Chaldean News - September 2007

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VOL. 4 ISSUE VIII

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER 2007

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www.chaldeannews.com INSIDE CHURCH LEAGUE WRAPS UP OUR THREATENED HERITAGE COMMUNITY PHOTO ALBUMS

A NEW LIFE

FIRST IRAQI REFUGEES ARRIVE

The Chaldean News 26555 Evergreen Road, Suite 250 Southfield, MI 48076 PLEASE DELIVER BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2007

PERIODICAL

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SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 3

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california

www.chaldeannews.com OCTOBER 2007

A Golden Opportunity CALIFORNIA DREAMING More than 25,000 Chaldeans call the San Diego area home. We profile the community in our October issue with a look at Southern California culture, the Chaldean music and arts scene, and the community's top movers and shakers. Go West with The Chaldean News!

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2007

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 3 ISSUE XIII

on the cover 28

A NEW LIFE

BY JOYCE WISWELL

PHOTO COURTESY ASSOCIATED PRESS

28

First Iraqi refugees arrive

features 32

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO

departments 7

FROM THE EDITOR

9

YOUR LETTERS

10

IN OUR VIEW

11

GUEST EDITORIAL

BY MICHAEL G. SARAFA

Maliki: The 21st century’s first political stooge

38

12

NOTEWORTHY

12

NANA SAYS

14

CHAI TIME

16

CALC CORNER

17

BOUSHALA

BY SANAA KARMO

Chaldeans invest in Wayne County with a new tax incentive

33

18

HALHOLE!

24

RELIGION

25

OBITUARIES

27

ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE

GOOD NEIGHBORS

BY KEN MARTEN

Wayne County perceived as best for business

34

NULL AND VOID?

BY JOVAN KASSAB

Annulments remain controversial

37

FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES

BY JOYCE WISWELL

Books teach Chaldean to kids

38

Walnut & Apricot Cake 41

TURBO CHARGED

MINORITY REPORT

BY SARAH Y. YATOOMA

Christians testify before congressional commission

41

A LAND LOST

BY MERVIT BASHI

Young Chaldeans yearn to see their homeland

BY LOREEN BAHRI

Golden Gate Optical: The eyes have it

30

IN GOOD HEALTH

BY ANN SILVERMAN, M.D.

42

Chronic Care: New center treats inflammatory bowel disease

45

sports 42

GOOD SPORTS

BY STEVE STEIN

Church league scores with teens

EVENTS Chaldean Festival Chaldean Ryder Cup Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Martyrs High School Musical

45

50

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 5

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SEPTEMBER 2007

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from the E D I T O R

Reality check Michael Sarafa explains why very once in a while we Nuri al-Maliki’s reign must all need a reality check, end. It doesn’t read like an and this month I got opinion but fact. He is not quite a few of them. serving the people nor deterReality check number one: ring the violence. In fact, our cover story. I sob. I sit here under his watch the situation and I sob like a baby after has worsened. He must go. reading this month’s cover VANESSA Reality check number four: story. I read it not as an editor.

DENHAWhat county do you live in?

I was pulled into this world and GARMO Most likely it is Oakland or my emotions took over.

EDITOR Macomb because stats show Perhaps my hormones are still that is where most Chaldeans unbalanced after pregnancy. I reside. However, when it comes to don’t know but I couldn’t control the government support and an open-door tears. Joyce Wiswell took me inside policy, it is Wayne County that demonthe story of these refugees who are strates the most support for the making their first footprints on Chaldean community. We publish a American soil. And, I sobbed. spread in this issue on Wayne County: The article reads like fiction or a hisa new program called TURBO that tory book from a high school social offers tax incentives to attract investstudies class. The story is too painful to be real. It is not my reality. It is not yours. As I wipe the tears from my eyes Soon many of us will in order to focus on the pages, I wonder when enough is enough. encounter these people It is easy to get caught up in homes, cars and clothes. Read the torture, and we will hear more anguish and trauma of our Iraqi Christians and the Lexus you just had stories firsthand. to have or the mini mansion many comment, and a story on the lack of support munity members live in or are striving to for Chaldeans from two of three Metro purchase seem so insignificant. These Detroit counties. Writer Ken Marten Chaldeans are not house poor nor traveled the tri-county area to find out have a $1,000-a-month car payment. which executive has built the best relaSome haven’t seen their children in tionship with the Chaldean community. years. Others are heartbroken and Surprisingly, it is not the counties most emotionally wounded from the murder of us call home. of family members and friends. For the Are you in need of a reality check? first time in years, they are able to If so, this issue will provide it for you. breathe and have a restful sleep withRead our stories and find out what is out worrying if a terrorist is nearby or a happening in our community. suicide bomber is about to attack.

Reality check number five: You wonIt is real. It is happening today and der what is going on in the world? The soon many of us will encounter these Chaldean News has it covered! people and we will hear more stories firsthand. It won’t be just a news story from a land thousands of miles away — just another tragedy happening to people we don’t know — it will become real to all of us.

Alaha Imid Koullen Reality check number two: I may (God Be With Us All) never get to travel to Iraq. That is the Vanessa Denha-Garmo reality Mervit Bashi brought to light this vdenha@chaldeannews.com month. Our heritage is under attack, she writes, and if you don’t quite think that is true, go back and read this Corrections month’s cover story and it will sink in quickly. Bashi talked to members of We jumped the gun in reporting two our community who are saddened that new Chaldean bishops in the August the place their parents, grandparents issue. The two men have in fact been and aunts and uncles so endearingly nominated for the office, but not yet talked about may soon become extinct approved. of Christians.

Also in August, Riad and Maysoon Reality check number three: Iraq is Babi were misidentified in a photo capa mess. The prime minister is not the tion from St. George’s First Communion right leader. In his guest column, on page 49.

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SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 7

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your L E T T E R S

Healthy Interest I am writing regarding your August edition of the Chaldean News.

I read an article written by two physicians, Rhonda and Jason Gumma [The Doctor Is In: Preventing Heat Stroke]. I really enjoy seeing health maintenance articles in the paper. It keeps our community updated and informed on what is out there and even more, how to keep a healthy and comfortable lifestyle.

What’s even more exciting is that it is coming from physicians of our community who know our traditions.

I would love to see more on health and prevention, maybe on a quarterly basis.

– C. Hanna, Sterling Heights

Iraq Ideas In order to stop the bloodshed and bring stability to the people of Iraq, I suggest the following:

• Appoint/elect three Independent ministers to govern the country (Sunni, Shia and Kurd).

• Appoint 39 Independent ministers as cabinet members (13 Sunni, 13 Shiites and 13 Kurds) plus a few minorities.

• Appoint nine independent supreme court judges (three Sunni, three Shiites and three Kurds).

• Members of parliament should be elected, not appointed. Set a date for a referendum to elect members of parliament. The above individuals must possess loyalty, integrity, honesty, responsibility and accountability. They must be willing to sacrifice by putting the interest of the Iraqi people before their own interests.

• Close the borders. Iraqi men and woman should patrol their own borders, thus creating jobs.

Redeploy 10,000 U.S. troops to the borders and bring them home when the Iraqis are capable of securing their borders. All foreigners without a valid passport must leave the country within two weeks. Anyone captured after the deadline will be prosecuted, and if found guilty will receive the death penalty.

• Issue a general amnesty for Iraqi citizens who may have been part of the insurgency, the Mehdi army, the Bader brigade, including the former Iraqi army, who will pledge to be loyal and support a unified Iraq. Another incentive would be to promise all military personnel a three-year back pay to be distributed to them after an 18month loyalty period.

• Grant a 10 percent pay increase to all government employees including retirees.

• Amend the constitution to read: No succession is allowed by any region or province under any circumstances.

• Article 109 of the Iraqi constitution states: “Oil and gas is the property of the Iraqi people in all regions and provinces.” The new government must implement a plan of equal revenue distribution of oil and gas.

Providing income to all Iraqi families will restore civility.

• Iraq’s daily bread is the flow of oil. Explore the idea of building an underground pipeline, thus creating thousands of jobs. Privatize and build new refineries by allowing the Iraqi private sector to invest in this

industry, thereby stimulating economic growth.

• Water and electricity must be supplied to every house. One of my nephews told me recently, “we have one hour electricity and 11 hours no electricity.”

• Saudi Arabia is a key player in Iraq. They, as well as other Arab countries in the Middle East, must be consulted for their assistance in bringing peace and security to Iraq.

• Iran is the main problem in Iraq.

They are supporting the militant factions and supplying them with weapons, training and money. This must be stopped.

– Sami Hindi, Williamston

Letters to the editor are welcome.

Please keep your letter to less than 500 words and include your city.

The Chaldean News reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Submit your letter via email to info@chaldeannews.com or mail to: The Chaldean News, Letters to the Editor, 26555 Evergreen, Ste. 250, Southfield, MI 48076

SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 9

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in our V I E W

Patience and dignity needed for refugees he imminent arrival of Iraqi Chaldean refugees to the Detroit area has caused a great deal of excitement and stirred many to offer money, time and material goods in an effort to assist our brothers and sisters. For more than five years, the Chaldean community has watched the destruction of Iraq and the crisis in the Christian community there with ambivalence and a feeling of helplessness. Now, for the first time, there is a tangible and real way for people to feel like they can help.

This issue has put on display the overwhelming generosity of the Chaldean people. Fundraisers are being held by community organizations, our churches and at small home parties. People have rushed to offer medical and dental assistance, clothing and even housing. As the first families arrived in August, they received — appropriately — a hero’s welcome.

But the rush to be helpful, while

T

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extremely positive, should be measured. The Chaldean refugee issue is not a process that will take weeks or months but rather years and maybe a decade. The U.S government and the Department of Homeland Security are processing the applications of these refugees at a snail’s pace. It seems that the post 9/11 crackdown on immigration from the Middle East

handling applications and coordinating with the various government agencies. They are in the best position to help expedite and streamline the process for refugees to enter. Their main expenses right now are administrative and operational but the work they are doing is critical and requires funding.

Also, as Chaldean refugees do

But the approach should be one of support and not charity. The greatest gift we can give to our Chaldean brothers and sisters who arrive with refugee status is to allow them to preserve their dignity. With their dignity intact, they will, with no doubt, be able to find happiness and success in their new homeland.

Fundraisers are being held by community organizations, our churches and at small home parties. People have rushed to offer medical and dental assistance, clothing and even housing. will not be relaxed even for the victims of the war. As of this month, only a few families have entered the U.S. and it is apparent that the flow of refugees will be a trickle and not a flood.

The main need at this point is to support the work going on at the Chaldean Federation of America (CFA). The CFA is taking the lead on

arrive, it is important to remember that they are likely to be as proud and independent as the rest of us. These people were not poor in the Old Country and, in many cases, were teachers, engineers and successful small business people. Any person in their situation would be grateful for the assistance as they will be.

Letters to the editor are welcome.

Please keep your letter to less than 500 words and include your city.

