NOVEMBER 2025

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 22 ISSUE X NOVEMBER 2025

Painting

History

RENI STEPHAN’S

ART ON DISPLAY

AT CCF WEST

Mark Savaya

Appointed

Special Envoy

to Iraq

Page 10

Plus:

Modern Day Saint

Learning Sureth

Dalal Bridge

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4 CHALDEAN NEWS NOVEMBER 2025

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | NOVEMBER 2025 | VOL. 22 ISSUE X

ON THE COVER

18 Painting History

Reni Stephan’s Artwork at CCF West

By Sarah Kittle

FEATURES

18 Coming to America

Remembering who we are

By Mary Yousif

20 Faith and Justice

Chaldean law students on the rise

By Eemi Toma

22 Modern Saint for the Digital Age

The canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis

By Michael Antoon

24 Uniting the Next Generation

Shenandoah’s Young Adult Committee

By Patrick Kakos w/Paul Qarana

DEPARTMENTS

6 From the Editor

Attitude of Gratitude

By Sarah Kittle

8 Foundation Update

Cultural Awareness, Movie Night, Taste of

Home, Balance & Breathe

32 Sports

Fearless in the Net: Aiden Atisha

By Steve Stein

34 Economics & Enterprise

A Rising Flood of Challenges

By Sarah Kittle

18

26 Silver Strong

No expiration date on fitness

By Paul Natinsky

28 Learning Sureth

A student perspective

By Jenna Abroo

30 Chaldean Kitchen

Jacob Bacall’s Gurgur

By Z.Z. Dawod

22

10 Noteworthy

Miranda Diaowd, Mark Savaya, Lung

Quest

14 Culture & History

Mesopotamian Myths: Dalal Bridge

By Dr. Adhid Miri

16 Arabic Translation

38 Religion

Season of sanctification

By Michael Antoon

40 In Memoriam

42 Events

7th Annual CCF Gala

X


FROM THE EDITOR

PUBLISHED BY

Chaldean News, LLC

Chaldean Community Foundation

Martin Manna

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Sarah Kittle

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jenna Abroo

Michael Antoon

Z.Z. Dawod

Patrick Kakos

Sarah Kittle

Dr. Adhid Miri

Paul Natinsky

Paul Qarana

Steve Stein

Eemi Toma

Mary Yousif

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Attitude of Gratitude

November calls us to pause — to gather with

loved ones, share a meal, and give thanks

for the blessings that surround us. For the

Chaldean community, gratitude runs deeper than

a single season. It is rooted in faith, family, and

tradition — values that have carried the community

through hardship and continue to illuminate

its future. This month, we celebrate that spirit

through stories that reflect generosity, perseverance,

and pride in heritage.

In our cover story, we explore the breathtaking

collection of paintings at the new Chaldean

Community Foundation building in West Bloomfield, CCF

West. The walls come alive with the artistry of Reni Stephan,

whose vibrant works depict the symbols and spirit of Mesopotamia

— from the Ishtar Gate to the Hanging

Gardens of Babylon.

SARAH KITTLE

EDITOR

IN CHIEF

Together, these masterpieces serve as a

bridge between the ancient and the modern,

connecting Chaldeans today with the grandeur

of their ancestral homeland. Each brushstroke

tells a story of identity, belonging, and the beauty

of a culture that has endured for millennia.

Among the pieces displayed outside the Mar

Ibrahim Library are icons of Saint Ephrem the

Syrian and Saint Isaac the Syrian, two revered

figures whose lives of devotion and wisdom continue

to inspire. Their presence within CCF West

brings sacred history into the heart of the community’s

newest gathering place.

Through these icons, faith and creativity converge — offering

visitors a quiet reminder that gratitude often begins

with reflection, reverence, and the desire to preserve what

is holy. The artwork transforms the building into more than

a center for resources and connection; it becomes a living

museum of faith, culture, and collective memory.

Elsewhere in this issue, A Modern Day Saint reminds us

that holiness is not distant or unattainable; it lives in the

choices we make each day — in kindness, service, and integrity.

Coming to America: Remembering Who We

Are and Learning Sureth explore how gratitude for

opportunity is intertwined with preserving familial

roots —language, traditions, and faith. In Law Students

on the Rise, we meet young Chaldeans who

embody this same gratitude through purpose, seeking

not only achievement but justice, compassion,

and service to others.

From the soccer field in our Sports story to the

thriving spirit of the Shenandoah Young Adult Committee,

we see how leadership and community are

flourishing among new generations who proudly

carry the torch of their ancestors. Their energy and dedication

remind us that the legacy of gratitude is not static — it

grows stronger as it is passed on.

We explore the breathtaking collection

of paintings at the new Chaldean

Community Foundation building in West

Bloomfield, CCF West. The walls come

alive with the artistry of Reni Stephan,

whose vibrant works depict the symbols

and spirit of Mesopotamia.

Gratitude grounds us. It reminds us that even as we reach

for more, we are already surrounded by abundance — in history,

art, faith, and people. May this season inspire you to

notice those blessings, share them freely, and give thanks for

the story we continue to write together.

Sarah Kittle

Editor in Chief

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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 past five years, the Chaldean News has

substantially increased its readership and social media

following, introduced new digital and website content, and

expanded storytelling with the help of small grant funding.

With the generous help of individuals and organizations,

together, we can ensure that this vital resource continues

to educate and connect the community, while evolving to

meet the needs of future generations.

We truly appreciate your support of our efforts to expand

and strengthen our coverage of the Chaldean community,

both locally and globally. We are excited about the

opportunities ahead, and your support will be essential

in helping us grow our digital presence, preserve our

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FOUNDATION UPDATE

Lights, Camera, Action!

CCF West hosted a special Movie Night for adults with special

needs and their families — featuring Disney’s Hocus Pocus!

Guests enjoyed a cozy theater experience with friends,

snacks, and lots of laughter.

For more information on future events and programming at

CCF West, visit: www.chaldeanfoundation.org

Turning Point Staff with Stacy Bahri from the CCF.

Cultural Awareness

On October 10, the CCF in Sterling Heights welcomed Turning Point for an all-staff training focused

on the cultural aspects of the Chaldean community. Turning Point empowers survivors of domestic

violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking through comprehensive services and resources

while advocating for community action to end oppression and violence.

Nearly 50 staff members from Turning Point in Macomb County joined the CCF to learn about

Chaldean history and faith, cultural norms and traditions, migration and demographics, economic

impact, and more. The group also enjoyed a traditional Chaldean breakfast and toured the facility

and learned more about the services provided to more than 50,000 individuals annually.

For more information about the CCF’s cultural awareness trainings, contact Stacy Bahri at

stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org.

Movie Night at CCF West.

Balance and Breathe

Balance and Breathe classes for caregivers and adults 60 years

and up takes place on Mondays and Fridays from 11:30am-

12:15pm at CCF in Sterling Heights (3601 15 Mile Rd.) now through

March 2026. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:00am.

Comfortable active wear and gym shoes are suggested.

The program is supported by the Jewish Federations of North

America’s Center on Holocaust Survivor Care and Institute on Aging

and Trauma.

For more information, or to register for the classes, call 586-

722-7253 and ask to speak to CCF’s Breaking Barriers department.

“Cooking Chaldean” class participants with guest instructor, Anmar Sarafa.

A Taste of Home

Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen came alive with the aromas of Takhratha during the CCF

West’s first cooking demonstration with Anmar Sarafa.

In each class, students team up with fellow food lovers, learn from talented Chaldean

community members, and create authentic dishes in a fun, hands-on environment.

For more information about cooking demonstration classes and updates, visit: chaldeanfoundation.org/upcoming-events/

or contact Farah Shammami at farah.shammami@chaldeanfoundation.org

or 248.851.1200.

Balance & Breathe class participants

Upcoming Cooking Classes:

Learn how to make laham ageen with Lisa Attisha –

Tuesday, November 4th 6:00pm-8:00pm

Learn how to make kleecha with Samira Cholagh –

Monday, November 10th 5:00pm-8:00pm

Learn how to make kahi & maa’kacha with May Manna –

Monday, November 17th 5:30pm-7:30pm


VISIT LTU.EDU TO APPLY TODAY


NOTEWORTHY

Female Chaldean Officer Sworn In

Sterling Heights formally welcomed four new police officers and four firefighter/EMTs in October 2025.

These officers were officially sworn in on October 7 by Police Chief Andrew Satterfield before the Sterling

Heights City Council, marking the beginning of their careers serving the community. The four officers (as introduced)

were Tyler Secluna, Miranda Diaowd, Adam Mays and Andy Cafritzas.

Miranda Diaowd has five years’ experience with the West Bloomfield Police Department, a bachelor’s in

criminal justice, and is bilingual in Chaldean.

Swearing in ceremony for Officers Tyler Scicluna, Miranda Diaowd, Adam Mayes, and Andrew Cafretsas.

Breathing New Life into Asthma Awareness

High school students Charlize Sitto

and Elinor Jwaydah turned their

personal experiences with asthma

into an innovative awareness campaign

for kids and families. What

began as frustration and confusion

over a misunderstood condition

became Lung Quest—a colorful

board game that teaches asthma

management through play—and

Breathe Boost, a digital platform

and app offering kid-friendly tips,

demos, and resources.

Their campaign debuted at

the CAAHP walkathon, where

families interacted with the game

and learned that asthma education can be fun and

empowering. Next, they’ll bring the program to St.

William’s Catholic School and local doctor’s offices,

ensuring continued access to the

tools.

Through their Instagram

page, Breathe Boost, the duo

shares inhaler tips, asthma facts,

and behind-the-scenes updates,

expanding their reach beyond the

classroom. Both have earned international

recognition through

HOSA–Future Health Professionals,

deepening their passion for

respiratory health.

Their mission is clear: make

learning about asthma less intimidating

and more engaging. With

Lung Quest and Breathe Boost,

Sitto and Jwaydah are proving that young leaders

can make a real difference in community health—one

breath at a time.

A Chaldean

Detroiter Appointed

as Trump’s Special

Envoy to Iraq

BY MIKE SARAFA

When President Donald Trump appointed

Mark Savvaya as Special

Envoy to the Republic of Iraq, it

sent ripples through the Chaldean Community.

Savaya is a familiar face in the Detroit area, in

part because of his businesses’ billboards that

included his own likeness. As an entrepreneur,

Savaya’s Chaldean roots and outspoken nature

have made him a visible part of Michigan’s business—and

more recently, political—landscape.

Born in Iraq and raised in Detroit, Savaya

built his career through various business ventures.

When his entrepreneurial success crossed

over with his civic involvement, that propelled

him into political circles that ultimately led him

to the Oval Office and the inner circles of the

Trump Administration.

As a strong supporter of President Trump’s

most recent election, Savaya has championed

both business opportunities and other conservative

principles, including religious freedom at

home and abroad. His appointment as Special

Envoy places him at the center of U.S. - Iraqi

relations—a role with important meaning for the

Iraqi expatriate community, the largest of which

resides right here in southeast Michigan.

The announcement brings pride and hope:

pride that one of our own now represents the

U.S. government in dealings with Iraq, and hope

that he will use this position to further highlight

the plight of Christianity in Iraq and throughout

the Middle East.

Savaya will have to confront concerns over

the status of Christians in the Middle East who

have been displaced by war and sectarian violence

and are largely marginalized in Iraq’s political

environment.

To be sure, there will be challenges for Savaya

in his new role. The United States is in the midst

of a force reduction program in Iraq. The region

remains highly volatile. Iraq’s upcoming national

elections will usher in a period of uncertainty.

Still, the appointment represents a moment

of recognition, not only for Mark, but for the

Chaldean community that he hails from.


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COVER STORY

Painting History

Reni Stephan’s Artwork on Display at CCF West

BY ADHID MIRI, PH.D.

“

Art and architecture have long

inspired one another, each

shaping imagination, innovation,

and cultural memory.”

Visitors to the new Chaldean Community

Foundation building in West

Bloomfield, CCF West, are greeted by

a vibrant collection of artworks celebrating

faith, culture, and history. The

walls feature depictions of the Freedom

Monument, King Nebuchadnezzar

II, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon,

the Martyrs Wall, the Tree of Life,

the Ishtar and Sennacherib Gates, and

more. Many of these works were commissioned

by the CCF and brought to

life by artist Reni Stephan.

These artworks not only honor

the rich history of the Mesopotamian

and Chaldean people but also provide

visitors with a tangible connection to

their cultural heritage. By showcasing

historical artwork in a public space,

the community gains a shared sense of

identity and pride, educational opportunities

for all ages, and inspiration

for creativity and civic engagement.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

One of history’s most enduring legends

is that of the Hanging Gardens of

Babylon—often considered one of the

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Ancient texts describe tiered terraces

filled with trees and plants, forming

the illusion of a green mountain rising

from the desert. If they existed,

such gardens would have required advanced

irrigation to survive Babylon’s

arid climate.

King Nebuchadnezzar II ruled Babylon

from 605 to 562 BCE and is often

regarded as one of the greatest kings of

the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His reign

marked the peak of Babylon’s power,

and his name is still associated with

grandeur and achievement, particularly

monumental building projects.

Nebuchadnezzar’s reign was

marked by impressive military campaigns

that extended Babylonian

The artist sits before a small-scale replica of the Ishtar Gate.

control over much of the Near East.

In circa 605 B.C.E., Princess Amytis

travelled from Ecbatana to Babylon

and married King Nebuchadnezzar II.

Amytis then became Queen of Babylon.

She was the daughter of Cyaxares,

the Median king, and her marriage to

Nebuchadnezzar II solidified an alliance

between the Babylonian and Median

empires.

According to tradition, Queen

Amytis is believed to have inspired the

construction of the Hanging Gardens

of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar

II loved her greatly, and she became

his favorite wife. According to a famous

story, Queen Amytis missed her

homeland and was said to have been

homesick for the mountainous, green

landscapes of her homeland in Media,

leading Nebuchadnezzar to create

magnificent gardens to resemble

her native environment in Persia. The

gardens were said to have been built to

replicate the forests and hills of Media,

providing Amytis with a reminder of

her home while living in the flat, arid

region of Mesopotamia.

Amytis’ legacy is largely tied to

the legends surrounding her and the

Hanging Gardens. She is remembered

as a queen who brought a sense of

beauty and nature to the grand city of

Babylon, even if the story is more myth

than fact. Her marriage to Nebuchadnezzar

remains historically significant,

as it played a crucial role in uniting

two powerful dynasties. Through

PHOTO BY

this union, Amytis helped shape the

political landscape of the ancient Near

East, contributing to the rise of Babylon

as a dominant empire during her

husband’s reign.

The painting taking up a wall in

the lobby at CCF West entrance depicts

a panorama of the Hanging Gardens of

Babylon – in its time the largest city in

the world – which lies around 60 miles

southwest of Baghdad, near the city of

Hillah, in present-day Iraq.

Ishtar Gate

The Great Gate of Ishtar, the eighth

gate of Babylon, has inspired awe since

the 6th century BCE. Built around 575

BCE during Nebuchadnezzar II’s reign

and dedicated to the goddess Ishtar,

the gate was part of a larger project

to beautify the empire’s capital. Constructed

with glazed bricks in vivid

cobalt blue and adorned with reliefs of

dragons and bulls representing gods

Marduk and Adad, the gate offered a

stunning welcome to all who entered

the city.

Excavated by German archaeologists

in 1902, the Ishtar Gate and its

Processional Way—paved with red and

yellow bricks and lined with over 120

reliefs of lions, bulls, dragons, and

flowers—reveal the grandeur of ancient

Babylon. The gate’s majesty symbolized

the city’s wealth and cultural

significance.

