DECEMBER 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 21 ISSUE XI DECEMBER 2024

Holiday

Gift

Guide

دليل

الهدايا

LOCAL MERCHANTS

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Featuring:

Sr. Therese

Volunteer Opportunities

Holiday Mental Health

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4 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | DECEMBER 2024 | VOL. 21 ISSUE XI

DEPARTMENTS

6 From the Editor

A season of commitment and creativity

By Sarah Kittle

8 Foundation Update

CHAI program, Early voting at CCF

10 Noteworthy

Chaldeans elected, Nonprofit recognition

18 Economics & Enterprise

Designing for the ages:

Saroki Architecture

By Sarah Kittle

20 Iraq Today

Tel Keppe: A city between

past and present

By Hanan Qia

23 Iraq Today

Tel Keppe: A city between

past and present

Arabic translation

By Ghazwan Alyass

34 Health & Wellness

Holiday mental health

By Crystal Kassab Jabiro

36 Sports

Still perfect: Peirce and Connor Shaya

By Steve Stein

40 In Memoriam

42 Event

CACC’s 22nd Annual

Meeting & Board Election

12

ON THE COVER

12 Holiday Gift Guide

By CN Staff

FEATURES

14 House Passes Resolution 554

US must protect the rights

of minorities in Iraq

By CN Staff

16 Making a Difference

Ways to volunteer

By Jenna Abroo

24 A Lifetime of Innovation

Talat Karmo and his 42 patents

By Paul Natinsky

26 Money Matters

Seasons of investment

By Stephen Yono

28 A Look Back

20 years of December cover stories

By Sarah Kittle

30 Iraq After Isis

Documentary reflects serving

in the face of terror

By Weam Namou

32 Made in Mesopotamia

History of Mesopotamian jewelry

By Dr. Adhid Miri

36 A Devoted Life

Sr. Therese Shikwana

By Mirna Ayar

30


FROM THE EDITOR

PUBLISHED BY

Chaldean News, LLC

Chaldean Community Foundation

Martin Manna

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Sarah Kittle

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jenna Abroo

Ghazwan Allyas

Mirna Ayar

Crystal Kassab Jabiro

Sarah Kittle

Dr. Adhid Miri

Weam Namou

Paul Natinsky

Steve Stein

Hanan Qia

Stephen Yono

ART & PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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CLASSIFIEDS

Sana Navarrette

Subscriptions: $35 per year

CONTACT INFORMATION

Story ideas: edit@chaldeannews.com

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Subscription and all other inquiries:

info@chaldeannews.com

Chaldean News

30095 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 101

Farmington Hills, MI 48334

www.chaldeannews.com

Phone: (248) 851-8600

Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6);

Published monthly; Issue Date: December 2024

Subscriptions: 12 months, $35.

Publication Address:

30095 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 101,

Farmington Hills, MI 48334;

Permit to mail at periodicals postage rates

is on file at Farmington Hills Post Office

Postmaster: Send address changes to

“The Chaldean News 2075 Walnut Lake

Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323”

A Season of Commitment, Courage, and Creativity

December invites reflection

on the year

that has passed and

anticipation for the year

ahead. It’s a time to appreciate

the commitment and

creativity that drive us all—

whether through the artists

and innovators in our communities

or those whose devotion

to faith, family, and

country shapes the world

around us.

As the year ends, the spirit of giving

grows stronger. Our holiday gift

guide features thoughtful items that

highlight the creativity, passion, and

devotion of local creators, offering inspiration

for gifts that touch the heart

and soul.

This issue also introduces a new

documentary examining the rise of

ISIS in Iraq a decade ago, shedding

light on the remarkable courage of

those whose lives were torn apart and

rebuilt.

Dr. Miri’s article explores the artistry

and ingenuity of Mesopotamian

jewelry, a tradition that dates back

millennia. These timeless pieces,

forged during the birth of civilization,

continue to inspire today.

Sr. Therese, whose unwavering

commitment to the Church spans decades,

demonstrates the enduring

power of spiritual dedication through

her work with the most vulnerable.

Her example is a reminder of the profound

impact of faith in action.

Innovation, at its core, is about

SARAH KITTLE

EDITOR

IN CHIEF

persistence and vision. Talat

Karmo, featured in this

issue, exemplifies this with

his impressive career and 42

patents. His groundbreaking

contributions to technology

and design show how creativity

can change the way

we live.

Financial planning is a

journey through various seasons

of life. Our article on the

financial seasons explores the importance

of wise resource management

and long-term planning, underscoring

the commitment necessary to weather

uncertainty and achieve success.

In the season of giving, volunteering

stands out as a powerful way to

cultivate commitment. Volunteering

as a family not only strengthens communities

but also instills values of

compassion and teamwork that shape

future generations.

Mental health remains an important

theme during the holidays. We

address the challenges many face this

time of year and offer strategies to

manage stress, find moments of peace,

and prioritize well-being in the midst

of the season’s demands.

Creativity in architecture goes beyond

form; it is about function and

purpose. Saroki Architecture embodies

this principle by designing spaces

that foster community and reflect both

current needs and future aspirations.

The transformation of Tel Keppe,

a city with a rich cultural history,

stands as a testament to resilience and

growth. Its story shows how commitment

to one’s roots can lay the foundation

for a flourishing future.

We also celebrate the Shaya brothers,

whose dedication to tennis has

made them local legends. Their story

is one of perseverance, discipline, and

the relentless pursuit of excellence.

As the year closes, we are reminded

that creativity, courage, and commitment

are at the heart of all we do.

Whether rebuilding a city, innovating,

creating art, or simply being there for

others, these values propel us into the

new year with strength and hope.

Here’s to a December filled with reflection,

devotion, and the courage to

create.

Sarah Kittle

Editor in Chief

Corrections

On page 16 of the November issue,

Jamal Shakir Ibrahim’s “In

Memoriam” listing was paired

with an incorrect photo. On page

19, in our cover story, Diana

Alsindy’s fellowship was incorrectly

identified as a Brooklyn

Fellow; it should have been a

Brooke Owens Fellow. The digital

version has been corrected.

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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.


FOUNDATION UPDATE

Thousands Vote at the CCF

The Chaldean Community Foundation hosted its first ever Early

Voting site from October 26-November 3 for Sterling Heights and

Utica residents.

Within the nine days of early voting, the CCF saw 8,050 voters

come through its doors. Many first-time voters came through the

CCF as well, with great excitement around being able to participate

in the voting process. Thank you to everyone in our diverse

community for coming together to make your voices heard and

strengthening our democracy.

CCF’s Sue Kattula pictured with featured guests on a taping of AARP’s “Real Possibilities” Show.

CHAI Program featured in AARP Show

November was Family Caregiver Month in the

state of Michigan, and a perfect opportunity to

shed some insight into the programming offered

through the CCF’s Breaking Barriers program.

A half-hour program called “Real Possibilities”

through AARP Michigan airing on ABC 53 in the

mid-Michigan area is recognizing CCF’s C.H.A.I.

(Caregiver Helping Aid Initiative) Project.

CCF’s C.H.A.I. Project aims to educate and

inform caregivers about the importance of

lifestyle, nutrition, exercise and health care

play through the aging process. As a previous

grantee of the AARP Community Challenge

Grant, Sue Kattula, Breaking Barriers Program

Manager, participated in a recent airing of

Real Possibilities, a program focused on empowering

older adults to choose how they live

as they age.

All episodes are archived, and you can

listen to the episode featuring AARP Michigan’s

interview with Sue Kattula by visiting

https://www.wlns.com/aarp-real-possibilities.

Many voters came to the Chaldean Community Foundation

to participate in early voting for the general election.

Driving Towards Progress

The CCF’s H.E.A.L. Project participated in a revolutionary driver’s

education program catered to those who are hearing-impaired.

Thanks to the generous support from AAA The Auto Club

Group, the program revolutionized driver education with a

cutting-edge driving simulator. 13 participants practiced on the

simulator, gaining valuable skills and confidence. The program

graduated 6 participants with either a driver’s license or a permit:

Rafed Kareem, Nawras Nasee, Basma Malan, Taha Alhalabi,

Nedhal Alosachie and Najwa Al Neesan.

One of our most inspiring stories came from a participant

whose father has night blindness. Before, his father could only

drive during daylight hours, often relying on Uber for nighttime

transportation. Now, thanks to his son obtaining his driver’s license,

he can safely drive his father at any time of day.

Learn with A Leader Cohort 2 participants with program speakers and administrators.

Creating Future Leaders

After attending six months of learning and connecting

with area top leaders, cultivating leadership

skills, and developing relationships, the

Learn with a Leader program got together for the

last time as a cohort. In collaboration with CCF

and Wireless Vision, Learn with a Leader graduates

were honored November 6 during their program

graduation at Shenandoah Country Club.

Speakers and participants of the program

had the opportunity to speak about the growth

they experienced in the program and describe

some of the lessons learned that they will take

into their own leadership journeys.

For more information on the Learn with A

Leader program, visit the Learn with a Leader

website at https://www.learnwithaleader.com.

Example of the simulator used in class to simulate real-life

driving situations.


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NOTEWORTHY

Chaldeans Win Elections

In recent local elections, Chaldean

candidates have made significant

strides, securing key positions

and bringing attention to

the importance of representation

at the community level. These

small victories highlight the critical

need for diverse voices in local

government, where decisions

directly impact daily life.

For Chaldeans and other minority

groups, having representatives

who understand their unique

cultural, social, and economic

needs is essential for ensuring that

their concerns are heard and addressed.

Representation at the local

level not only empowers these

communities but also strengthens

the fabric of democracy.

In Franklin Village, Angelina

Marie Sulaka won her election bid

for Trustee, as did incumbent Jim

Manna in West Bloomfield Township.

Emily Dabish Yahkind won

the election for Superior Township

Supervisor and the Honorable

Diane D’Agostini retains her seat

on the bench in the 48th District

Court.

From left: Angelina Marie Sulaka, Jim Manna, Emily Dabish Yahkind, and Diane D’Agostini.

Sylvester Sandiha

Recognized

Chaldean Community

Foundation

Board Chair Sylvester

Sandiha has been

recognized by Crain’s

as a “Notable Nonprofit

Board Leader”

for his work with the

CCF. Sandiha works

to raise awareness of

CCF’s impact on the

community by bringing

together community,

faith and political

leaders. His efforts

Sylvester Sandiha,

Board Chair at the

Chaldean Community

Foundation.

have enabled strong support from donors, specifically

in support of a new Oakland County campus.

Sandiha has played an integral role in the development

of CCF’s new campus, which is set to

open in 2025. Sandiha, who is an executive with

Pinnacle Hospitality, also serves on the Chaldean

American Chamber of Commerce and is active at

Saint Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church.

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GIFT GUIDE

Designs By Liv

Illuminator/Vase in Crystals and Brass

A myriad of calcite, aquamarine, geodes,

golden tourmaline, and cast brass creates

a profusion of natural stones and brass

twigs around a glass sleeve.

Sapling-Encased Smoky Glass Jar

The fluidity and movement of

sprouting nickel saplings encase

a smoky blue glass jar.

All items are available by John-Richard

through Designs by Liv at 248.939.0948

or olivia@designsbyliv.com.

Christan Marie

Jewelry

Diamond Hugger Earrings

14-karat yellow gold with 14 (0.22ct.) round

brilliant diamonds.

Diamond Cross Pendant

18-karat yellow gold prong set diamond cross

pendant and cable link chain set with 14

(0.27ct.) round brilliant cut diamonds.

To order an item from Christan Marie Jewelry,

email christanmariedesigns@gmail.com or visit

christanmariedesigns.com.

Chloe’s

Treasures

Byzantine Pearl Rosary

This carefully handcrafted rosary,

made with Austrian crystals and

pearls, boasts durability and quality,

with a timeless design that will

endure for many years to come.

These can be personalized with

your choice of cross or connector.

To order your own personalized

jewelry piece, call Mervit

at 248.217.7789 or email

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Detroit Chocolate Company

2-Piece Gift Tower with Cookies and Chocolate Bar

Delicious cookies, covered in Belgian chocolate with your logo,

along with a decadent Belgian chocolate bar, all packaged in

a luxurious custom designed box with ribbon.

Custom chocolates are hot this year! To order yours, contact Detroit

Chocolate Company at stephanie@detroitchoclatecompany.com.

Found Objects

Barefoot Dreams Throw

Snuggle into the indulgent softness

of this throw blanket made from the

brand’s plush signature knit that’s so

cozy you won’t want to share.

Items may be purchased through Found

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Heavenly Dates

Chocolate Dipped Oreos

Each Oreo is dipped in premium chocolate and expertly decorated

for a delightful blend of crunchy and creamy goodness.

Christmas-themed Stuffed Dates

Treat someone special to the rich, indulgent flavor of chocolatecovered

stuffed dates this holiday season. Each date is handstuffed

with premium ingredients then dipped in silky, smooth

chocolate for the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

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Complexion Med Spa

Complexion Experience

Give the gift of radiance this holiday season with a

Complexion Experience—because beauty is always

the perfect fit. Whether it’s a rejuvenating facial,

Botox, age-defying treatments, or luxurious skincare

products, Complexion offers a range of services

tailored to every skin type and need.

Contact Complexion at 248.737.6912 or complexionspa@

gmail.com or visit complexionspa.com.