The Chaldean News reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Submit your letter via email to info@chaldeannews.com or mail to: The Chaldean News, Letters to the Editor, 26555 Evergreen, Ste. 250, Southfield, MI 48076

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GUEST editorial

Maliki: The 21st century’s first political stooge

BY MICHAEL G. SARAFA Fidel Castro in Cuba and various totaliIyad Allawi — are now working against Maliki commands almost uri al-Maliki’s sad reign tarian regimes in Russia and the old him. Corruption, treachery and betrayno respect from his fellow paras prime minister of Iraq Soviet Union including the reigns of both al are sewn throughout his governliamentarians, who demonshould end.

Boris Yeltsin and now Vladimir Putin. ment, police force and military. strated such with their collecMaliki has shown little if any But even these types of leaders, who are The reality is that much of the leadtive and prolonged summer leadership ability and may be mostly anti-democratic thugs and ership class in Iraq was largely killed vacations in the midst of politithe poorest excuse for a world sociopaths, have some popular standing off or exiled by Saddam. The remaincal crisis. He has not attemptleader that we’ve seen in in their countries or at least the ability to der have either left the country or are decades. U.S. Senator Carl MICHAEL G. ed any of the heavy lifting exercise some leadership skills. fighting with the insurgency. required to force hard comLevin put it more politely SARAFA But Maliki can’t muster enough What is left then are mostly feeble and promises amongst Iraq’s recently when he called for the “removal of Maliki from power because he is incapable of solving The reality is that much of the leadership class in Iraq was largely Iraq’s political divisions.” But this is not all. killed off or exiled by Saddam. The remainder have either left the Maliki has been absolutely unwilling to stand up to Shiite Strongman country or are fighting with the insurgency.

Muqtada al-Sadr and has proven himmomentum or support for any initiative weak leaders whose legitimacy depends diverse factions and seemingly has litself inept at maneuvering in Iraq’s polit— either good or bad in the eyes of the on the support of extreme religious groups tle understanding of the importance of ical circles. He has not even figured United States and thus, has become a that have no interest in true democracy. protecting minority rights. out how to cozy up with his main sponstooge.

History is replete with charismatic if This is a man who can muster a sor, the United States. His meeting a Levin is right when he says Maliki anti-humanitarian world leaders and smile when he signs death warrants few months ago in the White House must go. bombastic strongmen. Even today we but is so lacking in charisma that he was awkward and uncomfortable yet have the likes of Hugo Chavez in has become ineffectual even in his own he warmly embraces and is embraced Michael Sarafa is president of the Chaldean Venezuela and Kim Jong-il in North political wing. Both previous Iraq

by Iranian President Mahmoud Iraqi American Association of Michigan.

Korea. We have lived for decades with prime ministers — Ibrahim Jafari and Ahmadinejad.

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SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 11

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Terry Ahwal, Vanessa Denha-Garmo and Rama Elmir discuss the media at Wayne State.

Wayne State University journalism students gathered on July 24 for a panel discussion on Race, Gender and Culture that focused on Chaldeans and Arabs.

“The misconception is that we’re all one group of people who come from one place,” said Terry Ahwal of Michigan Media Watch. “The western media as a whole has much misconceptions about the Middle East.”

Rana Elmir, Michigan communications director for the ACLU, exhorted the students to not be lazy journalists who rely on the same sources over and over. “We truly implore you to burden your horizons, broaden your sources,” she said.

Vanessa Denha-Garmo, editor in chief of the Chaldean News, reminded the students that as journalists, what they report can have far-reaching consequences. “Realize that you do have powerful jobs,” she said.

NANA says

If your eye is twitching, someone is talking about you.

If your right hand itches, money is coming in. If your left hand itches, money is going out.

If you kiss a baby’s feet you can stunt his or her growth.

Festival Names Winners

Do not whistle at night because it calls the devil.

Leila Kello was the big winner at the Chaldean Festival in August. Her $100 ticket was picked as the winner of a 2007 BMW X5.

Second place ($1,500 cash) was Patrick Najor, while third place ($1,000 cash) went to Kevin and Olivia Shamoun.

Firnas Hanna and Ranen Esho each won a one-year supply of ice cream donated by Country Fresh.

Thanks to all who shared their Nana-isms.

Keep them coming to info@chaldeannews.com, or write to The Chaldean News, 26555 Evergreen, Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48076.

Dingell Slams McMansions In a move that could affect many Chaldean homeowners, U.S. Rep John Dingell (D-Dearborn) has proposed eliminating mortgage tax deductions on “McMansions” — homes larger than 3,000 square feet.

Not surprisingly, the idea does not sit well with house builders, who claim the larger homes being built today are far more energy efficient than the ranches of the 1950s and colonials of the 1970s.

Dingell, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has also proposed a 50-cents-per-gallon tax hike on gasoline. “This will be the most difficult undertaking in my career,” said Dingell, 81, who has served more than 50 years in Congress.

Artists Band Together The Iraqi Artists Association has been formed as a resource for Iraqi artists of all media and all religions and ethnic backgrounds living in Iraq and in Diaspora communities. The non-profit organization is dedicated to expanding opportunities and exposure for Iraqi artists worldwide while serving as a unifying center for community information and interaction.

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CN Hits the Road Steve Kherkher of Houston, Texas, snapped this shot of his family inside the Coliseum in Rome in July. Pictured are Laura, age 10 (left), Tommy John, 13, Caroline, 6, and Samantha, 14.

Joe Kassab, executive director of the Chaldean Federation of America, brought his favorite magazine to Alabama for a show on EWTN World Wide Catholic TV. He is pictured with his brother, Archbishop Gabrial Kassab of the Chaldean Diocese in Australia and New Zealand, and EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo. EWTN has sent this picture around the world. To view the show, visit www.themesopotamian.org/The%20World%20Over.wmw. Continuing to get the message out about the plight of Iraq’s Christians, Kassab was interviewed live about Iraq’s Christian refugees on CNN on August 19.

Bring the Chaldean News along on your travels and we’ll do our best to publish your picture. Send to info@chaldeannews.com or to the Chaldean News, 26555 Evergreen Road, Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48076. Please be sure to include the names of all people pictured and your phone number.

Making a Splash More than 300 people gathered poolside at Shenandoah Country Club on July 19 for a hair and fashion show presented by the club’s Social Committee and Salon Blush, Francesco Leone Moda Italiana, This Is Me, Urban Blues and Nahla’s Place. DJ Chris Bahoura mixed up his Latin beats, and Tyoma Zisser of Six Degrees Magazine captured it all on film, including this shot above.

Pictured are Sindi Rabban, Salon Blush Owner Lena Arafat, Shanelle Arafat, and Social Committee Project Coordinator Mary Rabban.

ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT MICK

Look Beyond Stereotypes, Students Urged

NOTEworthy

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PUBLISHED BY The Chaldean News LLC

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Vanessa Denha-Garmo Joyce Wiswell Loreen Bahri Mervit Bashi Jovan Kassab Ken Marten Michael G. Sarafa Ann Silverman, M.D. Steve Stein Sarah Y. Yatooma

ART & PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative PHOTOGRAPHERS

Joe Sesi Nora Bahrou Downs David Reed

OPERATIONS

Food Dealers Exceed Challenge In August 2006, the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers issued a challenge to its members: Help raise 1 million pounds of food for needy families in Southeast Michigan in one year.

On August 8, the trade group celebrated meeting that goal at a media event at Hollywood Supermarket in Troy.

AFPD members donated more than 1,125,992 pounds of food — the cash equivalent of $1.7 million — to Forgotten Harvest. Forgotten Harvest collects surplus prepared and perishable food from grocery stores, restaurants, caterers and the like and delivers it free of charge to 135 emergency food providers in the Metro Detroit area.

Members of the Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers and Forgotten Harvest gathered to celebrate the success of the food drive.

Pictured are Bruce Nyberg (left), Dan Reeves, Hollywood Market Owner Tom Welch, Ed Weglarz, Paul Bringer and Jane Shallal.

Interlink Media Paul Alraihani Paul Alraihani Joyce Wiswell Tiffany Haio

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS CIRCULATION CLASSIFIEDS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

SALES Interlink Media SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Sandra Denha Jolagh SALES REPRESENTATIVE Lisy Starr MANAGERS Vanessa Denha-Garmo

Martin Manna Michael Sarafa MICHIGAN SUBSCRIPTIONS: $20 PER YEAR • THE CHALDEAN NEWS • 26555 EVERGREEN • STE 250 • SOUTHFIELD, MI 48076 WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM • PH: 248-355-4850 PUBLICATION: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published monthly; Issue Date: September, 2007 SUBSCRIPTIONS: 12 months, $20. PUBLICATION ADDRESS: 26555 Evergreen, Suite 250, Souithfield, MI 48076; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post Office" POSTMASTER: Send address changes to "The Chaldean News 26555 Evergreen Road, Ste. 250, Southfield, MI 48076"

[Election Watch]

People Adil Kallabat has been named Baba (Father) of the Year by Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church in Southfield.

“He is a role model ser- Adil Kallabat vant to our church and community,” said the church’s newsletter.

Kallabat was chosen for the honor from nearly 40 essay nominations.

Singer-songwriter Steve Acho has been hired to perform at the Steve Acho new MGM Grand Casino in Detroit when it opens in October. He’ll be featured there on Tuesdays and Thursday nights from October through December.

Meanwhile, Acho won a Bianca Nahrain contest with Al Long Golani Ford, which is featuring his original song in commercials.

Bianca Nahrain Golani has been selected to attend the 2007 Congressional Student Leadership Conference, sponsored by Lead America, in Washington, D.C. A senior at Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights, Bianca has been class president for four years and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Sulaka Wins Warren Primary Richard Sulaka, Warren’s first Chaldean candidate for mayor, received enough votes in the primary election on Tuesday, August 7, to face Jim Fouts in the general election in November.

Sulaka, who is currently Warren’s city clerk, received nearly 32 percent of the vote. Fouts, who is city council president, garnered 51 per- Richard Sulaka cent. Voter turnout was anemic at 17 percent.

Sulaka received 5,228 votes and Fouts had 8,375.

Six candidates were on the ballot to replace Mark Steenbergh, who is term-limited. He is running for treasurer and came in second in that primary. Steenbergh recently came under fire for his controversial remarks about Iraqi refugees placing an undue burden on the city and taking away jobs from residents.

The general election is on November 6, 2007.

Kakos Tries Again for Southfield Council Hoping the second time will be the charm, Robert Kakos has thrown his hat into the ring for Southfield City Council.

Robert Kakos Kakos sought a council seat in 2005 but lost in the primary election in a crowded field of nine candidates for four seats. This time, six candidates, including four incumbents, are running for four seats.

“I committed to myself that I would continue running until I make it to City Council,” Kakos said. “I think my chances are much better this time. I’m more known, and more people are growing increasingly concerned with issues like taxes. So I think my message is ringing extremely strong.”

Kakos, a professor and the technology director at Wayne State University, owns a business consulting firm. He and his

wife, Lisa, expect their first child in February.

“I am able to offer a perspective that’s been woefully missed,” he said. “I am a young, highly educated professional who embraces technology.”

Kakos, a Marine who fought in the first Gulf War, is involved in a number of organizations in Southfield, Oakland County and the Chaldean community. Since only about 5 percent of Southfield’s residents are Chaldean, Kakos said he does not think his ethnicity will factor into the election.