An inscription attributed to Nebuchadnezzar

read: “I placed wild bulls

and ferocious dragons in the gateways

and thus adorned them with luxurious

splendor so that people might gaze on

them in wonder.”

Sections of the gate were later reconstructed

and displayed in Berlin’s

Pergamon Museum, and although only

part of the original structure could be

reassembled due to its immense size, it

revived Babylon’s magnificence for the

modern world.

Chamomile, considered sacred

in Babylon, was often incorporated

into decorative motifs, symbolizing

serenity, victory, and divine blessing.

Across cultures—from Egypt to Europe—chamomile

has been revered

for its healing and spiritual properties,

demonstrating the lasting impact of

Babylonian symbolism on global culture.

The flowers on the gate reflect

that symbolism.

A small replica of the Ishtar Gate


adorns the hallway outside the theater

and across the way from the CACC/CCF

Timeline.

Babylonian Palm Tree

Outside the Chaldean Museum (still

under construction), a mosaic incorporates

the iconic date palm tree. Cultivated

in Mesopotamia as far back

as 3100 BCE, the date palm provided

food, shade, and materials for tools

and construction. In art, the palm

often represented the “Tree of Life,”

linking the earthly and divine, and

symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and

divine blessing. Its significance spans

cultures, from ancient Rome to modern

Saudi Arabia, and continues to

resonate in Christian traditions like

Palm Sunday.

A Pair of Icons

Two exquisite icons painted by

Stephan and displayed flanking the

entrance to the Mar Ibrahim Library

at CCF West honor two of the most

influential figures in Syriac Christianity:

Saint Ephrem the Syrian and Saint

Isaac the Syrian. These works of art

not only celebrate their enduring legacies

but also reflect the depth of the

Chaldean community’s cultural and

spiritual heritage.

The icon of Saint Ephrem the Syrian,

also known as Mar Ephrem, depicts

one of the early Church’s most

revered hymnographers and theologians.

A 4th-century Syriac-speaking

deacon, Saint Ephrem is remembered

for his vast collection of hymns, poems,

and sermons—literary treasures

that shaped early Christian theology

and worship.

Recognized across Orthodox, Catholic,

and Coptic traditions, he is celebrated

as one of the “Doctors of the

Church.” The icon’s intricate detailing

and luminous tones invite reflection

on his life of devotion, intellect, and

service, embodying his role as both a

spiritual teacher and poet of faith.

On the other side of the entrance,

the icon of Saint Isaac the Syrian (Mar

1. A mural relief on the exterior of CCF West is a replica of the Freedom Monument (Nasb al-Hurriyah) in Baghdad.

2. The large painting portraying King Nebuchadnezzar II and his famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon hangs in the lobby

of CCF West. 3. Mosaics flanking the new Chaldean Museum (opening 2026) depict the mighty date palm tree. 4. A icon

of saint Isaac the Syrian 5. An icon of Saint Ephrem the Syrian. The two flank the entrance to the Mar Ibrahim Library.

Ishak d-Ninwe) portrays the 7th-century

bishop and mystic whose writings

continue to inspire Christian contemplative

life. Born in what is now Qatar

and later serving briefly as Bishop of

Nineveh, Saint Isaac renounced worldly

authority to live as a hermit devoted

to prayer and asceticism.

Each element of the icon carries

profound meaning: the open book

symbolizes his spiritual writings, renowned

for their depth and compassion;

the dove signifies divine inspiration

through the Holy Spirit; and the

church in the background reflects both

his episcopal service and his lasting

influence on the Church’s inner life.

The Syriac inscription above him, “

,” translates

to “Saint Isaac of Nineveh,” affirming

his enduring place in the sacred tradition

of Mesopotamian Christianity.

Together, these art pieces at CCF

West bridge faith, art, and history. They

invite visitors to engage with the visual

language of spirituality while honoring

the Chaldean community’s deep connection

to its Syriac Christian roots—a

reminder that sacred art not only preserves

memory but also inspires future

generations in faith and learning.

Displaying these historical artworks

in a community setting offers

more than aesthetic enjoyment—it

strengthens cultural awareness, fosters

intergenerational learning, and

encourages civic pride. Visitors not

only see the beauty of Mesopotamian

art but also gain insight into the values,

stories, and innovations that

shaped civilizations.

In Part II, we will explore additional

iconic artworks displayed at the Chaldean

Community Foundation West building.


CULTURE & HISTORY

Mesopotamian Myths

The legend of the “Sacrificial Girl”

BY ADHID MIRI, PH.D.

Old bridges and arches are living

monuments that carry the

weight of history. They are not

merely structures to cross rivers and

roads—they have facilitated communication,

trade, and human interaction

between friends and foes alike. Over

time, they have shaped culture, geography,

and historical memory.

Few bridges illustrate this as vividly

as Pira Dalal, or the Dalal Bridge,

in Zakho, northern Iraq.

Zakho and Its Iconic Bridge

Zakho sits in Iraqi Kurdistan, near the

borders of Turkey and Syria, with the

Judi Mountains to the north. The city

is rich in history and religious significance,

mentioned in both the Quran

and the Gospels due to its association

with the flood of Noah. Its population

is diverse: Kurds, Arabs, Chaldeans,

Assyrians, and Syriacs live together

peacefully.

The Dalal Bridge spans the Khabur

River, a tributary of the Tigris, dividing

Zakho’s banks. The bridge is 114 meters

long, 4.7 meters wide, and 15.5 meters

above the river, built from limestone

and carved stones, forming five graceful

arches. It has become a symbol of

the city, adopted by the University of

Zakho and local authorities alike.

The bridge—sometimes called the

Abbasid Bridge, Delal Bridge, Pira Dalal,

or Gishra—likely dates back to antiquity,

with some medieval rebuilding. It has

become an emblem of Zakho, adopted

as the official logo of the University of

Zakho and by municipal authorities.

Construction History

The origins of Pira Dalal are debated.

Archaeologists suggest it dates back to

the Byzantine-Eastern Roman Empire,

approximately 1,520 years ago. Analysis

of limestone samples, sent to Heidelberg

University, supports this. Its precise construction

techniques remain mysterious.

Architectural style suggests Roman

influence, while local legends attribute

parts of its construction to the Abbasid

Era, in the eighth century. The bridge

served dual purposes: a military route

during Sassanid-Byzantine conflicts

and a segment of the ancient Silk Road

connecting China and Europe.

Mohammed Al-Yousefi, director of

the Department of Antiquities of Zakho,

notes that archaeological evidence

suggests construction during the reign

of Byzantine Emperor Zeno. However,

the lack of inscriptions or symbols

leaves its exact origins uncertain.

Pira Dalal was registered as an archaeological

site in the 1930s and has

undergone restorations, most recently in

2013, 2017, and 2019. The Kurdistan Regional

Government employed laser scanning

technology, restoring buried sections

and building a miniature Roman

amphitheater to accommodate tourists.

The Legend of the “Sacrificial Girl”

A local legend surrounds the bridge’s

construction. Builders reportedly

found that each night, whatever they

had built would collapse by morning.

Puzzled, they sought the counsel of an

astrologer, who instructed that a living

sacrifice must be buried in the bridge’s

foundation to stabilize it.

The builder decided to sleep near

the site, allowing the first creature to

cross the river at dawn to be chosen.

That morning, his granddaughter Dalal,

carrying breakfast, arrived with a

dog nearby. The builder’s heart froze


as guards moved to seize her, and despite

his efforts, Dalal was buried under

heavy stones.

From that moment, construction

progressed smoothly. The bridge took

her name, Pira Dalal, and local legend

claims her voice still mingles with

birdsong each dawn.

In another version, Dalal’s husband

discovers her fate and attempts to dig

her out, only to hear her voice urging

him to stop. Dalal becomes a supernatural

guardian of the bridge, preserving

her agency and presence while ensuring

the bridge remains intact.

The Name “Dalal”

In Arabic, Dalal ( ) signifies affection,

fondness, and heart. It historically

refers to girls with vivacity, flair,

and joy. The name connotes luxury,

wonder, and pride, reflecting the cultural

significance and enduring legacy

of Dalal in the region.

Dalal in Folklore and Song

The legend inspired songs across Mesopotamia

and beyond. In Mardin, Turkey,

a song called “Oy Oy Dalal” tells

the story of a postman named Dalal

and his beloved Souad. After Dalal’s

imprisonment and Souad’s death, the

young man wanders in grief, singing:

“If you love God, don’t say Souad

has died.”

The song spread to Mosul and

Baghdad, popularized by Iraqi Jewish

musician Saleh Al-Kuwaiti and singer

Salima Pasha Murad. It remains a classic,

bridging geography, history, and

human emotion.

Pira Dalal: The Lovers’ Bridge

Today, Pira Dalal continues to connect

people—not armies or trade caravans,

but hearts. Lovers hang locks on the

bridge as a symbol of eternal connection.

Newlyweds take photographs, and visitors

come from across Iraq to experience

its beauty and mythology firsthand.

Residents honor Dalal by growing

two long plants in the bridge’s gaps,

calling them her “braids,” a living tribute

to the legendary girl who gave the

bridge its name.

Enduring Cultural Significance

The bridge encapsulates Zakho’s social

and historical memory. Its stones, arches,

and stories reflect the ingenuity, suffering,

and hope of generations. Pira Dalal

is not only an architectural achievement

but also a testament to the relationship

between people and nature, geography

and history, myth and memory.

The myths of Dalal offer insight

into the daily life, beliefs, and social

history of Zakho’s inhabitants, preserving

their cultural heritage for centuries

to come.

SOURCES: WIKIPEDIA; DR. QABAT SHEIKH NAWAF –

ZAGROS TV; IQ NEWS; SAJA SHERZAD; AMIN YOUNIS;

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE; AINA – ASSYRIAN

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مام يشري إىل امرأة ملهمة تحظى بتقدير كبري،‏ وهذا