Editor’s Note

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Big Fox Shawl Collar

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Items may be purchased by contacting Anita Dumo

at 248.795.0985 or AnitaDumo@maximilian.com.

Explore a variety of other items from these retailers on the CN website, where you’ll find even more gifts to

suit your needs. From the latest trends to timeless essentials, we offer a selection across various categories,

ensuring you’ll discover something new and exciting. Happy shopping! Visit www.chaldeannews.com.

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FEATURE

House Passes Resolution 554 Supporting

Chaldeans and other Iraqi Minorities

BY CN STAFF

The U.S. House of Representatives

on Wednesday November

20, 2024, passed a bipartisan

resolution calling for greater support

for the human rights and dignity of

religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq,

including the Chaldean community.

The resolution, authored by Rep. Elissa

Slotkin (D-Mich.) and cosponsored

by Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and

Rep. John James (R-Mich.), urges both

the U.S. and international communities

to prioritize the security, stability,

what I heard back to D.C. and got to

work on this resolution, which would

put the House on record as supporting

the human rights and dignity of

religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq.

I’m grateful to the bipartisan group of

Michiganders and other members who

supported this bill.”

Slotkin’s resolution includes five

key pillars:

The fundamental human right and

dignity of the religious and ethnic minority

communities of Iraq should be a

including those who are displaced, is

essential to restoring and upholding

the rights of these communities.

The Secretary of State should support

greater regional integration for

minority groups in Iraq and promote

opportunities for affected minority

groups to achieve greater administrative

autonomy within the federal structure

of the Republic of Iraq.

Slotkin, a former CIA officer who

served in Iraq during three military

tours, has long been involved in Iraq

Rep. Dan Kildee, Rep. Haley Stevens,

Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. John James.

For more than a year, the Chaldean Community

Foundation, along with other

community advocates, has been working

tirelessly with these lawmakers to ensure

this important legislation stays alive.

Protecting minority groups in Iraq

is crucial to ensuring the country’s

long-term stability and peace. Religious

and ethnic minorities, including

Chaldeans, Yazidis, and other indigenous

communities, have faced per-

Elissa Slotkin John James John Moolenar

and political representation of Iraq’s

minority groups.

The resolution, which gained bipartisan

support in the House Foreign

Affairs Committee earlier this year, underscores

the importance of safeguarding

the rights of Iraqi ethnic, religious,

linguistic, and indigenous minorities.

“Michigan has been home for more

than a century to a vibrant Iraqi community

– the largest outside of the

Middle East,” said Slotkin. “When I

traveled to the Middle East as part of

a Congressional Delegation in 2022, I

met with Iraqi leaders to discuss the

challenges faced by their communities

and what the U.S. can do to help. I took

policy priority of the United States and

the international community.

The restoration of security, stability,

and economic opportunity as well as

the safe return of displaced indigenous

peoples to their homeland should be a

policy priority of the United States and

the international community.

The restoration of homes, schools,

churches, and other religious sites and

community buildings should receive a

specific and enduring budget allocation

from the Iraqi Government as well

as continued support from international

aid donors.

The effective representation in the

government of indigenous populations,

policy, including efforts to combat ISIS

at the National Security Council and

Pentagon. In 2022, she visited Iraq as

part of a bipartisan congressional delegation

that included representatives

from the Chaldean American Chamber

of Commerce and Chaldean Community

Foundation. The group met with

leaders from Iraq’s Christian and Yazidi

communities.

The resolution passed with strong bipartisan

backing, reflecting widespread

concern for the plight of Iraq’s vulnerable

minorities. The group endorsing the

resolution includes Michigan congressional

members Rep. John Moolenaar,

Rep. Lisa McClain, Rep. Jack Bergman,

secution, displacement, and violence

for years, particularly at the hands of

extremist groups like ISIS.

Their protection not only upholds

fundamental human rights but also

preserves Iraq’s rich cultural and religious

diversity. Safeguarding these

communities is essential for fostering

an inclusive society, promoting

national reconciliation, and strengthening

the foundations of Iraq’s democratic

governance. The support of

international allies, including the

United States, is vital in securing their

safety, restoring their livelihoods, and

ensuring they have a voice in the political

future of their country.



FEATURE

Making a Difference

Ways to volunteer in the community

BY JENNA ABROO

It’s often said, “It takes a village,”

meaning that people rely on their

communities to help raise and

support their families. This principle

extends to making a positive impact

on the world around us. A common

thread across cultures, religions, and

communities is a commitment to charity

and service. Volunteering not only

fulfills a sense of civic duty but also

aligns with our faith. As 1 John 3:18

reminds us: “Dear children, let us not

love with words or speech but with actions

and in truth.”

There are endless opportunities

to make a difference, especially as the

holiday season approaches. This is why

many students in extracurricular organizations

are required to volunteer a certain

number of hours in their communities.

This is true for students in groups

such as the National Honor Society,

mentoring programs, sports teams, and

faith-based youth groups. Volunteering

allows individuals—whether students,

professionals, or community members—

to make a meaningful impact while also

building connections. These relationships

can lead to friendships, professional

networks, and even additional

volunteer opportunities.

At Oakland University, students in

the Human Resources program must

take a semester-long course focused

on volunteering to meet graduation requirements.

As a graduate of this program,

I was required to complete this

course. The assignment involved forming

teams, selecting a local nonprofit,

and creating a project to support that

organization. We were required to track

our volunteer hours, report progress

to our professor, and present our work

at the end of the semester. My group

chose Affirmations, a crisis center in

Ferndale, Michigan. Their mission is

to provide a “welcoming space where

people of all expressions and cultures

can find support and unconditional

acceptance, and where they can learn,

grow, socialize, and feel safe.”

Members of “Friends of the Quffas” volunteering at a fundraising event at

the University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, MI 2024.

Affirmations runs food drives, collects

hygiene supplies for the homeless,

provides mental health resources,

and supports domestic violence

survivors. During my time volunteering

there, I witnessed firsthand how

their work is grounded in kindness

and inclusivity. I have continued volunteering

with them since. Their commitment

to community support makes

Affirmations an excellent place to

volunteer. For more information, visit

their website at goaffirmations.org.

Faith-based volunteering is another

great way to get involved. Many

churches and religious organizations

host regular volunteer events to serve

the less fortunate. A great example

is St. Mary’s Assyrian Church of the

East in Warren, which organizes yearround

service opportunities for their

parishioners and the broader community.

This December, the church is

hosting a Bottomless Toy Chest drive

to provide less fortunate children with

Christmas gifts. For more information,

visit stmarysmi.com.

The Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas

The Apostle, U.S.A. also runs a charity,

Chaldean Charities of America,

that supports persecuted Christians

and minorities, particularly in Iraq.

The organization funds humanitarian

services such as food, shelter, medical

care, and legal support. Their efforts

include the HELPIRAQ.ORG Network,

which aids displaced Christians in the

Middle East, and the “Adopt a Refugee

Family” program, which provides support

to families in Jordan and Lebanon.

100% of donations go directly to

these initiatives. To learn more, visit

chaldeanchurch.org.

Local businesses are also playing a

role in community service. Drifter Coffee,

a bakery in Ferndale, Michigan, has

partnered with the group “Friends of the

Quffas” to fundraise for a displaced family

from Gaza. The group was formed in

2024 when Rateb Quffa, a Gaza resident,

reached out to Michigan businesses for

help evacuating his family. Drifter Coffee

has hosted several events, including

donation-based yoga sessions, movie

nights, and craft markets, to raise money.

As of November 15, 2024, the group

has raised over $32,000 of its $40,000

goal. To support the cause, visit their Instagram

at @FriendsoftheQuffas.

PHOTO BY MARYAM QODA

Volunteering as a Family

Volunteering as a family is not only a

great way to give back to the community,

but it also provides a valuable opportunity

to teach children the importance of

compassion and service at an early age.

Many local organizations offer familyfriendly

volunteer opportunities, allowing

parents to engage their children in

activities that promote kindness and

teamwork. For instance, food banks often

welcome families to help sort and

package food for those in need. Organizations

like Gleaners Community Food

Bank and Feeding America have family

volunteer days where children as young

as five can help with sorting donations

or assembling food boxes.

Additionally, some community

centers, churches, and nonprofits host

“service days” designed for families.

These events might include creating

care packages for the homeless, cleaning

up local parks, or assembling holiday

gift baskets for families in need.

Volunteering together can be a bonding

experience and a wonderful way to

introduce young children to the concept

of helping others. Many families

also find that these experiences teach

kids about empathy, generosity, and

the joy that comes from contributing

to the well-being of others.

For parents with small children,

many organizations provide age-appropriate

tasks that kids can participate

in. Some volunteer opportunities

include making cards or crafts for hospital

patients, assembling hygiene kits

for homeless shelters, or participating

in community clean-up events. These

simple yet impactful activities help

children understand that their actions—no

matter how small—can have

a big impact on the lives of others. To

find local family volunteer opportunities,

check with community centers,

churches, or websites like Volunteer-

Match that allow you to search by age

range or family-friendly events.

The common thread across all

these volunteer opportunities is a

shared commitment to service. Whether

at a crisis center, a church, or a local

business supporting important

causes, every effort makes a difference.

Volunteering not only strengthens

communities but brings joy, peace,

and solidarity to those who give their

time. This holiday season and beyond,

consider donating your time to a local

soup kitchen, charity event, or outreach

organization. The impact of our

collective service stretches far beyond

what we may ever see.


43700 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI 48314

COMING SPRING 2025

BRAND NEW ONE AND TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS IN STERLING HEIGHTS

FEATURES & AMENITIES

• Energy efficient appliances,

including dishwasher

• Individual unit heating and cooling

• In-unit washer and dryer

• Granite countertops

April 2025

43700 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI 48314

• Luxury flooring

• Cable and fiber Internet

• Controlled building access

• Central elevators

All residential units at Tigris Tower are

available for individuals and families at

or below 60% of the Area Median Income

for Macomb County.

*Please see chart for eligibility requirements.

• Professional on-site management

• Resident lounge and fitness center

• Convenient parking

• First floor commercial space

AVAILABILITY

UNIT REQUIREMENTS

NUMBER OF

BEDROOMS

NUMBER OF

UNITS

* ANTICIPATED

RENTAL RATE

HOUSEHOLD SIZE

MAXIMUM INCOME

1 BED 63 $1,080 1 $40,320.00

2 $46,080.00

3 $51,840.00

To learn more and explore a

virtual tour, scan QR code

2 BED 72 $1,296 2 $46,080.00

3 $51,840.00

4 $57,540.00

5 $62,160.00

*Housing choice vouchers (Section 8) can be accepted. Actual rent rate will vary based on MSHDA market rates.

*Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) can be accepted. Actual

rent rate will vary based on MSHDA market rates.

(248) 602-6745 | leasing@chaldeanfoundation.org


ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE

Designing Spaces for the Ages

Saroki Architecture blends tradition and innovation

BY SARAH KITTLE

At Saroki Architecture, father and son Victor

and Alex embody the past and future of the

field. For them, architecture is both an art

form and a practical endeavor, merging technological

skills with design and aesthetics.

Their Birmingham office is home to over 80 design

awards, with those from the American Institute

of Architects (AIA) being the most cherished. “It’s a

pretty nice group in our profession to receive design

awards from,” Victor said.

For more than 40 years, the firm has thrived by

prioritizing client communication. “I always think

about aesthetics and beautiful design and beautiful

spaces,” Victor said. “But how do we translate those

beautiful designs to make them successful for the client’s

business?”

Clients often remark, “You’re thinking like a business

owner, not just an architect,” or “You’re thinking

like a developer.” Both Victor and Alex view these

comments as compliments, affirming that their design

approach is effective.

Saroki Architecture’s client base is primarily commercial

(60%) with a smaller residential segment

(40%), but you won’t find any institutional buildings

in their portfolio. “We don’t do university or healthcare

buildings,” Victor explained. “We focus on hospitality,

restaurants, hotels, stores, boutiques, and offices.”

Growing up in an entrepreneurial Chaldean community

means you’re probably going to develop business

skills, even from dinner-table talk. “We didn’t talk

about sports,” said Victor, whose father-in-law Eddie

Jonna was often part of the conversation. “We talked

about business and opportunities and our families.”

His father, Yalda, was 19 years old when he came

to the United States in 1929. The Great Depression was

being felt around the globe, characterized by massive

unemployment, widespread poverty, and a drastic decline

in industrial production and international trade.

Yalda was the youngest of five brothers and the

only one with a high school education, so the family

pooled their resources and sent him to America.

It was a classic immigration story, says Victor. Yalda

came through Ellis Island before heading to Detroit

and Henry Ford’s $5 workday.

Yalda worked 7 days a week, sending money

home to his family in Tel Keppe for 4 years until he finally

returned to Iraq, having ridden out the Depression.

He quickly realized that the village wasn’t home

anymore, and after a few months, told his brothers

that he was going back to America to start a business

and would send for them once established. He married,

but left his bride in Iraq until he could provide

for her in the United States.

“Our entire family was born here,” said Victor.

The youngest of 5, he has 3 older sisters and an

older brother, with a large gap between the girls and

the boys. He explains that his father had to “take a

break” after the 3 girls, desperately wanting a son to

carry on the family name. “We’re almost sort of like 2

families,” Victor explained.

