NOVEMBER 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 21 ISSUE X NOVEMBER 2024 

THE SKY 

IS NOT THE 

LIMIT 

JOURNEY OF 

CHALDEAN 

AEROSPACE 

ENGINEER 

DIANA 

ALSINDY 

Featuring: 

American Politics 

Choosing to Serve 

Girls Play Hockey

2024 LINCOLN AVIATOR 

OUR ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF DESIGN AND PERSONAL SERVICE 

Exclusive Premium Materials 

Curated Collection of Interior Themes 

Service Pick up and Delivery 

Exclusive Member Privileges 

ELIE MALOUF 

LINCOLN PRODUCT SPECIALIST 

248-530-4710 EMALOUF@LINCOLNOFTROY.COM

AMERICA’S LARGEST ARAB 

AND CHALDEAN LAW FIRM. 

أكبر مكتب محاماة عربي وكلداني في 

الولایات المتحدة الامریكیة 

248-702-6641 

اتصل بنا على رقم 

Getting You Back to You 

it’s Why We Care. 

نعیدك الى ماكنت علیھ 

ھذا ھو سبب اھتمامنا 

Lawrence Kajy 

Attorney at Law 

No fee until we win • Over $40M recovered for clients • 248-702-6641 / kajylaw.com 

NOVEMBER 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

® 

Exclusively at 

Ruth Sinawi 

Design Consultant | Novi | 248-504-4233 

Speaks Arabic & Chaldean 

Gardner-White.com/design-studio 

At GW Design Studio, we’re dedicated to helping you create your dream home through the fine art of home design. 

From accent pieces to entire collections, we celebrate your taste with the latest trends, time-honored classics, and one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Our Design Consultants are dedicated to bringing your vision to life. Visit any GW Design Studio location for 

a complimentary consultation, or book an appointment online at gardner-white.com/design-studio. 

Visit any of our 13 Gardner White locations | GardnerWhite.com 

4 CHALDEAN NEWS NOVEMBER 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | NOVEMBER 2024 | VOL. 20 ISSUE X 

ON THE COVER 

18 The Sky is Not the Limit 

Meet aerospace engineer Diana Alsindy 

By Sarah Kittle 

FEATURES 

22 Pivotal Moment in Politics 

U.S. presidential election 

By Paul Natinsky 

24 Michigan Senate Race 

Slotkin, Rogers slug it out 


26 PM Al Sudani Visits 

CCF’s mission to improve the 

life of Iraq’s Catholics 

By CN Staff 

28 Hungary Helps 

Hungarian Consul General visits CCF 

By CN Staff 

DEPARTMENTS 

6 From the Editor 

Resilience and Courage 


8 Guest Column 

N. Peter Antone: Thoughts 

on Immigration Policy 

10 Foundation Update 

Civics Bee Returns, Leading 

with Faith, 10 Years of Service 

12 Noteworthy 

220 Learning Kits, Perfect 

ACT Score, Popcorn U 

14 Chaldean Digest 

Cardinal Sako: Middle East 

needs international help 

COVER PHOTO BY 

MILA BIRTCHER 

16 In Memoriam 

30 Iraq Today 

Life Stopped in an Instant 

By Hanan Qia 

40 Culture & History 

Shako Mako Part II 

By Dr. Adhid Miri 

42 Economics & Enterprise 

Fueling Fitness: Powerhouse Gym 


44 Sports 

Girls Play Hockey: Sydney Schafer 

By Steve Stein 

18 

46 Event 

CACC’s 18th Annual Business Luncheon 

32 Choosing to Serve 

Chaldean veterans share their stories 


34 Feminine Identity 

What does it mean to be a 

Chaldean woman? 

By Jenna Abroo 

36 Money Matters 

Year-end financial planning 

By Joseph Mansoor 

38 November Memories 

20 years of cover stories 


34 


FROM THE EDITOR 

PUBLISHED BY 

Chaldean News, LLC 

Chaldean Community Foundation 

Martin Manna 

EDITORIAL 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Sarah Kittle 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Jenna Abroo 

N. Peter Antone 

Sarah Kittle 

Joseph Mansoor 

Dr. Adhid Miri 

Paul Natinsky 

Hanan Qia 

Steve Stein 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

Mila Birtcher 

Alex Lumelsky 

Daniel Moen 

SALES 

Interlink Media 

Sana Navarrette 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Sana Navarrette 

Subscriptions: $35 per year 

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Story ideas: edit@chaldeannews.com 

Advertisements: ads@chaldeannews.com 

Subscription and all other inquiries: 

info@chaldeannews.com 

Chaldean News 

30095 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 101 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

www.chaldeannews.com 

Phone: (248) 851-8600 

Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); 

Published monthly; Issue Date: Novermber 2024 

Subscriptions: 12 months, $35. 

Publication Address: 

30095 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 101, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334; 

Permit to mail at periodicals postage rates 

is on file at Farmington Hills Post Office 

Postmaster: Send address changes to 

“The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern 

Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334” 

Resilience and Courage 

As we approach the end of 2024, this November 

issue of Chaldean News is filled 

with inspiring stories and important updates 

that reflect the dynamic spirit of the Chaldean 

American community. 

We kick off with an exciting profile of Diana 

Alsindy, a remarkable Chaldean aerospace engineer 

whose story reminds us that “the sky is not the 

limit.” Her achievements serve as a beacon of possibility 

for our youth, encouraging them to pursue 

their dreams, no matter how ambitious they may 

seem. She also wants to encourage adults to 

inspire the children in their lives and show 

SARAH KITTLE 

EDITOR 

IN CHIEF 

them examples that look like themselves so 

they can see themselves succeeding. 

In the political arena, we provide a timely 

update on the upcoming U.S. Presidential 

Election, outlining the policy differences of 

the presidential candidates while also focusing 

on the local senate race between Elissa 

Slotkin and Mike Rogers. This election is crucial, and we encourage 

everyone to stay informed and engaged as we make 

our voices heard. 

We also feature a spotlight on Powerhouse Gym, where 

fitness and community intersect. This local establishment 

founded by the Dabish family is more than just a gym; it’s 

a gathering place for Chaldeans to connect, support each 

other, and prioritize health and wellness. 

As the year draws to a close, we present essential advice 

on end-of-year financial planning. With the holiday season 

approaching, it’s important to reflect on our financial health 

and make informed decisions for the future. 

In international news, we share insights from recent 

meetings with dignitaries, including Iraqi Prime Minister 

Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani and the Consul General of the 

Republic of Hungary, Balász Martonffy. These discussions 

emphasize the importance of fostering relationships that 

benefit both the Chaldean homeland and the diaspora. 

We’re also excited to highlight the rise of girls in hockey, 

showcasing young athletes who are breaking 

barriers and pursuing their passion for sports. 

Their determination and spirit are shining examples 

for all of us. 

Additionally, we continue our exploration of the 

“Shako Mako” linguistic tradition in Part II, delving 

deeper into its significance within the Iraqi Christian 

culture and language and its impact on community 

bonding. 

The topic of immigration remains crucial, and 

we share resources and insights to help navigate 

Topic of immigration remains crucial… 

Chaldean community’s experiences are 

diverse, and together, we can support one 

another in this journey. 

this complex landscape. The Chaldean community’s experiences 

are diverse, and together, we can support one 

another in this journey. 

Finally, we honor our veterans in the article “Choosing 

to Serve,” in which Chaldean veterans share their personal 

stories of service and sacrifice. Their experiences remind us 

of the values of courage, commitment, and the importance 

of giving back to the community. 

This issue reflects the resilience, determination, and 

strength of character that define Chaldeans. We invite you to 

engage with these stories and celebrate the richness of your 

heritage. 

Thank you for your continued support and for being a 

vital part of the community. 

Sarah Kittle 

Editor in Chief 

BAN MANNA 

Instructor & Examiner 

(248) 535-5855 | idtestingllc@gmail.com 

31500 West 13 Mile Rd. Suite 120C 


www.internationaldrivertesting.com 

Driver’s Education Courses Online & In Person 

(Segment 1 & 2) 

Driver’s Training (Teenagers & Adults) 

Automobile & Motorcycle Road Skills Testing 

36+ ANNOUNCING YEARS OF OUR EXPERIENCE MERGER! 

+ 

& 

Residential 

Vacant Land 

Expert 

ASSOCIATE BROKER/RECRUITER 

FREE HOME WARRANTY 

JIM MANNA / 248.763.2622 

Same great service, now #1 in Michigan too! 


PUBLISHER'S CIRCLE 

As the publication of record for 

Michigan’s Chaldean community, 

the mission of the Chaldean News 

is to preserve and archive Chaldean 

heritage and history, and to tell the 

ongoing story of Chaldean contributions to 

the communities in which we live and work – in 

Michigan and around the world. 

In the last 5 years the Chaldean News has 

substantially increased its readership and social 

media following, introduced new digital and website 

content and expanded storytelling and video offerings 

with the help of small grant funding. 

The Publisher’s Circle is a unique opportunity for community 

members to support the Chaldean News and its continuing 

mission to be a voice for the community, wherever they 

may be. With the warmhearted help of individual and 

organizational supporters we can ensure that this important 

resource remains to educate and connect the community 

while evolving to meet the needs of future generations. 

The Chaldean News has recently launched a CN app 

and will continue to expand into new media such 

as radio and TV, all with the goal of preserving our 

culture and telling the story of our people. You can 

take part in helping to preserve your Chaldean 

heritage by joining the Publisher’s Circle today. 

Jibran “Jim” Manna 

Martin and Tamara Manna 

We are grateful for the overwhelmingly 

generous support of our community. 

