are outliers.
Jeff, along with his siblings, was
determined to “protect Mom and Dad’s
money,” as he said during the program.
BAFE produced samples which he sent
out to vendors, but he didn’t sit around
and wait after that. When he was contacted
by a potential customer whose
previous shop couldn’t meet their order,
Jeff contacted the supplier and arranged
to meet. The result was new business for
BAFE and a mutually beneficial business
arrangement with the other production
company. That’s good business.
Full Circle
As the vibrant tapestry of Chaldean
culture weaves its way across continents,
from the ancient sands of
Mesopotamia to the busy roadways of
The Chaldean community continues to bridge the gap between past
and present, enriching both their adopted homeland and the legacy
of the Silk Road itself.
CHALDEAN
STORY
This report is made possible with generous support from
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.
Michigan, the journey along the modern
Silk Road shows resilience, entrepreneurship,
and a commitment to
preserving cultural heritage.
Through their thriving businesses
and unwavering dedication, the Chaldean
community continues to bridge the
gap between past and present, enriching
both their adopted homeland and
the legacy of the Silk Road itself. As we
traverse this cultural corridor, it becomes
clear that the spirit of commerce and
cultural exchange knows no bounds,
reminding us that the ties that bind us
are as enduring as the threads of silk that
once connected distant lands.
38 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 39

Exploring April
20 years of April covers
BY SARAH KITTLE
Throughout history, April has been
a time of rebirth. It is the season
you see new green shoots poking
out of the ground. As the chill of winter
gradually fades away, nature awakens
with a vibrant burst of life, heralding
the arrival of spring. With each passing
day, the world undergoes a miraculous
transformation as dormant buds unfurl
into delicate blossoms and barren
landscapes are blanketed in a tapestry
of lush greenery.
Spring emerges as a season of renewal,
symbolizing hope, rejuvenation,
and the promise of new beginnings.
From the melodious chorus of birdsong
to the gentle warmth of the sun’s
embrace, spring captivates the senses,
inviting us to immerse ourselves in its
fleeting beauty and embrace the boundless
possibilities that lie ahead.
It is fitting that the first April cover
for the Chaldean News was about celebrating
rebirth and the establishment
of a new home for many in the community
- St. George Chaldean Catholic
Church. In her editor letter, Vanessa
Denha Garmo reflects on spring and
its message of hope and talks about
the movie “The Passion of the Christ”
and the controversy surrounding the
release. She opines that the Bible story
is a narrative for all to enjoy.
Next, in 2005, we take a closer look
at health trends in the community, focusing
on gastrointestinal disorders
such as Crohn’s disease and colitis.
Potentially embarrassing, these conditions
aren’t discussed over the dinner
table; however, writer Joyce Wiswell
tackles the subject with grace and dignity,
citing doctors and medical studies
which show that Chaldeans share
a propensity for these maladies with
the Jewish community. In the article,
a registered dietician who suffers from
colitis stated, “I have learned that good
health is not the absence of disease.
The model of good health is doing what
you can to build up your resistance.”
In 2006, Judge Diane D’Agostini
takes a hard line against a proposition
to allow county judges to decide which
offenders will be eligible for early release.
In the article, Agostini says. “If
I start worrying about overcrowding,
I’m not doing my job.”
The 2007 cover features the stars
of Second City’s “My Cuzin’s Comedy
Show,” a troupe which included, as Paul
Jonna joked, “an all-brown cast.” The
following year, in 2008, laughs turned
to tears as the community mourned
Archbishop Rahho, who was kidnapped
and murdered in Mosul. The archbishop
joined a cast of martyrs that stretches
back to the beginnings of Christianity.
In 2009, the Chaldean News cover
featured Easter art by then 12-year-old
Sadeer Jabouri; a decade later, in 2019,
the cover was again “All About the Resurrection.”
The intervening years saw
cover stories dedicated to: the Jewish-
Chaldean partnership (2010); the publication
of the Ma Baseema cookbook
(2011); a one-on-one interview with
Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim (2012); various
leaders “Elected, Appointed, Jailed and
Retiring,” and what that meant to the
community (2013); Mikhail and Suham
Kassab’s journey to America (2014); the
heroin epidemic (2015); Jonathan Bach
on “The Voice”; a new mosque in Sterling
Heights (2017); and the opening of
Our Lady of the Fields Camp (2018).