“One of the big issues is the high taxes in Southfield. I am not advocating for a tax cut, but I am looking for Southfield to get more involved with the state and for it to change the way the city is taxed,” he said. “We’re one of the few municipalities where Proposal A actually hurt residents because we have so many more businesses.”

In fact, Southfield’s many office buildings mean its weekday population is four times higher than the actual number of residents, Kakos said. “That creates a huge burden on city services as well as residents,” he said.

Learn more about the campaign at www.robertkakos.com, or call (248) 327-3757 for a lawn sign.

Peters Challenges Knollenberg Former Michigan Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters has announced a run for Congress against incumbent Joe Knollenberg.

Peters, a Democrat, was a state senator from 1995-2002 before becoming lottery commissioner in 2003, a position he held until last month. He is credited for invigorating the state lottery, reversing a four-year sales slump to increase sales by more than $600 million.

Knollenberg, a Republican, is seeking his eighth term in the November election. He received a special tribute in 2006 from the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce for his efforts in achieving funding for the upcoming Chaldean Cultural Center.

SEPTEMBER 2007

Gary Peters

Joe Knollenberg

CHALDEAN NEWS 13

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C H A I time

CHALDEANS CONNECTING [Friday, August 31 – Monday, September 3] Detroit International Jazz Festival: 28th annual extravaganza honors the jazz roots of Detroit and Chicago through a friendly challenge between artists from each city. Artists include Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling (performing with the Wayne State Big Band), Mavis Staples, Otis Clay, Bettye Lavette, The Miracles, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Garrett, Ron Carter and Gerald Wilson. Event also features food, kid’s activities, an art show and more. Hart Plaza/Campus Martius. www.detroitjazzfest.com.

Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats: It’s the 10th anniversary for the downtown Pontiac festival with 10 musical stages, 155 fine artists and more than 50 food booths. http://www.artsbeatseats.com/.

[Friday, September 7- Sunday, September 9] Arts & Apples Festival: 42nd annual event includes fine art, food, live entertainment and free children’s art activities. Rochester’s Municipal Park (west of Rochester Road, north of University). www.artandapplesfestival.com.

[Through Saturday, September 15] Art Exhibit: Enduring Spirit, works by Chaldean artists, is on display at the Museum of New Art

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COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT SEPTEMBER 2007

(MONA), 7 N. Saginaw Street in Pontiac. The show closes on September 15 with a public reception from 6-9 p.m. Regular museum hours are 12-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. (248) 210-7560.

[Saturday, September 15 – Sunday, September 16] Art in the Park: Annual festival takes place in Birmingham’s Shain Park from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. (248) 456-8158.

[Thursday, September 20] Real Estate & Franchising Conference: Learn market trends from experts at Shenandoah Country Club. Check-in and lunch begins at 12:30 p.m. with program running from 2-4:30 p.m. Presented by the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. (248) 538-3700 or www.chaldeanchamber.com.

[Wednesday, September 26] Mothers, Daughters, Sisters & Friends Luncheon: Third annual event at Shenandoah Country Club benefits the Francee & Benson Ford, Jr. Breast Care & Wellness Center at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Keynote speaker is Jerri Nielsen, author of "Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole."

The event opens with boutique shopping at

9:30 a.m.; luncheon follows at 11. Tickets start at $150. (248) 661-7194.

[Thursday, September 27] Spread Your Good News: The basics of public relations and the media are detailed by the Vanessa Denha-Garmo, editor-in-chief of Chaldean News and press secretary to Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, and former reporter Dennis Niemiec, Wayne County’s deputy director of communications. $36. 7-9:30 p.m., The Community House, 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham.

(248) 644-5832.

[Saturday, September 29] Walk for Women’s Cancer: Fourth annual one-mile walk takes place at the Detroit Zoo. Proceeds support the health education and awareness programs of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Gates open at 7:15 a.m.; opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m.; walk begins at 8:45 a.m. (313) 576-9281.

Please let us know what is going on in the community.

Send your information to The Chaldean News, Editorial Department, 26555 Evergreen, Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48076

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SEPTEMBER 2007

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CALC corner

2007 DEDICATED TO

GUIDING OUR CHILDREN Life Adventure CALC’s Project Venture took a weekend to visit an Adventure Camp in West Branch. Youth spent three days at Camp Timbers participating in group-building activities designed to develop productive teamwork, better cooperation and communication, increased trust and respect.

“I learned that in order to go places, you may need to count on others,” stated 13-year-old Silvana.

“Through a combination of physical and mental problemsolving exercises and activities, youth engaged in opportunities to make positive choices, gain self-confidence, improve decision making, and build on group strengths. It was great seeing our youth come together as a community,” stated Lead Facilitator Dahlia Daoud.

Most of our youth were also introduced for the first time to activities such as canoeing, swimming, mountain biking and archery.

NOTE from the PRESIDENT Summer has come to an end and as parents get ready to send their kids back to school, the CALC is planning events for the rest of the year. We hope this Clair Konja past summer was a fun and safe summer for your children. As you can see from articles on this page, we had various activities for youth to participate in and they were all a success.

Before you know, the holiday season will be here and it is the time of year we kick off our Adopt a Family Program.

We need your support. With so many refugees arriving this year, we will have more families who are in desperate need of clothing, furniture and family necessities. We always appreciate your generosity. Adopt a Family is a program that you can come together as family or a group of friends to participate in and do something for someone in great need.

Look for more information concerning our Adopt a Family program on our website at www.calconline.org or contact Rita Foumia at (248) 352-5018 or adoptafamilycalc@yahoo.com.

We are working closely with different Refugee Resettlement Organizations and soon we will offer Informational Orientations for families of the refugees.

The first will be in mid-September; the actual date will be publicized through our churches and local media.

We are in need of low-cost apartments, condos and other living facilities, as well as volunteers for transportation.

Reimbursement for mileage will be given.

After hearing the exciting news that the United Wholesale Group has generously donated 4,000 square feet for storage, we’re getting close to picking up donated items and putting our volunteers to work. Please, be patient with us! We have a lot to organize.

A Movie for a Good Cause The CALC held a fundraiser to benefit Iraqi refugees on August 17 at Shenandoah Country Club with a little twist — this time it was our children helping us with this cause.

More than 200 people gathered for the premiere showing of Disney’s High School Musical 2, which was a wonderful success. The CALC also thanks Rena Yaldo for hosting a fundraiser at her home on behalf of the Iraqi refugees. She and her guests raised $1,700. We were able to raise $8,423.79 in just three weeks of time!

The outpouring of generosity our community showed was amazing. The evening started with a sing-along by Leann Arcori and Natalie Herzog. The event included a Coney Island station, sliders, Greek salad and potato chips; the latter donated by Michael Robin of Better Made Chips.

A movie concession stand was open throughout the entire show with goodies like popcorn, cotton candy, nachos, candy and snow cones. (Thanks to donations from Nate Hamama, Patrick Al-Saeegh and Fadi Gulli of Wireless Toyz, Wisam Paulas of Trepco Wholesale and Issam and Saher Haddad of Capital Wholesale.)

We also had more than 20 different raffle prizes donated by: Tom and Raida Yaldoo of Wireless Toyz (four locations), Lenne George, Reem Sesi, Lillian B. Shallal, Anita Bahri, Lolly Ella Jewelry, Tappers, Anmar Sarafa, Randy Oram and Chaldean for Kids.

Thanks to all the volunteers and donors for that evening: Lawrence Yaldo and Andrew Kiena from Top That Table, Gloria Kassa, Amanda Kassa, Nidthal Rassam, Rita Foumia, Julie Garmo, Maureen Bacall, Nida Samona, Bushra Attisha, Rita Abbo and LeeAnn Kirma, and our CALC Angels of Charity.

Kids Helping Kids Fourteen Angels recently traveled to Gleaners Food Bank to help nourish our community. For more than three hours CALC’s Angels of Charity sorted through vegetables to be packed into food boxes for the hungry. Gleaners is a vital link between available food and those who need it most.

“We were very impressed with the Gleaners operation and its commitment to feed the hungry in Michigan,” stated CALC Angel Candice Ammori.

Our volunteers learned that more than 34 percent of food bank users are children. So it was very fitting that our children were helping other children. Look for other upcoming opportunities to help while meeting other high school Chaldean girls your age. If you are interested in joining the Chaldean Angels, please contact Jane Shallal (248) 763-3479 or jshallal2@aol.com.

ADVERTORIAL

Project Venture is a program geared to develop healthy, well-adjusted teens that avoid drugs and alcohol and instead choose active participation, individual responsibility, goal setting and respect for themselves and others. Project Venture is funded by Michigan’s Office of Drug Control Policy.

A Visit to St. Anthony’s In collaboration with the Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization Center (E.C.R.C.), the CALC hosted a Mass Luncheon for the residents at the St. Anthony’s Nursing Home in Warren on August 7. Fr. Emmanuel Boji celebrated Mass.

The CALC provided the Biryani Lunch. Thanks to Margaret Butti, Nursing Home Committee chairperson, and all who attended and volunteered their time.

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boushala

Walnut & Apricot Cake SANAA KARMO’S SWEET CONFECTION IS SUCH A HIT THAT SHE GETS LOTS OF PHONE CALLS – SOME FROM VIRTUAL STRANGERS – ASKING FOR THE RECIPE. INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS 66 eggs eggs 22 cups cups flour flour 1.5 1.5 cups cups sugar sugar 11 cup cup milk milk 11 teaspoon teaspoon vanilla vanilla extract extract 11 teaspoon teaspoon hail hail 11 teaspoon teaspoon baking baking powder powder 11 teaspoon teaspoon baking baking soda soda 11 tablespoon tablespoon cocoa cocoa powder powder 22 sticks sticks butter butter 11 dash dash of of maydard maydard (rose (rose water) water) 11 orange orange peel peel 22 cups cups chopped chopped walnuts walnuts 22 cups cups chopped chopped apricots apricots DIRECTIONS DIRECTIONS Combine Combine all all ingredients ingredients and and put put into into 10-inch 10-inch round round cake cake pan. pan.

Bake Bake at at 350 350 degrees degrees for for 55 55 minutes. minutes.

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HALHOLE!

[Births]

Chase Yousif Roumayah Chris and Rana Roumayah are proud to announce the birth of their third son. Chase was born on their ninth wedding anniversary, June 28, 2007. He weighed 7 lbs., 14 oz., and measured 22 inches long. Big brothers Christian and Cameron are eager to show him the ropes. Chase is the fifth grandchild for Sedki & Venus Sadek and the seventh grandchild for Sami & Mary Roumayah. His godparents are Nigel Sadek and Dina Dickow. Chase’s middle name, Yousif, is in honor of his great-great uncle, Father Yousif Attisha.

Chase Yousif Roumayah

SHARE YOUR

Charlotte Stella What a wonderful blessing, a bundle of love, a sweet little girl to cuddle and hug!