Yalda was influential in Victor’s career choice, not

only because he encouraged education and learning,

but because he purchased property and hired his

“Good buildings

will last 100

years; our

buildings

are designed

to last 500

years.”

– Victor Saroki

Above: Victor and Alex Saroki stand on the

balcony of their architectural firm in Birmingham.

Left: Shenandoah Country Club’s elegant lobby

shows a Mesopotamian influence.

cousin Jimmy Jonna to build a home for his family.

Jimmy hired an architect to draw up plans, and regular

meetings took place to document the change and

progress of the building.

Victor accompanied his parents to those meetings,

and his love of architecture was born. “I could

see the floor plans and the elevations,” remembered

Victor, “and look at the front door and windows and

really start to understand how to design a house.”

One of Saroki Architecture’s first clients was

Johnny Karmo of Market Square fame. Victor had

just graduated from school and the high-end grocery

business was still in the future for Karmo when they

collaborated on building a liquor store in Detroit.

Karmo owned the property, hired Saroki to design the

store, and Jonna Construction to build it. It was the

beginning of a beautiful relationship that lasts to this

day. All three Chaldean-owned businesses are family

businesses.

“Hopefully, our sons will continue to do business

for many years,” said Victor.

Both Victor and Alex are highly active in the

architectural industry. Victor, a past president of

the AIA and a Fellow, is one of only about 2,000

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worldwide. Alex has earned accolades of his own,

adding to the firm’s prestigious reputation.

Alex also adds expertise in the use of new technologies.

While his father learned to draft by hand,

Alex was trained to work in CAD, or computer aided

design. “Technology is really important to me because

it’s such a big part of our profession,” said Alex. “We

have to stay on top of it and stay in the forefront of it.”

They also recognize that many new buildings

need technology built into them–mechanical systems,

lighting systems, communications equipment,

and visual technology.

Tech has become THE communication tool.

“When we used to have meetings with clients, we’d

roll out the drawings on a table, sketch in front of

them and make notes,” said Victor. “Now everything

is up on screens.”

“Visualization is so important in what we do,” explained

Alex. “With the advances in technology, with

all our projects now we are creating 3D models and

photo realistic rendering, so it makes it really easy for

our clients to understand the vision and understand

the design as it progresses with our projects.”

Architecture wasn’t Alex’s first choice when starting

school. “I thought the last thing I wanted to do

was architecture,” he said. Although Victor never

pressured him, he did suggest that Alex take a prearchitecture

course and see if he liked it. “I enjoyed

it, and the rest is history,” said Alex with a wry smile.

Both Victor and Alex encourage aspiring architects

to travel. “We have as much to learn from old

buildings as new ones,” Alex said. Victor agrees,

adding, “If you walk in Paris or any great city, you

notice the details—the sidewalks, curbs, and stones.”

One thing unique to Saroki Architecture is the incorporation

of Babylonian and ancient building designs

into some projects, such as the Chaldean Community

Foundation (CCF) or Shenandoah Country Club.

“All of the buildings we design have influences,”

said Victor. For example, with the CCF in Sterling

Heights, Saroki incorporated limestone arches and

lapis lazuli-colored tiles.

Victor and Alex design buildings to last for centuries.

“Good buildings will last 100 years; our buildings

are designed to last 500 years,” they said. They

are particularly proud of projects like Shenandoah

Country Club, which features custom Italian-made

relief tiles.

If you look at the entries of Shenandoah, you will

see a stepped ziggurat pattern that was inspired by

Nebuchadnezzar, the famous Babylonian king. The

interior colors are also a Babylon influence, gold for

the sun, blue for the waters, and green for the trees.

The design is both a homage to and a reminder of the

culture Chaldeans inherited from the ancients.

“These buildings will outlive us,” Victor said,

“and the people enjoying them today.”


IRAQ TODAY

notable figures, those he has heard of or

personally knows, who distinguished

themselves in various domains—from

clergy to intellectuals and influential

social figures. Undoubtedly, the names

mentioned here are but a few; countless

others throughout the years have

left their mark, contributing to the community’s

foundation and painting vivid

portraits across many facets of life.

Tel Keppe: A City Between

Past and Present

BY GHAZWAN ALYASS

Religious Leaders

• Patriarch Mar Joseph II Al-Ma’ruf

• Patriarch Mar Emmanuel Delli

• Bishop Basilius Asmar

• Bishop Gorgis Garmo

• Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim

• Bishop Sarhad Jammo

• Bishop Franciss Kalabat

• Bishop Ramzi Garmo

• Bishop Basil Yeldo

• Father Lucian Jamil

• Father Yousif Bin Jamal ad-Din

• Deacon Yousif Meri

Journalists

• Iskandar Al-Ma’ruf

• Maryam Neremi Al-Romaya

• Yousif Malik

• Yousif Hermiz Jammo

On the ruins of an ancient

mound and its surroundings

lies the city of Tel Keppe,

named after this very mound. Its history

traces back to the several centuries

before Christ, evidenced by artifacts

excavated there, specifically on

the site of the current cemetery. In

Chaldean, it is known as “Tel Keppe,”

meaning “Mound of Stones” in Arabic,

and it was once called “Shbaitian.”

Historical sources mention that Tel

Keppe was looted by the Mongols in

1508 and that by 1562, it was known as

“Shbaitian” in the lists of parishes. After

this period, Tel Keppe is frequently

referenced, particularly in numerous

Chaldean manuscripts dating back to

later centuries, stored in various collections

and indicating that they were

either written in Tel Keppe or authored

by its residents. These manuscripts

were copied between the 17th and

early 20th centuries, with the oldest

dating to 1648. In 1822, Al-Munshia

Al-Baghdadi described Tel Keppe as a

village with 3,000 houses of Chaldean

Christians.

To delve deeper into the city’s story,

we spoke with Mr. Yahya Khidr Tilla, a

local with a passion for culture and

history, who provided us with valuable

insights for this journalistic investigation.

This piece seeks to shed light on

different historical phases of Tel Keppe

and its significant milestones.

“Tel Keppe was once a village under

Mosul’s jurisdiction, ruled by a village

head and local elders (Mukhtars)

with Mosul’s governor as the higher

authority,” Mr. Yahya recounts. “During

the monarchy, it became a subdistrict

center, and by 1970, it was

elevated to district center status with

Mr. Salam Mikha Jameel as its first administrator

(Qai’em Maqam). The city,

located 15 kilometers north of Mosul,

serves as a district center overseeing

three sub-districts: Alqosh, Wannah,

and Faida.”

Old Neighborhoods

Although Tel Keppe has expanded

with new buildings, its old neighborhoods

retain the character and spirit of

its people. These neighborhoods with

their traditional architecture reflect a

timeless bond with the heritage of its

residents.

The town’s original inhabitants recall

the twelve distinct neighborhoods,

each named after families or clans

that symbolize their enduring presence

in the minds of those who grew

up there. Each stone in these homes

holds a special resonance for those

who yearn for their ancestral soil. As

Mr. Yahya shared, the neighborhood

names include: Asmar, Yelda, Uro,

Dakho, Abro, Gezi, Qashat, Samona,

Shaiwota, Shammami, Shengo, and

Mart Shemuni, which was previously

called Shuqo D’bi Abbo.

Luminaries of Tel Keppe

The city’s deep historical roots and the

Christian heritage cultivated since its

earliest days have been a rich source

of knowledge for the people of Tel

Keppe, nourishing them in the sciences

and various fields of learning.

This heritage empowered them to excel

across diverse areas of life. Over its

long history, Tel Keppe has given rise

to numerous prominent figures, including

revered Christian clergy who

have served faithfully, as well as many

intellectuals, writers, artists, and cultural

luminaries.

Our guest recalls some of the most

Musicians

• Khidr Elias Thuwaini

• Nazim Naeem Al-Salmo

• Hikmat Dawood

• Raphael Babu Ishaq - Historian

• Maria Teresa Asmar - Author

• Shmuel Jamil - Author

Poets

• Thomas Taktak

• Zarif Asar

• Hani Noyatha

• Yelda Qala

• Shouki Qunja

Social Figures

• Hanna Pajur Al-Hami “Reis” (village

head)

• Yousif Abro Reis

• Yousif Samoka Al-Hakim Reis

• Jirjis Al-Akkam

• Mansour Hilo

Churches and Shrines

During the 1970s and 1980s, many

families sought refuge in Tel Keppe

due to the forced displacement policies

of the former regime, which razed

Kurdish and Christian villages alike in

Kurdistan. This led to an increase in


the Christian population, prompting

the construction of several churches

for various Christian denominations.

Today, Tel Keppe houses the Assyrian

Church of the East, the Ancient

Church of the East, and the Chaldean

Catholic Church. There are three main

churches: Sacred Heart Church, St. Peter

and Paul Church, and the Church

of Our Lady, in addition to the shrine

of St. Joseph.

Local Shrines

• Shrine of Mart Shmuni and Her

Sons

• Shrine of Mar Yohanna

• Shrine of Bakht Sahtha

Nearby Shrines

• Shrine of Mar Daniel, Son of the

Sayyeid “Master”

• Shrine of Mart Shmuni

• Shrine of Arbini

The Market “Bazaar”

In the simpler, humbler life of rural areas

where restaurants and parks were

scarce, the Bazaar became the social

center. From the early 20th century

until the 1980s, the market was where

people not only shopped but also socialized.

Men gathered in cafés to converse

and pass the time.

According to Mr. Yahya, Tel

Keppe’s market included several

famous cafés, such as Ago Fala, Hamez,

Joseph Yeldo, Nuri Asar, and

Sliyo Bafal. The old market, located

in the Yelda neighborhood near the

Church’s hostel, contained shops that

catered to most household needs,

alongside craftsmen like carpenters,

blacksmiths, butchers, barbers, and

tailors. Tel Keppe was renowned for

its leather and gunpowder industries,

as well as traditional foods like Tahini

and preserved grains.

Chaldeans from Tel Keppe still own

about 70% of the town’s farmland—approximately

25,000 donums. While

some of this land has been repurposed

for projects under governmental decisions,

or sold to newcomers, the roots of

its people remain entrenched in its soil.

Diaspora

Driven by religious, political, and

economic factors, many Tel Keppe

residents emigrated in the early 20th

century. Some moved to Baghdad or

other Iraqi cities, while most journeyed

abroad, settling largely in

Detroit, Michigan, and beyond. Tel

Keppians established vibrant communities

that echo their homeland.

Mr. Yahya estimates that Tel

Keppe’s diaspora now numbers

around 200,000, with the majority residing

in the U.S. and others spread

across Europe, Canada, and Australia.

The Tel Keppians, also called Telkefians,

have excelled wherever they have

settled, especially in business and

trade, leaving an indelible mark that

draws the admiration and attention of

those around them. Their remarkable

achievements have transformed the

neighborhoods they inhabit, often referred

to as “New Telkef,” in homage to

their success and influence. Today, they

stand as pillars of social, economic, and

political strength within the Chaldean

community in Michigan, steadfastly

preserving their heritage while writing

a legacy of distinction and pride for future

generations.

Memories of Hardship

Tel Keppe has witnessed a long history

marked by profound events. It was

invaded by the Roman commander

Xenophon when it was known as “Shibetian,”

as previously mentioned. The

town endured the campaigns of Tahmasp

III, Mirakor of Rawanduz, and

the Ottomans, whose invasions subjected

its people to severe hardships,

especially during the era of the Seyfo.

In more recent times, Tel Keppe

faced famine and the tragedy of a flood

in 1949 that took the lives of young

girls from the local elementary school.

The Shawwaf Revolution followed,

along with the subsequent executions

of a group of Tel Keppe’s locals, who

were put to death in front of the old

police station. The series of calamities

reached its peak when ISIS entered the

town, leading to its complete depopulation

as residents were forced to flee.

When Mr. Yahya speaks of these

events, sorrow is etched deeply on

his face as he recounts how ISIS terrorism

invaded his very home in Tel

Keppe, crushing any hopes of remaining

in the land of his forefathers. He

was one of those steadfastly clinging

to his homeland, dreaming of a better

future, but the sheer trauma of what

befell them forced him and his family

to pack their belongings and leave the

country, seeking a safe haven—just as

many others from his community had

done in choosing this path.

Fierce storms have struck the foundations

of this city, uprooting the roots

of its kind-hearted people. With each

calamity that has befallen it, souls and

memories have departed, drifting toward

distant lands in search of a new

homeland.

Today, only a handful of its native

inhabitants remain. Will they be

the seed that grows and flourishes?

Or does a final erasure await, leaving

only the graves of its former residents

as silent witnesses to a bygone era?

Agriculture and Livestock

Tel Keppe’s fertile location encouraged

many residents to pursue agriculture,

a vital source of sustenance.

Wheat and barley flourished, and legumes

like chickpeas and lentils were

widely cultivated. Watermelons and

Armenian cucumbers (Tar’uoz) were

also popular seasonal crops. In livestock,

Tel Keppe residents excelled in

raising cattle and sheep, enriching the

town’s agricultural profile.