التنوع يف املعاين يجعل اسم دالل فريدًا ويتمتع

بأهمية ثقافية كبرية يف الثقافات العربية واملحلية.‏

أسطورة الفتاة الضحية

تنترش أسطورة شعبية حول هذا الجرس وبنائه

منذ القدم ويُقال إنه كلام رشع البناؤون يف بناء

أساسات جرس دالل،‏ كانوا يكتشفون أن كل ما

بنوه قد انهار ومل يبقَ‏ له أثر يف الصباح،‏ فيكررون

العملية،‏ ولكنه ينهار يف صباح اليوم التايل دون

أي سبب منطقي،‏ إذ كان املهندس املعامري يبدأ

عملية البناء ببناء طريف الضفتني أوالً‏ ثم محاولة

ربطهام يف املنتصف بقوس كبري،‏ وبهذه الطريقة،‏

كان الجرس ينهار يف كل مرة قبل أن يصل املهندس

إىل املنتصف مام أثار حرية الجميع!‏

وبسبب ذلك أمر الحاكم املحيل بوضع قوة

عسكرية كبرية لحراسة الجرس ليالً‏ ونهاراً،‏ ولكن

ذلك مل يُجدِ‏ نفعاً،‏ ففي كل صباح جديد،‏ كان ما

بُني باألمس يتحول إىل أنقاض!‏ وبعد تكرار الفشل

الهنديس،‏ قرر مهندس البناء واملُرشف عىل العمل

سامع نصيحة أحد العقالء املحليني واستشار مُنجامً‏

حول هذا الرس والسحر الهنديس الكامن وراءه؟

فأخربه املنجم أن هذا املرشوع الكبري يحتاج إىل

تقديم قربان مثني،‏ يجب أن يُدفن وأن مخلوقاً‏ حياً‏

يف أساس الجرس لضامن استقراره،‏ ويجب أن يُختار

أول شخص يحاول عبور النهر يف الصباح الباكر،‏

ويدفن يف منتصف الجرس إلمتام البناء بنجاح.‏

اجتمع البنّاء مبستشاريه ومساعديه وقرر أن ينام

تلك الليلة بالقرب من الجرس وأن يستيقظ عند الفجر

للمراقبة ، وأن يكون أول مخلوق يأيت إىل املكان،‏ أياً‏

كان هو القربان وفق توصية ونصيحة املُنِجم!‏

ويقال انه يف صباح اليوم التايل،‏ حصل املستحيل

وجاءت حفيدة البنّاء اىل صوب النهر لتجلب له

الفطور كالعادة بينام كان منشغالً‏ ببناء الجرس،‏

وشاهد البنّاء كلباً‏ يقرتب،‏ تتبعه فتاة صغرية تحمل

كيساً‏ من الطعام،‏ إذ كانت دالل تتقدم بخطاها

الواثقة،‏ وتتاميل ضفائرها الذهبية،‏ سعيدةً‏ بلقاء

جدها،‏ الذي اطأمن قليالً‏ عندما رأى الكلب يقرتب

صوب الجرس أوالً‏ ويتقدم مسافة عن الصغرية دالل،‏

التي هي أعزّ‏ بناته وحفيداته.‏ ولكن فجاءة توقف

الكلب أمام كومة من القاممة يبحث عن يشء ما،‏

ورويداً‏ وصلت دالل إىل مكان الكلب ومرّت بجانبه

بينام كان ال يزال منشغالً‏ بعظمة لحم،‏ ولشدة

دهشتهم مل يستطع الحراس مناداتها أو منعها من

االقرتاب،‏ وأرادوا الرصاخ،‏ لكن أصواتهم اختنقت!‏

وتجمد الدم يف عروقهم وعروق البنّاء عندما رآها

تقرتب صوبهم،‏ وحاول النهوض والركض نحوها،‏ لكن

ساقيه تجمدتا وكأنهام مشلولتان.‏

واملصيبة أن دالل وصلت أوالً،‏ وفزعت عندما

تقدم بعض الحراس العتقالها حسب نصيحة املُنَجم،‏

وسقط كيس الطعام من يدها الصغرية،‏ ومل تفهم

شيئاً‏ عندما ربطوها ووضعوها يف مكان ما تحت

أحد أعمدة الجرس،‏ وبدأ العديد من العامل بوضع

حجارة ثقيلة عليها ودفنها،‏ ومل تنفع رصختها

واستغاثتها،‏ وتوقف الصوت والنفس وكل يشء بعد

وقت قصري.‏

اضطر البنّاء هنا إىل تطبيق كالم الساحر بتقدميها

قرباناً‏ إلمتام البناء بنجاح،‏ ومنذ تلك اللحظة،‏ متكن

البناؤون والعامل من إنجاز عملهم عىل أكمل وجه،‏

وتم بناء الجرس وإمتامه.‏ وال يزال أهل املنطقة،‏

يسمّون الجرس ‏“دالل”‏ تيمناً‏ باسم ابنة زاخو التي

قُدّمت قرباناً‏ وضحية،‏ ويقال ان صوتها العذب ال

يزال يُسمع كل فجر ممزوجاً‏ بتغريدات الطيور

وزقزقات العصافري.‏ وهذا هو السبب ‏)األسطوري

الروايئ(‏ الذي يجعل سكان مدينة زاخو يعرفون

الجرس باسم جرس دالل.‏

أساطري أخرى

يف رواية ضمن اسطورة زاخو،‏ تربز بعض التفاصيل

الدراماتيكية املثرية لالهتامم سيام عندما يرى البنّاء

حفيدته دالل تعرب الجرس،‏ وكلبها يتخلف عنها،‏

فيُغمى عليه،‏ ويضطر الناس إىل إقناعه وإجباره عىل

الكشف عن سبب حزنه وتكملة قصته الحزينة.‏ ويف

تحوّل مثري يف القصة،‏ تعهد أمري بوهتان ‏)منطقة

آشورية قرب ماردين يف جنوب تركيا(،‏ والذي كان قد

أمر ببناء الجرس،‏ بقطع يد البناء اليمنى إذا نجح يف

البناء،‏ ويبرت كلتا يديه إذا فشل حتى ال يتمكن من

بناء جرس مثل له أو أفضل يف املستقبل.‏

ووفقًا لرواية اشورية عن ملحمة الجرس،‏ فيقال

إنها قصة حب ازيل بني زوج وزوجته،‏ إذ عندما

وصل زوج دالل إىل زاخو وعلم مبصري زوجته،‏ انتابه

حزن شديد،‏ ويف غمرة حزنه،‏ أخذ معوالً‏ وبدأ يحفر

تحت الجرس،‏ وبينام كان منشغالً‏ بهذا العمل،‏

سمع صوت زوجته املدفونة دالل يأمره بالتوقف

عن الحفر،‏ موضحةً‏ له أنه بأفعاله،‏ ومهام كانت

نواياه حسنة،‏ كان يُوجعها ويؤذيها جسديًا مبعوله،‏

وأخربته أيضً‏ ا أنها ترغب يف االستمرار يف دعم الجرس

بذراعيها املمدودتني والبقاء هناك فيه إىل األبد.‏

وبذلك أصبحت دالل كائنًا خارقًا،‏ وبقيت

شخصيتها وقدرتها عىل التحمل واالختيار وقبول

مصريها اسطورة خالدة،‏ ولهذا السبب توقف الزوج

يف النهاية عن النحيب وقبل مبصريه ومصري دالل.‏

وتنترش روايات مختلفة لنفس األسطورة يف ألبانيا،‏

وصوالً‏ إىل رومانيا،‏ إذ تحيك األساطري عن زوجة

كبري البنائني،‏ التي رثت مصري دالل،‏ وفقدان أختني

بنفس الطريقة،‏ إحداهام يف جرس عىل نهر الدانوب،‏

واألخرى عىل نهر الخابور!‏ وارتبطت القصة امللحمية

والحزينة للفتاة دالل التي منحت هذه القصة

األسطورية لجرس بريا دالل بُعدًا إنسانيًا،‏ وألهمت

العديد من األغاين يف ماردين/تركيا،‏ وحلب/سوريا،‏

واملوصل/العراق،‏ وإقليم كردستان العراق،‏ وأماكن

أخرى،‏ مع بعض االختالفات يف الحبكة،‏ ويُشار إليها يف

املزيج الرتايث الغنايئ الكالسييك ملاردين/واملوصل.‏

أغنية أوي دالل الفولكلورية

تحبون الله وال تقولون ‏...سعاد كن ماتت اوي

اوي دالل”‏

قد يتفرق الناس اليوم بسبب الجغرافيا والتاريخ

والسياسة،‏ ومع ذلك فهم يتشاركون يف الفولكلور

والقصص واألغاين التي تعكس املعاناة اإلنسانية واإلبداع

البرشي عىل حد سواء.‏ وهناك العديد من الروايات

املامثلة واملرشحة لقصة الفتيات الاليت ضُ‏ حي بهن.‏

وأغنية ‏“أوي أوي دالل”‏ هي أغنية معربة من

مدينة ماردين الرتكية،‏ تحيك قصة حب كالسيكية بني

ساعي بريد فقري يُدعى ‏“دالل”‏ وفتاة جميلة اسمها

‏“سعاد”،‏ كانا يعيشان يف مدينة ماردين الرتكية،‏ التي

كانت نقطة عبور للعديد من املهاجرين.‏ وحدث أن

سمع وايل إسطنبول حينذاك،‏ ‏“شوكت باشا”،‏

عن سعاد وجاملها األسطوري،‏ وأخربته حاشيته أنها

تحب ساعي بريد فقري يُدعى ‏“دالل”،‏ فقرر الوايل

أن يتقدم لخطبتها،‏ لكنها رفضته.‏

أصيب الوايل بنوبة جنون،‏ وشعر بإهانة بالغة،‏

وغضب بشدة من رفضها،‏ فأمر رجاله بإحضار ‏)ساعي

الربيد دالل(‏ إليه تحت الحراسة وسجنه بتهمة ملفقة،‏

وحُكم عليه بالسجن ملدة عامني.‏ وتقدم الوايل لخطبة

سعاد مرة أخرى،‏ ويف هذه املرة مل يكن أمام والدها

خيار سوى تزويجها،‏ خاصة بعد اختفاء خطيبها دون

أثر،‏ ورجحت الشكوك أنه قد مات.‏

بعد ذلك،‏ انترشت شائعات يف ماردين بأن سعاد

قد ماتت من شدة الحزن واألىس بعد أن علمت

بوفاة ‏“دالل”‏ أيسّ‏ ت وبكت بحزن ال ينتهي عىل

فقدان حبيبها املسكني.‏ ولتتعقد هذه املحنة اكرث،‏

خرج دالل من السجن،‏ وسأل عن حبيبته سعاد

فقيل له إنها ماتت،‏ فجنّ‏ الشاب،‏ وفقد عقله من

هول املصيبة،‏ وراح يتجول يف الشوارع،‏ والدموع

تنهمر من عينيه،‏ واألمل يعترص قلبه،‏ يتوسل إىل

الناس ويغني:‏

‏)مبحبة الله ال تقولون...‏ سعاد كن ماتت..‏ يا

وييل يا دالل(‏ مبعنى

‏)إذا كنتم تحبون الله،‏ فال تقولوا إن سعاد ماتت

..... فيا للوهم،‏ يا للوهم ‏-الوهم يعني الكذب(‏

أصبحت أغنية ‏“أوي أوي دالل”‏ أغنية كالسيكية

شهرية بألحان مختلفة تُغنى بلهجة اهل املوصل.‏

ثم قام املوسيقي اليهودي العراقي صالح الكويتي

بتطويرها،‏ وغريّ‏ بعض كلامتها،‏ وأعطاها للمغنية

الشهرية سليمة باشا مراد لتغنيها يف املالهي الليلية

وانترشت األغنية عىل نطاق واسع يف بغداد وأرست

قلوب جميع العراقيني ومازالت حتى يومنا هذا.‏

تحبون الله وال تقولون

دخيل الله وال تقولون

سعاد كن ماتت اوي اوي دالل

سعاد ما ماتت عيني دالل

عىل ضووك يا قمر

عىل ضووك يا قمر

تفاح حلو حشنا عيني دالل

تفاح حلو حشنا دالل اوي دالل

ومن الصبح للمسا

ومن الصبح للمسا

وخدود حمر بسنا عيني دالل

وخدود حمر بسنا عيني دالل

سعاد كن ماتت عيني دالل

سعاد وما ماتت دالل اوي دالل

بري دالل - جرس العشاق واألقفال

يُعد جرس دالل تحفة معامرية ومعلامً‏ أثريًا مميزًا

يف محافظة دهوك.‏ يزوره يوميًا مئات السياح من

مختلف املحافظات العراقية واملناطق األخرى

لالستمتاع بجامله.‏ ميُ‏ ثل هذا الجرس رمزًا للوصل

بني األحبة،‏ متامًا كام ربط ضفتي النهر آلالف

السنني،‏ منذ وان كان معربًا للجيوش والقوافل

التجارية والبعثات التبشريية

تروي األساطري املحلية قصة رجل نبيل عاش

عىل ضفة النهر خالل العرص العبايس،‏ وكان يُحب

فتاة تسكن عىل الضفة األخرى.‏ ولرغبته يف رؤيتها

باستمرار،‏ بدأ ببناء هذا الجرس ليكون ملتقى للعشاق

أصبح الجرس أيقونة تجمع العشاق يف لقاءاتهم،‏

ويجذب املتزوجني حديثًا اللتقاط الصور التذكارية،‏

ليصبح جرس دالل جزءًا من ذكرياتهم.‏ يزور العديد

من العشاق هذا املوقع لتعليق أقفال تحمل رموز

أسامئهم تعبريًا عن الوفاء واالرتباط الروحي األبدي.‏

كام احتل الجرس مكانة بارزة يف أعامل الشعراء

والفنانني يف املنطقة.‏

ستبقى أساطري جرس بريا دالل محفورة يف ذاكرة

أهل زاخو،‏ وجزءًا ال يتجزأ من تاريخ مدينتهم

العريقة،‏ وتُقدم لنا هذه األساطري نوعًا من تاريخ

املعتقدات االجتامعية،‏ وهي مفيدة من هذا

املنطلق ملعرفة التاريخ االجتامعي للحياة اليومية

للبسطاء يف مدينة زاخو وقصتهم مع جرسهم

عرب العصور إذ أنه ليس مجرد أكوام من الحجارة

املتناسقة،‏ بل هو تجسيد ألفكار وأفعال ومشاعر

الناس الذين بنوه وعاشوا بجواره منذ القدم وتحفة

هندسية رائعة مستوحاة من الطبيعة،‏ ويجسد

العالقة بني الجغرافيا ‏)النهر(‏ والتاريخ ‏)البناء،‏ وأهل

زاخو،‏ وقصتهم معه(‏ واليوم،‏ يُكرم سكان زاخو،‏

وخاصةً‏ اآلشوريني والكلدان والكرد،‏ ذكرى شجاعة

وتضحية بنت زاخو ‏)دالل(‏ بزراعة نبتتني طويلتني

يف إحدى الفجوات بني الحجارة عىل جانبي الجرس،‏

ويطلقون عليهام اسم ‏“ضفائر شعر دالل”.‏

املصادر:‏ ويكيبيديا،‏ الدكتور قباد شيخ نواف

- قناة زاغروس التلفزيونية،‏ آي كيو نيوز،‏ ساجا

شريزاد،‏ أمني يونس،‏ جامعة كامربيدج،‏ وكالة آينا -

الوكالة اآلشورية الدولية.‏

Lover locks on display near Dalal Bridge.