To learn more, visit chaldeannews.com 

or contact us at 248-851-8600 

Let’s grow the circle. 


GUEST COLUMN 

Born in 

Detroit 

Est. 1953 

Thoughts on 

Immigration Policy 

BY N. PETER ANTONE 

“ 

America is a nation of immigrants.” 

Is this an overused 

cliché or an expression of a 

monumental experiment in the history 

of mankind? Which of the two reflects 

how immigration has been treated by 

competing parties for power during 

elections? 

The first immigrants were pilgrims 

who wanted to escape religious persecution. 

They had the courage to cross 

oceans and risked their lives to do so, 

but upon arrival also showed the ambition 

to build a community governed 

through democratic means previously 

unknown to mankind. 

This combination of courage to risk 

it all while escaping a bad situation with 

the ambition to contribute to a better life 

is still the theme dominating many of 

the current arrivals, legal and illegal. 

When a skilled immigrant arrives 

here to work or study, they often are 

leaving behind a life well known 

to them in pursuit of a higher goal. 

This reflects courage and ambition 

that will contribute to our society 

and economy. Similarly, when an unskilled 

person crosses deserts to arrive 

here only to do jobs Americans 

are not interested in, they are also 

exhibiting similar traits. 

While some of their jobs might be 

menial, the courage and ambition in 

their genes will exhibit itself in their 

future children who will be entrepreneurs 

and business builders. A good 

example is our own community, many 

of whom arrived from Telkeif decades 

ago without education, money, nor 

even language skills. Look where we 

are today! 

So, how have each of our major 

parties handled immigration? Unfortunately, 

not very well. Immigration 

is an issue capable of demagoguery. 

Many immigrants look different from 

the locals. It is easy to accuse them of 

taking American jobs, when many are 

doing tasks Americans are reluctant 

to do such as farm, household or construction 

work. 

Illegal immigrants are in the millions, 

and as in every large group, 

there are always those who commit 

crimes. Yet, we have politicians who 

blame all immigrants for the crimes of 

the few. The analogy would be to argue 

that we can reduce crime if we deport 

the population of a whole city! A true 

statement, but no one calls for such a 

drastic solution to reduce crime. 

On the other hand, allowing millions 

to cross the border without authorization 

gives a bad name to immigration 

and weakens the support for 

legal immigration. Imagine if we have 

another 9/11-type of terrorist attack 

perpetrated by illegal immigrants 

who crossed the border. There has 

even been a case where a serial killer 

was found to have entered the country 

illegally. Consider how that might 

negatively affect the cause of legal immigration. 

Labor unions have often been an 

obstacle to easier immigration policies, 

suggesting that immigration disadvantages 

local labor, a claim which has added 

many bureaucratic obstacles to immigration. 

When the Democratic Party had 

control of the White House and the two 

chambers of Congress, such as the first 

two years of the Obama Administration, 

they choose to ignore the opportunity to 

reform immigration policy. 

Our Constitution gives Congress 

the authority to regulate immigration. 

But Congress has been paralyzed for 

many years due to infighting between 

Republican and Democratic members. 

Several comprehensive immigration reform 

bills have been introduced. A few 

even had bipartisan support, only to be 

torpedoed by the extreme elements in 

Congress, who appear more interested 

in appeasing their base and getting reelected 

than in solving problems. 

We also have had executives unable 

to take the issue to the nation to 

seek public pressure for a resolution. 

The main loser, unfortunately, is our 

country and its people. Let’s hope 

for a permanent solution by the next 

administration. Our nation and immigrants 

deserve better. 


VISIT LTU.EDU TO APPLY TODAY 


FOUNDATION UPDATE 

Hungary Helps 

Hungarian Consul General Dr. Balázs 

Mártonffy recently visited the CCF to 

learn more about their programs and 

advocacy efforts for persecuted Christians 

throughout the Middle East. He 

was warmly welcomed by CCF staff, 

who expressed their appreciation for 

the Hungary Helps program, which 

has supported Chaldeans and other 

Christians in northern Iraq. 

Also discussed was a future trip to 

Budapest to tour their facilities and to 

learn more about how the CCF and Hungary 

Helps can work better together. 

Recognizing the 2024 Local Civics Bee winners from the Chaldean Community Foundation. Pictured left to right: 

Dale Dwojakowski, Holdon K., Martin Manna, Arkita D., Sue Kattula, Mark Hackel, and Mariam K. 

National Civics Bee Returns to CCF 

The Chaldean American Chamber of 

Commerce and the Chaldean Community 

Foundation are partnering 

with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

Foundation and Michigan Chamber 

of Commerce for the second year in 

a row to host a non-partisan civics 

competition that encourages young 

Americans to engage in civics and 

contribute to their communities. 

The event, administered by the 

Civic Trust, seeks out and rewards 

the best middle school civics students 

in the area. The application is 

now open for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade 

students to submit their essays. The 

deadline to apply is February 4, 2025. 

For more information, visit the CCF’s 

website at chaldeanfoundation.org/ 

national-civics-bee. 

CCF President Martin Manna 

and Hungarian Consul General 

Dr. Balazs Martonffy. 

Leading 

with Faith 

10 Years of 

Service 

The CCF congratulated Elias Kattoula on 

10 incredible years with the Chaldean 

Community Foundation on October 3. 

Elias began his journey with the Foundation 

in 2014 as a Case Worker and quickly 

rose to Career Services Manager. Over 

the years, he has made a lasting impact, 

earning his Global Career Development 

Facilitator Accreditation in 2018 and becoming 

a Certified FAFSA Specialist. He’s 

also been a driving force behind some of 

the CCF’s biggest initiatives, including 

organizing the first large-scale Community 

Job Fair and administering the Michael 

J. George Chaldean Loan Fund. 

The Chaldean Community Foundation’s 

Learn with A Leader program’s 

final session was hosted on October 16 

at the Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization 

Center (ECRC) in Bloomfield Hills. 

The session, led by Karam Bahnam, 

focused on faith and its influence on 

leadership. Bahnam, a founding member 

of the ECRC, speaks from experience. 

The 10-week program concludes on November 

6 with a private graduation ceremony 

at Shenandoah Country Club. 

Left: Elias Kattoula celebrates 

10 years at the Chaldean 

Community Foundation. 

Karam Bahnam speaks at the “Learn 

with A Leader” program on October 16. 


Your Memorable Event Destination 

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN BLOOMFIELD HILLS 

CORPORATE HOLIDAY PARTIES, BIRTHDAYS, MILESTONE EVENTS, 

CEREMONIES, RECEPTIONS, REHEARSAL DINNERS, ENGAGEMENT PARTIES 

BOOK YOUR 2024 & 2025 EVENTS 

NEWLY RENOVATED 

WORLD RENOWNED 

CUISINE OPTIONS 

PANORAMIC VIEWS 

UP TO 450 GUESTS 

ELEVATED EXPERIENCE 

INDOOR & OUTDOOR 

AREA WITH MULTIPLE 

FLOOR PLANS 

4000 CLUBGATE DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302 | 248.855.0700 

WABEEKCC.COM | FACEBOOK: @WABEEKCLUB | INSTAGRAM: @WABEEKCLUB 


NOTEWORTHY 

Student Makes 

a Difference 

Seventeen-year-old Alex Elia is a shining example 

of the difference one person can make. For the past 

three years, the Detroit Country Day senior has buddied 

up with first-grade students at Bennett Elementary 

in Detroit to celebrate Valentine’s Day by making 

cards and playing games. 

The experience opened Alex’s eyes to the stark 

differences between a private school in Bloomfield 

Hills and a public school in Southwest Detroit. 

“Education was always in the forefront of my 

mind, but I never thought about how people have different 

opportunities until I was exposed to it,” said 

Alex. “It was eye-opening to go from what Country 

Day offers to a school with fewer resources in the 

heart of Detroit.” 

Alex turned to his network to find a way to make a 

difference. Luckily his aunt and volunteer role model, 

Rema Nasif, worked closely with United Way on 

the Women United committee. 

Through Tina Kafantaris, director of corporate experience 

at United Way for Southeastern Michigan, 

Alex learned about Students United. The affinity 

group brings together committed student volunteers 

to support the local community while growing their 

Alex and his friends pack learning kits for underserved students. 

own leadership and professional qualities. 

With Tina’s help, Alex was able to brainstorm the 

most abundant and accessible way to provide learning 

resources to students: learning kits. Then, Alex 

mobilized his community to raise $6,000 for the kit 

materials. 

Each kit includes a drawstring bag, learning materials 

such as math or phonetics flashcards and additional 

items like pencils, pens, crayons, sharpeners, 

notebooks, sketchbooks or a UNO card game. 

“My goal is to get the kids ready not just for 

school, but all aspects of life,” said Alex. “They aren’t 

going to just use it once in high school, they need the 

reading and math skills long-term.” 

Perfect Score on the ACT 

Bloomfield Hills High School grade 12 student Giselle Haddad scored a 36 on the ACT, the highest achievable score on this challenging 

standardized test. Only 0.18% (around 3,700 students nationwide) who take this exam receive a 36. The ACT, much like the SAT, is a standardized 

test commonly taken by grade 11 and 12 students and is submitted to colleges and universities during the application process. 

BHHS Counselor Laura Hollyer-Madis noted, “A 36 ACT score makes a student eligible to apply as a competitive candidate at all institutions 

— this includes elite and selective colleges and universities. On top of that, students can expect a sizable amount of merit aid.” 