Despite their decreasing numbers,


كنيسة قلب يسوع الكُربى يف تلكيف

• مزار بخت سهذا

املزارات الخارجية

• مزار مار دانيال ابن السيد

• مزار مارت شموين

• مزار عربيني

السوق

يف ظل الحياة البسيطة واملتواضعة التي كانت

سائدة يف معظم املناطق الريفية،‏ ومع قلة أو غياب

أماكن الرتفيه مثل املطاعم واملتنزهات وغريها،‏ التي

تتوفر حالياً،‏ كان السوق،‏ ولعقود طويلة منذ بداية

القرن املايض وحتى الثامنينيات،‏ وجهة يقصدها

الناس ليس فقط للتبضّ‏ ع،‏ بل باعتباره متنفساً‏

اجتامعياً‏ وملتقى لتبادل األحاديث واللقاءات

وقضاء الوقت.‏ وكانت تنترش يف أرجاء السوق بعض

املقاهي املخصصة للرجال فقط.‏

ويذكر السيد يحيى أن سوق تلكيف كان

يضم عدداً‏ من الكازينوهات والچايخانات،‏ مثل:‏

عگوفال،‏ همّز،‏ جوزيف يلدو،‏ نوري عصار،‏ صليو

بگال.‏

ويضيف السيد يحيى أن موقع سوق تلكيف

القديم كان يف محلة ‏“يلدا”،‏ حيث ضم خان

الكنيسة،‏ وكانت دكاكينه تحتوي عىل معظم ما

تحتاجه األرسة آنذاك،‏ إىل جانب وجود معظم

أصحاب املهن،‏ مثل النجار،‏ والحداد،‏ والقصاب،‏

والحالق،‏ واإلسكايف،‏ والبزاز.‏ ومتيز السوق بصناعاته

مثل صناعة الجلود والبارود.‏ كام اشتهرت تلكيف

ببعض الصناعات الغذائية،‏ مثل الرايش ‏)الطحينية(‏

و”‏ املونة”‏ كالجريش،‏ والحبية،‏ والربغل.‏

الزراعة وتربية املوايش

تتمتع تلكيف مبوقع جغرايف خصب،‏ جعل أهلها

يتوجهون بحب وعناية نحو الزراعة،‏ ليجعلوها

رشياناً‏ حياتياً‏ يعتاش عليه الكثريون منهم.‏

وقد ازدهرت يف أرضها زراعة الحنطة والشعري،‏

وانترشت فيها مساحات من البقوليات،‏ كالحمص

والعدس،‏ ويف أوقات أخرى أبدعوا يف زراعة

البطيخ والرتعوز.‏ أما تربية املوايش،‏ فقد كان ألهل

تلكيف فيها شأن كبري،‏ إذ أنشؤوا مزارع لتسمني

العجول واألغنام،‏ مامّ‏ أثرى قطاع الرثوة الحيوانية

يف البلدة.‏

وامللفت أن أبناء تلكيف الكلدان ما زالوا

ميتلكون حتى اليوم نسبة تصل إىل 70% من

األرايض الزراعية،‏ والتي تبلغ مساحتها حوايل 25

ألف دونم،‏ عىل الرغم من ندرة من تبقى منهم

يف البلدة.‏ ورغم أن بعضاً‏ من هذه األرايض ذهب

إلقامة مشاريع مبوجب قرارات حكومية،‏ وبِيع

بعضها اآلخر للقادمني إىل املدينة،‏ إال أن جذورهم

بقيت راسخة يف ترابها.‏

االنتشار يف بلدان املهجر

دفعتهم عوامل دينية وسياسية واقتصادية إىل

اتخاذ قرار الهجرة منذ أوائل القرن املايض،‏ فرتكوا

مدينتهم وقلوبهم تتطلع إىل وجهات بديلة داخل

العراق وخارجه.‏ فتوجه البعض إىل بغداد ومدن

أخرى،‏ بينام اختار القسم األكرب منهم الرحيل إىل

بلدان بعيدة،‏ فاستقر كثريون يف ديرتويت بوالية

ميشيغان األمريكية وبلدان أخرى،‏ حيث شكلوا

مجتمعات جديدة تحايك موطنهم األصيل.‏

ويروي السيد يحيى أن التقديرات تشري إىل

أن عدد التلكيفيني اليوم يناهز 200 ألف نسمة،‏

رغم غياب إحصائيات دقيقة،‏ وذلك لتوزعهم

يف أرجاء العامل،‏ حيث تقطن الغالبية العظمى

منهم يف الواليات املتحدة،‏ وأيضاً‏ يف أوروبا وكندا

وأسرتاليا.‏

وبرع التلكيفيون يف أي أرض حلّوا بها،‏ فربزوا يف

عامل األعامل والتجارة،‏ تاركني بصمة واضحة جعلت

األنظار تتجه إليهم،‏ حتى أن األحياء التي يسكنونها

باتت تُعرف ب”‏ تلكيف الجديدة”،‏ تقديراً‏ لنجاحهم

الالفت وتفوقهم امللموس.‏ واليوم،‏ بات التلكيفيون

رمزاً‏ للقوة االجتامعية واالقتصادية والسياسية ضمن

الجالية الكلدانية يف ميشيغان،‏ يحافظون عىل إرثهم،‏

ويواصلون كتابة قصصهم بتميز واعتزاز.‏

أحداث يف الذاكرة

مرت تلكيف عرب تاريخها الطويل بأحداث درامية

مؤثرة،‏ فقد اجتاحها القائد الروماين زينفون حني

كانت تُعرف،‏ كام ذكرنا باسم ‏“شبيتيان”،‏ ومرّت

عليها حمالت طهامسب ومريا كور الراوندوزي

والعثامنيني،‏ ليشهد سكانها ما عانوه من ويالت

تلك الحقبات،‏ وكان أقساها فرتة السفر برلك.‏

ويف األزمنة الحديثة،‏ عانت املجاعة،‏ وحادثة

الطوفان عام 1949 التي غرق فيها طالبات من

املدرسة االبتدائية،‏ ثم جاءت بعدها ثورة الشواف

وما تبعها من إعدامات،‏ وكان من بني الضحايا

مجموعة من أبناء تلكيف،‏ والذين نفذ فيهم

اإلعدام أمام مركز الرشطة القديم.‏ وبلغت املآيس

ذروتها حني دخل تنظيم داعش املدينة،‏ ما أدى

إىل إفراغها متاماً‏ من سكانها األصليني.‏

وعندما يتحدث السيد يحيى عن هذه

األحداث،‏ تبدو مظاهر الحزن واضحة عىل مالمحه

وهو يروي كيف استباح اإلرهاب الداعيش عقر

داره يف تلكيف،‏ وكيف قضت هذه الهجمة

الرببرية عىل كل آمال بقائه يف أرض اآلباء

واألجداد.‏ فهو كان من املتشبثني بوطنه،‏ الحاملني

بغدٍ‏ أفضل،‏ لكن شدة الصدمة مام حلّ‏ بهم

أجربته وأفراد عائلته عىل حزم أمتعتهم ومغادرة

البلد،‏ قاصدين مالذاً‏ آمناً،‏ كام فعل الكثريون من

أبناء جلدته الذين اختاروا هذا السبيل.‏

عواصف عاتية رضبت أوتاد هذه املدينة

واقتلعت جذور أهلها الطيبني،‏ وبكل محنة مرت

بها،‏ نزحت عنها أرواح وذكريات من أبنائها نحو

أصقاع الدنيا بحثاً‏ عن وطن بديل.‏

واليوم،‏ مل يتبق فيها سوى العرشات من أصحاب

األرض،‏ فهل سيكون هؤالء هم البذرة التي تثمر

وتعطي؟ أم أن زواالً‏ نهائياً‏ ينتظرها،‏ ليبقى منها فقط

قبور ساكنيها،‏ شاهداً‏ صامتاً‏ عىل تاريخ مىض؟


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تلكيف بني املايض والحارض

كنسياً‏

البطريرك مار يوسف الثاين آل معروف

البطريرك مار عامنوئيل ديل

املطران باسليوس أسمر

املطران كوركيس گرمو

املطران إبراهيم إبراهيم

املطران رسهد جمو

املطران فرانك قالبات

املطران رمزي گرمو

املطران باسليوس يلدو

األب لوسيان جميل

األب يوسف بن جامل الدين

الشامس يوسف مريي

الصحافة

اسكندر آل معروف

مريم نرمي آل رومايا

يوسف مالك

يوسف هرمز جمو

املوسيقى

خرض الياس ثويني

ناظم نعيم آل سلمو

حكمت داود

رفائيل بابو إسحق - مؤرخ

ماريا ترييزا أسمر - كاتبة

شموئيل جميل - مؤلف.‏

ربانني وقدحي شاي

الشعر

توماس تكتك

زريف عصار

حني نويثة

يلدا قال

شوقي قونجا

عىل أطالل تل أثري ومحيطه،‏ تقع مدينة تلكيف

التي تستمد اسمها من هذا التل.‏ يعود تاريخها

إىل قرون عديدة قبل امليالد،‏ بدليل القطع األثرية

التي وجدها املنقبون يف ذلك التل،‏ الذي هو

املقربة الحالية.‏ اسمها يف اللغة الكلدانية ‏“تل

كيبي”،‏ ويقابلها ‏“تل الحجارة”‏ باللغة العربية.‏

كانت تسمى ‏“شبيتيان.‏

تذكر املصادر أن تلكيف تعرضت عام

‎1508‎م للنهب عىل يد املغول،‏ ويف عام ‎1562‎م

اختفى اسم تلكيف وراء اسم ‏“شبيتيان”‏ يف

قامئة الخورنات.‏ أما بعد هذا التاريخ،‏ فإن اسم

تلكيف يأيت بتواتر،‏ خاصة يف عرشات املخطوطات

الكلدانية التي ترجع إىل عصور متأخرة،‏ وقد

تفرقت يف عدة خزانات تشري إىل أنها كتبت

يف تلكيف،‏ أو أن مؤلفها هو من أهاليها.‏ وقد

نُسخت هذه املخطوطات بني القرن السابع

عرش وأوائل القرن العرشين،‏ وأقدمها مؤرخ عام

‎1648‎م.‏ ويف عام 1822، قال املنشئ البغدادي عن

تلكيف إنها قرية تبلغ بيوتها ثالثة آالف بيت من

املسيحيني الكلدان.‏

وللغوص يف أبعاد عميقة لهذه املدينة

ومعرفة تفاصيل أوفر وأدق،‏ استضفنا أحد

أبنائها،‏ وهو السيد يحيى خرض تيال،‏ الذي له

اهتاممات ثقافية وإملامات يف التاريخ.‏ وقد

زودنا بالكثري من املعلومات ضمن محاور هذا

التحقيق الصحايف،‏ الذي يعمد إىل تسليط الضوء

عىل حقبات زمنية من تاريخ تلكيف والرتكيز

عىل محطات مهمة فيها.‏

يقول السيد يحيى:‏ ‏“كانت تلكيف قدمياً‏ قرية

تابعة لوالية املوصل،‏ يحكمها رئيس القرية مع

املختارين،‏ واملرجع كان وايل املوصل.‏ يف العهد

املليك أصبحت مركزاً‏ للناحية،‏ ويف سنة 1970

ارتقت لتكون مركز قضاء،‏ وأول قامئقام كان السيد

سالم ميخا جميل.‏ هذه املدينة هي مركز القضاء،‏

وتبعد عن املوصل 15 كم باتجاه الشامل،‏ وتتبع

لها ثالث نواحٍ‏ هي القوش،‏ ووانة،‏ وفايدة”.‏

أحياؤها القدمية

رغم اتساع رقعة البناء فيها وزيادة حجم

العمران يف أحيائها،‏ إال أن األزقة القدمية ما زالت

تحتفظ بعبق أبناء البلدة وتاريخها العتيق،‏

حيث البيوت القدمية املصممة عىل طرازٍ‏ عمراينٍ‏

عريق،‏ مرتبطةً‏ متامًا بأصالة أهلها قبل أن يطولها

التغيري الدميغرايف،‏ وتتالىش منها مالمحها وسامتها

املعهودة.‏ فليس باستطاعة أبنائها وبناتها الذين

عاشوا وترعرعوا فيها،‏ رغم بعدهم عنها اليوم،‏ أن

يزيلوا من مخيلتهم أسامء األحياء واملحالت التي

تربوا فيها.‏ فهي اثنا عرش محلةً،‏ وجميعها تحمل

أسامء عائالتٍ‏ أو عشائر،‏ والتي هي تأكيدٍ‏ ال تزال

محفورةً‏ يف أذهان العديد ممن عاشوا فيها.‏ فكل

حجرٍ‏ يف بيوتها له وقعٌ‏ مميزٌ‏ ملن يحن إىل تراب

آبائه وأجداده.‏ ويقول ضيفنا السيد يحيى:‏ ‏“إن

أسامء املحال هي عىل النحو اآليت:‏ أسمر،‏ يلدا،‏

أورو،‏ دخو،‏ عربو،‏ كيزي،‏ قاشات،‏ سامونا،‏ شعيوتا،‏

شماممي،‏ شنگو،‏ ومارتشموين،‏ التي كان اسمها

سابقًا شوقا ديب عبّو”.‏

نجوم ساطعة

كان البعد التاريخي للمدينة والحضارة املسيحية

املكتسبة منذ العهود األوىل النبثاقها منهلني عذبني

استقى منهام أبناء تلكيف شتى أسس العلوم

واملعرفة،‏ وهذا ما مكنهم أن يكونوا بارعني يف

مجاالت حياتية مختلفة.‏ فقد أنجبت تلكيف

عرب تاريخها الحافل الكثري من األسامء البارزة،‏

منهم من خدم ويخدم يف كرمة الرب من رجال

دينٍ‏ مسيحيني أجالء،‏ وكثريٌ‏ من أصحاب الفكر،‏

والثقافة،‏ واألدب،‏ والفنون.‏

ويذكر ضيفنا أن أهم الشخصيات التي

تسعفه ذاكرته بنقلها لنا هي التي سمع عنها أو

يعرفها،‏ والذين تخصصوا يف مجاالتٍ‏ عدة،‏ منهم

رجال الدين واملثقفون والشخصيات املجتمعية

املؤثرة.‏ ومن دون أدىن شك،‏ األسامء املذكورة

ليست وحدها من اشتهرت وذاع صيتها،‏ فهناك

كثريٌ‏ منهم عىل مر السنني أسهموا يف بناء املجتمع

ورسم لوحاتٍ‏ خالبةٍ‏ يف مناحٍ‏ حياتية مختلفة.‏

الشخصيات االجتامعية

حنا پاجور آل حمي ريس ‏)لقب رئيس القرية(‏

يوسف عربو ريس

يوسف سموكا آل حكيم ريس

جرجيس آل عكام

منصور هيلو

الكنائس واملزارات

يف السبعينيات والثامنينيات من القرن املايض،‏

لجأت العديد من العائالت إىل تلكيف نتيجة سياسة

التهجري التي اتبعها النظام السابق،‏ حيث جُرّفت

القرى الكردية واملسيحية عىل حد سواء يف كردستان.‏

وقد ساهم ذلك يف زيادة عدد املسيحيني يف املدينة،‏

وبناءً‏ عليه شُ‏ يّدت عدة كنائس متثل الطوائف

املسيحية املختلفة.‏ تضم البلدة اليوم كنيسة املرشق

اآلشورية وكنيسة الرشقية القدمية،‏ باإلضافة إىل

الكنيسة األم،‏ الكنيسة الكلدانية.‏ وتحتوي البلدة عىل

ثالث كنائس رئيسية:‏ كنيسة قلب يسوع الكربى،‏

كنيسة مار بطرس وبولس،‏ وكنيسة مريم العذراء،‏

إضافة إىل كنيسة مزار مار يوسف.‏

املزارات الداخلية

• مزار مارت شموين وأوالدها

• مزار مار يوحنا


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A Lifetime

of Innovation

The journey of Talat Karmo

and his 42 patents

BY PAUL NATINSKY

Talat Karmo’s 42-year career—so

far—aligns well with his authorship

of 42 U.S. patents, mostly for

General Motors and Ford Motor Company.

Karmo holds a Ph.D. in polymer

chemistry. Now 70 and twice retired, he

has taken on a new challenge, demonstrating

a reluctance to step away from

the intellectual and emotional energy

he finds in the workplace.

“I am a scientist at heart,” he says.

Currently, Karmo serves as a manager

at Vintech Industries, a global tier-two

supplier. While he performs administrative

functions managing employees

and day-to-day operations, he also

engages actively in technical matters,

which he considers his passion.

Karmo’s patents — 42

granted in the United

States, along with

23 in Germany, 21 in

China, 18 in Mexico,

and five in Russia —

are akin to bestsellers

for a novelist, hit

records for a singer,

or no-hitters for a

pitcher.

Karmo recently presented a lecture

at a conference in Troy, Michigan, before

a packed house. He basked in the applause

and engaged with attendees who

had numerous questions for him on his

way out. He simply can’t find a reason to

stop working. “Tell me, my friend, what

would I do at home?” he asks.

Intellectual and emotional incentives

keep Karmo in the game, but his

legacy is also at the forefront of his

mind. Those 42 U.S. patents, along

with 23 granted in Germany, 21 in China,

18 in Mexico, and five in Russia,

are akin to bestsellers for a novelist,

hit records for a singer, or no-hitters

for a pitcher.

“There are no royalties, per se,”

Karmo explains. Bonuses accrue

based on how far a patent travels toward

implementation. “I don’t have

the rights to those patents. If I did,

my friend, I would be a billionaire,”

he adds. In some cases, the company

might structure it so he receives 3% of

net revenue up to $50,000, or a similar

arrangement. However, Karmo

emphasizes, “Don’t think of me as

Elon Musk.”

He believes the arrangement is fair,

as companies provide the labs, fivefigure

legal fees, and other costs associated