Lucas wants to announce the birth of his sister, Charlotte Stella Kassab, born on April 7, 2007 at 12:29 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs., 1 oz., and measured 21 inches long. Proud parents are Tony and Amanda Kassab. Charlotte is the sixth grandchild for Elias & Hakima Kassab and the fifth grandchild for Amer & Nidhal Bahri.

Godparents were Alan Bahri and Vivian Bargone.

WITH THE

18 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

JOY

COMMUNITY!

Announcements are offered free of charge to paid subscribers.

Please email or mail announcements with a photo to the Chaldean News at: vdenha@chaldeannews.com Chaldean News; c/o Editor Subject: Announcements 26555 Evergreen, Ste 250 Southfield, MI 48076

Preston Jason Star light, star bright, on May 22, 2007, our prince was born that night! At 12:22 a.m., Preston Jason Brikho entered the world weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz. and measuring 21 inches long. Proud firsttime parents are Jason and Angela Brikho. Preston is the second grandson for Basim & Najiba Brikho and the first for Saadi & Faiza Manjo. Godparents are Danny Brikho and Rachel Savaya.

Charlotte Stella

Preston Jason

Hard copies of photos can be picked up after the 15th of the month.

Photos are not mailed back.

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[Births]

Gabrielle Anna Alexander and Adriana are proud to announce their beautiful baby sister, Gabrielle Anna, born on January 26, 2007 at 5:29 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs., 4 oz., and was 19 inches long. Proud parents are John and Ann Mansour. Gabrielle is the fourth grandchild for Emanuel & Antoinette Mansour and the 18th for Louis & Faiza Haisha. Godparents are Lydia Mansour and Adam Seman.

Gabrielle Anna

Christianna Therese

Christianna Therese

SHARE YOUR

Every good and perfect gift is from above. Our little piece of heaven, Christianna Therese Fakhouri, was born on March 5, 2007 at 8:34 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. and 9 oz. Her blessed parents are Nader and Janeen Fakhouri. Christianna is the first grandchild for Musa & Naheel Fakhouri and the seventh grandchild for Eliya & Seham Boji. Godparents are her Auntie Melody Mio and Uncle Monther Fakhouri.

WITH THE

COMMUNITY!

Announcements are offered free of charge to paid subscribers.

Please email or mail announcements with a photo to the Chaldean News at: vdenha@chaldeannews.com Chaldean News; c/o Editor Subject: Announcements 26555 Evergreen, Ste 250 Southfield, MI 48076

Noah Gabriel Jacob Gumma is proud to announce the birth of his baby brother, Noah Gabriel. He was born on May 7, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. He weighed 8 lbs., 1 oz. and was 21.5 inches long. Noah’s proud parents are Sam and Bridgette Gumma. He is the eighth grandchild for Salim & Muntaha Gumma and the second for George & Kamelia Matti.

JOY

Hard copies of photos can be picked up after the 15th of the month.

Photos are not mailed back.

Noah Gabriel

Drs. Purcell, Sayegh & Zimny *Board Certified Family Medicine Specialists

Kelly Purcell, D.O. Family Medicine

Anthony J. Sayegh, D.O. Family Medicine

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• Annual Physicals • School/Sports Physicals • Gynecologic Care • Sick Visits *Same Day Appointments Available* N

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(248) 960-3727 *For your convenience, evening and weekend hours are available 1229490

SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 19

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HALHOLE!

Landon Wesam He brought joy to this day, warmth to our lives and happiness to our hearts . . . We are delighted to announce the birth of our son, Landon Wesam Johnes on April 14, 2007 at 9:56 a.m., weighing 6 lbs. and 14 oz. Landon is the first child for Wesam and Amanda Johnes. Proud first-time grandparents are Joseph & Flowrans Johnes and Habib & Juliette Kakos.

Jayden Sinan

Landon Wesam

Jayden Sinan

ABC and someone new to play with me! Savannah Marie is proud to introduce her new baby brother, Jayden Sinan. He was born on April 18, 2007 weighing 8 lbs., 9 oz., and measuring 21.5 inches long. Proud parents are Sinan and Pillar Mona. Jayden is the seventh grandchild for Kamal & Adeeba Mona and the sixth for Dave & Vergine Kanouno. We placed our child in God’s care forevermore on July 15, 2007.

Godparents are Samer Mona and Pauline Jiddou.

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COMMUNITY!

Announcements are offered free of charge to paid subscribers.

Please email or mail announcements with a photo to the Chaldean News at:

Ethan Luke and Andrew Joseph God has blessed Issam and Tanya Tela with not one but two precious babies. Born on February 1, 2007, Ethan Luke made his arrival at 1:49 p.m. weighing 5 lbs., 14 oz. and measuring 18 inches long. Andrew Joseph followed at 1:50 p.m. weighing 5 lbs., 4 oz. and measuring 19 inches. The boys are the second and third grandchildren for Adil & Thouria Tela and the first and second for Zaki & Awatif Habbo. Godfathers are Atif Tela and Jason KasShamoun.

JOY

vdenha@chaldeannews.com Chaldean News; c/o Editor Subject: Announcements 26555 Evergreen, Ste 250 Southfield, MI 48076 Hard copies of photos can be picked up after the 15th of the month.

Photos are not mailed back.

Ethan Luke and Andrew Joseph

SOUTHFIELD PEDIATRIC PHYSICIANS George L. Blum, M.D. Robert M. Blum, D.O. Marshall Blondy, M.D.

Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine Evening and weekend appointments available

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Carrie Busch, M.D. We participate with the Vaccine for Children Program

Katherine Erlich, M.D.

Southfield Pediatrics West

Ehud Kapen, M.D. Sandhya Patel, M.D. Mara Rubenstein, M.D. Jennifer Supol, D.O.

20 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

(248) 661-9100 Southfield Pediatric Physicians, P.C. 31500 Telegraph Rd. Suite 105 Bingham Farms, MI 48025

Stacy Zide, M.D. CHALDEAN SPEAKING

7416 Haggerty Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322

STAFF

(248) 540-8700

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SEPTEMBER 2007

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HALHOLE!

[Engagement]

Christopher and Nanwa Talal & Suham Dabish are pleased to announce the engagement of their son, Christopher Dabish, to Nanwa Hanna, the daughter of Boshra Hanna & the late Edward Tilya. The couple is planning a wedding in September 2009 on the date of their five-year anniversary. By that time, Christopher will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, and Nanwa will be receiving her nursing degree. May God bless them and wish them luck in the future.

Christopher and Nanwa

[Weddings]

Ronda and Reno

Ronda and Reno Reno KassKorkis (Petrous) and Ronda Jarbo were married on February 25, 2007 at St. Thomas Church, with a reception following at Penna’s of Sterling Heights. Parents of the groom are Kamal & Helen KassKorkis (Petrous) and parents of the bride are Adil & Karima Jarbo. Best man was the groom’s brother, Mario KassKorkis (Petrous) and maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Rachel Jarbo. The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Puerto Rico and a Caribbean cruise.

SHARE YOUR WITH THE

22 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

COMMUNITY!

Announcements are offered free of charge to paid subscribers.

Please email or mail announcements with a photo to the Chaldean News at:

Farah and Ziad Our love is in bloom like a perfect rose … Ziad Orow and Farah Karana were married on May 23, 2007. The ceremony was held at Mother of God Church and the reception was at Penna’s of Sterling Heights. Ziad is the son of Sael & Alham Orow and Farah is the daughter of Najib & Amira Karana. The best man was Fadi Hanna, cousin of the groom, and the maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Lula Karana. Ziad graduated from Lawrence Tech University with a master’s in mechanical engineering and Farah is attending Walsh College for a bachelor’s in business administration. The couple enjoyed their honeymoon in Hawaii.

JOY

vdenha@chaldeannews.com Chaldean News; c/o Editor Subject: Announcements 26555 Evergreen, Ste 250 Southfield, MI 48076

Farah and Ziad

Hard copies of photos can be picked up after the 15th of the month.

Photos are not mailed back.

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SEPTEMBER 2007

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RELIGION

PLACES OF PRAYER THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE IN THE UNITED STATES ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE 25603 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48033, 248-351-0440 Mar (Bishop) Ibrahim N. Ibrahim www.chaldeandiocese.org MOTHER OF GOD CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 25585 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48034; 248-356-0565 RECTOR: Rev. Manuel Boji PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Wisam Matti MASS SCHEDULE: Weekdays except Tuesday, 10 a.m.; Tuesday, St. Anthony prayer at 5 p.m. followed by mass at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 5:15 p.m. in English; Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Arabic, 10 a.m. in English, 12 noon in Chaldean SACRED HEART CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 310 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48203, 313-368-6214 PASTOR: Rev. Jacob Yasso MASS SCHEDULE: Friday, 6 p.m. in Chaldean, Sunday 11 a.m. in Chaldean MAR ADDAI CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 24010 Coolidge Hwy, Oak Park, MI 48237, 248-547-4648 PASTOR: Rev. Stephen Kallabat PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Shlaman Denha MASS SCHEDULE: Weekday masses at 12 noon.

Sunday 10 a.m. in Sourath and Arabic; 12:30 p.m. in Sourath ST. GEORGE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 45700 Dequindre Road, Shelby Township, MI; (586) 254-7221 PASTOR: Rev. Emanuel Shaleta Assistant Pastor: Fr. Basel Yaldo MASS SCHEDULE: Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Chaldean, 10:30 a.m. in English, noon in Chaldean, 2 p.m. in Arabic; baptisms, 3 p.m. on Sundays Beginning September 1: Saturday mass, 5 p.m.

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SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN CHURCHES IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT ST. JOSEPH CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2442 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083, 248-528-3676 PASTOR: Msgr. Zouhair Toma PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Ayad Hanna MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday, 6 p.m. in English; Sunday, 8 a.m. in Chaldean, 9:30 a.m. in Arabic, 11 a.m. in English, 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean ST. MARY HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST 4320 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092; 586-825-0290 RECTOR: Fr. Benjamin Benjamin MASS SCHEDULE: Sunday, 9 a.m.

ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 6900 Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, 248-788-2460 PASTOR: Rev. Frank Kalabat Rev. Emanuel Rayes (retired) PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Jirgus Abrahim MASS SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. in Sourath, Saturday 5 p.m. in English, Sunday 9 a.m. in English, 10:30 a.m. in English, 12:30 p.m. in Sourath ST. TOMA SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH 2560 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48335, 248-478-0835 PASTOR: Rev. Toma Behnama MASS SCHEDULE: Sunday 12 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 6 p.m.

All masses are in Syriac, Arabic and English

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obituaries

Ryan Raad Binno Beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to all.

Ryan’s first breath was on August 25, 1984 and his last breath was on July 8, 2007 at the very young age of 22. He was the son of Raad and Hanna Binno and the brother to Melinda, Candice, Leslie and Brandon. Ryan grew up in West Bloomfield and graduated from West Bloomfield High School with the Class of 2002.

Ryan’s death was unexpected to all that evening when he drowned in the waters of Cass Lake.

ever. That day is when he left a permanent scar on his family, which will never heal and will be with them forever. He had a big effect on all and was a huge loss to many. If the saying “heaven is a paradise and where we are living is hell” is true, then Ryan deserves the best, to live in a paradise. Ryan is still doing what he usually does, working, but instead of working for his father, he is now working for God as an angel who will protect his family forever. Forever he will be his family’s guardian angel. We pray that Ryan may rejoice with God and will have mercy on him until we meet him again, where we will all end up one day, in the kingdom of heaven.