In 2020, we were “Bracing for Impact,”
unsure of what the future would
look like and unsettled as death and
disease swept across the globe. I feel
we are still recovering.
In 2021, Chaldeans had good reason
to feel excited when Pope Francis
went to Iraq and laid his blessing upon
the land. It was the first time in history
that a sitting pope visited the country;
he carried a message of hope for peace
and good will among all citizens, regardless
of religion.
In 2022, Cal Abbo penned a story
about the community’s fear and frustration
in “Taken Too Soon,” an article
about the over 100 Chaldeans killed in
their place of business, and last year, in
2023, Dr. Adhid Miri wrote about Iraq’s
alcohol ban and how it disproportionately
affects Christians in the country.
In this season of rebirth, when we
celebrate the resurrection of Jesus,
we should also celebrate the promise
of spring and the hope that we as humans
will one day live together in total
peace and prosperity. We have a long
way to go but if history tells us anything
it’s that working together, we are
capable of great things.
40 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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2023
2024 NEWS 33 41
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ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE
Growing Pains
Michigan marijuana business remains
a perilous pot of gold
BY PAUL NATINSKY
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a
series called Great Michigan Stories. It
examines the legal marijuana industry
in Michigan and the large part that
Chaldean entrepreneurs have had in
creating it. They invested early in the
fledgling industry, seeing the opportunity
to make considerable profit by getting
in on the ground floor. Savvy business
people like Justin Elias of Puff Cannabis
Company, his partner Nick Hannawa,
and Mark Savaya of Future Grow
Solutions have made a fortune off the
product. Mike Bahoura is one of many
Chaldean attorneys who specialize in
licensing and cannabis issues.
History
Even before the 2020 election that
featured a national explosion of approval
for ballot proposals legalizing
marijuana production, processing and
sales, the industry had taken off, with
Michigan among the most lucrative
states for cannabis crop sales.
However, the lure of marijuana
money comes with expensive federal
tax headaches, restrictions on trade
across state lines, and a depressed
market overcrowded with licensees.
In November 2018, a ballot proposal
made recreational marijuana sales
legal in Michigan. Prior to that, medical
marijuana sales were legal through
a “caregiver” program that evolved
into legalized medical marijuana dispensaries.
But the true boom came
with the 2018 ballot proposal. The first
recreational businesses opened after a
year of regulatory ramp-up.
A New Industry
We interviewed several sources for this
story in early 2022. In the short time
since then, the marijuana industry saw
a boom in licensees and a market oversaturated
with product and plagued
by freefalling prices. The price drop
put a number of growers at risk of failing
and sent ripples throughout the
Mark Savaya of Future Grow Solutions.
Michigan marijuana industry.
On the bright side, the cost of licenses
and land decreased and the
rush of licensees—including many
poorly qualified and capitalized entrants—slowed.
Through a name change and byzantine
series of rules, regulations and
legislation, the Marijuana Regulatory
Agency emerged as the administrator
of all things marijuana in Michigan.
The MRA created a board of five members
that considered medical marijuana
applications. Since we last wrote
about the industry, the agency’s name
has changed to the Cannabis Regulatory
Agency (CRA) to cover the wide
array of cannabis products, including
oils and edibles.
Licensing
Mike Bahoura is an attorney who specializes
in cannabis licensing issues. He
closed a marijuana dispensary in the
city of Lapeer and opened two stores
in New Baltimore and Monroe since we
last talked to him in 2022, when he said,
“It wasn’t an easy process. They were
throwing out denials left and right,
so it wasn’t easy to get approved.”
The board considered a broad range
of criteria from applicants, including
litigation history, criminal history,
bankruptcy history and moral character.
“The most memorable denial that
was issued was Calvin Johnson of the
Detroit Lions getting denied because of
some unpaid parking tickets in Georgia
like a decade prior,” said Bahoura.
The MRA dissolved the board at
the end of 2019, holding its last meeting
in December of that year. With the
approval of recreational sales, the
process has evolved from being very
restrictive to being more like applying
for a liquor license. “They started
granting approvals unless you had
something on your record,” said Bahoura.
“They were looking for ways to
approve you rather than ways to deny
you.”