with patent development. Many of


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Karmo’s patents involve highly technical

matters. A complete listing, along with

descriptions of each patent, is publicly

available on the Washington Patent Office

website. A quick search of Karmo’s

name yields similar information.

When asked which patent the public

may find especially interesting,

he cites a process involving coconut

shells. Karmo and his team synthesized

a new plastic material using

recycled coconut shell waste made

into a powder, which was used as a

filler instead of talc. Ford utilized this

material to create plastic molding for

the Mustang, preventing many coconut

shells from ending up in landfills

while also replacing potentially cancer-causing

talc.

Karmo’s journey began in northern

Iraq, passing through England

and northern Ohio before reaching

Detroit. He was born in Telkaif, Iraq,

and grew up in Baghdad, where he

completed his elementary and secondary

education and graduated with

a bachelor’s degree from the University

of Baghdad.

Supported by his family, he moved

to England to finish his postgraduate

education, earning a master’s degree

and a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering

with a specialization in polymeric materials

from the University of Lancaster.

He later immigrated to the United

States to join his family. The first stop

was in Cleveland, Ohio as a Postdoctoral

Research and Faculty member at

Case Western Reserve University. Later,

he moved to Detroit as Manager of

Materials Engineering at GM and Ford.

Professionally, Karmo has served

as past chairman of the Automotive

Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers.

He has also been actively involved

in his community, serving as

past president of the Iraqi American

Graduate Association and participating

in the Chaldean Iraqi American

Association of Michigan, where he has

chaired various committees for the

past 44 years.

Despite his busy professional life,

Karmo finds time to enjoy family life.

He is married to Outour and has two

sons, Brandon and Dillon, both of

whom are medical doctors, as well as

six grandchildren: Luke, Grace, Cameron,

Roman, Celine, and Izabel.

For an engaged professional in a

global industry, Karmo dislikes business

travel. “If I cross the Atlantic, I

want to be on the beach for two weeks

somewhere,” he says.

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As we transition from

autumn to winter,

change is all around

us — leaves are taking on new

colors, temperatures are dropping,

and the days are getting

shorter. But you can also

experience different seasons

in various aspects of your life

— including when you invest.

What are the seasons of an investor’s

life? And how should

you respond to them?

The first such season may

happen when you are in your 20s and

just starting out in the working world.

At this stage in your life, it’s especially

important to prioritize your financial

goals. At the top of your mind may be

a short-term goal, such as saving for a

down payment on a house.

To help achieve this goal, you’d

generally want to save in “cash” accounts

and invest in fixed-income

vehicles that offer preservation of

principal. At the same time, you don’t

want to disregard a longer-term goal

— in particular, saving for retirement.

While you may not be able to afford to

put much away, every amount helps.

And you’ll want to invest for growth.

Now, as the seasons of your life progress,

let’s consider your early middle

years. At this point, you’ve moved past

the down payment on your home and

you’re well into paying a mortgage regularly.

And you might even have retired

your student loans. But now, you may

have another major goal — helping build

resources for your children’s college education

or other post-secondary training.

For this objective, you could consider

several options, one of which is

a 529 education savings plan, which

can provide federally tax-free earnings

and withdrawals if the money is used

for qualified educational expenses.

But you’re also moving closer to retirement,

so, if you can afford it, you may

want to increase your contributions

to your IRA and your 401(k) or other

employer-sponsored retirement plan.

As the seasons continue to move

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on, and you find yourself in

your later middle years, your

financial situation may have

changed significantly. Now,

your children may be out of

school, your earnings may

have grown to their highest

level, and you might even

have paid off your mortgage.

Given these factors, you may

now be able to devote more

of your resources toward your

retirement by ramping up

your IRA and 401(k) contributions

even further, and possibly also

considering other investment vehicles.

And you may want to inject more balance

into your portfolio, possibly lowering

its overall risk level somewhat,

especially in the years immediately preceding

your retirement.

Once you move into your retirement

season, you may need to continue, and

possibly accelerate, the movement toward

a more balanced portfolio — one

that provides you with more incomeproducing

opportunities. Some investments

provide current income, while

others provide it in the future, but all

of them can contribute to your ability to

enjoy your retirement lifestyle. However,

you still need some growth-oriented

investments to help keep you ahead of

inflation. Plus, it’s a good idea to keep

at least a year’s worth of living expenses

in cash and another few years’ worth

in short-term, fixed-income investments.

By doing so, you can help avoid

having to sell assets in a down market.

The seasons of your life may come

and go more quickly than you realize

— but you can be prepared for them

by making the appropriate investment

moves.

Stephen Yono is a financial advisor

with Edward Jones, specializing in

wealth strategies, portfolio reviews,

retirement planning, insurance and

annuities, and intergenerational

planning. You may contact him at

248-716-3397 or Stephen.Yono@

edwardjones.com.


Preparing ESL learners to use the

ESLEnglish ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

language in the real world!

ESL 1 AND 2: PRE-LITERACY TO HIGH BEGINNER

• Conversational skills

• Writing

• Reading

• Vocabulary and pronunciation

• Speaking focused on social conversations and

various topics

ESL 3: INTERMEDIATE

• Advanced conversational skills

• Writing

• Reading

• Grammar

• Vocabulary and pronunciation

• Helps students speak confidently on a

wide range of topics

$40 REGISTRATION FEE

Books and materials included.

To register, contact Rachel Hall at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call (586) 722-7253

3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 | www.chaldeanfoundation.org


A Look Back

20 years of December cover stories

BY SARAH KITTLE

Over the past two decades,

CN’s December cover stories

have captured the evolving

cultural, religious, and social fabric

of the Chaldean community, showcasing

key moments, traditions, and

achievements.

In 2004, the focus was on Chaldean

Christmas traditions, highlighting

the significance of dishes like pacha

and koolecha as well as customs

like lighting bonfires and singing

hymns, emphasizing the role of family

and faith. The 2005 edition delved

into the strained relationship between

Chaldeans and Detroit’s Mayor

Kwame Kilpatrick, stressing the need

for political engagement. In 2006, the

community’s charitable efforts during

the holiday season were highlighted,

focusing on food drives and outreach

programs for the less fortunate.

The 2007 cover focused on Chaldean

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly’s

election to a prominent Vatican position,

raising global awareness about

the persecution of Iraqi Christians. In

2008, the cover celebrated Chaldean

Christmas celebrations, offering insights

into the religious and culinary

aspects of the season. The 2009 edition

spotlighted the St. Thomas Grotto,

emphasizing its role in preserving

Chaldean heritage.

In 2010, the community’s response

to the ongoing violence against Christians

in Iraq was explored, with an emphasis

on the persecution Chaldeans

were facing abroad. The 2011 cover story

highlighted the Detroit Institute of

Arts’ “Picturing Jesus” exhibit, framed

as a Christmas gift to the city. In 2012,

the historic election of Michigan’s

first Chaldean-American state representative,

Klint Kesto, was featured,

celebrating political progress for the

community.

The 2013 holiday edition offered a

curated gift guide that resonated with

Chaldean cultural and religious values,

followed by the 2014 focus on local

artisans and businesses providing

culturally significant gifts. The 2015

holiday edition again highlighted gifts

with a blend of tradition and luxury,

emphasizing locally sourced, handmade

items.

In 2016, the grand opening of the

Chaldean Cultural Center was celebrated

as a major step in preserving

and promoting Chaldean heritage,

offering a resource for education and

cultural events. The 2017 holiday issue

focused on Chaldean pastries, particularly

koolecha and basbousa, exploring

how these traditional sweets are

an integral part of holiday gatherings.

The 2018 cover story examined how

Catholicism and art intersected within

the Chaldean community, showcasing

how faith has influenced local

artists. In 2019, the gift guide again

featured Chaldean artisans, promoting

locally made products. The 2020

cover focused on the challenges the

community faced during the COVID-19

pandemic, highlighting how families

adapted holiday traditions and stayed

connected.

In 2021, the cover featured community

members’ personal Christmas

memories, reflecting on how the

meaning of the holiday had evolved

over time. In 2022, the play “Noura”

by Heather Raffo was highlighted

for its exploration of themes such as

displacement and identity, resonating

deeply with Chaldean and Middle

Eastern audiences. Last year, the cover

story celebrated the life-changing

impact of adoption within Chaldean

families, emphasizing how it strengthens

both individual families and the

broader community.

As we look back on these rich and

diverse cover stories over the past two

decades, it’s clear that the Chaldean

community’s journey is one of resilience,

faith, and cultural preservation.

From the celebration of time-honored

traditions to the recognition of new

milestones, each story has helped to

paint a vivid picture of a community

that continually adapts while holding

onto its core values.


CAREER

SERVICES

WHAT WE DO

PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING IN ONE OF OUR NEW AMERICANS.

The Career Services Department at the Chaldean

Community Foundation offers one-on-one assistance to

help clients identify goals and develop careers.