CULTURE & HISTORY

جرس داليل - أسطورة الفتاة الضحية - دالل

بقلم:‏ د عضيد مريي

جدًا لنمط العامرة الرومانية للجسور.‏ وبسبب

موقعه الجغرايف يشهد الجرس عبور األعداء والحلفاء

عىل حد سواء،‏ وشهد انتصاراتهم وأفراحهم،‏

وهزامئهم وأحزانهم،‏ وبهذا يجسد الجرس جانباً‏ من

تاريخ زاخو املايض وعرب العصور.‏

يعتقد مدير دائرة اآلثار يف قضاء زاخو،‏ محمد

اليوسفي،‏ أن بناء جرس دالل األثري يعود إىل العرص

البيزنطي عام 1527 يف عهد اإلمرباطور البيزنطي زينون،‏

وفقاً‏ للفحوصات األثرية التي أجرتها مديرية آثار

محافظة دهوك.‏ وتُشري رواية أخرى إىل أن بناءه يعود

إىل العرص اإلسالمي ‏)العرص العبايس األول يف القرن

الثامن امليالدي(.‏ ولكن لألسف،‏ ال تحمل حجارة جرس

دالل أي نقوش أو كتابات أو رموز تساعد املؤرخني

وعلامء اآلثار عىل تحديد عمر الجرس بدقة،‏ وبالتايل،‏

يبقى هذا املوضوع محل جدل تاريخي مستمر.‏

تُعترب الجسور واألقواس القدمية معامل تاريخية حية

ومهمة يف األماكن التي شُ‏ يدت فيها،‏ فهي ليست

مجرد طرق للعبور والتنقل بني ضفتي نهر،‏ بل

لعبت دورًا مهامً‏ يف تذليل العقبات أمام التواصل

البرشي بني األصدقاء واألعداء عىل مر العصور،‏

ولذلك،‏ فهي تؤثر بشكل كبري يف تشكيل الثقافة،‏

والتاريخ،‏ والجغرافيا،‏ وكنز مثني لألساطري.‏

كانت الجسور املقوسة تنترش يف جميع أنحاء

اإلمرباطوريات العثامنية والرومانية السابقة،‏ من

البوسنة إىل العراق.‏ ونظرًا لطبيعة مهنة البناء

بالحجارة التي تتطلب الخربة والتنقل واستعامل

املعدات الثقية،‏ كان البناؤون وخاصة الرومان

يسافرون إىل أماكن بعيدة مثل بالد فارس لتشييد

أكرب الجسور وأبعد الطرقات.‏

مدينة زاخو

تقع زاخو شامل دهوك يف إقليم كردستان العراق

وعىل بُعد 53 كيلومرتًا منها،‏ وتبعد 10 كيلومرتات من

الحدود الرتكية،‏ و‎25‎ كيلومرتًا من الحدود السورية،‏

و‎115‎ كيلومرتًا من املوصل،‏ ويحيط بها من الشامل

جبال جودي،‏ التي شهدت طوفان نوح العظيم،‏

ولذلك فهي تحمل أهمية دينية وقد ورد ذكرها يف

القرآن الكريم واإلنجيل.‏

ويف مدينة زاخو،‏ يقع ‏)جرس دالل(‏ وهو منوذج فريد

للجسور ومبادرة هندسية تاريخية قل نظريها،‏ ويعد

من أبرز املعامل األثرية يف محافظة دهوك والعراق،‏

وقد صمد شامخاً‏ يف وجه قسوة الطبيعة وفيضانات

نهر الخابور العنيفة التي كانت وما زالت تجتاح هذه

املدينة الجميلة عىل مر التاريخ،‏ ونهر الخابور هو أحد

روافد نهر دجلة،‏ ينبع من تركيا ومير يف وسط املدينة

قاسامً‏ إياها إىل ضفتني يربط بينهام جرس دالل.‏

جرس زاخو

يُطلق عىل جرس زاخو عدة أسامء فهو أحيانًا

الجرس العبايس،‏ أو جرس دالل،‏ أو بريا دالل،‏ أو

كًيرشا.‏ ويُرجّح أنه بُني ألول مرة يف العصور

القدمية،‏ مع إعادة بناء الحقة يف العصور الوسطى.‏

يُساهم الجرس يف التعريف بتاريخ املدينة وتراثها،‏

كام أنه يُعدّ‏ رمزًا تراثياً‏ وهويةً‏ مميزة لها.‏ ولذلك

اعتمدت جامعة زاخو جرس بريا دالل شعارًا رسميًا

لها،‏ وحذت املجالس البلدية حذوها،‏ وأصبح جرس

بريا دالل ومدينة زاخو وجهني لعملة واحدة من

حيث التاريخ والرتاث والجغرافية.‏

يُعدّ‏ هذا الجرس املمتد بني ضفتي نهر الخابور

أحد أشهر املعامل األثرية يف إقليم كردستان،‏ وتحديدًا

يف زاخو،‏ التي هي آخر نقطة جغرافية شامل اإلقليم

عىل الحدود مع تركيا.‏ غالبية سكان زاخو من الكرد،‏

مع وجود أقليات أخرى قليلة،‏ من بينهم العرب،‏

والكلدان،‏ واآلشوريون،‏ والرسيان،‏ كام أنها مدينة

تتسم بالتعددية الدينية،‏ حيث يعيش املسلمون

واملسيحيون فيها بسالم.‏

يبلغ طول الجرس 114 مرتًا،‏ وارتفاعه 15.5 مرتًا

فوق سطح النهر،‏ وعرضه 4.70 مرتًا ويتكون من

خمسة أقواس مير من تحتها نهر الخابور.‏ وقد بُني

من الجري والحجارة الصلبة املحلية املنحوتة بأحجام

مختلفة،‏ والتي متيل إىل اللون الرتايب الطبيعي األصفر.‏

وبُني باستخدام الحجر الجريي من املناطق القريبة،‏

ومتت دراسة ذلك بأخذ عينة من املواد املستخدمة يف

البناء وإرسالها إىل جامعة هايدلربغ يف أملانيا.‏

تاريخ بناء الجرس

هناك العديد من القصص حول بناء الجرس.‏ وتُعدّ‏

قصص بنائه أقرب إىل األسطورة منها إىل الحقيقة.‏

ووفقًا لعلامء اآلثار املحليني،‏ ‏“يندر حاليًا تصميم

جرس مامثل لجرس دالل يف العامل من حيث هندسته

وأسلوب بنائه”‏ وال تزال طريقة بناءه وتفاصيله

املعامرية مجهولة لدى علامء اآلثار،‏ فوفقًا لبعض

املتخصصني يعود تاريخ بنائه إىل العرص البيزنطي

الروماين الرشقي،‏ أي قبل حوايل 1520 عامًا.‏

هناك روايات تاريخية متضاربة حول بناء الجرس،‏

ووفقًا للمصادر التاريخية،‏ بُني الجرس ألغراض تجارية

وعسكرية إذ كانت منطقة زاخو ممرًا للقوافل

التجارية والحمالت العسكرية عىل مر التاريخ،‏

وأشهرها حملة القائد اليوناين زينوفون.‏ ويعتقد أن

الجرس خدم يف العصور القدمية غرضني:‏ األول كطريق

عسكري يعربه الجنود يف الحروب بني اإلمرباطوريتني

الساسانية والبيزنطية،‏ والثاين كطريق حرير فرعي،‏ أي

طريق تجاري دويل قديم ميتد بني الصني ووسط اسيا

وأوروبا،‏ ومير عرب العديد من البلدان الرشق أوسطية.‏

ومن املرجح أثريًا أنه بُني ألول مرة خالل العرص

الروماين،‏ حيث تبدو أشكال أقواسه الخمسة مشابهة

زاخو ونهر الخابور

يرتبط أهايل قضاء زاخو ارتباطًا وثيقًا بجرس دالل،‏ إذ

يُعترب الجرس رمزًا لتاريخ املدينة منذ القدم،‏ وله عدة

أسامء شائعة،‏ منها ‏)الجرس الحجري،‏ والجرس الكبري،‏

وجرس زاخو،‏ والجرس العبايس،‏ وجرس دالل وبريا

دالل(.‏ وقد جاءت هذه األسامء من قصص وروايات

شعبية متعددة،‏ شكلت نوعًا من التاريخ االجتامعي

الشفهي املتوارث عرب األجيال،‏ وأشهرها األسطورة التي

استمد منها الجرس اسمه األكرث شهرة ‏)داليل(.‏

ويعترب أهايل زاخو ‏“جرس دالل”‏ فخر مدينتهم

ومن أبرز املعامل السياحية يف املنطقة،‏ عىل الرغم من

وجود العديد من املواقع السياحية األخرى ويقصده

الزوار من وسط وجنوب العراق،‏ ومحافظات اإلقليم،‏

وأحيانًا من دول أجنبية،‏ ويشعر الزائر عندما يرى

حجارة ‏“جرس دالل”‏ املرصوفة بدقة متناهية وكأنه

يتنّقل يف رحلة زمان صوب قرون مضت.‏

غالباً‏ ما يؤكد املسؤولون املحليون وخرباء اآلثار

عىل رضورة زيارة جرس دالل عند زيارة هذه املدينة،‏

فهو معلم استثنايئ ذو قيمة تاريخية عظيمة،‏ وهو

ما تؤكده أيضاً‏ الدراسات الصادرة عن دائرة اآلثار،‏

وقامت حكومة إقليم كردستان برتميم أجزاء منه

يف عامي 2017 و‎2019‎ وفقاً‏ للتوجيهات األثرية

وتوصيات املرشفني الدوليني،‏ وباستخدام تقنية املسح

الليزري ألول مرة يف العراق.‏ وقد تكللت هذه الجهود

بالنجاح يف ترميم أجزاء من الجرس كانت مدفونة منذ

مثانينيات القرن املايض،‏ وبناء مدرج روماين مصغر

الستيعاب أكرب عدد ممكن من السياح.‏

ماذا يعني اسم دالل؟

يف اللغة العربية،‏ يحمل اسم ‏“دالل”‏ عدة معانٍ‏

مختلفة،‏ ترتبط أساسً‏ ا باملودة والحنان واملحبة،‏

وكذلك القلب

عىل مر التاريخ،‏ وكان هذا االسم يُطلق عادةً‏ عىل

الفتيات،‏ ويدل عىل كل امرأة تتميز باألناقة والحيوية

والبهجة.‏ وباملعنى الحريف،‏ يعني االسم ‏“الرتف”،‏ مام

يوحي بشخصية تحب الدالل وتبدو مرتفة.‏ باإلضافة

إىل ذلك،‏ يحمل اسم دالل داللة عىل اإلعجاب والفخر،‏

A Kurd at Dalal Bridge.


FEATURE

Coming to America

Remembering who we are

BY MARY YOUSIF

New beginnings in Detroit. From left: Jakleen (mother), Jack (uncle), baby

Jena (aunt), Jeny (aunt), Linda (family relative), and Jandar (aunt).

We may be thousands of miles

away from our homeland,

but the essence of who we

are shouldn’t fade with distance. For

Chaldean Americans including myself

and many others – children of immigrants,

either born or raised in a new

world – our existence is defined by an

ongoing struggle between embracing

the culture we inhabit and holding on

to our identity. We are fortunate to live

in a country that has given us opportunity,

safety, and freedom, and for that,

we are endlessly grateful. Yet, amid

the beauty of assimilation, we should

always remember the subtle, strong

reminders of our origins.

Our roots aren’t something to tuck

away in family photo albums or only

recall during specific occasions. They

are embedded in our everyday lives –

in how we think, how we nurture our

families, how we seek faith in struggle,

and how we come together. Being

Chaldean means embracing a history

that spans back thousands of years,

one reflected in our language, our

prayers, and even our sense of humor.

Maintaining that goes beyond nostalgia

– it’s identity.

Too often, culture becomes simplified

into food, music, and celebrations.

But our heritage is so much

more than that. It’s our way of life.

It’s found in the Aramaic phrases our

parents use, the humility that guides

our work ethic, and the collective resilience

we inherit just by being who we

are. Keeping our language alive, teaching

our children the meaning behind

our traditions, and carrying our ancestors’

stories forward – these are acts of

resistance, remembrance, and love.

Because being Chaldean American

isn’t just about blending into a new

world; it’s about ensuring that our old

one still lives within us.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized

that the best way to honor your past

is to live with purpose in the present

– to never let the sacrifices your family

made fade into silence. My family

carries many stories worth cherishing,

each one stitched with love, struggle,

and faith. But the story that always

finds its way back to me is the journey

of my mother’s family coming to America.

It’s a quiet reminder that I carry

the weight of their dreams – dreams

that have shaped my education, my

career, and even the smallest choices

I make each day.

My story begins with my grandfather,

Basil. Like many men of his time,

he had served for years in the Iraqi military.

But in 1979, everything changed.

He was drafted to serve in the Iraq-Iran

War that would soon erupt. It was a

time of deep uncertainty – especially

for my grandfather, who had a wife,

three young daughters, and a newborn

son to protect. He faced a harrowing

choice: stay and risk his family’s safety

or leave and risk never returning.

The decision wasn’t one taken lightly.

Ultimately, my grandfather made the

decision to leave. It meant leaving behind

generations of roots, his extended

family, and above all, the familiarity

of home. Yet, in that act of leaving, he

chose survival over comfort, courage

over certainty – the kind of bravery that

would later shape what it means for me

to be Chaldean American.

You see, my mother was only

six years old when she left Iraq. Too

young to truly understand what

was happening, her

memories of that time

are hazy – more like

fragments of emotion

than full scenes. It

wasn’t until she grew

older that she learned

from others what truly

happened the night

before they fled.

The house was

heavy with sorrow. My

grandmother with her

legs twisted had fallen,

clutching the floors,

tears streaming down

her face as she cried, “I don’t want to

leave! I don’t want to leave!” over and

over again. The sound of her anguish

fills the room, echoing off the walls of a

life they were about to abandon.

Nearby, my grandfather spoke

quietly but firmly with his father. My

great-grandfather, eyes heavy with

Mary’s grandfather in military

uniform.

concern, urged him, “Leave Jakleen

(my mother) here. Let her stay with

me and your mother.” But my grandfather’s

voice held firm: “I am taking all

of the children with me. No one is staying

here.” And with that, the decision

was final. For a moment, a deep sadness

crossed my great-grandfather’s

face, a quiet mourning for a decision

he understood but could not change.

All around them, my grandfather’s

sisters and their husbands stand in

silence, their faces mirrors of sadness

and uncertainty, knowing nothing

would ever feel the same. And then

the children – my mother clutching

my grandfather’s side, her siblings

huddled close – looking out at a future

unknown, tethered only to each other

amid the storm of goodbye.

Their escape was long and uncertain.

My mother’s family was smuggled across

borders – through Turkey, Bulgaria, and

what was then Yugoslavia – until they finally

reached Greece. In those early days

in Athens, my grandfather was overcome

with homesickness. He spent long nights

drinking, crying quietly

to the haunting voice

of Umm Kulthum and

Saadi Al-Bayati, the

songs of home echoing

in a place that wasn’t

his. He longed to return,

convinced that

maybe things would

be better, that maybe

he could reclaim what

they had lost.

But other families

who had fled alongside

them urged him

not to go back. They

told him the truth he didn’t want to

face – that returning meant risking his

family’s lives. And so, with the help

of others who understood that same

heartbreak, he stayed. He swallowed

his longing forcing back the ache in

his chest each night, a sorrow that

would stretch on for three long years


Your Plan, Their Peace

until their Red Cross application was

finally approved.

Chicago or Detroit. Those were the

two options given to my grandfather.

Chicago had few familiar faces, but Detroit

offered something more – distant

relatives, a small sense of belonging

in a strange new world. So, he chose

Detroit, planting roots once again, this

time in a land where everything had to

be rebuilt from the ground up. Yes, they

survived. But the real journey - the ultimate

test - awaited them in Detroit.

Forty-six years later…

Every success I achieve, every dream

I chase, feels tied to that decision my

grandfather made – to leave, to stay

strong, and to start again. It reminds

me that I carry the weight of generations

who refused to let fear erase their

From top of page:

The passport the

Mary’s grandfather

was issued in Greece.

From left to right: Basil

(grandfather), Fahima

(grandmother), Jakleen

(mother), Jandar

(aunt), Jeny (aunt),

Jack (uncle), and Jena

(aunt born in Greece).

Last night in Iraq. From

left: Dhia (in-law),

Kamel (author’s greatgrandfather),

Basil

(author’s grandfather),

Great Aunt Intisar, Great

Uncle Mukhles, Jakleen

(author’s mother), Aunts

Jandar and Jeny, next

to Intisar is Fahima

(author’s grandmother),

Jamila (her great-grandmother),

Great Aunt Basima

(my grandfather’s

sister), Great Uncle

Francis (brother-in-law),

Great Uncle Nizar, and

Uncle Jack.

The author’s grandfather

and mother.

identity and that realization gives me

purpose to the life I’ve built today.

Over the years, my grandfather was

strict with his children, determined to

preserve our identity despite being far

from home. Growing up, my mother

held that same belief and did the exact

same with my brother and me.

I hope my story conveys the strength

of our past and how it continues to define

us, safeguarding our traditions,

values, and the way we live. By preserving

our culture and holding onto the

traditions of those who came before us,

we keep alive a connection to a land we

can no longer call home. And so, every

choice I make, every dream I pursue,

carries their courage forward – proof

that the past is not behind us, but lives

within us, guiding who we are and who

we will become.

A Conversation That Matters...

Leaving Your Legacy of Love

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about everything from daily moments to significant

milestones is essential. These shared stories not only

strengthen your bonds today but will also carry

profound meaning when the time comes to honor and

celebrate your lives together. Embrace these

connections; they shape the legacies you leave behind.

Plan Today to Protect your Family

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Deceased

Holy Sepulchre Catholic

Cemetery

To schedule an appointment for a tour of our

beautiful Chaldean sections or private estate areas,

please call us at:

(248) 350-1900 or visit cfcsdetroit.org


FEATURE

Faith and Justice

Chaldean law students on the rise

BY EEMI TOMA

Long before a student steps into

a courtroom or writes their first

brief, there is a moment of realization

that something within them is

meant for this path. It might come from

witnessing an injustice or from the understanding

that words have power

when used to defend what is right.

Within the Chaldean community, that

moment carries profound meaning.

It grows from generations who built

their lives on faith and perseverance,

and who believed that success means

nothing unless it uplifts others.

Today, an increasing number of

Chaldean law students are walking

that path. They are preparing not only

to interpret the law but to live it. Their

mission is to bring compassion into

the courtroom, to make justice accessible,

and to use their faith as a compass

through complexity.

Among this remarkable generation

are Julia Lucia, George Zora, and Myrna

Nissan; three voices rising from the

same community, each carrying a story

that reflects not only personal ambition

but a shared promise to serve.

Julia Lucia: Wayne State University

Law School

For Julia Lucia, law is not just a profession;

it is a reflection of who she is.

Even as a child, she found purpose in

helping others find peace during moments

of conflict. Friends sought her

out not because she had all the answers,

but because she knew how to

listen with understanding. That quiet

empathy eventually grew into persuasion,

guiding her toward Wayne State

University Law School, where she now

studies with focus and grace.

Her first experience in the legal

world came through an internship

with Judge Diane D’Agostini at the 48th

District Court. Watching the courtroom

unfold from within changed her

perception entirely. “It was the first

time I saw how the law touches real

people,” she said. “Behind every case

Julia Lucia

was a story someone’s struggle, someone’s

fear, someone’s hope.”

At Wayne State University School

of Law, Julia’s leadership shines

through both faith and service. As

President of the Chaldean American

Law Student Association and the

Catholic Law Student Association, she

has created spaces where faith and

professionalism are not at odds but in

harmony. She also serves as Student

Liaison to the Chaldean American Bar

Association, connecting students with

attorneys who share their cultural and

spiritual values.

Her commitment does not stop

there. Julia is the kind of student who

stays late to help a classmate prepare

for an exam, who volunteers for outreach

programs that teach youth about

civic engagement, and who always

finds time to attend Mass despite her

schedule. “Law can feel overwhelming,”

she said. “But my faith reminds

me that every challenge is an invitation

to trust more deeply.”

Her parents’ guidance has been her

foundation. “They taught me that faith

gives strength when everything else

feels uncertain,” she said. “It keeps

George Zora

me steady, even on the hardest days.”

Julia hopes to use her career to

create meaningful change in the lives

of those who feel unseen by the legal

system. Her dream is not simply to win

cases, but to restore dignity where it

has been lost. To those around her,

Julia represents a quiet but powerful

truth: that leadership does not begin

with a title, it begins with compassion.

Myrna Nissan

George Zora: University of Detroit

Mercy School of Law

At the University of Detroit Mercy

School of Law, George Zora has earned

a reputation for his steadiness. He carries

himself with a calm confidence

that makes people feel heard. As the

oldest of five siblings, he learned early

that responsibility is not a burden, it

is a form of love. “My parents always

told me that being the oldest means

setting the tone,” George said. “That

has stayed with me in everything I do.”