Bahoura says the CRA has made
strides toward effective regulation on
the licensing end, but is still inconsistent
and capricious when it comes to
doling out discipline. Fines and penalties
are case-by-case and very arbitrary,
he says.
Operating Challenges
With the loosening of the state licensing
process came the rush for real
estate. The state grants licenses, but
city governments establish the zoning
rules governing where marijuana
growers, processors and retail dispensaries
can operate, and under which
conditions and caveats.
Outrageous real estate prices have
since plummeted, with relaxed government
attitudes toward the marijuana
industry. Still, local regulations
vary wildly. As of 2022, Harrison Township
does not allow retail sales, but
permits growing and processing facilities.
Ferndale allows retail sales, but
not growing and processing.
There are also conditions attached
to where marijuana operations can do
business. Restrictions on how close
the facilities can be located to schools
and neighborhoods are not uncommon.
And grow and processing operations
are often restricted to areas of cities
zoned for industrial activity.
As convoluted as all of this sounds,
it is better than the contentious process
that preceded it, in which applicants
were scored on a point scale and
the top scorers were awarded licenses.
A spate of lawsuits against municipalities
brought the current system—and
the subsequent rush of applicants.
Growing Green
It also brought city treasuries and
state coffers a lot of money. License
fees are limited for cities to $5,000 per
year. State licenses correspond to a fee
schedule and depend on the size of the
operation and in which part of the process—cultivation,
processing, retail—
the licensee works. Bahoura says state
license fees range in cost from $7,000
to $24,000, and that money flowing to
the CRA far exceeds that of any other
state agency of its kind.
Despite the economic boon marijuana
brings to the state, Bahoura said
larger, national banks still won’t accept
marijuana industry deposits. Marijuana
is still an illegal controlled substance
under federal law, so federally regulated
banks and credit card companies cannot
work with those growing, processing or
selling marijuana. It takes bank loans
off the table and makes marijuana a
cash-only business, forcing businesses
to transport large amounts of cash and
face the attendant security risks.
42 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 43

Bahoura said building costs of
$1 million with build-out costs of another
$1 million are not unusual for
grow operations. That is not inclusive
of added costs for water, light, and
equipment or operating expenses. If
a crop becomes infested, fails to pass
inspection, or other difficulties occur,
an entrepreneur can sink very
quickly. On the retail side, a busy store
requires upward of $1 million in inventory
to remain competitive. Retailers
are also hampered by IRS Code 280E,
which classifies marijuana retailers as
controlled substance sellers and takes
away the standard expense deductions
available to other businesses.
Despite the increasingly mainstream
culture forming around the
marijuana industry, vestiges of its outlaw
roots seem buried everywhere. Future
Grow Solutions owner Mark Savaya
says his company cannot transport
or test its own product. By law, those
services must be outsourced.
For those who met the buy-in threshold,
navigated the regulatory minefield,
and shined the tarnish off a once illegal
industry, gold did indeed appear at the
end of the rainbow. Nagging legacy regulations
and major tax hassles have not
stopped the industry from maturing and
growing. Some companies have formed
a rather large footprint.
Justin Elias is president of Puff Cannabis,
a business that operates 10 locations
of cultivation, processing, and
retail operations in Michigan. Puff has
expanded substantially since forming
in 2009, from its original nine employees
to its present roster of 500. Elias says
Puff had revenues of $7 million in its first
year, charted $150 million last year, and
expects to see $250 million next year.
When we talked to Elias and Coowner
Nick Hannawa, Puff was doubling
its staff and planning to move
into a new 20,000-square-foot headquarters
in Troy.
Future Grow Solutions owner Mark
Savaya made the move from the convenience
store industry to marijuana
a few years ago, when “caregiver” operations
were permitted to grow a limited
number of plants. Before dispensaries.
Before recreational sales.
Savaya saw the potential in the industry
and moved to North Carolina to
learn about hydroponic towers that feature
vertical towers to maximize space,
water recycling and no soil. The grow
The Risks of Cannabis
April is National Cannabis Awareness
Month, so we wanted to take
the opportunity to give you an update
on the industry and on the status of the
opposition to legalized marijuana. The
legal industry is still young; we know
that many Chaldeans have gotten in on
the ground floor, capitalizing on their
shrewd business skills. But others are
not happy with the new legal status.