Each and every day a candle burns for him as God welcomes him and gives him a place of refreshment, rest and peace in His heavenly banquet.

A Prayer for Ryan: Little I knew that morning, God was going to call your name, in life we loved you dearly, and in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you; you did not go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories. Your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again, Amen.

Ryan wasn’t your ordinary 22 year old; he chose to put all the fun and friends aside and dedicate his time to his father’s businesses and his family that meant the world to him. He didn’t go out much or even have much fun. Ryan was his father’s right-hand man and his mother’s son; she couldn’t believe God could have created any better. He was the family’s protector, role model, idol and hero, especially to his sisters and brother.

He set himself goals for his future and would always want to achieve them. Ryan would work long hours, come home and spend the rest of the night laughing and joking with his close family. The next day he would wake up and do the same thing all over again. Ryan had a heart of gold; he was a hard worker, responsible and a great influence to many, young and old. Ryan was the family’s go-to person no matter what the situation was because he would always have the right answers. We will remember Ryan by his rosy red cheeks, big bright smile, great sense of humor and his ability to brighten up a room with just his presence.

Ryan’s passing has touched so many lives and his absence from Earth will never be forgotten.

God did not want Ryan corrupted by all the evil on Earth, he wanted to Ryan to be closer to him and on that day, July 8, 2007 at 6:45 p.m. God had made his final decision and decided to take him from Earth for-

In Memory of Ryan Binno visit http://ryan-binno.lastmemories.com. A memorial fund in tribute to Ryan Binno, to help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has been established. Visit http://www.stjudeheroes.org/goto/ryanbinno.

Kamila Yousif Bahoora Kamila Shuker Bahoora, wife of the late Yousif Bahoora, was born on May 1, 1924 in Telkaif, Iraq, and entered eternal life on July 27, 2007 in West Bloomfield.

She was an astonishing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to all. She was soon to be a greatgreat-grandmother. Kamila was known for her many recipes and put a lot of love into her cooking. She loved to sew and help with everything she could. Kamila had a sympathetic nature and loved everyone unconditionally. Everyone who knew her would agree that her smile could light up a room.

Kamila welcomed anyone into her home. She always wanted to help people more than she wanted people

helping her. She loved to spend time with her family.

Kamila is survived by her loving children, Kamal, Basima, Adel, Basim, Nabil, Saad and Raad Bahoora. Kamila was a sister to the late Tobia, Zia, Elias Shuker and Gazalla Bahoora. She was a grandmother to 19 and a great-grandmother to 17.

Kamila was an amazing person with a compassionate heart. She will always be dearly missed by many.

Sana Sabri Sinawi After a lengthy struggle with cancer, Sana Sabri Sinawi left this world peacefully at her home in Milford. She was surrounded by her loved ones and was called to heaven on August 3, 2007.

Born on December 12, 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq, Sana arrived in Michigan in October 1977 with her husband and five children. She recently celebrated her 41st wedding anniversary.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Gabrial Sinawi; her loving children, Helda (Gregory) Druham, Sinan (Lillian) Sinawi, Hala (John) Rasak, Dr. Sarmed (Kara) Sinawi and Samer (Loraine) Sinawi; her mother, Wadia Sinawi; her brothers, Jalal, Talal, Jamal, and George Sinawi; her sisters, Haifa Esshaki and Iman Konja; her sister-in-law, Habiba Sinawi; and will be dearly missed by her 11 grandchildren.

Sana was known for her warm and affectionate smile. She was young at heart and always knew how to have a good time. When she walked into a room, it would light up. She was very personable and had an abundance of friends. She enjoyed life and took every opportunity to explore life’s golden moments.

Sana was a world traveler who enjoyed visiting churches. She had a passion for cooking and would always greet you at her door with a huge hug and have a delicious meal waiting for you in her kitchen.

She had a zest for entertaining, especially during the holidays. She devoted countless hours to decorating her home for Christmas so that her children and grandchildren could enjoy.

Mom, we miss you! We love you! We adore you!

You will forever be in our hearts. We know that you will be praying for us and guiding us throughout our lives. Thank you for being a remarkable wife, mother and grandmother. Rest in Peace.

SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 25

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ECONOMICS & enterprise

Golden Gate Optical: The eyes have it hen it comes to contact lenses, one size does not fit all. That’s the message from Dina Sitto, owner of Golden Gate Optical in Troy.

Sitto explains that surfacing lenses upon certain specifications is what distinguishes Golden Gate from franchises that use stock lenses. She recalls one client who could not wear lenses because of her eyes’ irregular shape. The woman suffered from double vision and nausea until Sitto provided customized lenses.

“You will have your own measurement lens made for you,” Sitto said. “It’s like customizing your dress but with optics.”

The business has been at its original location in the Golden Gate Plaza on 16 Mile and Dequindre for about 40 years. Sitto bought it two years ago from Danny Nishanian. “I consider him like my dad,” she said.

As the new owner, one big change Sitto made was broadening the insurance plans accepted, which previously had been limited to Blue Cross.

Golden Gate now accepts most insurance plans and also offers Care Credit, a medical card for uninsured patients that allows them to make minimum monthly payments at no interest for up to12 months.

Nishanian continues on as an optician. Other employees include Optometrists Asher Weisman and Robert Brinker, and Sitto’s husband, Fadi, who is the office manager. Sitto, 33, is certified in three areas of eye care: Certified Ophthalmic Technician, Optician and Ophthalmology.

Sitto uses progressive lenses supplied from two German companies: Zeiss and Rodenstock. All of Golden Gate’s custom work is done inside its own lab; only lenses requiring coatings like Teflon are sent to the Zeiss lab.

“I give the best for my patients,” Sitto said. “Let’s say a patient would call me and say, what time do you close? I’d say, when do you want to come in?

Cause I’m willing to wait. Franchises don’t do that; their employees just want to leave. Here I want to serve each patient. I’ve stayed till 11 at night!”

Sitto graduated from the Technical Medical Institute in Baghdad as one of the top 10 students in her class, earning a one-year scholarship in Norway.

BY LOREEN BAHRI

PHOTO BY LOREEN BAHRI

W

Dina Sitto adjusts the inventory.

She has also attended Edutek Professional College in San Diego. She came to the U.S. in 1994 when she married Fadi Sitto, who in addition to managing the business is an electrical engineer and a mortgage specialist with his own radio talk show.

The couple lives in Sterling Heights with their two daughters Farrah, 12 and Mina, 11.

Sterling Heights resident Douglas Molinar has been a faithful Golden Gate customer since 1982. “I always get great service and I can see like a hawk because of Danny’s expertise,” said Molinar, who is captain of the Oakland County Sheriff Office in Pontiac. “They take care of adjustments with quick and prompt service.”

PROTECT THOSE EYES If you wear contact lenses, take them out after eight hours so the cornea can receive oxygen. This also prevents against infection and from growing blood vessels in the cornea. For general eye care eat a lot of vegetables, don’t get close to the TV and, most importantly, wear polarized sunglasses. Polarized lenses protect against the sun and other harmful glares and offer good protection down the road from problems like cataracts.

SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 27

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After they were released and taken back to Iraq, the boys found refuge with a family friend, then snuck back into Turkey to be reunited with their family.

But life was hard in Turkey as well. The family lived in a cramped, moldy apartment whose leaking walls often meant that by morning, their beds were wet. The boys were able to find work, but as illegal aliens were paid less than Turk nationals. Ibrahim and Asho mainly stayed indoors for fear of being caught and sent back to Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Hannas were working with the Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) to get the family into the U.S. Neda has her own horror stories of Saddam’s regime. In 1986, she and her family fled their home with only the clothes on their backs after her brothers were threatened with arrest for opposing Saddam. Her sister Tania, 15 at the time, was seized at a checkpoint and thrown into jail for five years.

“We thought they had killed her. We didn’t have any hopes for her to come back,” said Neda, who still gets choked up telling the story. “She was beaten and still has back problems from that today.”

Neda and her family lived in Kurdistan until the 1988 chemical attacks, when they then entered Turkey with Kurd survivors, then walked to Greece, a several-day journey.

The Hannas came to the U.S. in 1993, settling in Sterling Heights. Tania has also since immigrated and now lives in Macomb Township.

Rafat Ita of Lutheran Social So now it is the Services talks Yousifs’ turn to make to the press at Metro Airport when a new life in a new the Yousifs arrived land. While thrilled on August 1. to be here, they said their happiness won’t be complete until their two remaining sons, Loay and Tyseer, can immigrate from Greece. They haven’t seen their oldest boys for nearly 10 years.

“We feel very good,” said Ibrahim.

“We are living in freedom and are not scared any more.”

Asho, Yousif, Avin and Ibrahim Yousif relax in Sterling Heights. Not pictured is son Sedim.

a new life First Iraqi refugees arrive

BY JOYCE WISWELL

W

hen the Yousif family learned they might finally be admitted to the United States as refugees, they didn’t dare to get too excited.

“We didn’t believe it – we didn’t have any hope,” said Ibrahim Yousif, 57. He and his wife, Asho, have five boys.

Miles of paperwork and years later, the family arrived in Detroit on August 1 – the first of as many as 2,000 refugees expected to settle in Michigan by year’s end, including about 70 families arriving in August. The Yousifs now live with Asho’s brother and wife, Nabil and Neda Hanna, as they seek employment and a home of their own.

“This is the first time in our lives we feel like a human being,” said Asho, 56, at the Hanna home in Sterling Heights. “Everything is so clean, people treat us nice, and everything is legal.”

After living in the shadows for four years, being legal is huge. In 2003, Ibrahim saw his sister Khlida – a school teacher like himself and his wife — beaten and jailed for refusing to give good grades to an undeserving boy whose family was in Saddam Hussein’s Baathist party. (After finally being released once Saddam fell, Khlida was murdered in 2004 by an anti-Christian insurgent.)

In 1989, Ibrahim himself was jailed for three years, charged with opposing Saddam’s government. One day the prison guards smashed his hand with a hammer so hard that he had to have two fin28 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

gers amputated.

So when Khlida got in trouble and members of the Baath party began following and threatening Ibrahim, the family knew it was time to leave the country. They fled to the Turkish border, where they became separated. Ibrahim, Asho and their son Sedim made it across, but their sons, Yousif and Avin, were caught sneaking in. The boys, just teenagers at the time, were jailed for three months.

“They only gave us bread to eat. It was winter, but we slept on a carpet with no blanket. I used my shirt for a pillow,” said Avin.

While the boys languished in prison, their family was frantic, having no idea what became of them.

“She was crazy thinking we were dead,” Avin said of his mother.

LEND A HAND A large number of groups under the auspices of the Chaldean Federation of America have come together to assist the Iraq refugees as they set up new lives in Michigan. Authorized resettlement agencies are the Archdiocese of Detroit, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

Resettlement partners are the Arab American and Chaldean Council, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, Gleaners Food Bank, Henry Ford Health Systems, Jewish Family Services and Legal Aid and Defender.