Congratulations to Giselle Haddad and her family on this impressive achievement. 

Left: Giselle Haddad scored a 36 on the ACT. 

Popcorn U 

Pop Daddy Snacks co-founder Mark Sarafa was recently featured in University of Michigan’s 

Fall Alum Magazine. The family-run company is doing a booming business, and the article 

states it is because they know how to pivot. 

Sarafa, Class of ’89, learned the retail business early by stocking shelves in his father’s store 

before graduating from UM Dearborn with a degree in finance. After that, he worked four years 

at Coca-Cola, nine years at Frito-Lay, and 12 years at Absopure Water before going into business 

for himself with the family’s favorite snack food. 

“We were probably popping four or five bags for my family of four just about every night,” 

Sarafa says. “Then I started reading articles about how bad microwave popcorn was for you, and 

we essentially banned it from the house. We bought a bigger popper, started using healthier oils, 

and bought local red kernel corn (from Burr Oaks Farm in Ann Arbor) that we still use today.” 

Pop Daddy now has 8 popcorn flavors, 13 pretzel varieties, and five types of kettle-cooked 

potato shelves lining the shelves of thousands of retailers in the U.S. and five other countries. 


AWARD-WINNING ATTORNEY 

ALEXANDER A. AYAR 

Alexander Ayar is a highly respected attorney who focuses his 

law practice on complex business litigation disputes. His clients 

appropriately seek his legal counsel in matters of the highest 

importance, including when the company is on the line and a 

comprehensive legal strategy from an experienced lawyer is required. 

HONORS & RECOGNITION 

Super Lawyers (Business Litigation, Michigan)(2024) 

DBusiness Top Lawyers (Business Litigation) (2024) 

Avvo Rating: Superb (highest rating)(2024) 

Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent (highest rating)(2024) 

Go To Business Litigators, Michigan Lawyers Weekly (2023) 

Oakland County Executive Elite 40 Under 40 

Up & Coming Lawyers, Michigan Lawyers Weekly (2016) 

Attorney on the Rise, Chaldean American Bar (2016) 

Special Tribute Recipient from the Michigan Legislature 

PRACTICE AREAS 

Business Litigation 

Real Estate Disputes 

Business Breakups & Owner Disputes 

Health Care Litigation 

Construction Litigation 

Appellate Litigation 

A powerhouse attorney who delivers. 

380 N. OLD WOODWARD, SUITE 300, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 248.642.0333 WWRPLAW.COM 

) 1 

10/20/23 10:20 AM 


CHALDEAN 

DIGEST 

PHOTO BY CNS 

Brushing your teeth twice a day is a great 

way to keep your smile healthy. But if you 

don’t floss, you are missing up to 40 percent 

of the surface area of your teeth! Using your 

toothbrush and floss together is the best 

way to remove plaque. 

Delta Dental of Michigan 

Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako celebrates the liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica at 

the Vatican in this 2013 photo. 

Middle East ‘weapons and 

disorder’ win out over timid 

international mediation 

“We are responsible in the search for 

peace, for dialogue: the international 

community, the countries of the Middle 

East are all involved. However, if 

we ourselves do not know how to personally 

put an end to this spiral, it will 

be others who must help us find the 

way to achieve it.” This is the warning 

issued by the Baghdad Patriarch 

of the Chaldeans, Cardinal Louis Raphael 

Sako, in the face of the spiral of 

violence that has engulfed the region, 

bloodied in the past year by conflicts 

of increasingly broader scope: from 

Gaza, with the war launched by Israel 

on Hamas in response to the Oct. 

7, 2023 attack, to Lebanon with the 

“northern front” opened by the Jewish 

state in an attempt to eliminate the 

“threat” of Hezbollah. 

Then there are the other actors 

in the area, from the Shiite Houthi in 

Yemen to Iran, with the prospect of a 

large-scale escalation. “The situation 

is worrying,” he warns, “There is no 

listening to reason and responsibility, 

especially toward civilians who pay 

the highest price. And the international 

assembly is timid, there are appeals 

and mediations, but they are stagnant 

and fail to move forward.” 

For Cardinal Sako, the presence 

of the militias is not only a source of 

concern for regional repercussions, 

because in the recent history of the 

Chaldean Church they have represented 

an element of internal tension 

that threatens to result in a devastating 

rift. The “scandal of the Chaldean 

Church” as the primate calls it, which 

denounces “the influences, even on 

the material level with concrete aid” 

to which some church communities 

are subjected. 

The reference is to one militia in 

particular: the Babylon Brigades of 

self-styled leader Rayan al-Kildani, 

which fomented divisions, maneuvered 

for the withdrawal of the presidential 

decree that resulted in the 

self-exile (who returned months later) 

of Cardinal Sako and prompted five 

bishops to boycott the last Chaldean 

Synod. Some realities, he denounced, 

“receive money and aid from a certain 

militia, they are not autonomous, and 

this is a great wound: the Church does 

not need money, but faith, and the 

clergy must serve in a total way, with 

passion, and independent of certain 

politics or interests.” 

– AsiaNews 



IN MEMORIAM 

Nidhal Bedoshka 

Jul 1, 1953 – 

Sept. 19, 2024 

Hazim Hanna Sesi 

Jul 1, 1941 – 


Gourgia Manjo 

Mar 1, 1941 – 


Yazi Toma Al-Maki 

Nov 12, 1942 – 


Ghazala Jebrael 

Jan 1, 1946 – Sept. 

22, 2024 

Nathaniel Narra 

Aug 4, 2001 – 


Najiba Afoka 

Jul 19, 1938 – 


Robert Yohana 

May 12, 1974 – 


Dhikra Yousif 

Jul 1, 1950 – 


Mary Awad 

Sept. 18, 1927 – 


Nofal Naamo 

Jun 23, 1972 – 


Fatin Shamiwn 

Sept. 19, 1966 – 


Marie Theresa 

Alkamano 

Jul 7, 2001 – 


Matti Barsoun 

Jul 1, 1934 – 


Mary Brjas 

Jul 1, 1939 – 

Oct 1, 2024 

Shamasha Toma 

Yousif 

Jul 1, 1928 – 


Raphy Avedis 

Kasselian 

Aug 2, 1961 – 


Eman Askander 

Dec 30, 1959 – 


Gladis Herfi 

Aug 12, 1940 – 


Majed Yousif Jamil 

Sept. 15, 1959 – 


Haitham 

Jamil Karana 

Jul 28, 1964 – 


Martin Yousif 

Sept. 6, 1982 – 


Shan Yarimian 

Jan 7, 1953 – 


Salman Dawood 

Maroof 

Jul 1, 1933 – 


Bassam Bunni 

Jan 18, 1973 – 


Mikhail Nona 

Nov 17, 1970 – 


Trezia Poulus 

July 1, 1932 – 


Adil Twranie 

Jan 1, 1963 – 


Gassan Kabuta 

Jul 21, 1962 – 


Mari Shmoeel 

Koril 

Jul 1, 1947 – 


Asmar Aziz 

Jul 1, 1942 – 


Ala Youhanan 

Hermiz 

Jul 12, 1966 – 


Akram Abdulahad 

Akrawi 

Oct 19, 1969 – 


Jamal Shakir 

Ibrahim 

Jul 1, 1942 – 


Hanna Haddad 

Jul 1, 1933 – 


Jamil Hermiz Zair 

Jul 1, 1930 – 


Maria Gorial 

Shamoon 

Jul 1, 1941 – 


Philip Habbi Yono 

Apr 20, 1941 – 


Jebrail Hanna 

Rabban 

Jul 17, 1941 – 



There are enough things 

out there going viral. 

Get your COVID-19 

and flu vaccines. 

Help keep your immune system 

from going viral. Talk to your 

health care provider. 

Michigan.gov/COVIDFluRSV 


COVER STORY 

The Sky 

is Not the 

Limit 

Journey of a female Chaldean 

aerospace engineer 

PHOTO COURTESY ZEROG 

BY SARAH KITTLE 

When talking with Diana 

Alsindy, an aerospace engineer 

who leads a team 

of engineers building one of the next 

rockets to the moon, you can hear her 

enthusiasm for the subject matter of 

space. A self-described “expert of the 

system of fluid systems,” Alsindy literally 

works in a rocket factory. 

For a young girl growing up in Iraq, 

“rocket,” was a bad word. In Arabic, 

“rocket” and “missile” use the same 

word. So how did she end up working 

on rockets? It’s a good story. 

Every morning, Diana wakes up at 

6 AM and heads to the “manufacturing 

complex” in Florida. “That’s what 

we call the rocket factories,” explains 

Alsindy. Her day starts in the office 

where she checks her email and responds 

to any outstanding requests, 

then she heads to the factory floor 

where her team is integrating the vehicle 

that will eventually be launched 

into space. 

Creating the vehicle is a team effort, 

and Alsindy stresses that communication 

is probably the most important 

skill for an engineer like her. 

The people who don’t do well as engineers 

are the ones who can’t work with 

a team and can’t communicate, she 

says. “It’s not math, it’s not science, 

it’s not how nice you are. It’s being 

able to communicate.” 

Her dad speaks multiple languages 

but growing up in Iraq, Diana had little 

cause or opportunity to speak English. 

Although her father brought home 

books on English from his travels to 

places like Dubai, she only had rudimentary 

skills in the language herself. 

“It was so minimal and so introductory 

that when I came to the U.S., it was 

very difficult for me to operate like a 

regular student.” ESL classes helped. 

Diana is a born leader, a skill that 

was demonstrated every summer 

of her youth. “I remember so many 

events where I’m in a summer camp 

and I want to lead and I want to speak 

and address people,” Diana remembers. 