Scientists are still learning about
the benefits as well as the risks of cannabis.
The CDC reports that nearly 31%
of 12th graders in one study reported using marijuana in
2022, and almost 6 ½ % reported using marijuana daily. Using
alcohol and marijuana at the same time will likely cause
greater impairment and risk of physical harm than using
either one alone.
The CDC study shows that teens who use marijuana may
be less likely to graduate high school or attend college. Even
more alarming, research shows that using marijuana during
your teen years can cause damage to the brain, which is
actively developing until around age 25. Usage may impair
thinking, memory, and learning itself. Marijuana use has
been linked to depression and social anxiety in adults.
While there have been studies on the effects of smoking
marijuana in its natural state, we have limited data on the
operations locate in repurposed industrial
spaces, much like standard indoor
agricultural set-ups, but the towers allow
for about eight times the number of
plants in a standard configuration, taking
advantage of the building’s cubic
(three-dimensional) space rather than
just is square footage, or floor space.
His business has grown, from a single
location as of 2022 to three as of November
2023, with another five readying
for business early this year. He says
he also owns seven growing locations.
Savaya now employs 300 people,
each earning $20 to $50 per hour; he
said he planned to add benefits to the
mix early this year. He often hires employees
convicted of non-violent marijuana
crimes. He says this gives them a
second chance and provides him with
a workforce familiar with the product.
Despite the prohibitive costs and
regulation endemic to his industry, Savaya
has found creative ways to meet
his business goals. In 2022, his tower
CHALDEAN
STORY
Edible cannabis products are often
designed to appeal to minors, despite
the minimum age requirements.
growing arrangement allowed him to
grow 12,000 plants in a physical space
that historically accommodated 1,500
plants, with the attendant savings on
water—90 percent of which he said
constantly recycles—and electricity.
Savaya also found creative ways
to administer payroll and deal with
the cash-only nature of the marijuana
business. While many in the industry
have turned to credit unions—which
are not federally regulated—to do their
banking, Savaya formed an employee
leasing company and “leases” employees
to his multiple dispensaries
and grow operations. He manages the
huge amount of cash his businesses
generate by paying contractors who
build out his facilities in cash.
Risky Business
As the industry adapts and matures, it
continues to face issues preventing it
from operating under the same rules
as other industries. 280E, the tax code
This report is made possible with generous support from
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.
use of edibles. Marijuana packaging is
often deceiving and appeals to young
people with its graphic art and bright
colors. Compounds in marijuana can
be extracted to make oils and concentrates
that can be vaped or inhaled.
Smoking oils, wax concentrates, and
extracts from the marijuana plant,
known as “dabbing,” is on the rise.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound
found in marijuana that shows signs
of helping with seizure disorder and is
also used as a topical cream for pain
relief. Scientists are still learning about how CBD affects
the body, however, although we know it does not cause
impairment and doesn’t get you “high.”
CBD is not risk-free. The FDA has limited data on its
safety. There are some known side effects of its use, including
liver damage, drowsiness, and changes in mood
and appetite. In addition, the risks of mixing with other
medications are unknown.
The Catholic Church is a powerful critic of the marijuana
trade. On the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle
website, a statement is made about marijuana which
reads in part: “The Chaldean Diocese of Saint Thomas the
Apostle joins the Church at large in condemning the use of
ALL drugs outside of ‘strict, therapeutic grounds.’ ”
law, has become the front-and-center
issue for licensees. As the businesses
scale, they are forced to remain cashonly
entities, not eligible to deduct
their considerable business costs
from their tax bill and not permitted
to engage in interstate commerce—an
increasingly important issue as many
licensees have multi-state expansion
plans waiting on the runway.
Bahoura said the number of people
exiting the business has accelerated
as new owners discover they underestimated
start-up costs. Some of them
are selling their businesses at reduced
rates, simply to get out. Underscoring
his points about prohibitive entry costs
and high risks, Bahoura said he has
helped about 100 applicants prequalify
for licenses, but only about a dozen
have gotten to the point where they
open an operating facility. He said the
big question he always asks his clients
is, “Do you have enough money to get
over the finish line?”