George’s fascination with law began

with his love of public service.

He followed local politics closely, volunteered

for campaigns, and realized

that every policy, every bill, every decision

made at the top ultimately impacts

families like his. Over time, that

awareness became a calling. “I wanted

to be part of something that actually

makes people’s lives better,” he said.

“The law felt like the clearest way to

do that.”

His time at the Macomb County

Prosecutor’s Office gave him his first

taste of the real-world application of

justice. He witnessed the weight of every

choice that prosecutors make, the

balance between accountability and

compassion. Later, his internship on

Capitol Hill with Congresswoman Lisa

McClain gave him a broader view of

how justice operates beyond the courtroom,

how laws are written, debated,

and ultimately brought to life. “That

experience was eye-opening,” he said.

“It taught me that advocacy starts with

listening to people’s stories. Change

does not happen in silence.”

At Detroit Mercy Law, George cofounded

the Chaldean American Law

Student Association. What began as a

simple idea soon evolved into a thriving

network of mentorship and unity.

He helped establish panels where

Chaldean attorneys share their journeys

and offer guidance to students


University of Detroit

High School and Academy

just beginning their path. For George,

community building is not just an extracurricular

activity; it is part of his

mission.

Currently, he works at a personal

injury firm in Troy, where he assists

clients during some of the most difficult

moments of their lives. He approaches

every case with a sense of

reverence for the trust people place in

him. “When someone walks into your

office, they are often scared and uncertain,”

he said. “It is your job to bring

them peace, not just a legal solution.”

Faith remains at the center of everything

George does. “Our Catholic faith

teaches that empathy is strength,” he

said. “When someone comes to you

for help, you might be the only person

standing between them and despair.

That is not something to take lightly.”

Looking forward, George hopes to

continue his path of service, whether

in policy or law practice. His dream is

to be a voice for those who have none

and to show younger Chaldeans that

law is not just a profession but a way

to shape the world for the better.

Myrna Nissan: University of Detroit

Mercy School of Law

For Myrna Nissan, every challenge has

been an opportunity to grow stronger.

Born outside the United States and

raised in Michigan, she learned early

what it meant to adapt, to find a sense

of belonging between cultures, and

to hold tightly to her Chaldean roots.

That balance has given her a resilience

that carries into every part of her legal

education.

Now in her third year at the University

of Detroit Mercy School of Law,

Myrna reflects on her journey with

gratitude. “I have learned that law is

not only about argument,” she said.

“It is about understanding people and

helping them find clarity when life

feels complicated.”

Her experiences have been both

demanding and transformative. As a

Judicial Intern at the Oakland County

Circuit Court, she observed how judges

handle difficult cases with patience

and poise. Working in the Wayne

County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide

Unit gave her a firsthand look at the

gravity of justice and the emotional

depth of the cases that pass through

the system. She also served as a

Teaching Assistant for Evidence and

Constitutional Law, where she mentored

younger students and strengthened

her own understanding through

teaching.

“There were moments when I questioned

whether I was capable of all of

it,” Myrna said. “But those moments

reminded me that strength is not the

absence of fear, it is the decision to

move forward anyway.”

Her professors speak of her as a

student who approaches every challenge

with thoughtfulness. Her classmates

describe her as the one who

always reaches out when someone is

struggling. To Myrna, law is not about

competition. It is about lifting others,

because everyone’s success strengthens

the whole community.

She often reflects on the importance

of empathy in her work. “You

can fight fiercely for justice and still

treat people with kindness,” she said.

“The law can be a powerful weapon,

but it should always be guided by conscience.”

Myrna hopes to build a career

where she can bring balance to that

duality, to fight with purpose while remembering

the human stories behind

every case. “I want to use what I have

learned to help people feel seen,” she

said. “That is when justice becomes

real.”

A Legacy Carried Forward

The journeys of Julia Lucia, George

Zora, and Myrna Nissan are each distinct,

yet connected by a shared purpose.

Each student entered the field

of law not seeking status but searching

for meaning. Together, they reflect

a community that continues to rise,

guided by its faith and its commitment

to integrity.

They are the new faces of Chaldean

excellence, standing at the threshold

of careers that will extend far beyond

legal arguments or courtrooms. What

unites them is the belief that law is not

an exercise of power but rather an act

of service.

Their generation will shape how

the Chaldean voice is heard in the legal

world. They will carry the legacy of

their ancestors into every courtroom,

every client meeting, every moment

of advocacy. Through them, the Chaldean

story continues to evolve not as

a tale of survival but as one of strength

and unyielding hope.

Experience the Brotherhood

Since 1877, University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy

has been forming young men of faith, character, and purpose.

Rooted in Catholic tradition, U of D Jesuit prepares students in

grades 7–12 to grow as Men for Others — young leaders who

serve God by serving others.

SCHEDULE A VISIT TODAY.

www.uofdjesuit.org

DOWNLOAD

OUR FREE

MOBILE APP!


FEATURE

A Modern Saint for the Digital Age

The Canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis

BY MICHAEL ANTOON

On September 7, 2025, in Saint

Peter’s Square, Vatican City,

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV canonized

a teenager laid to rest in a blue

tracksuit and a pair of Nike sneakers.

Saint Carlo Acutis—born in 1991 and

returned to the bosom of the Lord at

just 15—was declared a saint alongside

now Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati.

The canonization made one thing

unmistakably clear for us in the modern

age: holiness is not reserved for

bishops, priests, or nuns. It is attainable

for us—here and now, in the middle of

our ordinary, everyday lives. Reflecting

on the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis

feels like a personal invitation from

the Father Himself, calling each of us to

remember and live out our primary vocation

in this world: to become saints.

Who Was Saint Carlo Acutis?

Saint Carlo Acutis was born in London,

England, on May 3, 1991, to Italian

parents and raised in Milan, Italy.

In many ways, he was an ordinary

teenager. He loved coding, soccer, and

playing video games. Yet behind that

ordinary life was an extraordinary

faith that quietly guided everything

he did. From the time he received his

First Holy Communion, Carlo attended

daily Mass as often as possible. He had

a deep and personal love for God, and

even as a child, he found joy in praying

the Rosary. Daily Mass and Eucharistic

Adoration became the center of

his life, and leading others to Christ

became part of his mission on earth.

His mother, Antonia Salzano, later

shared that before Carlo, she had only

gone to Mass for her First Communion,

Confirmation, and wedding. Through

her son’s faith, she rediscovered her

own. Carlo’s au pair, Rajesh Mohur,

even converted from Hinduism to Catholicism

after Carlo taught him how

to pray the Rosary and explained the

real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

At home in Milan, Carlo was known

for his compassion—helping classmates

who were struggling, bringing

food to the homeless, and encouraging

Carlo was at home in the mountains of Italy.

his friends to turn to God. When he was

diagnosed with leukemia at just fifteen

years old, he accepted his cross with

peace, saying, “I offer all my suffering

for the Pope and for the Church.”

Today, his body rests in Assisi’s

Sanctuary of the Renunciation, visible

beneath glass in the clothes he

loved to wear—a blue tracksuit and

Nike sneakers. Pilgrims from every

corner of the world visit that shrine to

encounter a saint who looks strikingly

like the youth of today.

His Eucharistic Devotion

and Mission

At the heart of Carlo’s life was a burning

love for the Eucharist. He once said, “The

Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” It

wasn’t just a beautiful saying—it was

how he lived. Every day, he arranged his

schedule around attending Mass and

spending time in Adoration before the

Blessed Sacrament. Carlo liked to say,

“When we stand in the sun, we get a tan;

but when we stand before the Lord in the

Eucharist, we become saints.”

Long before anyone spoke about

digital evangelization, Carlo used his

computer skills to share his faith. He

created a website cataloging Eucharistic

miracles from around the world—

collecting stories, photos, and Church

documents that revealed the real presence

of Christ. That project would

later become a traveling exhibition

displayed in parishes across the globe.

Carlo saw technology not as a distraction,

but as a tool for mission. He

believed that the internet could be

used to spread goodness if we chose

to fill it with light instead of darkness.

In a world that often sees screens and

social media as sources of division, he

used them to strengthen others’ faith

and bring people closer to God.

Carlo’s example reminds us that

the Eucharist is not simply a part of

our faith—it is the source and summit

of it. Holiness does not begin with

grand gestures, but in the quiet of

daily encounters with Christ present in

the tabernacle. Spending time with the

Lord changes us; His presence sanctifies

us, and His love shapes us.

The Miracle and

Path to Canonization

Carlo’s journey toward sainthood began

not long after his death in 2006,

when stories of his kindness and faith

began to spread quickly throughout

Italy. People who had met him spoke

of his joy, his humility, and his unwavering

devotion to God— especially to

the Blessed Sacrament. His cause for

canonization was officially opened in

2013, and in 2020 he was beatified after

the Church approved his first miracle—a

young boy in Brazil who was

miraculously healed of a rare pancreatic

disorder after his mother prayed

for Carlo’s intercession.

The second miracle, which opened

the door to his canonization, took place

in 2022. A university student from Costa

Rica, studying in Florence, suffered a

severe brain injury after a bicycle accident.

Her mother traveled to Assisi

and prayed fervently at Carlo’s tomb,

entrusting her daughter’s life to his intercession.

In the days that followed,

the young woman’s condition began

to improve dramatically. Doctors could

not explain her recovery. The Vatican

recognized it in 2024 as a miracle attributed

to Carlo’s intercession.

On September 7, 2025, in Saint Peter’s

Square, Pope Leo XIV canonized

Carlo Acutis as a saint of the universal

Church. The ceremony also included

the canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati,

another young Italian known for

his vibrant faith and love for the poor.

It was a profound moment and an important

reminder that holiness takes

many forms but always points to the

same source: Christ Himself.

Carlo’s canonization carries a special

meaning for young people around

the world. His life speaks directly to this

generation: that sainthood is not something

distant or outdated, but something

living, possible, and meant for all of us.

Why His Life Resonates Today

Saint Carlo Acutis’s life continues to inspire

countless young Catholics around

the world. Even within our own Chaldean

Church, his example has taken

root. At St. John the Apostle Chaldean

Catholic Church in Calgary, Alberta,

Canada, their parish youth group


proudly bears his name: the Saint Carlo

Acutis Youth Group. Fr. John Jwad

chose this name to raise awareness

among the young people of the parish

that the Church now has a teenage

saint—someone they can truly relate to.

As a deacon, Fr. John had the blessing

of visiting Italy, where he was able

to pray at the tomb of Saint Carlo. He

shared with us how moving it was to

see the body of this young boy, laid out

in jeans and gym shoes— a powerful

reminder of how holiness can be lived

out in our modern world.

Three years later, after establishing

St. John’s parish and founding a

new youth group for English-speaking

youth, he decided there was no better

saint to guide and inspire the youth of

his community. One of the very first

meetings took place on the night of

Saint Carlo’s canonization—a providential

start to a new chapter.

He explains saying: “We pray that,

in the years to come, our new saint will

reach the hearts of our youth—many

St. Carlo’s body is on display at Assissi’s

Sanctuary of the Renunciation.

of whom are far from God—and lead

them closer to Him through the power

of the Eucharist. In honor of Saint

Carlo’s deep love for the Blessed Sacrament,

we begin every youth meeting

with Eucharistic Adoration.”

What makes Saint Carlo’s life so

powerful is how familiar it feels. He lived

in almost the same fast-paced, digital

world we do—a world filled with social

media, distractions, and constant noise.

Yet in the middle of all that, he managed

to keep his eyes fixed on Christ. Carlo

showed that holiness doesn’t mean escaping

the world but transforming it

from within. He made sanctity look possible,

even amid screens, homework,

and ordinary routines. His life bore witness

that sanctity is attainable.

Carlo’s example reminds young

people that holiness begins with

small, intentional choices: showing

kindness at school, putting faith before

convenience, or simply spending

time in prayer each day. He lived what

he believed, not just online but in person—with

his family, his classmates,

and the poor.

In an age that often confuses success

with self-promotion, Carlo’s humility

stands as a quiet revolution. He

didn’t seek attention or fame. He sought

heaven—and in doing so, he captured

the attention of the entire world.

The Call to Holiness

At the heart of Saint Carlo Acutis’ message

is a simple truth—and though it

may sound repetitive, it is worth repeating:

holiness is possible for everyone.

He often said, “To be always close

to Jesus—that’s my life plan.” It was

not a lofty goal reserved for the few;

it was the daily life of someone who

believed that being near Christ is what

gives life its purpose.

Carlo’s life reminds us that holiness

isn’t about perfection, but about presence—

being present to God, to others,

and to the moment in front of us.

It’s choosing prayer over distraction,

compassion over pride, and humility

over recognition. His example challenges

us to look at our own lives and

ask: How can I grow closer to Christ in

the small, ordinary moments of today?

How can I, amidst my school, work,

family, and struggles, glorify and draw

near to God in humility?

Saint Carlo Acutis reminds us that

sainthood is not a distant dream—it’s

a daily invitation from the Lord. In his

own words: “Our goal must be infinite,

not the finite. The infinite is our homeland.

Heaven has been waiting for us

forever.”


FEATURE

Uniting the Next Generation

Shenandoah’s Young Adult Committee

BY PATRICK KAKOS WITH PAUL QARANA

The Shenandoah Young Adult

Committee (YAC) has become

one of the most active sub-committees

within Shenandoah Country

Club. Established in 2021, the committee

was created with a powerful mission

to bring the youth of Shenandoah

together and strengthen the bond of

community among the next generation

of members.

What began as an idea shared by

the Club’s board has now grown into

a thriving committee that continues to

attain new goals each year. The YAC

consists of nine dedicated committee

members, each serving a three-year

term. Within the committee, leadership

roles are filled by Chair Paul Qarana,

Vice Chair Jenna McKay, Secretary

Lexi Kejbou, and Treasurer Patrick

Kakos. Members Giavino Murad, Annie

Acho, Nick Anton, Skyler Kizi and

Anthony Jabero play essential roles as

well in driving the committee’s mission

to better serve the youth.

“As Chair of the Young Adult Committee,

it’s been inspiring to see how

far we’ve come in such a short time,”

said Paul Qarana. “Our mission has always

been to unite young adults in the

community and give them a voice and

a platform to grow both personally

and professionally — within our club.”

Together, this committee has

worked hard to create events and experiences

that will be remembered by all

members while building a true sense of

community and family. The YAC meets

several times each month and stays in

close contact throughout the week to

plan, share ideas, and prepare for upcoming

events. Every member plays a

vital role contributing creative ideas

and helping carry out the mission of

keeping our young members connected,

engaged, and involved.

“Our committee members are extremely

bright and creative,” said

Qarana. “They consistently share creative

ideas, and that’s exactly what

we look for people who want to share

their ideas and help us continue to

From Left to Right: Roman Murad, Paul Qarana, Skyler Kizi, Annie Acho,

President Phill Mansour, Vilda Garmo, Patrick Kakos, Lexi Kejbou, Giavino

Murad, Anthony Jabero, and Collin Barbat.

bring our youth together.”

YAC Events

Every summer, golfers of all skill levels

come out to enjoy a fun, competitive

day on the course, followed by great

food and good company. It’s become a

yearly tradition that YAC hosts its annual

Golf Outing, usually taking place

in either May or August.

This past year’s Summer Social

event brought over 300 guests together

for an evening filled with music by DJ

Emilio Shina, delicious food prepared

by the club’s culinary team, and a lively

outdoor atmosphere.

The Summer Social has become a

signature Shenandoah tradition, an

occasion where members can unwind,

make memories, and appreciate what

makes the club feel like home.