She enjoyed public speaking and 

writing so much that her teenage years 

were full of blogs on computer science, 

religion, and photography. That definitely 

helped with developing English 

speaking and writing skills. 

Diana is currently working on New 

Glenn, a “heavy lifter” next-generation 

orbital booster vehicle developed 

by Blue Origin and named after NASA 

astronaut John Glenn, who was the 

first American to orbit Earth. 

Blue Origin is Amazon founder 

Jeff Bezos’ private space company and 

its plans for New Glenn include placing 

manned and unmanned payloads 

into Earth’s orbit. It is designed to be 

able to reuse the first stage of the two 

stages of booster. The $2.5 billion project 

is set to launch this month. Blue’s 

long-standing mission: “We envision 

millions of people living and working 

in space for the benefit of Earth.” 

New Glenn is a very large rocket, 

and according to Alsindy, “a huge 

achievement for humanity.” 

Diana became a manager at Blue 

Origin about two years ago. Since then, 

she’s had to hire and build a team, 

training and mentoring them. “They 

always say, ‘representation matters,’ 

and when you’re sitting in this chair, 

Flying in ZeroG. 

you don’t always realize your potential,” 

Alsindy shared. “Sometimes, 

someone needs to point it out to you.” 

She wouldn’t have even thought of 

applying for a managerial position had 

someone not asked her why she wasn’t 

a manager yet. “I probably wouldn’t 

have joined the industry this aggressively 

if someone didn’t see a potential 

in me,” she states. 

One of her first mentors was in high 

school. “I used to be a photographer,” 

she says. She borrowed thousands of 

dollars in equipment from the photography 

lab in high school and has always 

been interested in photography 

and design. She stayed in contact with 

that teacher through college. “I wanted 

to show him where I’m at,” she says. 

Her math teacher was one of her 


most prominent mentors and encouraged 

Diana to join clubs at University 

of California, San Diego (UCSD). She 

joined two “rocket clubs” and that 

led to “really cool internships.” That’s 

why she always advises students to 

join student clubs. “If there are no 

clubs in your school, create one,” she 

said. “My club was founded by a guy 

in my class.” 

UCSD was the first university to 3D 

print rocket engines and test them using 

metal, which is very complex. The 

club had NASA mentors. Diana led the 

team for three years. “When you come 

out of school and you’re 22 and you’ve 

already led a team and you’ve already 

built a rocket,” says Alsindy, “you’re 

still above average from the regular 

student who’s graduating with a bachelor’s 

degree in engineering.” 

With that on her resume, Alsindy 

garnered internships at NASA, Northrop 

Grumman, and Boeing, along with 

some startups in the space industry. Her 

favorite was with Virgin Orbit and Richard 

Branson. She was a Brooke Owens 

Fellow, a fellowship for women in space. 

Her mentor was a full-blown astronaut. 

“It was so fabulous,” says Alsindy. “So 

amazing that I got to work on a rocket 

hands-on that early in my career.” She 

stayed there for three and half years. 

Although she saw the Apollo missions 

on TV when she was young and 

was fascinated by them, she never 

dreamed she would be able to work as 

a rocket engineer herself. When she 

NASA continued on page 20 


COVER STORY 

NASA continued from page 19 

came to the United States, she discovered 

NASA and deep space exploration 

and by her own description, became 

obsessed. 

When choosing her major in college, 

Alsindy was unaware of the 

versatility of aerospace engineering, 

so she chose chemical engineering, 

which she thought provided more opportunities. 

But then she started reading 

about stories of women who were 

building NASA habitats on Earth and 

became fascinated. 

“Part of me thinking I would fit in 

is because I saw other women doing 

it,” she said. “I have a lot of friends 

who have been to space but very few 

are women. There are only 100 women 

that have been to space in the history 

of mankind.” 

Diana believes it is imperative that 

parents and teachers become mentors 

who tell children about opportunities 

they may not know exist. ‘Sometimes 

you don’t see yourself in the picture 

until someone else sees you there,” 

she says. 

Working in a male dominated 

industry is challenging. “Generally 

speaking, it is intimidating,” says 

Alsindy. “You have to turn the tables 

and be the intimidator.” Gaining the 

confidence to overcome the feeling 

of intimidation takes time. Alsindy 

had to look at herself and her behaviors: 

“The way I speak, the way I write 

emails, the way I conduct myself, even 

the way I think about myself…” 

She has been working in the field 

for a decade now, and once she started 

seeing herself as an expert, that’s when 

the praise and promotions started coming 

to her. “You’re surrounded by very 

smart people and just naturally there 

aren’t many women here, so you always 

feel like you’re out of place. Imposter 

Syndrome is huge,” says Alsindy. “But 

that’s why you have mentors around. 

You have a community that supports 

you and reminds you that you are exactly 

where you need to be.” 

Every day is a challenge. There are 

many components to building and 

launching a rocket. Sometimes it is as 

simple as the weather. There is a lot 

of physics involved, and most rockets 

don’t launch successfully the first 

time. There are hundreds of sensors 

on the rocket that will give meaningful 

Clockwise from top of page: Diana performs a systems check. Working as a Propulsion Development Engineer with 

Virgin Orbit. Working on New Glenn. 

data that needs to be extrapolated and 

analyzed. When your car needs oil, a 

sensor will tell you, but the car will 

still drive. “You don’t get that margin 

with rockets,” says Alsindy. 

When asked if anything is happening 

in the industry that excites 

her, Alsindy replied, “Oh my God! Just 

yesterday, SpaceX conducted the first 

civilian spacewalk, and this is history 

being made!” 

Alsindy hosts a website called The 

Arabian Stargazer. “It’s basically a bilingual 

science communication platform,” 

she explains. It initially targeted 

Arab youth but has grown significantly 

in the last five years. “Women building 

rockets and Iraqi women building 

rockets seems like a very weird and odd 

thing to say, and not many people have 

done it,” says Alsindy. “That’s exactly 

my mission. I want to normalize it just 

like any other career. 

“Building rockets is becoming as 

needed as building cars so it’s important 

for us to raise the next generation 

to be part of STEM and pursue these 

careers.” She wants to see more youth 

from the Middle East represented in 

this field. Mesopotamians were the 

pioneers of astronomy and math. “We 

were the originals,” says Alsindy. “We 

were the OG’s.” 

People who have been to space often 

talk about the “overview effect,” 

and how the Earth has no borders from 

space. When asked if she had aspirations 

to go into space herself, Diana 

answered, “If anybody would sponsor 

me, it’s definitely on the agenda, yes!” 

Diana just turned 30 and is really 

looking forward to this next new 

age of human spaceflight. “You really 

can reach for the stars,” says Alsindy. 

“Humans are naturally curious and 

natural explorers. There’s so much 

out there in space we haven’t discovered 

yet. There are billions of stars and 

billions of galaxies just waiting to be 

explored. I don’t think any day will be 

boring in space.” 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ARABIAN STARGAZER 


HIRING 

WE ARE 

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

Join our ever expanding team! 

Case Worker 

Early Childhood Development Instructor 

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

Office Clerk 

Advocacy 

Acculturation 

Community Development 

Cultural Preservation 

For More Information 

HR@chaldeanfoundation.org 

586-722-7253 

www.chaldeanfoundation.org/careers 


FEATURE 

A Pivotal Moment 

in American Politics 

The 2024 U.S. presidential election 

BY PAUL NATINSKY 

If recent polls and elections are a 

guide—and, really, what else do we 

have? —the coming presidential election 

features fairly even splits supporting 

Vice President Kamala Harris and 

Former President Donald Trump, with a 

small group of undecided voters in the 

middle. A more decisive issue might be 

how many supporters in each camp— 

and the middle—decide to stay home 

versus coming out to the polls. 

“Here’s what’s going to happen, 

the bottom line is that it’s going to 

depend on who stays home and who 

shows up at the ballot. This is not a 

crossover vote, this is who can get 

their people to the polls,” said veteran 

pollster Ed Sarpolus from Target 

Insyght. 

“The problem now is that 

you’ve got a lot of people who may 

not vote for president—they’ll 

skip the top of the ticket and vote 

on the rest of the ballot.” 

Sarpolus says Trump’s strategy 

will be to keep independent 

voters who lean toward supporting 

Harris on their couches 

come election day. 

“Here’s what Trump’s doing. 

He knows he tops out in 

the voting at 47%. He has a 

peak. He knows he has to suppress 

votes. Suppress votes, 

that’s his only job. 

“He’s basically got to 

get those independents and 

those Democrats saying, 

‘Yeah Harris is a weak person. 

She’s a woman. She’s 

the wrong gender, the 

wrong color. She’s one of 

those immigrant types.’ 

They’re not going to vote 

for him, but they’re going 

to stay home and not 

vote for her.” 

Below is an overview 

of key issues in the 

campaign, with an emphasis on issues 

that affect this newspaper’s readership 

most directly. 

Economy and Taxes 

Harris has said her top priority would 

be trying to reduce food and housing 

costs for working families. 

She promises to ban price-gouging 

on groceries, help first-time home buyers 

and provide incentives to increase 

housing supply. 

Harris wants to raise taxes on big 

businesses and Americans making 

$400,000 a year. 

But she has also unveiled a number 

of measures that would ease the 

tax burden on families, including an 

expansion of child tax credits. 

Harris will be tied to the Biden 

economic agenda, but she has begun 

to offer some ideas of her own – primarily 

an emphasis on family-friendly 

topics such as paid leave and childcare 

support. In general, she has 

shown support when she was in the 

Senate for more progressive economic 

policies and could well appoint some 

more liberal-leaning candidates when 

vacancies arise. 