Despite the patchwork of sometimes
conflicting local laws, cultural
acceptance seems to have arrived. Bahoura
pointed out that dispensaries
were considered essential businesses
during the most restrictive part of the
COVID-19 lockdown. They remained
open during the pandemic, even offering
curbside service.
44 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 45

SPORTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Making the Cut
Twenty years of good sports
BY STEVE STEIN
As a writer for The Chaldean News
since 2006, I’ve covered many great
sports stories. Here’s a list of the top 10.
1. Absolutely Perfect
Pierce and Connor Shaya are tennis
players at Bloomfield Hills High School.
Pierce is a junior. Connor is a sophomore.
Between them, they’ve played
in the Division 1 state tournament five
times and won five flight championships.
And they have never lost a singles
match in high school competition.
Pierce is 47-0 and Connor is 53-0. Pierce
lost a doubles match in 2022, so his
overall high school record is 72-1.
2. No Handicap
Gabe Sheena lost most of his left leg to
an amputation because he was suffering
from osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
The operation took place January 6,
2000, one day before his ninth birthday,
at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center in New York City. The handicap
has never stopped him. He was an
outstanding wrestler at Birmingham
Brother High School and he wrestled
for the University of Michigan. He’s
now a doctoral fellow at Northwestern
Medicine in Chicago after graduating
from U-M and the Central Michigan
University College of Medicine.
3. Two-Sport Star
Ella Lucia is headed to Harvard University
to play Division I women’s hockey.
The Bloomfield Hills High School senior
had 32 goals and 92 assists in 66
games last season for the Little Caesars
AAA 16U girls hockey team. AAA is the
highest level of girls junior hockey. Lucia
also is an All-American high school
girls lacrosse player. She had 125 goals
and 59 assists in 23 games last spring
for Bloomfield Hills.
4. All For Iraq
Professional soccer player Justin
Meram, a Shelby Township native,
played in World Cup qualifying matches
and other competitions for the Iraq
national team from 2014-22. He scored
four goals in 36 games for the Lions
of Mesopotamia. Meram was the lone
Chaldean on the team, and one of the
few Chaldeans who have ever played
soccer for Iraq. Meram was able to play
for Iraq because his parents were born
there and he has dual citizenship. He’s
currently playing for Charlotte FC in
the Major Soccer League.
5. It’s A Set Up
Ava Sarafa was a member of three
state championship volleyball teams
(2020-22) at Birmingham Marian High
School. A setter, she had more than
5,000 assists in her high school career.
She’s now playing volleyball at
the University of Kentucky. She didn’t
play for the Wildcats as a freshman,
but she has four years of eligibility
remaining.
6. Not Easy
Bloomfield Hills native Andrew Nadhir
became an All-American wrestler
the hard way when he was a senior
at Northwestern University. He finished
in sixth place at 149 pounds
at the 2011 NCAA championships. To
do that, he needed to wrestle seven
matches in three days. After being
pinned with one minute remaining in
his first match of the meet, the Northwestern
captain won four consecutive
do-or-die matches in wrestle-backs,
two in overtime. Nadhir was an All-
State wrestler at Novi Detroit Catholic
Central High School before heading
to Northwestern. He’s now the chief
operating officer at BOSC Realty Advisors
in Troy.
7. He’s A Bronco
Michael Sulaka played a huge role in
the Warren De La Salle High School
boys basketball team’s Division 1
state championship in 2022, his junior
year. Sulaka’s most impressive performance
during the Pilots’ run-up to the
state championship game and their
first state title came vs. Grand Rapids
Northview in the state semifinals. He
scored 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting,
grabbed eight rebounds and blocked
four shots in 21 minutes. He had a
4.004 grade-point average at De La
Salle. The 6-foot-9, 215-pound Sulaka
is now a freshman on the Western
Michigan University men’s basketball
team. He didn’t play for the Broncos
this year, but he has four years of eligibility
remaining.
8. He’s An Ironman
Paul Shaya of Bloomfield Hills swam 2.4
miles, rode a bike for 112 miles, and ran
26.2 miles in one day in temperatures
that topped 100 degrees and high winds.
His reward? He was among 1,690 finishers
in a field of more than 2,000 athletes
who competed in the Ford Ironman
Arizona competition in 2008. Shaya finished
the grueling race in 16 hours, 27
minutes and 19 seconds. He was back
at work two days after the competition.