• Career Fairs

• Employer Referrals

• Job Application Completion

• Training Opportunities

• Resume Building

• Mock Interviews

• Cover Letter Writing

• FAFSA Completion

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

clients, please call or email Elias at 586.722.7253

or elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org

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


FEATURE

Iraq After Isis

Documentary reflects serving in the face of terror

BY WEAM NAMOU

In a world often marked by division

and misunderstanding, Matthew

Howard, a seasoned communications

professional and executive producer

of Common Home TV, is on a

mission to amplify the voices of those

working for peace and justice. His latest

documentary, Learning to Serve in

the Face of Terror, is centered around

Bishop Bashar Warda, Archbishop of

Erbil, Iraq. It highlights the profound

impact of faith in times of crisis, particularly

in the face of adversity in the

Middle East.

Howard is originally from Montreal,

Canada. His journey to create

this documentary began ten years ago

while working in Melbourne, Australia,

where he currently lives. When he

learned that Archbishop Warda was

visiting Sydney, he, his wife, and their

newborn daughter packed up and

drove to meet him, even facing a car

breakdown along the way. “Meeting

him was incredible—his presence radiates

love and compassion, especially

in such dark times,” Howard recalls.

The inspiration for this documentary

is deeply rooted in the mission of

the Redemptorists, a Roman Catholic

religious order founded in 1732 by

Saint Alphonsus Liguori in Scala,

Italy. The order focuses on preaching

the Gospel and serving the poor, particularly

in areas of great need.

“Archbishop Warda embodies the

Redemptorist spirituality I admire,”

Howard says, emphasizing the archbishop’s

dedication to marginalized

communities, which reminded him

of figures like Father Alec Reid, who

played a crucial role in Northern Ireland’s

peace process, and Brother

Jun Santiago, who bravely documented

the realities of extrajudicial

killings.

Bishop Warda said that the history

of the Redemptorists of Iraq

goes back to the late 1950s, when

the late Chaldean patriarch Polis

Sheiko asked the Redemptorists to

come spread the Good News for the

marginalized and forgotten villages

Matthew and his family traveling to meet the archbishop.

in northeastern Syria and then, from

there, to Iraq and other places where

there was a need.

“I wanted to join the Redemptorists

and was told ‘no,’ they couldn’t

take someone from a local seminary,”

said Warda. “I was ordained as a priest

in 1993, and then renewed my request,

and this time, the respond was, ‘Yes,

we can accept you.’”

Howard’s intention is to shed light

on the often-misunderstood narrative

of the Catholic Church, particularly

regarding its role in promoting peace

amidst turmoil. “The secular audience

needs to hear the truth about the

Church,” he says, underscoring the

importance of storytelling in bridging

gaps of understanding, although he

admits that telling Archbishop Warda’s

story was a delicate endeavor.

Howard likens it to producing a

film about the Holocaust, where the

stakes of representation are high. But

Archbishop Warda’s calming presence

and deep knowledge of faith principles

made him a compelling figure

in the narrative of resilience and hope

during the rise of ISIS in Mosul.

The morning that ISIS attacked, he

found himself inundated with people

seeking refuge, and his instinct to

respond to “everyone’s needs” illustrated

his commitment to humanity,

irrespective of faith.

“People walked for over 12 hours

to reach safety because they were

completely unprepared for what happened,”

he said. “We had to respond

with whatever resources we had, offering

help to all in need.”

“Archbishop Warda didn’t just provide

food and shelter,” said Howard.

“He offered hope and the strength

of faith to those who had lost everything.”

He points out that Warda’s heroic

actions during the siege of Sinjar,

where he defended the Yezidis, shows

the universality of Catholicism. Howard

notes, “His simple yet profound

approach to helping others is striking,

especially given the horrors he faced.”

This year marked the ten-year anniversary

of the ISIS attacks, but Howard

says that the story is far from over.

“The trauma persists, and we must

address it to prevent cycles of violence

from continuing.”

As he reflects on the broader impact

of trauma, he notes how the

leadership of Hamas emerged from

their own experiences of being terrorized.

“Breaking this cycle requires

better peace-making traditions,”

Howard says.

Engaging in open dialogue about

these issues is essential, he adds, and

Archbishop Warda has invested significant

effort into conversations with Islamic

scholars about such matters. In

the documentary, Warda talked about

how, according to Islam, Yezidis, Jews,

and Christians are subject to enslavement

and killing because they are not

people of the book (Quran).

“The blessings, if I may say, of the

phenomena of ISIS, is that for the first

time, it was possible for us to speak

openly and directly with Islamic scholars,

and the cancer within ISIS,” said

Warda. “They should be honest about

naming this cancerous disease and really

fight it, not by war but by educating

the young people about the danger

of extremism within Islam.”

Bishop Warda points out that this

is not just for our own safety. but out of

love for “our Muslim brothers and sisters.”

Howard hopes that viewers will recognize

the spiritual aspect of humanitarian

work, particularly in times of crisis.

“Even those who are agnostic often turn

to God in these moments,” he states.

People can watch the documentary

on Common Home TV, a platform dedicated

to presenting impactful Catholic

content that resonates with a Western

audience. “It’s important to reflect the

deeper traditions of faith and social

justice,” Howard says, stressing that

the presence of faith communities fosters

genuine encounters between individuals

and God.

Howard also encourages viewers to

engage with Common Home TV, where

they can find interviews addressing

the recurring trauma faced by various

communities. He shares a particularly

impactful discussion with a Palestinian

Christian, for example, illustrating

the ongoing struggles for peace and

understanding.

Meanwhile, Bishop Warda has returned

to his people in Iraq, to continue

to serve them and help rebuild their

communities.

Learning to Serve in the Face of Terror

may be viewed at commonhome.tv

www.commonhome.tv/2024/08/23/

learning-to-serve-in-the-face-of-terror/


GED

Perfect for individuals hoping

to advance in their careers or

attend college!

In-person classes that allow students to learn the information to pass their

GED test (General Education Development Test or high school equivalency).

Fall Semester 2024:

Science:

Reading Language Arts:

September 9, 2024 – January 24, 2025

Monday – Thursday | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m

Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Winter Semester 2025:

February 3, 2025 – June 27, 2025

Math:

Social Studies:

Monday – Thursday | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m

Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

$50 REGISTRATION FEE

Books, materials, and testing costs included.

To register, contact Rachel Hall at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call (586) 722-7253

3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 | www.chaldeanfoundation.org


CULTURE & HISTORY

Made in Mesopotamia

The history of Mesopotamian jewelry

BY ADHID MIRI, PHD

Mesopotamia, often called the

“birthplace of civilization,”

was one of the earliest centers

where the development of philosophy,

religion, science, and technology

helped humanity transition from prehistoric

times into the modern era. Today,

the legacy of Mesopotamia remains relevant,

as many of its innovations, particularly

in writing, law, and culture, have

shaped the course of human history.

One of the most enduring aspects of

Mesopotamian culture is its rich tradition

of jewelry making, which emerged as a

way for people to express their status,

power, and religious beliefs. Mesopotamian

jewelry provides valuable insights

into the society, culture, and lifestyle of

one of the world’s earliest civilizations.

The Birth of Jewelry in Mesopotamia

The story of Mesopotamian jewelry begins

with the Sumerians, around 3000

BCE. They are credited with inventing

jewelry and introducing advanced

techniques like granulation and filigree

around 2750 BCE. These techniques not

only demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship

but also gave rise to jewelry

that became an integral part of everyday

life. Jewelry in ancient Mesopotamia

wasn’t just for the wealthy elite;

it was worn by people of all classes—

men, women, and children alike.

The Sumerians are particularly

notable for their contributions to jewelry-making,

setting the stage for later

Mesopotamian civilizations such as the

Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

Their innovations, both aesthetic

and technical, had a profound impact

on the development of jewelry throughout

the ancient and modern worlds.

Materials and Craftsmanship

Mesopotamian jewelers worked with a

wide range of materials, including gold,

silver, copper, and various gemstones.

Lapis lazuli, one of the most prized

materials, was often used in elaborate

necklaces, bracelets, and other decorative

items. Notably, lapis lazuli was

considered more valuable than gold

Gold crown from Ur.

in certain periods. The gemstones, including

carnelian, jade, and turquoise,

were sourced from regions as far away

as Afghanistan and the Indus Valley,

making jewelry a commodity that transcended

Mesopotamia’s borders.

The craftsmanship of Mesopotamian

jewelers was highly advanced. Filigree,

a technique where fine threads of metal

are twisted and welded onto a surface,

was a common method. Jewelers also

practiced “open fusion,” where molten

metal was poured into stone molds to

create intricate designs. The spread of

these techniques and the importation

of precious materials spurred economic

growth, fueling a thriving trade network.

Jewelry as Symbolism and Status

Jewelry in Mesopotamia was not only a

form of adornment but also a powerful

status symbol. It marked an individual’s

wealth, power, and social standing.

Royals, priests, and nobles wore

jewelry to demonstrate their elite status,

while common people wore simpler

pieces. Interestingly, jewelry was

a part of daily life for everyone, unlike

in other ancient civilizations where it

was reserved for the elite.

A wide variety of jewelry was worn

by men, women, and children. Men

often wore bracelets, earrings, necklaces,

and headbands, while women

adorned themselves with elaborate

floral ornaments, large earrings, belts,

and necklaces. Children, too, wore

jewelry, signaling their inclusion in

the cultural practices of their society.

Iconic Jewelry Styles and Techniques

Mesopotamian jewelry was large and

often highly ornate. The wealthiest individuals

wore massive gold earrings,

sometimes so large they were designed

to be hooked over the ear, as opposed

to dangling. Common decorative items

included ankle bracelets, hair rings,

pendants, signet rings, and amulets.

The techniques used to craft these

items were highly sophisticated. Cloisonné,

engraving, and granulation

were among the many methods employed

to create intricate designs, often

set with gemstones like agate, lapis

lazuli, and carnelian.

The Role of Jewelry in

Mesopotamian Life

Jewelry played many roles in ancient

Mesopotamian society. It was used

in religious rituals, as offerings to the

gods, and in burial practices, where

individuals were often buried with

their most valuable possessions, including

jewelry, to ensure a successful

journey into the afterlife. Jewelry

was also used as a tool in diplomacy,

wealth, and status, often exchanged as

gifts or part of dowries.

Jewelry in Mesopotamia was

closely tied to astrology and religion.

The Mesopotamians believed that the

planets controlled the fate of individuals

and societies. As a result, certain

gemstones were associated with specific

planets, laying the groundwork

for the concept of birthstones.

The Tombs of Ur and Other Finds

Some of the most significant discoveries

of Mesopotamian jewelry have

been made in royal tombs, particularly

at Ur and Nimrud. The tombs at Ur,

in modern-day Iraq, contained more

than 1,000 pieces of jewelry, including

intricate gold necklaces, lapis lazuli

chokers, and carnelian earrings. These

tombs have provided invaluable insights

into the jewelry of the time and

the role it played in both the afterlife

and in daily life.

The tombs of Nimrud, which date

to the 8th century BCE, yielded approximately

1,500 pieces of jewelry,

weighing around 100 pounds. These

discoveries underscore the importance

of jewelry not only as personal adornment

but also as a symbol of power,

wealth, and cultural identity.

Sumerian and Babylonian Jewelry

The Sumerians were pioneers in jewelry-making,

creating highly detailed

pieces that set the standard for future

civilizations. By the time their civilization

ended around 2000 BCE, their

jewelry was already considered ancient.

Many of the techniques and materials

used by Sumerian jewelers were

passed down to later cultures, including

the Babylonians.

The Babylonians, known for their

wealth and opulence, favored large,

decorative jewelry such as diadems,


rings, and elaborate earrings. They

wore these pieces not only for personal

adornment but also to symbolize their

high social status. Unlike other civilizations,

Babylonian jewelry was not

typically worn on the neck or chest but

instead featured cylinder seals made

from materials like jasper or chalcedony,

which were used to mark ownership

and as symbols of authority.

Legacy of Mesopotamian Jewelry

The legacy of Mesopotamian jewelry is

still visible today, with many ancient

pieces preserved through burial practices

and the passage of time. These artifacts

provide a window into the culture

and society of one of the world’s

earliest civilizations.

In addition to its cultural and aesthetic

value, Mesopotamian jewelry

helped establish the foundations for

modern jewelry-making techniques.

The Sumerians, in particular, are credited

with laying the groundwork for

many of the techniques used by jewelers

throughout history. The study of Mesopotamian

jewelry continues to inspire

contemporary jewelers and scholars, offering

a glimpse into a world of extraordinary

craftsmanship, symbolism, and

cultural significance.

Conclusion

In ancient Mesopotamia, jewelry was

much more than a decorative accessory—it

was a symbol of wealth, power,

and religious devotion. Through their

advanced techniques and exquisite designs,

the Sumerians and their successors

created jewelry that has endured

for millennia. Today, we continue to be

fascinated by these ancient treasures,

which offer a window into the rich history

and culture of one of the earliest

human civilizations.

Sources: Wikipedia; All Mesopotamia,

Nemet-Nejat, Karen Rhea; Daily

Life in Ancient Mesopotamia, Laleh

Javaheri-Saatchi, via the Collection

of the Metropolitan Museum of Art;

and articles by Dr. Kim Benzel, Julia

Friedman, and Jimmy Joe.