Trump has promised to end inflation 

and make America affordable again. 

He has promised to deliver lower 

interest rates and he says deporting 

undocumented immigrants will ease 

pressure on housing. 

Trump’s first turn in office was 

marked by a huge tax cut, deregulation 

of industry and trade wars with 

economic competitors – most notably 

China. Trump proposes a number 

of tax cuts worth trillions, including 

an extension of his 2017 cuts. He says 

he will pay for them through higher 

growth and tariffs on imports. 

Specifically, he has said he favors 

lowering the corporate income tax rate 

to 15% from 21%, advocates for a much 

broader, across-the-board 10% tariff 

PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/AP 


on imported goods, and promises to 

reverse a lot of the green energy subsidies 

and mandates that the Biden administration 

has championed. He has 

also promised to take care of inflation 

and lower interest rates, which the 

Fed controls, but has not said how he 

would do this. 

Analysts say both tax plans will 

add to the ballooning deficit. 

Energy and Environment 

Harris and Trump offer starkly different 

visions regarding energy and 

environmental policy, reflecting their 

respective party ideologies. 

Harris champions a comprehensive 

approach to combat climate 

change, emphasizing the transition 

to renewable energy sources like solar 

and wind. She advocates for bold legislation, 

such as the Green New Deal, 

aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse 

gas emissions by 2050. Harris 

believes that investing in clean energy 

can create millions of jobs while protecting 

the environment, addressing 

both climate issues and economic inequality. 

Trump prioritizes energy independence 

and economic growth over 

environmental regulations. His administration 

rolled back numerous 

environmental protections, arguing 

that such regulations hinder job creation 

and harm the economy. Trump 

supports the use of fossil fuels, including 

coal, oil, and natural gas, and 

promotes initiatives like deregulating 

drilling and mining activities to boost 

domestic energy production. He often 

downplays the urgency of climate 

change, focusing instead on what he 

sees as the immediate benefits of traditional 

energy sources. 

These conflicting approaches highlight 

a broader debate in U.S. policy: Harris’s 

commitment to sustainability and 

climate action versus Trump’s emphasis 

on energy independence and economic 

pragmatism, shaping the future of America’s 

environmental landscape. 

Immigration 

Harris was assigned to tackle the root 

causes of the southern border crisis and 

helped raise billions of dollars of private 

money to make regional investments 

aimed at stemming the flow north. 

Record numbers of people crossed 

from Mexico at the end of 2023 but the 

numbers have fallen 

since. In this campaign, 

she has taken a stronger 

position and emphasized 

her experience as a prosecutor 

in California taking 

on human traffickers. 

Trump has vowed to 

seal the border by completing 

the construction 

of a wall and increasing 

enforcement. But he urged 

Republicans to ditch a 

hardline, cross-party border 

bill, backed by Harris. 

He has also promised the 

biggest mass deportation of 

undocumented migrants in 

US history. 

In The End Analysis 

Regardless of whether the election 

hinges on voter turnout, 

top-of-the-ticket skipping, gender 

bias or any other obscure or 

common-sense factor, this is going 

to be a close contest. 

Trump’s message hasn’t really 

changed much and has proven 

difficult for Republican strategists 

to mold. A near-consensus of analysts 

predict his base will be solid 

and immune to being swayed by 

his statements and antics. 

If Trump is defeated, major 

questions about the Republican 

Party’s future push their way to the 

front as scores of disaffected former 

Republican politicians, bureaucrats 

and party officials wait on the sidelines. 

For Harris, the picture is a bit more 

complicated. In addition to questions 

about race and gender bias, Harris has 

to differentiate herself from President 

Joe Biden and defend a move toward the 

center after her tenure as a legislator that 

featured cooperation with far-left pols 

and espousing progressive proposals. 

The Democratic Party’s base is also 

in flux, with a growing image as an elitist 

party with an increasing focus on women’s 

issues. Challenges to gain and keep male 

voters—especially Black male voters—will 

be key to keeping the White House. 

The rocky and unpredictable ride to the 

election might be only the beginning of a jarring 

journey that continues after votes are 

counted a few weeks from now, with both 

parties revisiting their core principles and 

long-held policies. 

PHOTO BY ALEX BRANDON/AP

FEATURE 

Michigan Senate Race 

Slotkin, Rogers slug it out in fight to the finish 


As a heated election season 

builds momentum 

for the final stretch, 

two Michigan U.S. Senate candidates 

continue their pitched 

battle to the finish. 

Mike Rogers and Elissa 

Slotkin are running to succeed 

Democratic Senator Debbie 

Stabenow, who is retiring after 

serving four terms. 

Congresswoman Slotkin 

and former U.S. Representative 

Rogers have remarkably comparable 

resumes, despite their 

seats on opposite sides of the 

aisle. 

Both have extensive experience 

representing Michigan in 

Congress from the same district— 

Rogers from 2001 to 2015 and 

Slotkin from 2019 to the present. 

Both worked for the federal government 

prior to their legislative careers. 

Rogers served in the Army for four years 

and then as an FBI agent. Slotkin was a 

CIA analyst and later worked for the Department 

of Defense. 

The differences between the candidates 

are stark in some areas and nebulous 

in others, as evidenced by candidate 

responses in two recent debates. 

Elissa Slotkin on left faces Mike Rogers in the race for a U.S. Senate seat. 

Inflation and the Economy 

On the key front-and-center issue of inflation, 

price surges zapped consumers 

during the COVID-19 pandemic—particularly 

for food, gas, rent and other 

necessities. Inflation reached a peak in 

mid-2022 at 9.1% but has since eased, 

with a year-over-year increase of 2.5% 

in August marking a three-year low. 

In the most recent debate between 

the candidates, Rogers mentioned 

making the country “energy independent,” 

undoing new regulations he 

said will cost $1.6 trillion and curtailing 

federal spending. 

Slotkin countered that if there was 

a “silver bullet” to solve inflation, it 

would have been fired. She highlighted 

three policies — bringing manufacturing 

and supply chains back to the U.S., 

“attacking” the cost of health care, 

child care and housing, and backing a 

tax policy “that actually supports the 

middle class.” 

Electric Vehicles 

EVs and the batteries that power 

them are prime debate fodder as evolving 

technology comes increasingly to 

the forefront in the auto industry. 

Slotkin said she does not care what 

kind of car people drive but cares 

about who builds the next generation 

of vehicles. 

“Literally it’s either going to be us 

or China. Right now, China is eating 

our lunch on these types of vehicles,” 

she said, pointing to how the Detroit 

3 automakers lost ground to Japanese 

and Korean automakers that built 

smaller, fuel-efficient cars in the 1970s 

and 1980s. “I want Michigan to build 

them. To me, I just don’t understand 

this idea of just ceding that ground 

to China. My opponent is happy to let 

them eat our lunch in places like Europe 

and South America. I am not willing 

to do that.” 

Rogers accused Slotkin of voting in 

favor of EV “mandates,” a likely reference 

to her opposing Republican attempts 

to stop new federal emissions 

rules that the government estimates 

will lead to 56% of U.S. sales being EVs 

in 2032. He said she is “trying to pick 

the cars that our companies have to 

build and the cars that you’re going to 

have to buy.” 

“There’s a better way to get where 

we want to go, like hybrids. By the 

way, you don’t have to plug it in and 

you get to keep the automakers that 

are in in the state,” Rogers said, noting 

how Michigan has some 1 million 

auto-related jobs. 

The argument on this issue continued 

as Slotkin retorted that Rogers 

should join efforts to build domestic 

supply chains, an indirect nod to laws 

like the Inflation Reduction Act, which 

has federal incentives to onshore manufacturing. 

“We all had our ‘come to Jesus’ in 

the pandemic,” Slotkin said. “We all 

figured that we had overextended ourselves 

into China. So we started bringing 

all kinds of parts back, all kinds of 

mining back, all kinds of things that 

are important to that supply chain.” 

Housing 

The flashpoint on this issue is Kamala 

Harris’ proposed $25,000 in down payment 

assistance for some first-time 

homebuyers. 

Slotkin commented she needed to 

see the proposal’s details and did not 

commit her support. She favors public-private 

partnerships where 

there is some taxpayer money, 

“a lot of private builder money” 

and a certain number of units 

designated to meet affordability 

challenges. 

“There’s a lot of different 

ways that we can do it. But it’s 

about increasing the housing 

stock,” Slotkin said. 

Rogers, on the other hand, 

opposed Harris’ plan, saying a 

$25,000 federal subsidy would 

increase housing costs by 

$25,000. 

“It doesn’t work. The No. 

1 reason people can’t afford 

homes, including in my own 

family, is interest rates,” he 

said, adding, “If you want to 

get to the root of this, we have 

to stop spending. We have to 

stop (borrowing money that we 

don’t have a way to pay back).” 

More Alike Than Different? 

Despite their policy differences, Slotkin 

and Rogers’ comparable resumes 

and electoral success in the same congressional 

district led the Detroit Regional 

Chamber of Commerce to withhold 

an endorsement in this race. 

“Unlike some campaigns where 

voters are confronted with only unsatisfactory 

options, the race between 

Elissa Slotkin and Mike Rogers represents 

something rare — two exceptionally 

strong candidates who would 

serve Michigan well,” president and 

CEO Sandy Baruah said in a statement. 

“Both Congresswoman Slotkin and 

former Congressman Rogers are far 

superior candidates to what television 

ads would have you believe.” 