The YAC’s Annual Business Panel

Event has quickly become one of our favorite

events. The goal has always been

simple—to connect young members

with successful professionals from our

Chaldean community who can share

their real experiences about building a

creative brand from the ground up.

This year’s panel, “Building a

Brand,” featured an inspiring lineup:

Michael Sana of SANA Detroit; Dr. Justin

Kammo of Profound Orthodontics;

Farrah Orow, creator of Farrah Feeds;

and Brandon Bahoura, founder of Pita

Way. The event drew an impressive 150

attendees.

Each speaker brought fresh perspectives

and honest advice that resonated

deeply with our young members,

especially those dreaming of starting

their own business or personal brand

one day. They discussed everything

from staying consistent and authentic

to overcoming the early challenges of

starting their journey.

The committee also extends a

heartfelt thank you to Paul Jonna for

serving as our incredible emcee. His

professionalism, humor, and ability to

keep the conversation flowing kept the

audience engaged and set a lively tone

for the evening. His presence made a

big difference and helped make this

past year’s Business Panel one of our

best events yet.

The YAC Michigan 5K Run:

Running for a Cause

One of our proudest accomplishments

this year was the First Annual Shenandoah

5K Run, held in partnership with

the University of Michigan Medicine.

The event brought together 160 participants

and raised an incredible

$45,000 to support families receiving

care at the U of M Rogel Cancer Center.

We were truly grateful to have Fr. Marcus

Shammami give a special blessing

before the run.

A huge thank-you goes out to the

University of Michigan Medicine and

everyone who participated, donated,

and volunteered. This involvement

helped make this event a success from

start to finish. A special acknowledgment

also goes to Giavino Murad, Roman

Murad, and Collin Barbat, who

played a huge role in helping organize

and execute the event, turning this

vision into reality. The YAC plans to

make the 5K an annual tradition, one

that continues to blend fitness, generosity,

and the spirit of giving back.

“I want to personally thank Joe Roberts,

Mr. Hazbeck, our General Manager,

and all of Shenandoah’s management

for their dedication to helping our

committee succeed,” added Qarana.

“Their support, along with the leadership

of Club President Phillip Mansour

and our liaison Dalia Kejbou, has truly

allowed our committee to grow and

thrive. We’re so grateful for Dalia’s continued

support during our meetings

and for serving as the bridge between

our committee and the board.”

Author’s Perspective

As one of the newest members, I feel

that this group has made such a meaningful

impact in helping our mission

to bring the youth together. It’s a beautiful

way for our young people to unite

as one community and one family.

Looking Ahead:

Continuing the Mission

Plans are already underway to expand

existing events, introduce new ideas,

and continue strengthening the sense

of community that defines Shenandoah.

As co-authors and fellow committee

members, we are proud of how far

this group has come but even more

excited for what’s ahead. Together,

we remain committed to strengthening

the YAC and bringing our young

adults of Shenandoah together as

much as we can.


Membership Has Benefits

Chamber events allow members to build valuable connections,

share ideas, and promote their businesses within the community.

These gatherings foster collaboration, provide access to local

leaders and resources, and increase visibility. Members also enjoy

exclusive perks like marketing opportunities, advocacy support,

and educational programs that drive business growth.

Together, we are stronger. Join and grow.

Celebrating Community

The 23rd Annual

CACC Awards Dinner

Join our shining moment as we recognize the outstanding achievements of our

Businessperson of the Year at our annual awards ceremony

April 23, 2026

6:00 - 10:00 PM

Shenandoah CC

5600 Walnut Lake

248.851.1200 chaldeanchamber.com

Presented by:


FEATURE

Silver Strong

No expiration date on fitness

BY PAUL NATINSKY

After the COVID pandemic, career restauranteur

Joe Sheena found himself stressed

out and out of shape. His company, Pizza

Papalis, had been bustling since 1986. But the pandemic

slowed business and Pizza Papalis was forced

to scale back some of its 20 locations and do “uncomfortable

things” from a business perspective.

It was around then that Sheena listened to a podcast

that spurred him to get his life back on track. He

started walking, and then increased his walking. He

changed what he ate, incorporated more protein and

removed added sugars from his diet. He changed the

times he ate and the intervals between meals. He embraced

nature and let sky-gazing and outdoor deep

breathing work their magic on him.

In addition to feeling “amazing,” the 68-year-old

Sheena felt like sharing his experiences with others

to help them tap into the same strategies for aging

well that he had embraced. He started with talks at

senior centers and other venues and ultimately ended

up writing a book.

“Mindset - 12 Steps to Health Happiness and

Longevity,” is available for $19.99 on Amazon. The

book details Sheena’s agenda for creating a happier,

healthier lifestyle as people glide past life’s midpoint.

It contains sections on activities ranging from “creating

a strong morning routine” to “attacking and overcoming

fear” to “the benefits of hot/cold therapy.”

Sheena has put a lot of thought into his magnum

opus. He says he has pored through more than 50

pages of studies and papers that back up his detailed

prose. But some of his advice is remarkably simple. I

asked him to boil down his message to a few words.

“Get up and move. Get out of the house,” was what

he said. But he couldn’t resist backing it up with

some facts.

“Don’t sit too much. If you can do 10,000 steps a

day, you can reduce your chance of cardiovascular

disease by 40 percent.”

He also spoke a bit about bone density and the

stress aging places on joints. Once a well-cut 225

pounds, Sheena is now a more welterweight-like 175.

A weight he feels more comfortable with as he ages.

Weight training

Henry Dabish of Powerhouse Gym sees some

svelte seniors seeking life-improving workouts at his

facilities and those affiliated with them. Dabish, too,

talked about bone density issues and also mentioned

balance as a top-of-the-list concern for seniors.

He said that many older people are concerned

about the ability to do everyday activities. He tells

the story of a 72-year-old man who was unable to get

up off the floor once he sat or lay there. His trainer

helped him with strength exercises on the track that

solved that problem and added quality to his life.

For older clients who engage in weight training,

Dabish says weight machines are much better than

free weights. With the machines, the range of motion

is controlled and there is no chance of a weight falling

on the client or pulling a limb too far.

As a further safeguard, trainers at Powerhouse

and many other gyms are certified by myriad national

organizations, such as NASM and ACE. Within the

general certification there are specialty programs,

some of which are focused on seniors. Dabish says

Powerhouse ensures that seniors get connected with

the right trainer with the proper certification.

Seniors are often cost conscious, and gyms are

well aware of this. Dabish says gym memberships are

typically $39 to $49 per month. But subsidies from

Medicare and private insurers can reduce the cost to

as low as $24 per month, says Dabish.

As Sheena mentioned, simply getting up and

moving matters. Dabish described activities like

mowing the lawn, doing laundry and just parking

further from the grocery store entrance as beneficial.

He said they are referred by the acronym NEAT, nonexercise

activity time.

The internet is crowded with advice on aging and

exercise, so caution is highly advised. Websites like

AARP.com or SilverSneakers.com are loaded with

exercise advice, including exercises based on everyday

activities, which incorporate movements that are

used to put away the dishes, slide out of bed or open

jars.

So the info is there, the trainers are there, help

with cost is there, no equipment is required. The only

things required to stay fit as we age are will and motivation.

Amazon.com: Mindset- 12 Steps to Health Happiness

and Longevity: 9798304058179: Sheena, J.J., Kapusta,

Katie, Warsi, Anam: Books

LISTEN TO OUR STORIES!

Download the mobile app or visit our website

to hear the latest feature stories in audio form.

chaldeannews.com


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C o n v e r s a t i o n

A COMMUNITY EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MDHHS AND AGEWAYS

We Want To Hear From You!

Make your voice heard and contribute to the development of the Michigan Plan

on Aging. Share what it’s like to be an older Chaldean adult living in Michigan!

In an effort to develop programs and services to support the health and

well-being of Michigan’s senior Chaldean adults or caregivers, we want to

learn about individual and community needs for community members

who are 60 years or older.

WHEN?

Friday,

November 14

Check-in starts at 10:00 am

Session begins at 10:30 am

Tour and Lunch at 11:30 am

RSVP

TODAY!

Visit website

to view complete

programming

schedule at

CCF West

WHERE?

CCF West


2075 Walnut Lake Rd


Farah Shammami

248-851-1200 x118

www.chaldeanfoundation.org/ccf-west


West Bloomfield MI 48323


FEATURE

Learning Sureth

A student perspective

BY JENNA ABROO

One of the many ways we connect through our

culture is through language. The Chaldean

people have spoken Syriac, or Sureth, for

thousands of years. Many of our words trace back to

ancient times, when Akkadian and Sumerian were

widely spoken across our ancestral communities.

Our current dialect of Sureth has existed for more

than 3,000 years—predating the time of Jesus Christ.

Both our culture and language have transcended

time, surviving into the modern day.

Flash forward to the 20th century: under the rise

and fall of Saddam Hussein, our people were forced

to assimilate into Arab culture. Teaching our language

was prohibited and often met with persecution.

My father and other family members were no

strangers to this. As a result, they were unable to pass

down Sureth to me or the other children in our family.

Now, as an adult, I’ve sought a deeper connection

to our true Assyrian roots—and learning Sureth felt

like a powerful first step. I signed up for a 12-week

in-person class with a couple of friends and began

my journey there.

At first, I didn’t know what to expect from the

course. My Sureth was minimal at best, which made

the idea of learning it feel intimidating. And while it

hasn’t been easy, I’ve truly enjoyed the process—from

learning the alphabet and vowels to forming basic

phrases and sentences.

The highlight of the class, though, has been the

sense of cultural camaraderie. Our instructor, Mahir

Awrahem, is incredibly knowledgeable about both our

language and history. He ends each class with a story

about what life was like back home in Iraq, offering a

personal and powerful connection to our roots.

After each language lesson, we take part in traditional

dance sessions led by members of the Ishtar

Cultural Center. So far, we’ve learned the khigga and

several styles of bagiye, along with the stories and

cultural origins behind each dance.

Exploring the traditions of our dance, music, and

language has been one of the most meaningful parts of

this course. As an indigenous people living in the diaspora,

it’s our responsibility to stay rooted in our culture—

and, one day, to pass that torch to the next generation.

While it will take time for me to become fluent and

confident in speaking Sureth, this course has been a

powerful and inspiring introduction to the language.

While speaking with some of my classmates, I

had the chance to hear what inspired them to take

the course. Justine Abbo, 27, of Detroit, shared:

“I was drawn to reading and writing in Sureth

Author Jenna Abroo (seated on left, holding book) with her Sureth language class.

because my family has been in the United States for

a couple of generations, and less and less spoken

Sureth has been passed down. Both of my parents

were born here, as well as one of my grandfathers.

I believe we really have to take the initiative to keep

our language alive in the diaspora.”

Abbo also recalled a poignant family memory:

before her great-grandmother passed away at age 97,

her aunt asked her to write the family’s last name—

Abbo—in Sureth. Her aunt later had it tattooed.

While studying at the University of Michigan,

Abbo took an Arabic language course and discovered

something surprising: the tattoo was actually

written in Arabic.

“It was clear that the language was losing its written

form in the U.S. diaspora,” she said. “I decided to

take Sureth to help preserve our ancient language—and

maybe one day get a tattoo written in Sureth myself!”

Our classmate Mason Sitto, 29, shared his enthusiasm

for the course, saying he loves learning Sureth

because it’s “not only teaching us the language, but

also how to read and write it—along with the historical

context behind certain words.”

He added, “I think everyone in the Chaldean/Assyrian/Syriac

community should take part in classes like this

to ensure that our old and rich language doesn’t die out.”

Sitto is also active in the community through the

Ishtar Cultural Center Youth Group and collaborates

with fellow Chaldean artists in Metro Detroit as part

of an art collective called Rooshma Arts.

Another classmate, Nicole Matti of West Bloomfield,

shared her motivation for joining the class:

“As a first-generation American, I generally understood

the gist of Sureth from hearing my family

speak it at home—but not perfectly. And I couldn’t

speak it fluently.”

Matti reflected on the often-cited idea that culture

is typically lost within three generations.

“If we don’t learn our language, traditional recipes,

art, and history to pass on to future generations,

it will die with us,” she said.

She emphasized how important this feels, especially

given the global diaspora:

“It’s even more urgent knowing that we now live

in communities far from our homeland, spread across

the globe—especially here in the U.S., where some of

our Chaldean communities, like those in Michigan,

are even larger than the indigenous communities still

living in Iraq.”

One of the biggest takeaways from my classmates

is that we are all committed to learning Sureth—not

only as a way to connect with our culture but also to

preserve it. Being removed from our ancestral homeland

can make it difficult to maintain that connection,

but language provides a powerful starting point.

From communities here in Metro Detroit to California,

Canada, Sweden, Australia, and beyond—right

back to the homeland and across the globe—studying

Sureth brings joy to Chaldean students. It allows us to

celebrate the beauty of our culture and pass the torch

to future generations of Sureth speakers.

Information to enroll in local Sureth classes can

be found online through the Chaldean Community

Foundation, the Ishtar Cultural Center, or through

your local church parish.


Preserving tradition, one dish at a time…

Cooking Chaldean

In Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen at

the Chaldean Community Foundation

RESERVE

YOUR SPOT

TODAY!

Visit website

for more classes

Farah Shammami

248-851-1200 x118

www.chaldeanchamber.org/ccf-west


West Bloomfield MI 48323


CHALDEAN KITCHEN

“You have to be happy

when you cook. Simply,

if you are happy when

you cook, the food will

come out good”

– Jacob Bacall

PHOTO BY ALEX LUMELSKY

Jacob Bacall prepares a gurgur-centered feast in his kitchen.

Ancient ‘Processed’ Food

Jacob Bacall Revives the Timeless Dish of Gurgur

BY Z.Z. DAWOD

believe it would have been a common

dish to be eaten by Jesus. However, Jacob

Bacall points out that, while “There is no

proof that Jesus ate gurgur,” because the

dish was so prevalent throughout the

region, “the actual grain [went through]

the same process back in Bethlehem [as

it did] in Mesopotamia.”

Middle Eastern cuisine has

been steadily gaining in popularity

in the United States

since the 1970s. A growing interest in

healthy eating has made dishes like

hummus and falafel staples in cafés

across the nation.

However, one particular dish —

which has been a staple across the

Middle East for literally thousands of

years — remains far less known in the

West: Bulgur, also spelled “burguhl” or

“burghul,” is a grain dish that has not

only held a special place in Chaldean

homes for centuries, it has sustained

the human race for millennia.

“In Sureth, it’s gurgur,” proclaims

Jacob Bacall. Well-known throughout

the Chaldean community as a real estate

entrepreneur and author of several

history books about Chaldeans,

Jacob Bacall cooked his gurgur with

lamb bone for flavor, topping it with

caramelized mushrooms and onions.

Jacob was highly energized on a recent

Friday evening, blending his love for

Chaldean culture with his passion

for cooking, while preparing his own

unique gurgur recipe.

The wine and stories flowed freely,

as Jacob shared the critical role gurgur

has played in Chaldean culture for

many centuries, and in his own family,

for many decades.

Ancient Origins

The word bulgur comes from Turkish,

and refers to a grain that is “roughly

crushed.” This Turkish term was borrowed

from the Arabic burğul, which

itself has roots in the Persian barğul or

parğul, which means “crushed grain.”

In the Middle East, bulgur has been

prepared for more than 4,000 years. It

is referred to as gurgur by Chaldeans.

Biblical references indicate that the

food was prepared by various ancient

civilizations including the Hebrews,

Hittites and Babylonians.