Top row left: Lapis lazuli Sumerian necklace. Top row right: Sumerian necklace

with gold leaves. Second row left/large picture: Mesopotamian marriage

necklace from Ur. Second row three small pictures: Sumerian wedding rings;

Sumerian earrings; 2 Sumerian bracelets.

There are enough things

out there going viral.

Get your COVID-19

and flu vaccines.

Help keep your immune system

from going viral. Talk to your

health care provider.

Michigan.gov/COVIDFluRSV


HEALTH & WELLNESS

Address the Stress

Mental health and the holidays

BY CRYSTAL KASSAB JABIRO

According to the National Alliance

of Mental Illness, 3 in 5

Americans report that the holidays

negatively impact their mental

health. Despite the celebratory spirit,

family conflicts, financial strain, and

loneliness can magnify the stress people

who struggle with mental health

experience during the holidays.

Martin Tobia, LMSW, a social worker

and mental health clinician from Macomb

Township, works one-on-one

with people who wrestle with their psychological

health. Experienced in interpersonal

psychotherapy, the 34-year-old

Tobia claims that grief and loss—like the

death of a loved one or divorce—are

major stressors at this time and can

bring back painful memories and a

lot of emotional turmoil.

“There is this societal expectation

of what’s normal, like a Hallmark

movie scenario where everyone

is happy and opening presents

together, when the reality for some

people is that there is family drama,”

Tobia asserts.

For those experiencing

grief and loss, the festive

season is a reminder that

a significant part of their

lives is not there, prompting

strong and raw

emotions to appear

again. Tobia

explains, “Some

people have unfair

expectations

of what the holidays

should be, which could lead

to frustration towards themselves and

others for not meeting what holidays

should represent.”

For people with mental health issues,

Tobia suggests stress-management

techniques that include understanding

what your stress looks like,

determining the root of the problem,

prioritizing your well-being, and accepting

the help you need from a trusted

loved one or a professional.

Tobia insists there is no difference in

how much stress men and women alike

can take and that everyone has their

breaking point. He compared therapy

to the upkeep of a car. “Just like getting

a car serviced, you have to get

your mind serviced,” he said. “Think

of it as an emotional maintenance session

where you get those contents under

pressure out once in a while.”

The cultural stigma around mental

health prevents many Chaldeans from

getting the help they need. The “aab,”

or “shame,” of mental illness continues

to permeate through the community.

Some people fear what others

think or how it will affect the family.

However, many people are starting to

see the benefits, especially with the

support of Chaldean mental health

practitioners like Tobia, who understand

the community’s cultural norms

and values.

Those seeking professional help

should know about client confidentiality,

where the clinician is sworn to

keep the dialogue between the two unless

that person is at risk of harming

himself or herself or others. The clinician

is a mandated reporter legally

bound by their profession and the law

to report cases of abuse, even if they

are unsure.

When people become comfortable

with addressing their stress, they experience

improved mental and physical

well-being, including reduced anxiety,

better sleep, increased energy levels,

enhanced focus, stronger relationships,

and a lower risk of developing

stress-related health issues; essentially,

they feel calmer, more in control,

and better equipped to handle life’s

challenges. The holidays may not seem

so bleak anymore, and they may start

looking forward to celebrating again.

“Don’t let the old way of doing

things hold you back,” Tobia

advised. “We

have to get rid of

that ‘aab’ mentality.”

For more information

on managing

your mental

health, visit the

National Institute of

Mental Health at www.

nimh.nih.gov/health,

the National Alliance

on Mental Illness at www.

nami.org, or contact your primary

care physician.

Stress-Management Techniques for Dealing with Grief and Loss

1. BE AWARE OF YOUR STRESS.

Recognize what your stress looks

like. Is it sleeplessness, irritability, or

loss of appetite? Figure out what is

exactly happening to you.

2. IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS.

What is causing your stress? Is it family

dynamics? Breaking healthy habits?

Money issues? Understand what situations

or people cause strong emotional

reactions in you so that you can proactively

manage those emotions.

3. PRACTICE SELF-CARE.

Participate in activities you enjoy.

Find 3-5 activities you take pleasure

in and turn to those when you are

feeling frustrated and sad.

Get enough sleep, excercise, eat a

balanced diet and avoid junk food.

4. BUILD YOUR SUPPORT TEAM.

Make sure you have a group of people

in your life that you can express

your true self to, free from judgement.

If this is hard for you, contact

a professional to help guide you.


AYDA SAGMAN

Administrative Support

MARYANA SHABO

Behavioral Health Therapist

SOUZAN VANLERBERG


MARIAM ABDALLA


JACKIE RAXTER

Behavioral Health Program Manager

Emotional wellness is the ability to understand your emotions and adapt

to difficulties, stress, or changes in life. Emotional wellness is important for

overall health and can lead to better physical health, stronger relationships,

and emotional resilience.

Project Light trilingual (Arabic, Chaldean, English) licensed, professional

therapists are here for you and your best health. Through the process of

therapy, you can change self-destructive behaviors and habits, resolve

painful emotions, improve relationships, and explore issues that may be

hard to face alone.

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 is to

improve the quality of life, no matter the challenge.

We invite you to seek out the Light of Project Light! Serving Michigan

residents ages 13 years and up. Please call to request a Project Light Intake

at (586) 722-7253.

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.


3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310


SPORTS

Still Perfect After All These Years

Pierce and Connor Shaya dominate on the tennis court

BY STEVE STEIN

The Shaya brothers continued

their unprecedented run at the

Michigan High School Athletic

Association Division 1 boys tennis

state tournament this season. Pierce

Shaya, a senior at Bloomfield Hills

High School, won his fourth flight state

championship. His high school tennis

career is over, but he’ll be playing for

the University of Michigan men’s tennis

team next season.

Connor Shaya, a junior this year,

won his third flight state championship.

He’ll return to the Bloomfield

Hills’ lineup next season, looking to

match Pierce’s perfect career record at

the state tournament.

Together, the Shaya brothers are

28-0 at the state tournament in a combined

seven trips there. Pierce went

16-0 at state in four years. He won state

titles at No. 3 singles as a freshman,

No. 1 doubles as a sophomore, No. 2

singles as a junior and No. 1 singles as

a senior. His high school career record

is 103-2. He went 77-1 in singles and

26-1 in doubles.

Connor is 12-0 at state in three

years. He won state titles at No. 4 singles

as a freshman, No. 3 singles as a

sophomore and No. 2 singles as a junior.

His high school career record is

81-0, all in singles matches.

Pierce and Connor were each

named to the Division 1 All-State Team

in November by the Michigan High

School Coaches Association. While

they share successful records on the

court, the brothers have a different

outlook about tennis.

Pierce achieved a major tennis goal

when he signed a national letter of

intent in October to play for U-M. He

made a verbal commitment to the Wolverines

in December 2023. “I’ve always

been a big Michigan fan, and my dad

went to school there,” Pierce said.

Connor wants to attend U-M, but he

doesn’t want to play collegiate tennis. “I

might play club tennis there,” he said.

The boys practiced together nearly

every day when they were younger.

That’s not the case anymore. “I don’t

Donnovan and Amy Shaya celebrate their sons Pierce (second from left) and

Connor Shaya’s latest Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1

boys tennis state championships.

Pierce and Connor were each named to the

Division 1 All-State Team in November by the

Michigan High School Coaches Association.

Together, the nationally ranked Shaya brothers

have led Bloomfield Hills to three consecutive

team state championships.

play as much as Pierce does,” Connor

said.

In fact, Connor will compete in

track and field again this spring for

Bloomfield Hills, running the 400-,

800-, and 1600-meter races. “Running

track helps me with tennis, and tennis

helps me with track,” he said.

Even the brothers’ tennis personalities

are different. A moment in

time during the state tournament this

season reflected that. Playing on adjoining

courts in state championship

matches, their paths crossed after

each made a good shot and they congratulated

each other.

For Pierce, that was an unusual

moment. “I rarely look away from my

match when I play,” he said. “I focus

on myself and my opponent and what

I need to do.”

“I’m different than Pierce. I look

around during my matches. I was

watching how Pierce was doing,” Connor

said.

Bloomfield Hills boys tennis coach

Greg Burks said the brothers are amazing

-- and different -- players. “They

have different skill sets,” he said. “Pierce

powers through his matches. Connor is a

pit bull. He’s tough. He won’t let go until

he gets what he wants.”

There is one important commonality

between Pierce and Connor, according

to Burks. “They’ve been working for

years with their uncle (Greg Shaya), one

of the top teaching pros in the area,”

Burks said. Greg is a former two-year

captain of the U-M men’s tennis team.

Together, the nationally ranked

Shaya brothers have led Bloomfield

Hills to three consecutive team state

championships. The Blackhawks won

it all again this season, winning five of

eight flight championships, in October

in Byron Center.

Pierce lost just seven games in four

matches en route to the No. 1 singles

state championship. He defeated Chad

Anderson of Rochester 6-4, 6-1 in the

title match.

Connor lost just 11 games in four

matches. He beat Quentin Rangi of

Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 6-3, 6-1 in

the No. 2 singles title match.

Pierce said he’s very happy to have

had the opportunity to compete on the

same team with Connor for three years.

He’s also confident next year will be a

successful one for Connor even though

Connor will be the only Shaya in the

Bloomfield Hills lineup.

Connor is confident, too. “I haven’t

really thought about not playing with

Pierce next year,” Connor said. “It’s going

to be a lot different. But my goal every

year is to win a state championship,

and that’s what I’ll be focused on.”

The boys’ parents are Donnovan

and Amy Shaya. They also have an

older sister, Grace.


HIRING

WE ARE

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

Join our ever expanding team!

Case Worker

English/Social Studies (GED) Instructor - Part-time

Housing Liaison

Office Clerk

Advocacy

Acculturation

Community Development

Cultural Preservation

For More Information

HR@chaldeanfoundation.org

586-722-7253

www.chaldeanfoundation.org/careers


RELIGION

Sister Therese Shikwana

A life devoted to teaching, faith, & service

BY MIRNA AYAR

Sister Therese Shikwana’s journey

is a powerful testament to faith,

resilience, and dedication to service.

She has played a pivotal role in the

Chaldean community and the Chaldean

Catholic Diocese. As one of the first sisters

to settle in Michigan, she helped lay

the foundation for future generations of

sisters and supported the growth of the

Chaldean community both within the

Church and in local schools.

Born in Alqosh, Iraq, on May 18,

1944, she lost her father at age 1. Raised

by her deeply religious mother, Sister

Therese developed a strong sense of

spiritual purpose. From an early age,

she felt a deep calling to devote her life

to God, a calling that would lead her

on a remarkable journey of teaching

and service across continents.

As a child, Sister Therese’s love for

the Church was evident. She recalls

spending hours in her sanctuary—the

church—longing to attend Mass and

learn more about God. Despite teasing

from her siblings about her devotion,

nothing deterred her from her desire to

serve. Her mother, a guiding influence,

took her to church regularly, nurturing

her faith and spiritual foundation.

At age 16, in Baghdad, Iraq, Sister

Therese took her first religious vows as

a novice in her religious order. In the

early years of her vocation, she traveled

extensively, teaching in churches and

classrooms across the Middle East. During

this time, she discovered a profound

passion for teaching, particularly working

with young children and adults. “I

love teaching. It is a talent and gift from

God,” she often said, recognizing that

her true calling extended beyond the

Church and into the classroom.

A New Chapter in America

In her late 20s, Sister Therese’s journey

took a pivotal turn when her superiors

in Iraq instructed her to settle in

the United States. The transition was

difficult. Financial constraints meant

there were no convents available for

the Chaldean community in Michigan,

and the cultural and language barriers

Sr. Therese with Sr. Beneeya.

presented added challenges. She found

herself living at St. Rita’s, a community

of American sisters in Detroit, far from

her home and familiar surroundings.

Despite the challenges, this period

marked the beginning of Sister Therese’s

long-standing commitment to the Chaldean

community in Michigan. In the

late 1970s and 1980s, the Chaldean community

in Michigan was small, and Sister

Therese worked tirelessly to help it

grow in faith alongside a few other sisters.

She spent weekends teaching communion

and preparing children for the

sacrament at various Chaldean parishes

across Metro Detroit with Sister Clotelda

Kinaya, traveling from church to church

and teaching hundreds of students the

word of God. Over time, she became a beloved

figure in the community, building

strong relationships with many families.

However, Sister Therese’s aspirations

went beyond the walls of the Church. She

was determined to continue her education

and pursue a career in public teaching,

a goal that would shape her future.

A Career in Public Education

In her mid-30s, Sister Therese enrolled

at the University of Detroit, where she

earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics

and a teaching certificate. She

believed it was important to guide young

minds on the righteous path, both in

and out of the classroom. This passion

led her to Detroit Public Schools, where

she began her career as an educational

technician, which helped her financially

as she paid for college courses. With

limited resources, Sister Therese faced

many challenges, including long commutes,

as she had to take multiple buses

each day to reach her job.

Her path into the classroom was not

easy. When she first started teaching

in public schools, Sister Therese faced

skepticism and resistance. As a nun

wearing a habit, she was often under

scrutiny from administrators and colleagues.

“I felt like they were watching

my every move, waiting for me to make a

mistake,” she recalls. Despite these early

challenges, her unwavering faith kept

her grounded. She trusted that God was

guiding her and believed every hardship

she faced was part of a greater plan.