Baruah said the candidates are similar, 

with “proven national security credentials, 

a record for bipartisanship and 

willingness to buck their party extremists, 

an open and welcoming door to the 

business community, and partnership 

with the Chamber on key issues.” 

“Slotkin or Rogers? Either way, 

Michigan wins,” Baruah said. 


ARE YOU 

HIRING? 

PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING IN ONE 

OF OUR NEW AMERICANS. 

WHAT WE DO 

The Career Services Department at the Chaldean Community Foundation offers one-on-one assistance to help 

clients identify goals and develop careers. 

• Career Fairs 

• Employer Referrals 

• Job Application Completion 

• Training Opportunities 

• Resume Building 

• Mock Interviews 

• Cover Letter Writing 

• FAFSA Completion 

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

clients, please call or email Elias at 586.722.7253 

or elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org 

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


FEATURE 

A Visit with 

Prime Minister 

Al Sudani 

CCF’s continuing mission to 

improve the lives of Iraqi Christians 

BY CN STAFF 

From left, Martin Manna, Prime Minister Al Sudani, and Mike Sarafa. 

On Sunday, September 22, Chaldean 

Community Foundation 

(CCF) President Martin Manna 

visited with Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed 

Shia’ Al Sudani at the annual 

United National General Assembly in 

New York City. He was accompanied 

by the General Counsel to the CCF, Michael 

Sarafa. Other than a translator, 

there was no one else in the room. 

The Prime Minister looked a little 

weary, perhaps from a long overseas 

flight, but was otherwise warm, engaging 

and in good spirits. The meeting 

lasted for over 40 minutes. 

First and foremost on the agenda 

was to discuss assistance in rebuilding 

the Christian and other minority villages 

in the Nineveh Plain and support 

to hire more members of the community 

within the Federal Government 

and Community Police Force. Prime 

Minister Sudani was very receptive to 

this notion and committed to free up 

not only previously designated funds 

allocated to the Nineveh Governate, 

but also new funds controlled directly 

by the central government for purposes 

such as these. 

Documents were shared with the 

Prime Minister that highlighted the 

Foundation’s priorities in Iraq, including 

the implementation of Article 125 

of the Iraqi Constitution, rebuilding of 

minority villages in the Nineveh Plain, 

reversal of the Alcohol Ban, preservation 

of Chaldean identity, and a national 

education campaign about the 

historical contributions of Iraqi Christians 

to Iraqi civilization. 

Specifically emphasized was the 

vital necessity of activating Article 

125, as it holds the potential to mitigate 

emigration and foster prosperity 

in the Nineveh Plain. This initiative is 

particularly impactful in the districts 

of Hamdaniya and Telkeif, where the 

establishment of administrative units, 

recruitment of local police from the 

area’s populace, and creation of more 

job opportunities are feasible. 

Recently in Najaf, the subdistrict 

of Al-Barakia was created, which set a 

precedent to create similar districts for 

the Yazidi and Shabak communities in 

Alqosh and Bartella. This will address 

the issues of all the minority populations 

in the region. The subdistricts can 

be initiated through a majority vote of 

the Nineveh Provencial Council. 

His Excellency, again, invited a CCF 

delegation to visit Baghdad to further 

discuss these issues and, importantly, 

was very receptive to visiting the Christian 

villages in the north, accompanied 

by this delegation. The Prime Minister 

encouraged the CCF to continue with 

its efforts. He also recalled with fondness 

his trip to Michigan earlier this 

spring and the pride he felt in the accomplishments 

of the Iraqi Chaldean 

Community in Michigan. 

Said Manna, “Prime Minister Sudani 

represents the best hope in 20 

years to not only stabilize Iraq, but to 

create a true national republic where 

all people have equal opportunity, security, 

and government that works for 

all the Iraqi people.” 

TRANSLATION 

مؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية 

مستمرة يف تعزيز مهامتها 

لتحسني حياة املسيحيني 

يف العراق 

بقلم طاقم مجلة اخبار الكلدان 

‏)كالديان نيوز(‏ 

التقى رئيس مؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية مارتن منا دولة 

رئيس الوزراء العراقي محمد شياع السوداين يوم األحد 

22 سبتمرب‎2024‎‏،‏ عىل هامش حضوره االجتامع السنوي 

للجمعية العامة لألمم املتحدة يف مدينة نيويورك،‏ 

وكان برفقته املستشار القانوين العام ملؤسسة الجالية 

الكلدانية مايكل رصافا،‏ وباستثناء حضور املرتجم،‏ مل 

يكن هناك أحد آخر يف غرفة االجتامع.‏ 

بدا رئيس الوزراء متعبًا بعض اليشء،‏ رمبا بسبب 

رحلة طويلة إىل الخارج،‏ ولكنه كان ودودًا ومشاركًا 

ومعنوياته جيدة.‏ استمر االجتامع ألكرث من 40 دقيقة.‏ 

كان أول وأهم فقرات جدول األعامل اثناء اللقاء 

مناقشة املساعدة يف إعادة بناء البلدات املسيحية 

وغريها من القرى التي تقطنها أقليات يف سهل نينوى،‏ 

ودعم توظيف املزيد من أفراد املجتمع داخل نظام 

الحكومة الفيدرالية وقوة الرشطة املجتمعية.‏ وكان 

رئيس الوزراء السوداين متقباًلً‏ جدًا لهذه املقرتحات 

والتزم بتحرير وإطاًلق ليس فقط األموال املخصصة 

سابقًا ملحافظة نينوى،‏ بل أيضً‏ ا تخصيص األموال 

الجديدة التي تسيطر عليها الحكومة املركزية مبارشة 

ألغراض دعم وتنفيذ هذه املقرتحات.‏ 

وتم تبادل الوثائق مع رئيس الوزراء والتي سلطت 

الضوء عىل أولويات املؤسسة يف العراق،‏ مبا يف ذلك 

تنفيذ املادة 125 من الدستور العراقي،‏ وإعادة بناء 

القرى التي تقطنها األقليات يف سهل نينوى،‏ وإلغاء قانون 

حظر الكحول،‏ والحفاظ عىل الهوية الكلدانية،‏ وتأسيس 

حملة تثقيفية وطنية تبني األدوار واملساهامت التاريخية 

للمسيحيني العراقيني يف بناء أسس الحضارة العراقية.‏ 

وتم التأكيد بشكل خاص عىل الرضورة الحيوية 

لتفعيل املادة 125 يف الدستور العراقي،‏ ألنها تحمل 

القدرة عىل التخفيف من الهجرة وتعزيز الرخاء يف 

سهل نينوى،‏ كام وتؤثر هذه املبادرة الحيوية بشكل 

خاص عىل قضاءي الحمدانية وتلكيف،‏ حيث ميكن 

إنشاء وحدات إدارية،‏ وتجنيد الرشطة املحلية من 

سكان املنطقة،‏ وخلق املزيد من فرص العمل.‏ 

وللعلم تم مؤخرا يف محافظة النجف،‏ إنشاء ناحية 

الرباكية،‏ وهذه الخطوة شكلت سابقة إلنشاء مناطق 

مامثلة للمجتمعات اليزيدية والشبكية يف القوش وبرطلة،‏ 

وهذا من شأنه أن يعالج قضايا جميع األقليات يف 

املنطقة،‏ علامً‏ بأن إنشاء هذه املناطق الفرعية ميكن أن 

يتم من خاًلل تصويت األغلبية يف مجلس محافظة نينوى.‏ 

بادر دولة رئيس الوزراء مرة أخرى ووجه الدعوة لوفد 

من مؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية لزيارة بغداد ملناقشة هذه 

القضايا بشكل أكرب،‏ واألهم من ذلك أنه كان متقباًلً‏ للغاية 

للقيام شخصياً‏ بزيارة القرى املسيحية يف محافظات الشامل 

وأن يكون برفقة الوفد الزائر اثناء الزيارة املستقبلية.‏ 

وشجع رئيس الوزراء مؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية عىل 

مواصلة جهودها املجتمعية واإلنسانية يف خدمة املواطنني 

واستذكر بكل ود وشغف رحلته األخرية إىل والية ميشيغان 

وزيارة الجالية العراقية والكلدانية يف وقت سابق من 

ربيع 2024 والفخر واالعتزاز الذي شعر به تجاه إنجازات 

املجتمع الكلداين العراقي يف والية ميشيغان.‏ 

وتعليقاً‏ عىل ما تم قال مارتن منّا:‏ ‏“إن دولة 

رئيس الوزراء السوداين ميثل أفضل أمل نعارصه منذ 

عرشين عامًا ليس فقط لتحقيق االستقرار يف العراق،‏ 

بل وأيضً‏ ا إلنشاء جمهورية وطنية حقيقية يتمتع فيها 

جميع الناس بفرص متساوية،‏ تحفظ األمن واالستقرار،‏ 

وحكومة تعمل لصالح جميع أطياف الشعب العراقي”.‏ 


43700 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI 48314 

COMING SPRING 2025 

BRAND NEW ONE AND TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS IN STERLING HEIGHTS 

FEATURES & AMENITIES 

• Energy efficient appliances, 

including dishwasher 

• Individual unit heating and cooling 

• In-unit washer and dryer 

• Granite countertops 

April 2025 

43700 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI 48314 

• Luxury flooring 

• Cable and fiber Internet 

• Controlled building access 

• Central elevators 

All residential units at Tigris Tower are 

available for individuals and families at 

or below 60% of the Area Median Income 

for Macomb County. 

*Please see chart for eligibility requirements. 