Because this dish has been a staple

throughout the region for so long, many

The Original ‘Processed’ Food

Crushing grain with a stone has been

practiced throughout the world for

thousands of years.

However, unlike cracked wheat,

which is simply raw wheat berries, gurgur

is pre-cooked in a process that is referred

to as “parboiled” — meaning partially

cooked. Afterwards, the grain is traditionally

spread out to dry in the sun, on

the flat rooftops that are so common in

Chaldean villages and throughout Iraq.

The wheat is then crushed into

coarse pieces and sieved into different

grades — coarse, medium and fine —

and stored for various uses.

This drying process retained more

of the grain’s rich nutrients and made

it more resistant to pests, allowing it to

be stored for longer periods. Thanks to

the resulting longer “shelf life,” gurgur


The chef’s assistant and beloved

granddaughter, Carmen Oraha,

helped to prep all ingredients and

photographed the first of two gurgur

servings Jacob prepared that evening.

The ambitious eighth-grader kept

meticulous notes and forwarded all

recipe details, following the interview.

may arguably be considered to be one

of the first “processed” foods.

Childhood Memories

While he cooks, Jacob recalls fondly the

role this dish has played in his family

and in Tel Afar, the northern Iraqi city

he grew up in, until the age of ten.

“Growing up, you see family eating

gurgur, shish kabob, pokota — it becomes

part of family heritage,” he reminisces.

Jacob proudly declares that, “The

biggest harvesting of this wheat was in

Tel Afar. Why? It had perfect soil. Sun.”

In turn, throughout the 1970s, the Chaldean

village of Tel Keif was the “biggest

exporter of bulgur in all of Iraq.”

There are numerous reasons why

gurgur became a staple dish for Chaldeans.

As Jacob points out, “Rice was

not [as widely] available in the villages,

more so in Baghdad.” Gurgur’s rich

flavor is another reason for its popularity.

“Gurgur has a nutty, earthy flavor,

chewy unlike rice,” he describes. Gurgur

also provided the energy needed

for traditional manual labor. “Men

working in the fields ate gurgur that

sustained them all day, hardy and nutrient,”

Jacob points out.

Evolving Traditions

“Back home, in the village, [it was] customary

to serve [gurgur] at weddings

and funerals alike,” Jacob remembers.

The meals were simpler then, limited

to ingredients that were affordable

and available and in the area. “Typically,

back home, they could not afford

to cook with meat,” Jacob shares. Surprisingly,

truffles served as a common

meat substitute. Prized as a delicacy in

the West, when in season, truffles were

widely available and were generally

less expensive than meat.

As a growing number of Chaldean

families have migrated to the United

States and have made a home in the Metro

Detroit area, traditions have evolved.

Meat is now more readily available,

and family dinners are no longer limited

to just one main dish. Increasingly,

it is common to see gurgur served

alongside with other staple dishes.

As Jacob prepares this beloved traditional

dish, he proudly announces,

“Gurgur has not made it to the fame or

the mark of grilled kabob. Not yet.”

PHOTOS BY CARMEN ORAHA

RECIPE

Gurgur

Recipe shared by Jacob Bacall

Ingredients

For The Meat

1 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

3 pounds meat (your choice of lamb

chops, shanks or chuck roast)

1 tablespoon salt

2 teaspoon black pepper

4 cups water

For The Gurgur

4 cups gurgur

1 cup vermicelli noodles (fine)

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cups water

Topping For The Gurgur

5 mushrooms, diced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoons black pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon ghee

pinch of thyme

For The Salad

2 large cucumbers

4 tomatoes

1 lemon

1 can of chick peas

Handful of olives

Salt

Olive oil, for drizzling

Directions

Meat: If cooking with chuck roast,

cut meat into two-inch squares

and remove excess water for best

browning results (pat dry with paper

towel).

Melt ghee in pot over mediumhigh

heat, then add meat. Add salt

and black pepper to taste. Brown on

all sides, then add water —covering at

least one-inch over the meat. Cook on

medium-low heat until tender.

Gurgur: Rinse gurgur in sieve with cold

water until it runs clear, be sure to not

soak for an extended time.

Bring four cups of water to a boil.

Add vermicelli, salt and olive oil first,

then the rinsed gurgur. Cover and

cook on medium heat until all water

has been absorbed, 10-12 minutes.

Turn heat to low and simmer for an

additional 10 minutes. If you prefer

a more tender grain, cook a few minutes

more.

Topping the Gurgur: Dice mushrooms

and chop the onions. In a

10-inch skillet, heat the olive oil and

ghee, then add mushrooms, salt,

pepper, and a pinch of thyme.

Sauté on medium-low heat for

5-7 minutes, using tongs to toss and

turn. Once softened, add onions, and

sauté together for an additional

5-7 minutes.

Salad: Dice tomatoes and cucumbers,

add chick peas and olives.

Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice. Salt

is optional.

Serving Suggestion: Fill a serving

platter with gurgur, add meat and top

with the caramelized mushrooms and

onions. Enjoy with a side of Iraqi salad

— tomatoes, cucumbers, chick peas

and olives, drizzled with olive oil and

lemon juice. Add salt to taste.

Makes six servings.


SPORTS

Fearless in the Net

How Aiden Atisha leads from the back line

BY STEVE STEIN

When his time comes, Aiden

Atisha will be ready.

Ready to be the starting

goalie for the Detroit Catholic Central

High School boys soccer team next

year when he’s a senior, if he’s selected.

Ready to play college soccer, if

he chooses to extend his career in the

sport beyond high school.

The 16-year-old Commerce Township

resident has all the requisite mental

and physical skills needed to be a

top-notch goalie. Just ask his current

high school and club soccer coaches.

Mike Stratton just finished his

20th season as the head junior varsity

coach at Catholic Central and 23rd

year in the program. Here’s his story

about Atisha:

Aiden was a

great captain.

He encouraged the

guys, but he also

reeled them in

when needed.

– Mike Stratton Head

Junior Varsity coach

Aiden Atisha

After tryouts before this season

and learning he’d be on the JV Blue

team (Catholic Central’s top JV team)

for the second year, instead of being

depressed, “Aiden asked to talk to

me,” Stratton said. “He said he wanted

to be a team captain.

“Goalies need to be a leader on the

field because that’s required for the

position. But in all my time at Catholic

Central, Aiden was one of very few

goalies who was a captain of my team,

and probably the only goalie who

asked to be a captain.”

Atisha was the JV Blue’s team’s top

goalie this fall.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder helped

lead the Shamrocks to the Catholic

League Central Division championship

despite missing the last few

games because of a hand injury. The

team finished 11-2-3 overall and 8-1-1 in

the Catholic League.

“Aiden was a great captain,” Stratton

said. “He encouraged the guys, but

he also reeled them in when needed.

He always led the ‘1-2-3 Shamrocks’

cheer in the huddle.”

Firas Al-Samarraie will be Atisha’s

coach this upcoming season with the

Michigan Jaguars FC’s 2009 (birth year)

team in the prestigious MLS Next Academy

Division, which has 230 clubs and

25,000 players across the nation.

Al-Samarraie worked with Atisha

a bit last season with another Jaguars

team.

“Aiden is a brave and fearless goalie,

and he has a knack for saving penalty

shots,” Al-Samarraie said. “I don’t

know if he uses his intuition or reads

body language on PK’s, but it works.”

What’s Atisha’s secret on PKs?

PHOTO BY

“I look into the PK taker’s eyes to see

where he’s looking, and dive the other

way when the shot comes in,” he said.

Atisha said he doesn’t mind the inherent

physicality playing goalie.

“I’m the last line of defense for my

team. Everything is on me. My job is

to not allow the other team to score,”

he said. “I’ve been hit in the face a lot

with shots, been elbowed ... if you’re

not ready for that, or prepared to make

split-second decisions, you shouldn’t

be playing the position.”

Atisha is particularly proud of an

important save he made this season

vs. U-D Jesuit.

He punched a deflected shot over

the net at the last second to preserve

a scoreless tie in the first half. Catholic

Central scored in the second half and

won the key Catholic League game 1-0.

After starting to play soccer when

he was 3, Atisha became a goalie about

six years later.

Following his senior season at

Catholic Central, he said, playing

soccer in college is a possibility if the

school is a fit for him athletically and

academically.

The 3.8 grade-point average student

is looking to go into law or business

for a career.

“If Aiden decides to play in college,

I’m sure he’ll find the perfect spot athletically

and academically for him. He has

a good head on his shoulders and he’s

very personable,” Al-Samarraie said.

“He makes it so easy for others to like

him. He always has a smile on his face.”

Atisha is involved in several other

extra-curricular activities at Catholic

Central including DECA (Distributive

Education Clubs of America), the Finance

Club and Right to Life Club.

Noor and Dalia Atisha are Aiden’s

parents. He has a sister Neveen, 23,

and a brother Noah, 21. Neveen is

in the five-year physician’s assistant

program at the University of Detroit-

Mercy. Noah is a biomedical major at

Wayne State University.


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

Join our ever expanding team!

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Case Worker - Sterling Heights and West Bloomfield

Communications Coordinator - West Bloomfield

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Government Affairs Representative- Washington D.C.

Housing Liaison - Sterling Heights

Political Action Committee (PAC) Coordinator - West Bloomfield

Advocacy

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For More Information

HR@chaldeanfoundation.org

586-722-7253

www.chaldeanfoundation.org/careers

Community Development

Cultural Preservation


ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE

A Rising Flood of Challenges

Weathering the storms of a changing climate

BY SARAH KITTLE

With Southeast Michigan

slammed by an unusually

wet summer and record-setting

storms, many homeowners are finding

themselves knee-deep—literally—in

basement water. For Thomas Kejbou

and Gus Aboona, co-owners of a small

restoration company launched in 2023,

this flood season has brought more than

just business. It’s brought purpose.

“I’ve always been good with my

hands,” says Thomas, who holds an

engineering degree from Oakland University.

“But working a desk job in the

corporate world, it just didn’t feel right.

I wanted to build something real—and

help people in their worst moments.”

That “worst moment” for many

right now looks like a finished basement

— often used by Chaldean families

in Michigan as part of their primary

living space, complete with an extra

kitchen — destroyed by water. From

Saint Clair Shores to Sterling Heights,

the region has been overwhelmed by

storms that infrastructure couldn’t

keep up with.

“We’re seeing what feels like 100-

year storms every other week,” he

says. “There’s no warning. Cities are

flooding. It’s wild.”

He and his team specialize in water

damage recovery but also see fire,

smoke, mold, and storm-related cases.

With the recent wave of extreme

Thomas Kejbou (left) and Gus Aboona, founders of Dry Space Restoration.

rain, they’ve had to call in extra help

just to keep up.

But the work is about more than

drying out walls. It’s also about protecting

families from long-term heartbreak.

“One of the hardest parts of this

job is walking away from someone because

their insurance won’t cover the

damage,” Thomas explains. ““People

assume they’re protected, but many

don’t realize coverage is limited—or

doesn’t apply to things like sump

pump failure.”

That’s why he encourages families

to review their policies closely and

have frank conversations with their

agents. “Too often, we see people find

out the hard way,” he says.

Technology helps, too. Tools like

wireless monitoring, thermal imaging,

and industrial-grade dehumidifiers

can catch hidden water before it turns

into mold or structural damage. Still,

Thomas says, the biggest factor is timing:

“Water moves fast. The longer it

sits, the worse it gets. Even if you’re unsure,

make the call right away. It could

protect your home and your claim.”

Beyond the practical advice, what

drives Thomas and Gus is something

deeper: community. They’ve built

their work around trust, word-ofmouth,

and relationships. “We meet

people at their lowest,” Thomas says.

“If we can help them feel a little hope

again, that’s everything.”

Tips for Homeowners Facing

Flood Risk:

• Check your insurance coverage:

Ask specifically about basement flooding

and sump pump failures.

• Install a backup sump pump:

Newer models even offer Wi-Fi alerts.

• Consider an automatic water shutoff

valve: These can prevent major damage

when a leak goes unnoticed.

• Act quickly after flooding: Early

steps can prevent mold and support

your insurance claim.

Dry Space Property Restoration is a

locally owned restoration company

that specializes in water, fire, mold,

and storm recovery across Southeast

Michigan. (248) 550-8820 or

dryspace247.com.

Chaldean culture is unique.

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SUBSCRIBE

TODAY!


LOOKING TO HIRE?

CAREER

SERVICES

WE HAVE THE PEOPLE!

POST YOUR OPENINGS AND HIRE ONE OF OUR JOB-READY CLIENTS TODAY!

WHAT WE DO

The Career Services Department provides one-on-one

guidance to help clients navigate job placement and build

successful careers.

• Career Fairs

• Employer Referrals

• Job Application Completion

• Training Opportunities

• Resume Building

• Cover Letter Writing

• FAFSA Completion

For more information,

please contact Elias Kattoula at 586-722-7253 or elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org

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


HEALTH & WELLNESS

Childhood Headaches

From stress to screentime - what triggers them?

BY DR. SAMIR JAMIL

Headaches are common in children

and are usually not serious,

though they can be disruptive.

More than 70% of kids report

experiencing a significant headache

by age 15. Migraine headaches affect

about 10% of children between ages

5 and 15 and 28% of teens between

15 and 19. Headaches in children can

generally be categorized into three

types: tension, migraine, and cluster

headaches.

sating or throbbing pain and can occur

on one or both sides of the head. The

pain worsens with physical activity

and is often accompanied by nausea,

vomiting, abdominal pain, and increased

sensitivity to light and sound.

Migraines have a strong genetic

component: if one parent has migraines,

a child has a 50% chance of

developing them; if both parents have

migraines, the likelihood rises to 75%.

Triggers are similar to those for tension

headaches, and preventive strategies—adequate

sleep, stress reduction,

balanced nutrition—can help.

Low blood sugar may also trigger migraines,

so maintaining stable blood

sugar through diet is beneficial. Magnesium

supplementation may help

prevent and reduce migraine severity.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common

type in children and are usually

mild to moderate. They are often described

as a non-throbbing tightness

in the muscles of the head and neck.

Unlike migraines, tension headaches

are not typically associated with nausea

or vomiting and are not worsened

by physical activity. They can last from

30 minutes to several days. Common

triggers include:

Stress and anxiety: Persistent

stress can contribute to headaches.

Eye strain: Prolonged screen time

on computers, smartphones, or TVs

can cause eye fatigue.

Lack of sleep: Sleep deprivation

may lead to muscle tension and headaches.

Poor posture: Sitting or standing

incorrectly can strain neck muscles.

Dehydration: Inadequate fluid intake

can cause muscle contractions

and headaches.

Certain foods and additives:

Cheese, chocolate, caffeine, MSG, and

nitrites can trigger headaches in some

children.

Preventive measures include adequate

sleep, proper hydration, regular

meals, and exercise. Over-the-counter

pain relievers such as acetaminophen

or ibuprofen may help but should be

used sparingly.

When to Seek Medical Advice

• Severe or frequent headaches that do

not respond to OTC medications

• Headaches accompanied by fever,

stiff neck, personality changes,

confusion, or vision changes

• Headaches that interfere with

daily activities

• Headaches following a head injury

Migraine Headaches

Migraines are often described as pul-

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are the least common

and are rare in children under 10.

Key features include:

• Occurring in clusters of five or

more episodes, ranging from one every

other day to eight per day

• Sharp, stabbing pain on one side

of the head lasting less than three hours

• Accompanied by tearing, nasal

congestion, runny nose, and agitation

Conclusion

While headaches in children can be

distressing, most are manageable with

proper care and lifestyle adjustments.