Shaya is a Birmingham Groves High
School and University of Michigan grad.
9. March Madness
Want to know why the high school basketball
state tournament is called March
Madness? Jeremy Denha can tell you.
46 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS
Authorized Agent for:
Phone: (248) 851-2227
(248) 851-BCBS
Fax: (248) 851-2215
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ROCKY H. HUSAYNU
Professional Insurance Planners
Individual & Group Health Plans
Medicare Supplement Plans
31000 Northwestern Hwy. • Suite 110
Farmington Hills, Ml 48334
Over 45 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
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Email MortgageGabe@aol.com
Angela Kakos
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o: (248) 622-0704
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Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service
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TOP 1% OF REALTORS
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Paul M. Al-Attar, M.D.
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Auburn Hills
3100 Cross Creek Pkwy
Suite 150
248-475-0502
Advertise
Warren
11012 E. 13 Mile Rd
Suite 201
586-582-0760
www.msspc.org
855-450-2020
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
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phone: 248-851-8600 fax: 248-851-1348
jacqueline.raxter@chaldeanfoundation.org
30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101
www.chaldeanfoundation.org
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Jaguar Land Rover Troy
Sammi A. Naoum
1815 Maplelawn Drive
Troy, MI 48084
TEL 248-537-7467
MOBILE 248-219-5525
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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
www.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
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stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org
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for As little As $ 85
in our business directory section!
to place your ad, contact us today!
phone: 248-851-8600 fax: 248-851-1348
30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101
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He was the coach of the West Bloomfield
boys basketball team that came
out of nowhere to make it to the Class
A state semifinals in 2017. After going
12-8 in the regular season, the Lakers
advanced to the Final Four for the first
time since 2003. One of their wins en
route to the Final Four was an improbable
67-66 double-overtime victory over
Novi in a regional championship game.
West Bloomfield was down 66-62 with 12
seconds left and pulled out the victory.
Denha is now coaching boys basketball
at Utica Ford, his alma mater.
10. Catholic League Honor
Sal Malek, a longtime athletic director
at Detroit Catholic League schools,
received the league’s prestigious Ed
Lauer Person of the Year Award in
2011. That wasn’t bad for a guy who
admittedly spoke “terrible English”
when he came to Detroit as a 14-yearold
in 1964 after his family spent six
months in California following a
move from Baghdad, Iraq. Malek is
currently the athletic director at Waterford
Our Lady of the Lakes High
School.
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 47

IN MEMORIAM
Shibib Tomas
Shadhaya
Feb 1, 1946 –
Feb 18, 2024
Jozila Bahoura
July 1, 1933 –
Feb 19, 2024
Najat Putrus
July 1, 1940 –
Feb 20, 2024
Salih Gorgees
Rofo
July 1, 1944 –
Feb 21, 2024
Bassam Dankha
July 4, 1977 –
Feb 21, 2024
Saad Yousif Hirmiz
Feb 24, 1961 –
Feb 22, 2024
Batol Israel Osachi
March 3, 1943 –
Feb 23, 2024
Bajara Goriel
Jan 20, 1946 –
Feb 23, 2024
Sabah Shallal
July 1, 1939 –
Feb 23, 2024
Yousuf Hirmiz
Yousuf
July 1, 1939 –
Feb 25, 2024
Muhannad Hanna
Bajoua
Nov 12, 1968 –
Feb 26, 2024
Itia Isho
July 1, 1934 –
Feb 26, 2024
Tina Katherine
Alhermizi
May 8, 1968 –
Feb 27, 2024
Nazeeh Najib
Jaboori
Feb 6, 1949 –
March 1, 2024
Fectorya
Shamoon -Kaka
Yaldo
July 1, 1936 –
March 2, 2024
Bleebos
Gorgees Oroo
July 1, 1950 –
March 2, 2024
Victoria Dawood
Al Saoor
July 1, 1937 –
March 2, 2024
Mary Daood
Daniel
July 1, 1936 –
March 2, 2024