• Professional on-site management 

• Resident lounge and fitness center 

• Convenient parking 

• First floor commercial space 

AVAILABILITY 

UNIT REQUIREMENTS 

NUMBER OF 

BEDROOMS 

NUMBER OF 

UNITS 

* ANTICIPATED 

RENTAL RATE 

HOUSEHOLD SIZE 

MAXIMUM INCOME 

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

2 $46,080.00 

3 $51,840.00 

To learn more and explore a 

virtual tour, scan QR code 

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

3 $51,840.00 

4 $57,540.00 

5 $62,160.00 

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

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

rent rate will vary based on MSHDA market rates. 

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


FEATURE 

Hungary Helps 

Consul General of the Republic 

of Hungary visits the CCF 

BY CN STAFF 

The Consul General of the Republic 

of Hungary, Balasz Martonffy, 

based in Chicago, Illinois, 

visited the Chaldean Community 

Foundation on Friday, October 4 while 

he was in Michigan to learn about the 

activities and programs of the Chaldean 

Community Foundation. 

His Excellency the Consul was received 

by Mr. Martin Manna, President 

of the Foundation, Dr. Adhid Miri, 

Projects Manager, and Attorney Mike 

Sarafa. 

At the beginning of the visit, Martonffy 

toured the halls of the building, 

gaining a general overview of the 

projects and programs of the Chaldean 

Community Foundation. He learned 

that the Foundation is a charitable, 

non-profit community service organization 

branching out from the 

Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, 

and that it dedicates its various 

programs to supporting and assisting 

members of the community and helping 

them adapt to American society 

and alleviate the difficulties they encounter 

after arriving in this country. 

After the tour, CCF staff welcomed 

the honorable guest and thanked 

him for the valuable assistance that 

the Republic of Hungary has provided 

and continues to provide to Iraqi 

Christians. Hungary is considered 

the largest international supporter of 

Christians in the towns of the Nineveh 

Plain and the Kurdistan Region; it has 

taken the initiative to build schools, 

rehabilitate homes, support projects, 

solve difficulties related to Christians, 

and facilitate the conditions of the rest 

of the indigenous components in Iraq. 

During the meeting details were 

shared about the CCF’s projects under 

development, including the new 

branch of the Foundation in West 

Bloomfield and the residential apartment 

project for low-income people 

under construction on Van Dyke Avenue 

in Sterling Heights. Topics also 

The Consul General of the Republic of Hungary, Balasz Martonffy, is greeted 

at the Chaldean Community Foundation by CCF president Martin Manna and 

Dr. Adhid Miri. 

discussed were the Iraqi legislation of 

the unfair law on the import, manufacture, 

sale, and consumption of 

alcoholic beverages and the negative 

impact on the livelihoods of Christians 

and Yazidis in the country. 

The Consul was impressed by the 

Foundation’s projects and services, 

and the new building’s pillars, as he 

considers these visits and programs 

for exchanging experiences with diplomats, 

businessmen, and pioneers an 

important part of his duty. He also sees 

the Foundation’s activities as a useful 

step to build human and commercial 

relations and strengthen ties between 

the Michigan and Hungarian communities. 

Martonffy hopes the efforts will 

open new horizons for twinning projects 

between cities and states and support 

everyone who seeks to develop 

self-efficiencies and create opportunities 

and pillars of success. 

The Consul stressed his happiness 

with this visit and his desire to develop 

relations and exchange experiences. 

He also reflected his desire to exchange 

visits, cooperation, communication, 

and partnership between the Chaldean 

Community Foundation as well as humanitarian 

service institutions in the 

states of Michigan, Illinois, and Iraq. 

At the end of the visit, the Consul 

General and his family praised the 

useful services provided by the Chaldean 

Community Foundation and 

the Foundation’s staff in this blessed 

work. He expressed his desire and 

readiness to work together and benefit 

from the Foundation’s expertise 

to support future initiatives, contribute 

to and strengthen the programs 

of community and charitable institutions, 

and exchange visits between the 

two teams. 

Martonffy extended an invitation 

to attendees to visit Budapest, the capital 

of Hungary, to introduce citizens 

to the history, roles, and successes of 

Iraqi Christians in the homeland and 

abroad, hoping that goodness and 

peace would prevail in the world and 

that all institutions and donors would 

strive and work to support and assist 

those who remain of our people wherever 

they are, especially in Iraq. 

TRANSLATION 

القنصل العام 

لجمهورية هنغاريا 

‏)املجر(‏ يزور مؤسسة 

الجالية الكلدانية 

بقلم مجلة اخبار الكلدان 

قام القنصل العام لجمهورية / املجر ‏)باالش مارتينويف(‏ 

املقيم يف شيكاغو،‏ والية إلينوي،‏ بزيارة مؤسسة الجالية 

الكلدانية يوم الجمعة 4 أكتوبر 2024 أثناء وجوده يف 

والية ميشيغان من اجل االطاًلع والتعرف عىل أنشطة 

وبرامج مؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية.‏ 

استقبل سعادة القنصل السيد مارتن مانا،‏ رئيس املؤسسة،‏ 

والدكتور عضيد مريي،‏ مدير املشاريع،‏ واملحامي مايك 

رصافة،‏ وقام القنصل يف بداية الزيارة بجولة يف أروقة املبنى،‏ 

واكتسب نظرة عامة عىل مشاريع وبرامج مؤسسة الجالية 

الكلدانية.‏ وعلم أن املؤسسة هي منظمة خريية غري ربحية 

لخدمةاملجتمع تتفرع من غرفةالتجارةالكلدانيةاألمريكية،‏ 

وأنها تكرس برامجها املختلفة لدعم وإسناد أعضاء الجالية 

ومساعدتهم عىلالتكيف معاملجتمعاألمرييك وتخفيف 

الصعوبات التي يواجهونها بعد وصولهم إىل هذا البلد.‏ 

وبعد الجولة رحب املُستقبلني وموظفي املؤسسة 

بالضيف الكريم وشكروه عىل املساعدات القيمة التي 

قدمتها وما زالت تقدمها جمهورية هنغاريا ‏)املجر(‏ 

للمسيحيني العراقيني،‏ إذ تعترب املجر أكرب داعم دويل 

للمسيحيني يف مدن سهل نينوى وإقليم كردستان،‏ 

وبادرت يف بناء املدارس وتأهيل املنازل ودعم املشاريع 

وحل الصعوبات املتعلقة باملسيحيني وتسهيل ظروف 

بقية املكونات األصيلة يف العراق.‏ 

وخاًلل اللقاء تم تبادل التفاصيل حول مشاريع 

املؤسسة قيد التطوير،‏ مبا يف ذلك الفرع الجديد 

للمؤسسة يف مدينة ويست بلومفيلد ومرشوع الشقق 

السكنية لذوي الدخل املحدود الذي هو قيد اإلنشاء يف 

موقع شارع فان دايك يف مدينة ستريلنك هايتس.‏ كام 

متت مناقشة الترشيعات العراقية للقانون الجائر بشأن 

استرياد وتصنيع وبيع واستهاًلك املرشوبات الكحولية 

والتأثري السلبي عىل سبل عيش املسيحيني واليزيدين 

يف الباًلد.‏ 

وأبدى القنصل إعجابه مبشاريع وخدمات املؤسسة 

وركائز املبنى الجديد،‏ حيث يعترب هذه الزيارات 

والربامج لتبادل الخربات مع الدبلوماسيني ورجال 

األعامل والرواد جزءاً‏ مهامً‏ من واجبه،‏ كام يرى أن 

أنشطة املؤسسة متُ‏ ثل خطوات مفيدة لبناء العاًلقات 

اإلنسانية والتجارية وتعزيز الروابط بني املجتمعني يف 

والية ميشيغان واملجر.‏ ويأمل القنصل مارتينويف أن 

تفتح الجهود املشرتكة آفاقاً‏ جديدة ملشاريع التوأمة 

بني املدن والواليات ودعم كل من يسعى إىل تطوير 

الكفاءة الذاتية وخلق الفرص وتأسيس ركائز النجاح.‏ 

وأكد القنصل عىل سعادته بهذه الزيارة ورغبته يف 

تطوير العاًلقات وتبادل الخربات،‏ كام عكس رغبته يف 

تبادل الزيارات والتعاون والتواصل والرشاكة بني مؤسسة 

الجالية الكلدانية وكذلك مؤسسات الخدمات اإلنسانية يف 

واليتي ميشيغان وإلينوي وكذلك يف العراق.‏ 

يف نهاية الزيارة أشاد القنصل العام وعائلته املرافقة 

له بالخدمات املفيدة التي تقدمها مؤسسة الجالية 

الكلدانية واملوظفني املتميزين يف هذا العمل املبارك.‏ 

وأعرب عن رغبته واستعداده للعمل املشرتك واالستفادة 

من خربات املؤسسة ودعم املبادرات املستقبلية 

واملساهمة يف تعزيز برامج املؤسسات املجتمعية 

والخريية وتبادل الزيارات بني الفريقني.‏ ووجه مارتينويف 

لطاقم إدارة املؤسسة دعوة لزيارة بودابست عاصمة 

هنغاريا/املجر لتعريف املواطنني هناك بتاريخ وأدوار 

ونجاحات املسيحيني العراقيني يف الوطن واملهجر،‏ آماًلً‏ 

أن يعم الخري والساًلم يف العامل ومتمنياً‏ أن تسعى جميع 

املؤسسات والجهات املانحة وتعمل عىل دعم ومساعدة 

من تبقى من أبناء شعبنا أينام كانوا وخاصة يف العراق.‏ 


PRESCHOOL 

• For children ages 3 and 4 

• Helps young children to develop academically, socially, 

and emotionally 

• Teaches them new skills that will help later on, when they learn 

to read, write, and do math 

• Teaches phonemic awareness, communication and social skills 

• Encourages curiosity, creativity, and independence 

• Center-based activities that allow children to play, while still 

connecting them to the area of learning 

2 OR 3 DAYS A WEEK BASED ON CHILD’S AGE 

Morning Session 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

or Afternoon Session 12:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Little 

Scholars 

PRESCHOOL AND PRE-KINDERGARTEN 

September 9, 2024 – June 13, 2025 

PRE KINDERGARTEN 

• Helps young children transition into Kindergarten 

• Enhances the academic, social, and emotional skills learned 

in preschool 

• Learn concepts in reading, writing, math 

and science 

• Teaches specific phonics instruction and reading ageappropriate 

books 

• Encourages curiosity, creativity, and independence 

• Center-based activities, small group, and 

one-on-one instruction 

MONDAY – FRIDAY 

Morning Session 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. 

or Afternoon Session 12:45 – 4:15 p.m. 