Parents should monitor their child’s

symptoms and seek medical attention

when headaches are severe, frequent,

or accompanied by concerning signs.

With early intervention, education,

and healthy habits, most children can

lead active, headache-free lives.

Types of Headaches

Type Symptoms Duration Common Triggers Notes

Tension

Mild to moderate, non-throbbing

tightness in head/neck, no nausea

30 min to several

days

Stress, eye strain, poor posture, lack of

sleep, dehydration, certain foods/additives

Most common type; generally not

worsened by physical activity

Migraine

Pulsating/throbbing pain, often one side,

worsens with activity, nausea, vomiting,

abdominal pain, light/sound sensitivity

4–72 hours Similar to tension headaches, low blood

sugar, stress, certain foods

Strong genetic link; may benefit

from lifestyle adjustments and

magnesium

Cluster

Sharp, stabbing pain on one side,

tearing, nasal congestion, agitation

Less than 3 hours

per episode

Less understood; rare in

children under 10

Occur in clusters (several episodes

over days); least common type


PROJECT LIGHT

PROJECT LIGHT

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

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 regardless

of insurance status. 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


RELIGION

The Season of the Sanctification

of the Church: Tell Me, O Church

BY MICHAEL ANTOON

The Chaldean liturgical year begins with Subara

(Advent) and ends with Qudash ’Aita—the

Sanctification of the Church. As the final fourweek

season of the year, it gathers everything we

have celebrated into one proclamation: the Church

belongs to Christ, is the Bride of Christ, and is sanctified

by Him.

The liturgical year, in its classic shape, was primarily

organized by Mar Ysho’Yahb III, Catholicos-

Patriarch from 649–659 AD. The late Bishop Mar

Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, in his book The Chaldean Liturgy:

At the Gate of God, describes this closing season

as the fulfillment of the Kingdom—the crowning

of the entire liturgical year.

Throughout this season we are taught by Scripture

as well as by hymns. On the first Sunday (Matthew

16:13–19), Peter (Kepa) confesses Christ and

hears the promise: “Upon this Rock I will build my

Church.” On the second (Matthew 12:1–21), the Lord

of the Sabbath reveals Himself and says He “desires

mercy, not sacrifice.” On the third (John 2:12–22), the

cleansing of the Temple points to the true Temple—

Christ’s Body. And on the fourth (Matthew 22:41–

23:22), the Lord claims His people for Himself and

warns against hypocrisy. Together, these readings

reveal Jesus Christ establishing, cleansing, teaching,

and espousing His Church.

Throughout the weeks of Qudash ’Aita, the Church

of the East sings one of its most beloved hymns:

“Amar Li Ayta”—Tell Me, O Church. It is both hymn

and catechism, a complete teaching that helps transform

the deep meaning of the season into prayer.

Through a series of questions, it reminds us that everything

created will fade, yet the Church stands firm

upon the Rock that will never move.

Tell Me, O Church

Tell me, O Church, where shall I build you? Shall I

build you upon the sun?

No, no, for it is said in the Scriptures,

“The rays of the sun are darkened.” (Joel 2:10)


build you upon the moon?


“The moon does not show forth its light.” (Isaiah

13:10) Tell me, O Church, where shall I build you?

Shall I build you upon the stars?

No, no, for it is said in the Scriptures, “The stars fall

like leaves.” (Isaiah 34:4)


build you upon the mountains?


“The mountains melt like wax.” (Psalm 97:5)

Tell me, O Church, where do you want me to build

you? Shall I build you upon the rocks?

Yes, yes, for it is said in the Scriptures,

“Upon this Rock I will build my Church.” (Matthew

16:18)

Within Qudash ’Aita, the question posed by the hymn

becomes the answer to the entire season. Not the sun,

not the moon, not the stars, not the mountains—all

will fade away. Only the Rock stands.

The Basilica hymns of this season, drawn from

the Chaldean liturgical prayers, echo that same truth

through the Church’s oldest imagery. They call the

Church a bride, a princess, and a queen—beloved by

her Bridegroom, Christ. He gives a dowry of His own

Blood, clothes her in a robe of light, places a crown

upon her head, and adorns her with the blossoms of

spring. These hymns reveal the intimate relationship

Patriarch

Isho-Yahb III

arranged the

Chaldean liturgical

year in 587 AD

as we know it today.

between the Church and her Bridegroom, who is Christ.

Ephesians 5, often read during the sacrament of

marriage in the Chaldean Church, captures the same

mystery. Saint Paul writes, “This is a great mystery,

and I mean in reference to Christ and the Church.”

The Groom gives His life; the Bride is sanctified and

“stands in beauty.” Marriage becomes a living image of

the season’s meaning, which is the love between Christ

and His Church. The liturgical year ends with this: the

Church crowned by the love of her Bridegroom.

Looking back historically, Mar Ysho’Yahb III arranged

the liturgical year to begin with Advent (Subara)

and end with the Sanctification of the Church

(Qudash ‘Aita), uniting the dawn of salvation with

its fulfillment. As Bishop Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo

reflected, Ysho’Yahb “combines the dawning of the

year with the end of time” and “celebrates Christ’s

triumph joined by his crowned Bride, the Church—an

impressive design and a dazzling beauty.”


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Jacob Bacall was born in 1955 in Telkaif-Mosul, Iraq, into a Chaldean

Jacob Bacall was born in 1955 in Telkaif-Mosul, Iraq, into a Chaldean

Christian family. He completed high school in Baghdad and pursued

studies Christian in Mechanical family. Engineering He completed in the high United school Kingdom. in Baghdad In 1977, he and pursued

immigrated studies in to Mechanical the United States, Engineering where he in joined the United his brother, Kingdom. Eddie, In 1977, he

in the immigrated family business to the operating United States, retail drug where stores. he joined Over time, his brother, Eddie

business the transitioned family business into real operating estate, where retail Jacob drug found stores. his Over true time, the

Jacob calling.

Bacall was born in 1955 in Telkaif-Mosul, Iraq, into a Chaldean

Christian

business family.

transitioned He completed

into high

real school

estate, in Baghdad

where and

Jacob pursued

found his true

studies calling.

Mechanical Engineering in the United Kingdom. In 1977, he

By the early 1990s, Jacob began investing in income-producing

immigrated

Jacob to the United

Bacall

States, where he joined his brother, Eddie,

properties and quickly built a reputation as a successful and

in the

forward-thinking

By family the early business

entrepreneur.

1990s, operating Jacob retail

His business

began drug stores.

portfolio

investing Over

focuses

in time, income-producing

the

on real

business

estate properties transitioned into real estate, where Jacob found his true

development and property management, with investments

Need the and perfect quickly gift for built your a reputation clients, as a successful and

calling.

expanding forward-thinking over the entrepreneur. years to include His shopping business centers, portfolio office focuses on real

buildings, senior living communities, hospitality ventures, and multi-

estate colleagues, development family and or friends? property Explore

management, with investments


family residential properties.

properties expanding the latest quickly over books the built from years a reputation author to include and

as a successful shopping and centers, office

forward-thinking buildings, senior entrepreneur. living communities, His business portfolio hospitality focuses ventures, on real and multi-

estate

Jacob

family historian, development

has remained

residential Jacob and

deeply

properties.

property Bacall. connected management,

to his heritage with

and investments

is actively

expanding

involved in over

the the

Chaldean years to

community. include shopping

He has served centers,

in office

every

buildings,

leadership position on the board of the Chaldean Iraqi American

Association Jacob senior has of Michigan remained living communities, (CIAAM), deeply the connected hospitality ventures,

oldest Chaldean to his heritage and multifamily

One residential hundred properties. percent of the author’s organization and is actively

in the involved United States, in the founded Chaldean in 1943. community. Additionally, He he has has served served on in every

Jacob the leadership boards royalties has remained of position the and deeply Chaldean proceeds on connected the Chamber are board to

donated his of heritage of Commerce, the to Chaldean and is actively Chaldean Iraqi American

involved Community Association in Foundation the of Michigan and community. the (CIAAM), Chaldean He Cultural the has oldest served Center. Chaldean in every organization

various Chaldean non-profit organizations.

leadership in the position United States, on the founded board of the in 1943. Chaldean Additionally, Iraqi American he has served on

Association An the author boards of and Michigan historian of the (CIAAM), at Chaldean heart, the Jacob oldest Chamber has Chaldean written of organization

three Commerce, books: Chaldean

in Chaldeans the United in States, Detroit founded (2014), in Chaldean 1943. Additionally, Iraqi American he has Association served onof

Community To purchase, Foundation please and visit the the Chaldean Mar Ibrahim Cultural Center.

the Michigan boards (2018), of the and Chaldean most recently, Chamber Chaldean of Commerce, Catholic Church Chaldean (2025),

Community co-authored Foundation with Bishop and Bawai the Chaldean Soro.

Cultural Center.

An Library author in and West historian Bloomfield, at heart, Michigan Jacob has or written three books

An Jacob author Chaldeans order resides and online historian West Detroit at Bloomfield, at amazon.com

(2014), heart, Michigan, Jacob Chaldean has with written Iraqi his wife, American three Anne. books: They Association of

Chaldeans are Michigan proud in parents Detroit (2018), (2014), of and four most Chaldean children recently, Iraqi and American Chaldean grandparents Association Catholic to seven Church of (2025)

Michigan grandchildren. co-authored (2018), and with most Bishop recently, Bawai Chaldean Soro.

Catholic Church (2025),

Jacob co-authored Bacall with was Bishop born in Bawai 1955 in Soro. Telkaif-Mosul, Iraq, into a Chaldean

Christian Jacob family. resides He completed in West Bloomfield, high school Michigan, in Baghdad with and pursued his wife, Anne. They

studies Jacob resides in Mechanical in West Engineering Bloomfield, Michigan, in the United with Kingdom. his wife, Anne. In 1977, They

are proud parents of four children and grandparents to seven

are immigrated proud parents to the United of four States, children where and he joined grandparents his brother, to Eddie,

seven

grandchildren. grandchildren.

in the family business operating retail drug stores. Over time, the

business transitioned into real estate, where Jacob found his true

calling.


properties and quickly built a reputation as a successful and

forward-thinking entrepreneur. His business portfolio focuses on real

estate development and property management, with investments

expanding over the years to include shopping centers, office

buildings, senior living communities, hospitality ventures, and multifamily

residential properties.

Jacob has remained deeply connected to his heritage and is actively

involved in the Chaldean community. He has served in every

leadership position on the board of the Chaldean Iraqi American

Association of Michigan (CIAAM), the oldest Chaldean organization

in the United States, founded in 1943. Additionally, he has served on

the boards of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, Chaldean

Community Foundation and the Chaldean Cultural Center.

An author and historian at heart, Jacob has written three books:

Chaldeans in Detroit (2014), Chaldean Iraqi American Association of

Michigan (2018), and most recently, Chaldean Catholic Church (2025),

co-authored with Bishop Bawai Soro.

Jacob resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan, with his wife, Anne. They

are proud parents of four children and grandparents to seven

grandchildren.

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IN MEMORIAM

Sami Alias

Kasmikha

Nov 12, 1937 -

Sep 15, 2025

Ayeda Shamoon-

Marooki Shamoon

Jul 1, 1949 -

Sep 15, 2025

Khalid Koreel

Feb 1, 1952 -

Sep 16, 2025

Suad Butrus

Jul 1, 1945 -

Sep 17, 2025

Rijina Thuwaini-

Zingilou

Jul 1, 1935 -

Sep 18, 2025

Maari Piro Hermiz

Jan 1, 1967 -

Sep 20, 2025

Assoufi Arrow

Apr 1, 1940 -

Sep 21, 2025

Faieza Zia Konja

Mar 29, 1952 -

Sep 21, 2025

Dr. Asaad

Istephan Akrawi

Jul 1, 1945 -

Sep 22, 2025

Yousif Shabo

Yousif (Kasha)

Nov 1, 1950 -

Sep 24, 2025

Dylan Anthony

Zetouna

Oct 1, 2009 -

Sep 24, 2025

Yousif Hirmiz

Kandoo

Jul 1, 1929 -

Sep 25, 2025

Sandi Binyamine

Odisho

Jul 16, 1985 -

Sep 25, 2025

Mery Samona

Mar 1, 1930 -

Sep 25, 2025

Michael Sami

Azzouz

Jul 10, 1977 -

Sep 26, 2025

Sarmed Zara

Apr 3, 1960 -

Sep 26, 2025

Joseph Berman

Antwan

Nov 3, 1933 -

Sep 27, 2025

Ester Kasgorgis

Hamama

Sep 8, 1936 -

Sep 29, 2025

Sabah Kassir

June 1, 1945 -

Sep 29, 2025

George James

Matti

Mar 1, 1947 -

Sep 29, 2025

Awatif Kamil

Sabbo

Nov 12, 1944 -

Sep 29, 2025

Taghrid Jamil Zara

Mar 19, 1961 -

Sep 30, 2025

Nihad Shamon

Bakayou

Jul 1, 1936 -

Oct 1, 2025

Richard Rick

Gergis II

Feb 1, 1977 -

Oct 2, 2025

Nawal Orow

Samona

May 20, 1954 -

Oct 2, 2025

Najwa Yousif

Antone

Jan 11, 1948 -

Oct 3, 2025

Ameera Mati

Jul 1, 1935 -

Oct 3, 2025

Mohannad “Mark”

Mikho Gappy

Oct 10, 1971 -

Oct 5, 2025

Sr. Pia (Mariam

Zia Hanoush)

Jan 27, 1938 -

Oct 7, 2025

Nafea

Aboalsamaan

Jul 1, 1938 -

Oct 8, 2025

Mikhail Bashi

Jul 15, 1941 -

Oct 9, 2025

Mary Astefan

May 18, 1923 -

Oct 10, 2025

Ikhlas Karmo

Shallal

Oct 12, 1962 -

Oct 14, 2025

Maggi H Paul

Jul 1, 1933 -

Oct 16, 2025

Dr. Gholam-Hossein

Azarbayejani

Mar 5, 1934 -

Oct 17, 2025

Hirmiz Khishola

Dec 25, 1949 -

Oct 17, 2025

Mary Seman

Kakos

Apr 3, 1931 -

Oct 18, 2025

Mohsin “Mark”

Kouza

Mar 20, 1940 -

Oct 21, 2025

Wadia Kashat

Gappy

Jul 1, 1935 -

Oct 22, 2025


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JACQUELINE RAXTER, LMSW, LPC

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

PROGRAM MANAGER

ELIAS KATTOULA

CAREER SERVICES MANAGER

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

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org


MARYANA SHABO

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

MARIAM ABDALLA

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

3601 15 Mile Road


TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

3601 15 Mile Road


TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

maryana.shabo@chaldeanfoundation.org


mariam.abdalla@chaldeanfoundation.org


LISTEN TO OUR STORIES!

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EVENTS

7th Annual Chaldean Community Foundation Gala

On Friday, September 26, the CCF celebrated their 7th Annual Awards Gala at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township.

With more than 700 guests in attendance, the CCF celebrated an evening dedicated to service, culture, and unity.

Hungary Helps was presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award for their steadfast commitment to persecuted

Christians worldwide, including those in Iraq and the Chaldean community.

Clockwise from

top of page:

The CCF staff and

volunteers pose in front

of the check-in table.

Mr. & Mrs. Yousif Kareem

and Mr. & Mrs. Akram

Kareem.

Guests with

Fr. John Jaddou.

From left: Saber Ammori,

Tristan Azbej from

Hungary Helps, and CCF

president Martin Manna.

The Hungary Helps

delegation proudly

displaying the award.


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