Nadia Kaskorkis
Zeer
March 2, 1947 –
March 3, 2024
Munther Putrust
Jarjis
Dec 22, 1953 –
March 4, 2024
Hayfaa Koria
Hirmiz Banno
June 6, 1953 –
March 5, 2024
Mammosh
Shango Yono
July 1, 1931 –
March 5, 2024
Danny David
July 1, 1955 –
March 6, 2024
Wadi D. Cholak
Jan 1, 1944 –
March 7, 2024
Mukhles Patros
Karmo
Nov 16, 1956 –
March 7, 2024
Saad Aziz
Hamama
March 3, 1961 –
March 8, 2024
Ahlam Elias
Khammoo
March 8, 1948 –
March 8, 2024
Saib Razook
Tomina
July 1, 1930 –
March 9, 2024
Mukhlus
Jirges Kirma
July 7, 1954 –
March 9, 2024
Maria Yousif Gorial
July 1, 1932 –
March 9, 2024
Samir Mansour
March 14, 1941 –
March 10, 2024
Tidel Catcho
Mansoor
Sept 30, 1953 –
March 10, 2024
Pouleen Saeed-
Mansoor Kani
Dec 1, 1947 –
March 11, 2024
Minnar
Huda Mikho
Oct 20, 1995 –
March 12, 2024
Istapanos
Shamo Karana
Feb 12, 1944 –
March 12, 2024
Reva Salim
Shamon
May 29, 1978 –
March 12, 2024
Ghanem
Geeza Joda
Dec 15, 1958 –
March 14, 2024
Samira Jajika
Mekaa Ghaleon
July 8, 1933 –
March 16, 2024
Evline Summa
Ibrahim
July 3, 1941 –
March 16, 2024
Nooriah Hesano
Yasso
July 1, 1943 –
March 17, 2024
48 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

Authentic Italian style restaurant featuring cut to order steaks, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and pizzas and several salad options.
Spacious Banquet rooms available perfect for corporate events and meetings, family celebrations, weddings and showers.
OBITUARY
John Mikha
Mackay
John Mikha Mackay was
born in Iraq on July 10,
1948, and passed to the
fullness of everlasting life in
America on March 15, 2024.
Arriving in America from Iraq
with a bachelor’s degree in
accounting from the University
of Baghdad in 1971, John
attended the University of
Detroit and earned a master’s degree
in business in 1972. He was an executive
at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
for over 20 years.
John was the director of the Chaldean
Federation of America as well
as one of the founding members. He
became the first Chaldean councilman
of Lathrup Village in the 1990s
and opened a path for future Chaldean
generations to run for political
office. John worked diligently with
others for over a decade campaigning
for Chaldean recognition. In
2000, Chaldeans were identified in
the census for the first time.
He was the son of the late Mikha
and Amina Mackay, father of Matthew
(Michelle) Mackay and Laura Mackay,
and grandfather of Charlotte, John,
and Callahan Mackay. He is preceded
in death by siblings Hayatt (late Fethalla)
Habba, George Mackay, Basim
(Haifa) Makhay, Wadie (the late Najat)
Makhay and survived by siblings
Bassima (the late George) Abbo, and
Nada (Najib) Kas-Shamoun.
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• Visit the Dentist by Age 1
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APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 49

FROM THE ARCHIVE
Above, from left: The bride to be — Virgina Nadhir (Denha),
Dr. Suad Yousif Mary (Misho), and Shereen Nadhir (Kashat).
RIght: Kneeling in front is Kamal Mary, the middle boy is Adil
Mary, posing as a boxer is Hillal Mairi and the boy with shorts
is our own Adhid Miri.
Remembering Life in
the Home Country
Al-Nahr Street in central Baghdad runs along the Tigris River
with extravagant feminine elegance. Here dressmakers display
their fabrics in luxurious colors, and goldsmiths and antique
sellers show off their wares. In days past, every engaged girl
had to visit this street to choose her bridal jewelry. At a corner
leading to this street was one of the most important photography
studios in the district named “Babylon Studio,” featuring
the Armenian photographer, Jan Hovhannes Krikor
Gokaszian. One summer afternoon in 1956, he was looking
through his studio window and saw 3 lovely Iraqi women
shopping. Stunned by their elegance and natural beaty, he
rushed outside his studio and asked to take their picture.
The second photo was taken at a Miri family wedding in
Baghdad. The four boys in front are all cousins. The photography
studio was Samier-Ames.
50 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024

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