The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity has set up a hotline to answer questions and accept donations of cash, furniture, household goods, vehicles and job offers. Call (866) 608-2252.

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in good HEALTH

Chronic Care: New center treats inflammatory bowel disease including genetic susceptibility and environo serve an increasing number of ment. Recent published research suggests patients living with a disorder that can that exposure to bowel infections at later ages affect the quality of life if left untreated, during childhood, adolescence or adulthood Henry Ford Health System has opened the makes those who are genetically susceptible Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the to the disease more likely to develop the disMedical Center in West Bloomfield. This locaease. In other words, inflammatory bowel distion is in close proximity to those most comease is more often seen in affluent cultures monly affected with this disorder — ANN and less in developing nations.

Chaldeans and Ashkenazi Jews.

The center enables patients to receive a full Inflammatory bowel disease, which SILVERMAN, M.D. range of services at one location covering includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, every aspect of their disease including diagnois a chronic condition. The effects of the dissis, testing and treatment. In order to provide medical ease can range from mild to severely disabling, and it assistance to as many people as possible, the center is has the potential to disrupt a patient’s quality of life. establishing a practice unique for a specialized medical Inflammatory bowel disease occurs most frequently in center: One day a week, anyone with a question or people ages 15 to 30, but can also impact children and concern about the disease, or who would like to meet older adults. The exact cause is not known, but family with a physician or ancillary health care specialist about history and the environment appear to play a role. their diagnosis and treatment options or simply get a The National Institutes of Health estimate 1 million second opinion, can schedule an appointment. The people are living with the disease, and the number is clinic allows patients to see physicians from multiple growing. specialties at one time in one place.

The susceptibility locus for Chaldeans has been The center also offering specialized services mapped to Chromosome number 1. Multiple factors including: appear to be responsible for causing the disease,

T

30 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

• Complication prevention: The Henry Ford Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease not only treats the underlying disorder but also works to prevent complications such as colon cancer, liver disease and osteoporosis through routine surveillance and early diagnosis.

• Psychotherapy: Staff psychologists are available to help patients deal with the emotional and physical distress that can come with having a chronic illness, particularly inflammatory bowel disease.

• Patient education: For patients who want to research their disorder and how to cope with the stress it adds to everyday life, the center provides a resource facility with books, brochures and pamphlets.

Staff includes Allen Yudovich, M.D., John Eggenberger, M.D., Eric Szilagy, M.D., Melissa Times, M.D., Jason Bodzin, M.D. and Angeline Carter, P.A. The center is located within the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital at 6777 West Maple Road and can be reached at (248) 661-7889.

Ann Silverman, M.D., is director of the Center and Service Chief for Gastroenterology at Henry Ford’s West Bloomfield Hospital.

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12499 Evergreen Road Detroit, MI 48228 (313) 366-3100

Up to a $15,000 Enlistment Bonus For more information contact: Azziza at (248) 904-9387 254 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 Hours: 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

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CHALDEAN NEWS 31

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PHOTOS BY DAVID REED

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Clockwise from top: Mike Dikhow plans to convert this eyesore into a retail plaza.

Wayne Country Executive Robert Ficano explains the program at a meeting at Shenandoah.

Wayne County's Turkia Mullin gives details on TURBO. PHOTOS BY TURKIA MULLIN

TURBO charged Chaldeans invest in Wayne County with a new tax incentive

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO

T

ake a drive to Warren and Livernois in Detroit and you might think you have entered a war zone in Iraq. However, it won’t look like that for long. Mike Dikhow hopes to turn a former abandoned and decrepit manufacturing facility — first in use nearly 100 years ago — into Metro-Livernois Plaza with 60,000 to 70,000 square feet of retail space with a 30,000square-foot grocery store as an anchor. He hopes to do this with the assistance of the Wayne County TURBO program.

“I have never seen a program like this before and it is an excellent way to help developers invest in Wayne County,” said Dikhow. “You can take an eyesore and turn it into something beautiful.”

TURBO (Transforming Underdeveloped Residential and Business Opportunities) is an aggressive tax incentive that reimburses investors by giving cash back to property owners who make significant real estate investments.

Wayne County officials recently met with members of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and non-member Chaldean developers for a TURBO Program presentation at Shenandoah Country Club.

Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano, along with the Wayne County Treasurer Raymond Wojtowicz and the Wayne County Commission, initiated the program through the Wayne County Land Bank, which is also developing additional 32 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

programs to return the county’s inventory of taxreverted properties back to productive use.

TURBO is targeted to benefit individual homeowners, business owners and investors who want to develop property in Wayne County. Any local unit of government may designate areas or projects as TURBO Development Districts. This is made possible by capitalizing on the tools and capabilities provided by the Wayne County Land Bank.

“We appreciate Wayne County’s positive approach to help development and in combination with other state programs, the TURBO program is appreciated,” said Paul Bohn, Dikhow’s attorney.

“At the end of the day, location, location, location still drives real estate but with the tough economy, you need innovative tools such as the TUBRO Program.”

Dikhow hopes to complete the first phase of his project by the end of this year and open for business next summer. He will eventually develop the site’s 16-plus acres of land. TURBO has already helped, and will continue to aid the project by abating certain property taxes for a period of years, allowing the developer to concentrate funds into the project as well as potentially providing preferred financing by making available revenue bond funding. “The financing details are still in the discussion stage,” said Bohn. “Wayne County folks including Turkia Mullin have been very helpful in and available to answer questions and provide support as we begin

the pursuit of state-issued tax credits as well. As local support is critical at the state level the MEDC [Michigan Economic Development Corp.] administers most of these tax credits] Wayne County participation and support will make a big difference.”

Dikhow has spent the past 12 years as a developer focusing on commercial projects. Although he has invested outside the state including in Las Vegas, Dikhow is confident his Wayne County investment will pay off. “I recently spent three hours touring parts of Detroit and there is so much residential development going on south of West Grand Boulevard to downtown, beautiful lots and condos, he said. Detroit is on its way back.”

The program offers three options: TURBO Maximum Benefit for projects involving new construction or total rehabilitation, TURBO Limited Benefit for projects limited to a partial rehabilitation, and TURBO Brownfield for projects involving an approved Brownfield Plan.

“If you want to invest in Wayne County, Wayne County wants to invest in you,” said Ficano, who first announced the program in 2006. “We need to become more competitive in this global economy.

We are witnessing a retraction in the auto industry.

This is not a typical cycle downturn in the economy and TURBO is just one of many programs in Wayne County that will motivate people to invest in our region.”

For more information on the TURBO Program and other programs, contact the Wayne County Land Bank at (313) 224-6673.

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good neighbors Wayne County perceived as best for business

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profiting by fueling substance abuse.

A member of the audience at “Movin’ the D Forward,” a July 26 panel discussion held on Wayne State University’s campus to examine the riot’s lasting impact, submitted a similar criticism questioning the motives of Chaldean and Arabic grocery store owners. Several panelists denounced the criticism as prejudiced, but there’s no doubt that suspicion exists in some quarters.

According to the chamber, real estate development is the fastestgrowing business among Chaldeans entrepreneurs, and Wayne County provides the best opportunities in Metro Detroit. Ficano said the county’s Land Bank – a government authority that seeks to convert vacant and blighted property into productive use – offers several options through its Transforming Underdeveloped Residential & Business Opportunities (TURBO) program (see related article on opposite page).

Moreover, Wayne County actively promotes its ethnic diversity to prospective developers. Ficano has traveled to the Middle East twice on trade missions, meeting with investors in Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, in an effort to bring development to Wayne County.

“We probably have the highest concentration of Chaldeans and Arab Americans appointment holders,” said Ficano, comparing Wayne’s administration to that of Macomb and Oakland. “Diversity is one of Wayne County’s strengths. We say to businesses, if you locate your business here, we look like the rest of the world. It’s a global economy, and we can’t stick our heads in the sand.”

The Chaldean News sought comment from Macomb and Oakland county officials for this story. Macomb County Commission Chair William Crouchman didn’t return phone calls nor did Steve Huber, marketing and communications supervisor for Oakland County Community and Economic Development.

Please mail the form, with a check made payable to: The Chaldean News, Attn: Subscriptions 26555 Evergreen • Ste 250 • Southfield, MI 48076 PHONE:

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he overwhelming majority of Metro Detroit’s estimated 120,000 Chaldeans live in Macomb and Oakland counties, and according to the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, two out of every three Chaldean families own a business. But chances are about 50/50 that the business in question is located in Wayne County.

Why? There are several reasons.

The chamber, which is headquartered in Farmington Hills in Oakland County, estimates that the number of Chaldean-owned businesses in Michigan is 6,050. Food stores top the list, estimated at 2,500. Small businesses like dollar stores and wireless outlets are second at about 2,000. The remainder includes gas stations, hotels and professional services like insurance and investment providers.

When many grocery chains closed their stores in Detroit after the 1967 riots, Chaldean business owners stepped in and filled the gap by opening neighborhood groceries. Today, Chaldeans hold the bulk of Wayne County’s 1,200 or so grocery licenses.

“The Chaldean community has a lengthy and great tradition of being merchants and businessmen,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. “They’ve done a tremendous job of staying here while other businessmen have left. There’s a great admiration for all ethnic groups in Wayne County, but for Chaldeans in particular because they create economic growth in the area.”

But while the grocery stores provide necessities and jobs to inner city residents, a backlash has also developed. The small grocery stores are also known as liquor or party stores because in addition to food, many also sell beer, liquor, tobacco products and “blunt wraps” (ostensibly for hand-rolling cigars, the wraps can be used to roll marijuana cigarettes).

Thus, some inner city residents are suspicious of so-called “foreignowned” businesses and suggest they’re

!

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CHALDEAN NEWS 33

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null and void?

Annulments remain controversial

BY JOVAN KASSAB

I

n a marriage ceremony, the couple is told that the institution of marriage was established by God and so sacred is the bond of marriage, that Christ declared what God has joined together no one is to divide. When a man and a woman exchange consent to marry, they agree to enter that everlasting and ever faithful bond of marriage.

Sadly, however, the life of a marriage can be a fragile thing. And that is where annulments come in.

A Chaldean resident of West Bloomfield knows this all too well.

After 44 years of marriage and four children, she is upset that her husband has filed for an annulment (the couple were divorced in 2005) because he wishes to remarry. Because Catholics cannot IL LU ST remarry in the church RA T IO NB YS unless their previous union is C OT T MI C K annulled, many divorced people seek annulments.

“The annulment was validated because he claimed our marriage was forced. It was not forced. A forced marriage would not last 44 years,” said the woman. She recently filed for an appeal at the Vatican, and the annulment is now frozen.

An annulment is a legal procedure that declares a marriage null and void. This differs from a divorce because the court ends an otherwise legal marriage on a specific date.