In 1984, Sister Therese began her

career as a certified teacher at Western

High School. However, her time there

was brief before she transitioned to Pershing

High School in Detroit. At Pershing,

she not only taught in the classroom

but also provided counseling and

interpretation services for Chaldean

students, offering valuable support to

help them navigate both their education

and their new environment.

Building Relationships & Earning

Respect

Over time, Sister Therese’s kindness,

dedication, and commitment to her students

earned her the love and respect of

both her students and colleagues. Her

students, many of whom came from diverse

backgrounds, sought her out not

just for academic guidance but also for

life advice. Teachers, too, began to turn

to her for support and wisdom, especially

as they navigated the challenges

of public education. Sister Therese’s

classroom became a place of refuge,

creativity, and joy, where learning was

both fun and meaningful.

One of Sister Therese’s proudest

achievements was the improvement in

math scores in her classroom. Though

math was often seen as a difficult subject,

Sister Therese’s innovative teaching

methods made it more accessible

and engaging for her students. “It was

never difficult teaching students from

different backgrounds,” she reflects.

“God’s hand was always guiding me,

and just the way they treated me made

me know I was doing something right.”

While teaching at Pershing, Sister

Therese served on the bilingual committee,

where she played a key role in

tutoring fellow teachers on effective

techniques and innovative methods for

instructing bilingual and bicultural students

from diverse backgrounds.

In the late 1980s, Sister Therese’s

commitment to education led her to apply

for a scholarship to pursue a master’s

degree. Although she doubted her

chances of being selected, given the financial

struggles of the Chaldean community

and the skepticism surrounding

her presence in the public school system,

Sister Therese was chosen. The scholarship

allowed her to attend Wayne State

University, where she earned her master’s

degree in education in 1990. She

would go on to complete her Doctorate

in Education at the age of 53, a milestone

that reflected her lifelong commitment

to both teaching and learning.

After 20 years of teaching at Pershing

High School, Sister Therese felt it

was time to retire and shift her focus

solely to teaching catechism and communion

within the Chaldean Diocese

at various parishes. Though she believed

her teaching career had come to

an end, retirement didn’t last long. She

was soon offered a teaching position

at the Maria Montessori Center, a role

she embraced for another 13 years. She

viewed this new opportunity as part of

God’s plan, arriving in her life in a way

that felt divinely orchestrated.

In 2017, Sister Therese officially retired

and moved to the Sacred Heart Convent

in West Bloomfield, where she lives

with three other religious sisters from

the Chaldean Sisters: Daughters of Mary

Immaculate Convent, including her own

sister, Sister Beneenya Shikwana. Sister

Beneenya entered religious life at the age

of 12 in Iraq and set a strong example for

Sister Therese, having served as a school

principal in Baghdad before relocating to

the United States in 2013.

During her retirement, Sister Therese

has dedicated much of her time to caring

for her elderly sister at the convent, viewing

this as an extension of her mission to

serve others through her vocation. In her

retirement, she enjoys spending her free

time sewing, a longtime hobby of hers. She

has made various vestments for priests


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Office (248) 737-9500

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Angela Kakos

Producing Branch Manager - VP of Mortgage Lending

o: (248) 622-0704

rate.com/angelakakos

angela.kakos@rate.com

2456 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 48310

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JACQUELINE RAXTER, LMSW, LPC

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

PROGRAM MANAGER

SOUZAN VANLERBERG

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

3601 15 Mile Road

Sterling Heights, MI 48310

TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

3601 15 Mile Road


TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

jacqueline.raxter@chaldeanfoundation.org

www.chaldeanfoundation.org

souzan.vanlerberg@chaldeanfoundation.org


Advertise

MARYANA SHABO

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

for As little As $ 85

in our business directory section!

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


TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

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

maryana.shabo@chaldeanfoundation.org

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101



ELIAS KATTOULA

CAREER SERVICES MANAGER

3601 15 Mile Road


TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org


For all your business and family

immigration needs

CAMARON M. VOYLES

Immigration Attorney & Partner

DIANE E. HUNT

Immigration Attorney & Partner

(248) 406-4100

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31555 West 14 Mile Road, Suite 100


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to place your ad, contact us today!

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



CHALDEAN

AMERICAN

CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY

FOUNDATION

MARIAM ABDALLA

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STACY THERAPIST BAHRI

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER

3601 3601 15 15 Mile Mile Road Road

Sterling Sterling Heights, Heights, MI MI 48310 48310

TEL:

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

FAX:

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

CHALDEAN

AMERICAN

mariam.abdalla@chaldeanfoundation.org

stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org


CHAMBER www.chaldeanfoundation.org

OF

COMMERCE

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY

FOUNDATION

SANA NAVARRETTE

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT



CELL (248) 925-7773

TEL (248) 851-1200

FAX (248) 851-1348

snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com

www.chaldeanchamber.com


within the community and even crafted

all the costumes for the Passion of Christ

play at Mother of God Chaldean Catholic

Church one year. Reflecting on her love of

sewing, Sister Therese recalls a time when

she couldn’t afford a graduation gown

that cost $900. “Instead, I sewed the same

gown for my friend and me, and it only

cost me $90,” she said, showing how her

passion for sewing has always been both

practical and meaningful to her.

A Legacy of Service

Sister Therese Shikwana is a unique

figure in the Chaldean community,

being the only Chaldean nun to have

taught in a public school in Michigan.

Her legacy is defined by selfless service,

deep faith, and the belief that

education is one of the greatest tools

for shaping young minds and guiding

them toward a righteous path.

Now, with decades of experience

SANA NAVARRETTE

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT



behind her, Sister Therese’s journey way, God was leading me to something

CELL (248) 925-7773

continues to inspire students, TEL families,

and educators alike. Her (248) un-

851-1348 Through her faith, perseverance, and

(248) 851-1200 even better. He never neglected me.”

FAX

snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com

wavering devotion to teaching, www.chaldeanchamber.com

love dedication to teaching, Sister Therese

for her students, and steadfast www.chaldeanfoundation.org

faith Shikwana has become a shining example

of how one person’s love for God

have left an indelible mark on the

community she has served so faithfully.

and others can transform lives.

“I never feared,” she says, reflecting

on her career. “I knew that every Development Director for the Chaldean

Mirna Ayar is the Advancement &

time something bad would come my Catholic Diocese.


IN MEMORIAM

Zean Zaia

Younan

Dec 15, 1953 -

Oct 21, 2024

Jennifer Dakki

Apr 29, 1980 -

Oct 22, 2024

Saeed Yaaqoub

Jajo

Jul 1, 1962 -

Oct 22, 2024

Rafid Kashat

Mar 6, 1954 -

Oct 22, 2024

Juliet Faraj

Abona

May 17, 1962 -

Oct 23, 2024

Maurice

Jabboury

Mar 3, 1957 -

Oct 23, 2024

Vickie Taila

Apr 29, 1956 -

Oct 23, 2024

Nasreen

Thuwaini

Jul 1, 1953 -

Oct 25, 2024

John Dominic

Guzzardo

Feb 7, 1963 -

Oct 26, 2024

Raad Butris

Sep 18, 1954 -

Oct 27, 2024

Putrus (Peter)

George

Mansour

Jul 1, 1940 -

Oct 27, 2024

Sabria Shamoun

Samo

Jul 1, 1944 - Oct

29, 2024

Hesnya Hanna-

Naamo Zuma

Jul 1, 1944 - Oct

29, 2024

Nazar Fransis

Apr 17, 1951 -

Oct 30, 2024

Jihad Hirmez

Sitto

Jul 20, 1955 -

Oct 31, 2024

Sahira Zia Konja

Sep 11, 1944 -

Nov 1, 2024

Hadiya Kurkes

Aug 19, 1947 -

Nov 1, 2024

Mariam

Ghunaiam

Oct 10, 1950 -

Nov 2, 2024

Fawzi Hadad

Mar 11, 1937 -

Nov 2, 2024

Samer “Rocky”

Shamo Bakko

Jun 5, 1964 -

Nov 3, 2024

Tamam Haddad

Jan 1, 1934 - Nov

3, 2024

Masoud Hanna

Sharrak

Sep 9, 1952 -

Nov 4, 2024

Nazhat Aziz

Sitto

Dec 12, 1944 -

Nov 4, 2024

Miranda Laith

Hamama

Jan 21, 1997 -

Nov 5, 2024

Joulet Jarjis

Hannawa

Feb 11, 1937 -

Nov 5, 2024

Hikmat Jajjo

Salmo

Jul 1, 1944 -

Nov 5, 2024

Kawkab

Dawood

Jul 1, 1951 -

Nov 6, 2024

Wardani Bodi

Jamil

Jul 1, 1939 -

Nov 6, 2024

Ishac Aziz

Alshamani

Jul 1, 1932 -

Nov 9, 2024

Betty Chastain

Dokho

Oct 7, 1946 -

Nov 9, 2024

Joseph Soro

May 9, 1956 -

Nov 11, 2024

Sabah Sliwa

Yono

Jul 1, 1941 -

Nov 11, 2024

Maher Zaki

Georgis

Feb 9, 1949 -

Nov 16, 2024

Faeq Yaqoob

Al-Najjar

Jul 1, 1936 -

Nov 17, 2024

Rita Ibrahim

Apr 14, 1965 -

Nov 17, 2024

Sameerah Yalda

Matti Kakosh

Jul 1, 1954 -

Nov 18, 2024

Sabah Toma

Shango

Jul 1, 1935 -

Nov 19, 2024


CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IN

COLLABORATION WITH THE

JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA

Zumba

for

active agers

SCAN QR CODE

TO REGISTER

SESSION DATES

JANUARY 6, 2025 – MARCH 28, 2025

11:30AM-12:30PM

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH


Wireless Vision Gymnasium

3601 15 Mile Rd.

Sterling Heights, MI, 48310


EVENT

CACC Annual Meeting

& Board Election

PHOTOS BY NICO SALGADO

The 21st Annual Meeting and Board Election for the Chaldean

American Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday,

November 13 at Shenandoah Country Club. Over 150

members came together to network and participate in the

voting process. 12 candidates ran for 7 open director seats.

The winning candidates were Kevin Denha, Jim Manna,

Sylvester Sandiha, Lawrence Kajy, Jayson Zebari, Renee

Tomina, and Dr. Dina Kassab. The firm of Shimoun, Yaldo,

Kashat & Associates handled the ballot counting. The event

was sponsored by the Kroger Company.

Clockwise from

top of page:

Seated in the front

row from left are current

Board members

Justin Hanna and Jayson

Zebari alongside

candidates Edward

Toma, Dominic Shamany,

Jim Manna,

Monica Love, and Dr.

Dina Kassab.

Appetizers and an

open bar added to

the conviviality in the

pre-function area.

Enjoying networking

before the program,

pictured left to right

are Linnie Taylor,

Rochelle Freeman,

Dave Nona, and Paul

Nona.

From left, Saad

Hasani and Nick

Najjar enjoy some

Sandiha Wine and

visit with Faris Nalu.

Paul Nona casts

his vote.


ADVOCACY

ACCULTURATION

COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT

CULTURAL

PRESERVATION

2024

IMPACT

48,000

MORE THAN

INDIVIDUALS SERVED FROM 68

DIFFERENT COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

MORE THAN

30%

OF CLIENTS

ARE NON-CHALDEAN

BREAKING BARRIERS

5 512 ,

INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND/OR

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES SERVED

HOURS OF RECREATIONAL RESPITE

9,017 AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

PROJECT LIGHT

LICENSED TRILINGUAL

SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDED

1 163 ,

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SESSIONS

EMPLOYMENT

1884

,

JOB PLACEMENT

SERVICES CONDUCTED

61% EMPLOYMENT RATE

53 COMPANIES HOSTED

FOR JOB FAIRS

IMMIGRATION

2 060 ,

IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS FILED

HELPED NEW AMERICANS FILE AN N-400

284

TO BECOME U.S. CITIZENS

COMMUNITY CENTER

$

20MILLION

COMMUNITY CENTER BEING CONSTRUCTED

IN WEST BLOOMFIELD

MISSION

Improving the stability, health,

and wellness of those we serve

through advocacy, acculturation,

community development,and

cultural preservation.

ATTAINABLE HOUSING

$

60MILLION

IN ATTAINABLE HOUSING PROJECTS IN

MACOMB COUNTY

THE MICHAEL J. GEORGE

CHALDEAN LOAN FUND

$

511 974

,

IN OUTSTANDING LOANS

$

PROJECT BISMUTHA

MORE THAN

106 000

,

WORTH OF IN-KIND SERVICES

331

2,495

836

EDUCATION

28 SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED WORTH

$

82 , 500

845

STUDENTS WERE ASSISTED

IN SUBMITTING THE FAFSA

AND NAVIGATING THROUGH

FINANCIAL AID

689

PHYSICIAN APPOINTMENTS

PRESCRIPTIONS VALUED

IN EXCESS OF $19,805

LAB TESTS VALUED AT $ 36,447

INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN

ESL, CITIZENSHIP, GED, AND

PRESCHOOL

Chaldean Community Foundation | 3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 | 586-722-7253 | chaldeanfoundation.org

DECEMBER 2024

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