There are various grounds for an annulment to be validated: Either spouse was already married to someone else at the time of the marriage; either spouse was too young to be married or too young without required court or parental consent (unless, 34 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

in some cases, where the marriage continued beyond the age of consent, which validates it); either spouse was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the marriage; either spouse was mentally incompetent at the time of the marriage; if consent to the marriage was based on fraud or force; either spouse was physically incapable to be married; the marriage is prohibited by law due to the relationship between the parties, etc.

The tribunal office of the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD) said that in the United States, an annulment has no effect before the laws of any state. It does not affect anything that is determined by civil law such as alimony, child custody, visitation rights, division of property, legitimacy of the children, etc. It pertains only to the internal governance of the Catholic Church.

Some Catholics worry that their children will be considered illegitimate if they get annulments. Just as a divorce does not make children illegitimate, the AOD says neither does an annulment granted by the church. The laws of the church state that children born of a supposedly valid union are legitimate children.

Therefore, if the marriage is later shown to have been invalid, the status of the children remains unchanged: They are legitimate. Marriages that are annulled under the Catholic Church are usually considered as void, meaning that the marriage was essentially invalid from the beginning.

The Bishop’s Office declined to comment on the issue of annulments or to give statistics.

However, according to Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church in Southfield, the cost to

process an annulment request is $800 (the applicant pays $550 and the respondent pays $250).

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION Janan Sinawi works part time at the Chaldean Diocese in Southfield providing family counseling to couples experiencing marital discord. “The family counseling program was developed by the Bishop to provide professional Christian counseling to those who wish to seek the guidance of the church to restore their relationship,” Sinawi said.

Sinawi also participates at the marriage preparation program for all engaged couples for the entire diocese. The engaged couple preparation is offered one month at Mother of God Cathedral in Southfield and the following month at St. Joseph parish in Troy.

The marriage preparation program consists of three lectures given by Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, Fr. Stephan Kallabat and Senawi. Senawi covers communication, compromise, respect, trust, tolerance, conflict resolution, emotional intimacy and fidelity.

“I emphasize the importance for couples to reveal their true selves to one another during the engagement period and also on the need to understand each other’s family of origins, values and beliefs,” she said. Sinawi wants the engaged to understand that in a marriage “love” is not a mere feeling, but rather a decision that needs to be based on mind — not just heart.

Couples are taught that in a Christian marriage divorce is not an option and that is why they need to make decisions carefully while selecting their mate. “We discuss that while the Bible states that a man may divorce his wife for reason of adultery … the Bible doesn’t say that the man must and there is a big difference between must and may,” Sinawi said. “Also, they need to understand that the Bible teaches us to love and forgive, although it is hard to repair relationships when trust has been broken.”

Couples at the marriage preparation program are encouraged to evaluate themselves as to whether they are Christians by name or by practice, and the need to discover and invite Jesus into their lives.

“If they haven’t yet that this a critical time in their lives to do so because without Jesus it is hard to endure the difficulties of marriage,” Sinawi said.

The most important part of her lecture, Sinawi said, is on understanding that a Christian marriage is a sacrificial marriage requiring that the couple be selfless to one another at all times. “Meaning they give 100 percent of themselves all the time,” she said, “versus the 50/50 proposition which is conditional and unchristian.”

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Don’t let gambling get the best of you.

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If you think you or someone you know needs more information just call 1.800.270.7117 for help.

SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 35

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PHOTO BY DAVID REED

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Melody Arobo, Margaret Shamoun and Jessica Lancial shows off the books at the Chaldean Festival.

from the mouths of babes Books teach Chaldean to kids

BY JOYCE WISWELL

C

haldean speakers may be becoming rare, but not if Margaret Shamoun and Melody Arabo have anything to say about it. The sisters have published Chaldean for Kids, a set of four books that helps parents pass the language onto their children. Judging from the feedback the women received at the Chaldean Festival in August, the community is more than receptive to the idea.

“Our inspiration came from being mothers and educators, but most of all from being Chaldean,” Shamoun said. “We found our language is dying: the younger generations are not speaking it and pretty soon our homeland won’t even be our own.

The one thing we could do was to try to preserve our language and culture.”

The women are both very active in the community and have educational backgrounds. Shamoun spent 10 years as an English as a Second Language teacher at Birmingham Public Schools, while

Melody teaches third grade in the Walled Lake district. The sisters came up with the idea for the books some time ago, but life kept getting in the way. Finally, about a year ago, they brought renewed energy to the project.

With one word and illustration per page, the books look deceptively simple. But getting everything right was a major challenge. “The hardest part was to ensure that we have the correct pronunciation,” said Shamoun. “There is a lot of Arabic influence in Chaldean, and some words only exist in Arabic. For ‘colors’ many Chaldeans say elwan, but that is actually an Arabic word. The correct word in Chaldean is rrengih.”

Like so many in the community, the women turned to family for help — in this case, their greatuncle, Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim. The Bishop, along with Fr. Manuel Boji and Fr. Frank Kalabat, helped to get the often-tricky pronunciations correct. “We created a key since some words don’t exist in the

English language. For instance, Q equals a hard ki,” said Shamoun. “That was the hardest part.”

Graphic artist Krystyn Jabero added colorful illustrations, and each book includes an audio CD that demonstrates proper pronunciation.

So far, the women have produced four books: Parts of the Body (both singular and plural forms), Colors, Numbers (both masculine and feminine forms) and Prayers. They hope to soon add Animals, Fruits and Vegetables, Clothing and Nursery Rhymes. Each book costs $12.95 and the set of four goes for $44.95.

The women plan to market the books around the globe. “Our people are scatted around throughout the world, and we’re hoping to visit areas with a large Chaldean population like Europe and the Middle East,” Shamoun said.

“We printed 2,000 of each book,” Shamoun said, “and we’re anticipating running out.”

Visit www.chaldeanforkids.com.

SEPTEMBER 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 37

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Those testifying on the plight of minorities included Pascale Warda, Donny George, Michael Youash and Suhaib Nashi.

minority report Christians testify before congressional commission

BY SARAH Y. YATOOMA

T

he persecution of Christians and other non-Muslim minorities in Iraq has reached a critical mass and finally, Washington is taking notice. On July 25, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) conducted a hearing to gather information regarding the volatile situation facing the ancient communities of Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Christians, Sabaean Mandaeans and Yazidis.

Five panelists delivered emotional accounts of struggles to survive in Iraq, including three ChaldoAssyrians, the Rev. Canon Andrew White of St George’s Anglican Church in Baghdad, and a Sabaean Mandaean physician.

Pascale Warda, an Assyrian Chaldean and the former Iraqi minister of Migration and Displacement, testified to several acts of violence against minorities, including one event in which “a 1-year-old baby was roasted and delivered to his mother’s doorstep on a bed of rice.” Christians have one of three options, she said: “convert to Islam, pay the protection tax imposed on nonMuslims, or leave [their homes] with no personal possessions.”

Kidnappings, rapes and massacres are commonplace in so many cities that Christians are being forced back to their indigenous land to the north, 38 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

the Nineveh Plain, which has been home to Christians, Iraq’s indigenous people for more than 6,500 years.. “… We’ve come down from these towns and villages into the major cities of Iraq, Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Basrah, and it is just natural when we feel in danger, we would go back to our original area,” explained Dr. Donny George, an archaeologist and the former director of the Iraqi National Museum.

Although not completely void of violence, the Nineveh region is more stable. However, the panelists said, the area cannot accommodate the influx of thousands of Christian families that are fleeing Baghdad. Thus, a universal message prevailed among all the panelists: if relief is not given to Iraq’s “communities of antiquity,” the people who have occupied this land between two rivers for millennia may become extinct.

Two members of Congress, Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT), also testified. Eshoo, a first-generation American of Assyrian and Armenian descent, noted that while Christians represent only 3 percent of the country’s population, they account for 40 percent of refugees due to ongoing persecution

by Islamic fanatics and the perception that Christians are viewed as American allies.

A relief plan containing two major components

was proposed. Michael Youash of the Iraq Sustainable Democracy Project (ISDP) advocated for the Nineveh Plain plan, which under the provisions of Article 125 of the current Iraqi constitution can provide for an Autonomous Administrative Area for Christians and other minorities. Speakers also recommended that the U.S. government put forth a specific and urgent policy to build the infrastructure in the Nineveh Plain so that basic needs such as security, housing, food, water, education and jobs can be obtained for the tens of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons.

Secondly, panelists advocated for assistance in the effort to resettle the most vulnerable Christian and non-Muslim refugees outside Iraq. The ethnically and religiously persecuted non-Muslim minorities of Iraq have flooded neighboring countries in disproportionate rates in search of peace only to become victims once again. Many are denied legitimate status in countries in which they presently reside and, as a result, are unable to obtain employment, access health services or send their children to school.

In June, the House of Representatives passed a provision requiring that $10 million be allocated to aid religious minorities internally displaced in the Nineveh Plain. This provision has yet to pass in the Senate.

Jacklin Bejan of the Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Council of America (CASCA), who served as a translator for one of the panelists, called the “stunning” testimonies a resounding success that evoked emotional responses from many in the audience.

Commission Chair Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., was one of those moved by the personal accounts of struggle, saying, “This is unbelievable. We must help these people.”

The USCIRF has scheduled a second hearing to take place sometime this month. CASCA helped to identify and coordinate three of the five panelists at the first hearing and will do so once again in an effort to bring to light the plight of Assyrian Chaldean Syriac Christians of Iraq. The organization has asked Nuri Kino, the Swedish award-winning investigative reporter who recently traveled to Amman, Jordan, and Joseph Kassab, executive director of the Chaldean Federation of America, to testify at the second hearing. Kassab said he hopes that “the U.S. administration and the American people understand what the plight of Iraqi Christians is all about and how religious freedom in Iraq at this time is scrutinized.”

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Other Minority Religions Under Attack

!2% 9/5 ,//+).' &/27!2$ 4/ 9/52 &5452%

BY SARAH DILORENZO, ASSOCIATED PRESS

he suicide bombings that rav- some Muslims and Christians. aged the Yazidi sect in Iraq in Yazidis, who don’t believe in hell or August underscored the fears of evil, deny the characterization.

The Islamic State in Iraq, an alviolence and insecurity binding many of the nation’s religious Qaida front group, distributed leaflets a week ago warning residents minorities, including Christians.

The various religious groups — near the scene of Tuesday’s bombwhich in total account for no more ings that an attack was imminent than 3 percent of the population — because Yazidis are “anti-Islamic.�

The Sabean Mandaeans, a preincreasingly worry that they will be caught helplessly in the battles Christian sect that follow the teachbetween the majority Shiite and ings of John the Baptist, now numbers Sunni factions or, as in the case of about 5,000 in Iraq, down from an the August 14 attack, directly tar- estimated 25,000 in early 2003, according to testimony by Suhaib geted by extremists. “Minorities have historically Nashi, general-secretary of the inhabited areas that are disputed, that lie at the fault Yazidi are often scorned by lines of the other commu- Muslims as infidels for their nities,� said Mark Lattimer, executive director of the blend of Judaism, London-based Minority Christianity, Islam and Rights Group.

Zoroastrianism.

The Yazidi, said Lattimer, have a double curse. They Mandaean Associations Union, to the live in a strategic corridor between U.S. Commission on International Mosul, the chief city in northern Religious Freedom in July.

As many as 50 percent of Iraq’s Iraq, and the borders of Turkey and Syria. The area could become Christians — which once numbered increasingly coveted territory for the between 1 million and 2 million — insurgent group al-Qaida in Iraq, may already have left the country, which appears to be seeking to according to a report issued in May retrench in northern Iraq after being by the commission. Christians are at driven from strongholds in and particular risk as perceived supportaround Baghdad by U.S.-led offen- ers of the United States and its sives.

Western allies, said a Minority The group is blamed for the series Rights Group report. of four suicide truck bombings that The Jewish community, which is claimed at least 250 lives in the also accused by extremists of sympaYazidi town of Qahataniya in the thizing with U.S. troops, has a long deadliest attack on civilians since history of persecution in Iraq, which has prompted several waves of emithe U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Yazidi also are often scorned by gration, according to the U.N. High Muslims as infidels for their blend of Commissioner for Refugees.

Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Only eight Jews remain in Zoroastrianism, the pre-Islamic faith Baghdad, said an Anglican clergyof Persia. The Yazidi — mostly eth- man, the Rev. Andrew White, who nic Kurds — date their beliefs back has aided the group. About a centu4,000 years and worship an angel fig- ry ago, Jews accounted for one-third ure, Malak Ta’us, or Peacock Angel, of the city’s population as recently as who is considered to be the devil by a century ago.

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a land lost

Cindy Bahri-Edgar sitting atop ruins of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon during a visit to Iraq in 1995.

Young Chaldeans yearn to see their homeland

BY MERVIT BASHI

A

s the situation continues to escalate more and more drastically in Iraq, it is difficult to imagine how long things can continue to get worse. For some younger Chaldean Americans it is particularly disheartening to realize that the place where their parents and grandparents were born, grew up and loved so dearly is being deconstructed so violently. They have a connection to their homeland that they are fighting not to have severed.

Many of the individual landmarks that meant so much to Chaldean families—villages, homes, churches, markets and schools — have been damaged or are at risk. It is tremendously painful to see the people of Iraq suffering so greatly. And in turn, Iraq itself is like a living thing with its heart and soul being destroyed on a daily basis for nearly four years now.

Chauntel Kassab, 24, of Clawson, has always dreamed of having the opportunity to travel to Iraq with her grandmother. Having come to the realization

that this will not be possible anytime soon, the question that arises is: When? When will we be able to?

Many young people have peers of various descent — whether it be from Italy, Greece or even Lebanon — who frequently travel to visit their ancestral homeland. For Chaldeans, this is not an option during tumultuous times like these.

Although Kassab hopes to travel to Iraq with her own family when she has children one day, her desire is to go there with her grandmother first and have the opportunity to see Iraq through her eyes.

“I will never forget the stories my grandmother has told me about how life was there,” Kassab said. “But right now it’s like a fairytale.”

It’s a case of the old adage of putting a face with the name on a much greater scale. For years, community members have heard the stories of the old days of life back home. Other than pictures, they rely on the vision created in their minds of what this life was like.

Warren resident Randy Salem, 22, has always had mixed feelings about wanting to go back and visit. “It would be good to know where [my parents] came from, where they played and where they went to school,” he said. Salem would like to be able to compare the kind of life his parents left for the life he has experienced being born and raised in the United States.

In 1995, Cindy Bahri-Edgar, 28, of Shelby Township had a chance to travel to Iraq with her mother, aunt and two sisters. Flying into Jordan and taking a 23-hour bus ride to their starting point in Iraq, the six-week trip may very likely have been a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the places where her parents grew up and were married.

Bahri-Edgar also had the opportunity to meet some relatives for the first time and described their wonderful hospitality despite economic conditions.

“It was surreal,” she said. “You hear all of these stories and then to actually go there and see everything — it was amazing.”

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PHOTOS BY NORA BAHROU DOWNS

spor ts

good sports Church league scores with teens

BY STEVE STEIN

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Above and opposite page: Everyone enjoyed a day of friendly competition.

42 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

he first season of their Chaldean Church Sports League exceeded all their expectations and Arlene Kakos and Nathan Karrumi couldn’t be happier.

Nearly 150 youths ages 13-18 from all six Chaldean churches in Metro Detroit played flag football and sand volleyball Saturday afternoons this summer at the Southfield Civic Center.

The competition was spirited, champions were crowned, and trophies were hoisted. More importantly, the league achieved its underlying purposes of getting teens involved in their church and giving them an opportunity to meet and become friends with Chaldean youths from across the area.

Each teen has to be active in his or her church to play in the league. Kakos and Karrumi are adamant about that.

“It could be Bible study, volunteering in the community, singing in the church choir, anything,” Kakos said.

“It’s very important for kids this age to under-

stand and embrace their religion and be an active member of their church,” Karrumi said.

Kakos, 26, and Karrumi, 27, are coordinators of the popular CT Squared (Chaldean Teens Coming Together) middle school and high school youth group at Mother of God Church. Kakos founded the group, which fluctuates between 30 and 50 members in grades 6-12.

While searching for a way to expand their horizons, Kakos and Karrumi came up with the idea of using sports to draw more teens into area Chaldean churches.

Kakos and Karrumi contacted the other churches about their plan, and the Chaldean Church Sports League was born.

Teams include the Mar Addai Healers, Mother of God Guardian Angels, St. George Dragon Slayers, St. Joseph Protectors and St. Thomas Twin Tigers.

Mar Addai also includes teens from Sacred Heart.

Joey Jonna, coach of the league’s boys flag footSPORTS

Continued on page 43

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O OS

SPORTS

O O O S

Continued from page 42 ball champion team from St. Thomas, said he happily agreed when Karrumi asked him to coach.

“Sports is a big draw for kids this age. If we use sports to bring them into their church, I have no problem with that,” Jonna said.

Jonna was impressed with the league’s organization, especially for a first-year effort. “And the turnout of kids was phenomenal,” he said.

In addition to seeing the idea of a Chaldean youth sports league bloom, Kakos was one of three coaches of the champion girls volleyball team from Mother of God. The top four flag football and top four volleyball teams advanced to the playoffs following a seven-week regular-season schedule. St. Thomas and Mother of God each finished 7-1 in the regular season, good for first place in their respective sport, and they won down-to-the-wire, nail-biting playoff championship games.

St. Thomas flag football players were Dominic and Justin Alkatib, Sean Ammori, Loran Jadou, Sean Konja, Peter Namou, Derek and Jordan Rabban, Nick Sarafa, Mike and Pete Sesi and Anthony Yaldo.

Namou, the quarterback, was the team’s MVP and Mike Sesi was a touchdown catching machine. But it was Sarafa who hauled in a fourthdown touchdown pass from Namou with 20 seconds left to give St. Thomas an 18-13 victory over

St. Joseph in the championship game.

Jonna said his team overcame some odds to win the title.

“Even though we had a lot of talent, many of the kids had never played organized football until this summer,” Jonna said. “It helped that everyone put the team first. There was no bickering.”

Mother of God volleyball players were Zena Atcho, Brittnay Kashat, Anita and Sali Kesto, Alexis and Rochelle Konja, Rita Maizy, Hanain and Nadeen Majeed, Christine Rayis, Melanie and Monica Shammani, Lauren Yousif and Cartier Zori.

Besides Kakos, the other coaches were Sylvia Yaldo and Chris Yalod.

St. Thomas put up quite a fight against Mother of God in the championship match. Mother of God rallied for a 15-25, 25-20, 26-24 victory.

Cost to play in the league this summer was $30, which included a tee-shirt. The fee may be higher to play basketball this fall and winter because of gym rental.

Unlike flag football and volleyball, basketball competition is divided into age groups. The groups are boys 11-14, girls 11-14, and boys 15-18 and girls 15-18. Play is expected to begin in September and conclude around Christmas.

Teens interested in playing basketball should contact their church for more information.

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chaldean festival PHOTOS BY DAVID REED

The Southfield Civic Center was hopping on August 4-5 as thousands of Metro Detroiters celebrated Chaldean culture and heritage at the second annual Chaldean Festival. Sponsored by the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, the event benefited the chamber’s Chaldean Foundation.

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1. Kristen Kassan 2. Christian Yousif 3. Skylar Danou 4. Slight Return’s Mark Kassa and Ronnie Karmo 5. Dancing in unison 6. Tara Akraw, Martina Koja and Shantal Dickow 7. Anola and Marcela Shathaia 8. Austin Danou 9. Michelle Hami and Chris Saroki Visit our website, wwww.chaldeannews.com, for more pictures.

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1. The Old Timers 2. Steve Gappy and Joe Jitto 3. Jonathan Toma and Lawrence Loussia 4. The Young Guns 5. David Najor 6. Jerry Rabban Visit our website, wwww.chaldeannews.com, for more pictures.

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chaldean ryder cup PHOTOS BY DAVID REED

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46 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

A record breaking number of participants – 80 — faced off in the Eighth Annual Chaldean Ryder Cup tournament, held August 3-4 at Shenandoah Country Club. Joe Sitto and Ramzi Kizy captained the Young Guns and the Old Timers were lead by Johnny Bahoura and Ronnie Yaldo. Youth triumphed over experience with a victory for the Young Guns. The series is now tied 4-4.

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We’re going the extra... forty-thousand miles.

At DTE Energy we’re going the extra mile for our customers - making our service safer, more efficient and more reliable than ever. Over the next five years, Detroit Edison plans to use infrared scanners and cameras to inspect our entire electrical system, nearly 3,000 circuits and 40 thousand miles of electrical lines. All in all, service to 2.2 million customers will be enhanced.

It’s part of a 5 billion dollar investment in the communities we serve - for superior service and reliability.

T h e Po w e r o f Yo u r C o m m u n i t y

48 CHALDEAN NEWS

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e = D T E®

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martyrs day PHOTOS BY NORA BAHROU DOWNS

Community members gathered at Bella Banquet Hall in Warren on August 7 for speeches, poems and songs to remember Chaldean Assyrian Syriac martyrs.

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1. Khairy Boudagh 2. Intesar Yono of the Chaldean Voice Radio Program 3. Hamid Murad 4. Father Emanuel Rayes 5. Yalda Kala 6. Abed Malakha 7. Abgier Avraha Visit our website, wwww.chaldeannews.com, for more pictures.

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classified listings

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chaldean news

PROFESSIONALS

50 CHALDEAN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

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FOR AS LITTLE AS $75 IN OUR NEW BUSINESS DIRECTORY SECTION!

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SEPTEMBER 2007

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1. Kids enjoy the event.

2. From left: Isabella Shunyia, 5, Kaylee Antoon, 4, Lauren Hamama, 5, and Brooke Hamama, 3 3. The singers woo their audience.

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high school musical PHOTOS BY NORA BAHROU DOWNS

4. Tiny dancers 5. Jane Shallal addresses the kids.

6. Genevieve Jona, 2.

Visit our website, wwww.chaldeannews.com, for more pictures.

Shenandoah Country Club was swinging on August 17 when kids of all ages assembled for the premiere showing of Disney’s High School Musical 2. The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity held the event to benefit Iraqi refugees.

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