$100 

REGISTRATION 

FEE 

WANT TO LEARN MORE? 

Please contact Rachel Hall 

at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call (586) 722-7253 

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


IRAQ TODAY 

PHOTO BY HADI MIZBAN/AP 

Friends and relatives attend a funeral for the victims who died in a fire during a wedding ceremony in Hamdaniya, Iraq, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. 

When Life Stopped in an Instant 

The first anniversary of the Hamdaniya tragedy 

BY HANAN QIA 

Around this time last year, the 

town of Qaraqosh (Bakhdida) 

was shaken by a tragic event 

that its residents will remember for 

years to come. A fire broke out during 

a wedding in a hall, resulting in the 

deaths of dozens, most of whom were 

from the same families. Survivors and 

the injured were left in shock, as the 

tragedy devastated the community. 

This was not a fleeting event; it was 

a disaster that altered the town’s character 

and deeply impacted the hearts 

of its people. On the first anniversary 

of this heartbreaking incident, we 

conducted an exclusive interview with 

Mr. Issam Behnam, the district mayor, 

who provided a comprehensive view 

of the event and its aftermath. 

Number of Victims and Depth 

of the Tragedy 

Mr. Issam Behnam somberly stated, 

“The death toll reached 134, including 

50 children, and 200 were injured. 

Most of the injured have recovered, 

but there are still eight cases undergoing 

treatment, and they have been 

sent abroad twice for medical care.” 

These figures are not just statistics; 

they represent broken lives, families 

that lost loved ones, and children deprived 

of their parents’ care. 

The numbers tell the story of a catastrophe, 

but Mr. Behnam added, 

“Some families lost between one and 

six members, and all of the victims 

were from the Christian community. 

That night was nothing short of a disaster, 

and the emotional and psychological 

impacts have been devastating.” 

Impact on the Community 

The incident had profound social and 

economic effects on the town. Mr. 

Behnam explained, “Some families 

lost the head of the household, while 

others lost both parents, leaving children 

orphaned. We are dealing with a 

complex humanitarian tragedy, where 

many widows and orphans have 

emerged, and some families have certainly 

been economically affected.” 

We are dealing with a 

complex humanitarian 

tragedy, where 

many widows and orphans 

have emerged. 

He emphasized the importance of 

the support and sympathy the town 

received in the aftermath of the incident 

but noted that the effects of the 

tragedy are still present. “Many survivors 

suffer from psychological trauma 

and are in need of treatment. In coordination 

with the church, a psychological 

support team has been formed 

to follow up on those affected.” 

The church played a crucial role 

in restoring confidence in the government’s 

measures, as well as in raising 

awareness, guiding the community, 

and coordinating with organizations 

that provided various types of support. 

Mr. Issam Behnam, in his capacity as 

district mayor, was also instrumental 

in attracting support through coordination 

with the government, international 

organizations, and the church. 

Efforts of Support and Assistance 

Mr. Behnam elaborated, “We have a 

psychological support team, but it 

lacks a dedicated building. A plot of 

land has been allocated for this purpose, 

but we need financial support to 

construct the building.” The situation 

here is a call to all to stand with the 

community and help it rebuild its life. 

He also noted that “all buildings 


and institutions have been inspected 

by the formed committee, and the 

majority have complied with safety 

measures. However, unfortunately, no 

significant changes have been made in 

the organization of wedding celebrations, 

which raises concerns about the 

future of such events.” 

Legal Challenges and 

Government Support 

Regarding government support, Mr. 

Behnam highlighted intervention by the 

Prime Minister’s Office, which allocated 

financial compensation of 10 million dinars 

to the families of the deceased and 5 

million dinars to those with burn injuries. 

However, the district mayor expressed 

regret that the proposed legislation 

for a Disaster Victims Law, approved 

by the Cabinet, has yet to be ratified by 

Parliament. “This is the long-term support 

that could protect widows and orphans. 

We need effective legislation to 

guarantee the rights of the affected and 

provide them with a better future.” 

How the Community 

Commemorated the Tragedy 

Mr. Behnam confirmed, “The tragedy 

remains etched in the minds of the victims’ 

families. Some of them held private 

memorials at their homes and received 

condolences, while masses were held 

in churches, and cemetery visits were 

made. There were also community events 

and marches to mark the anniversary.” 

The commemoration saw strong 

participation from the community, 

showing their solidarity and support 

for the victims’ families. However, Mr. 

Behnam also pointed out that “while 

the moral support and sympathy were 

present from the beginning, we have 

seen hundreds of newlyweds migrate 

abroad, reflecting the profound impact 

this tragedy had on their lives.” 

Awareness and Necessary 

Improvements 

Mr. Behnam spoke candidly about the 

urgent need for awareness, stating that 

the community requires further education 

on safety measures. “We must work 

to reduce the extravagance in wedding 

celebrations, which place a heavy financial 

burden on families. Such behaviors 

lead to unnecessary waste of money.” 

He emphasized that “business 

owners and professionals who manage 

events with large gatherings must 

understand their responsibility for the 

The above image is taken from The Holocaust of Bakhdida: A Wedding Consumed by Fire and Turned into Mourning, 

a book by Monsignor Ammar Yako and Dr. Basim Habil, published in Bakhdida, Iraq, 2024. 

safety of the public. Their sole concern 

should not be making profits at 

the expense of people’s lives. What is 

happening now is a state of chaos with 

dire consequences that ordinary citizens 

do not fully comprehend.” 

Anniversary Observance: Moment 

of Silence and Church Bells 

On the occasion of the first anniversary, 

Nineveh Governor Abdul Qader 

Al-Dakhil called for a moment of silence 

on Thursday, September 26, in 

all governmental and educational institutions 

in the province. At the same 

time, church bells in the Diocese of 

Mosul and its surrounding areas for 

the Syriac Catholics rang at 8 a.m. to 

honor the memory of the victims. 

This anniversary is not just a reflection 

on a painful event; it is a reminder 

of the importance of community solidarity 

in the face of disasters and a call 

to continue supporting the victims’ 

families and survivors, ensuring that 

such a tragedy never happens again. 

This heartbreaking incident underscores 

the need for awareness and collaboration 

among all members of the 

community to ensure safety for all. 

IMAGE COURTESY MONSIGNOR AMMAR YAKO 


FEATURE 

Choosing to Serve 

Chaldean veterans share their stories 


Clockwise from top left: Calvin Shamoon, Devone Garmo, 

Joe Mousa and Harry Nofar. 

People join the military for a variety 

of reasons, each a reflection 

of their own personal motivations 

and aspirations. For some, 

it’s a desire to serve their country and 

contribute to something greater than 

themselves; for others, it’s the pursuit 

of stability and benefits that a military 

career can provide. 

Many are drawn by the promise 

of adventure, discipline, and the opportunity 

to develop skills that can be 

translated to civilian life. Ultimately, 

the decision to enlist is as complex and 

diverse as the individuals who make 

it, shaped by a unique blend of ideals, 

experiences, and circumstances. 

For Devone Garmo, Joe Mousa, and 

Calvin Shamoon, the decision was 

made at the end of high school. All 

first-generation Chaldean Americans, 

they each elected to dedicate their 

post-secondary school years to their 

country’s military—Garmo and Shamoon 

to the United States Marine Corps, 

and Moussa to the U.S. Army. 

Garmo comes from a patriotic family. 

His parents instilled pride and 

gratitude in him and his siblings for 

the fact that the United States took in 

the Chaldean community, including 

his parents, who came in the 1970s 

(dad) and 1980s (mom). According to 

Devone, they genuinely and wholeheartedly 

love this country. 

When Garmo graduated from high 

school, rudderless and in need of direction, 

he looked to serve the country that 

had been good to him and his community. 

He wasn’t accepted at the universities 

he applied to, and that came as 

no surprise to him. He wasn’t what you 

would call a dedicated student. That 

would change years later when he used 

the GI Bill and an accelerated program 

specifically designed for veterans to obtain 

his BS in Nursing. 

When Garmo enlisted, his family 

had a split reaction. His father took it 

well, but his mother broke down and 

cried at the thought of her 18-year-old 

son being sent away, possibly to war. 

By his own admission, he had “never 

even left the house.” 

It turns out her fears were founded, 

as he was sent to Afghanistan within 

months of graduating boot camp. For 

Garmo, the military experience itself 

was a culture shock. “The movie ‘Full 

Metal Jacket’ portrays it perfectly,” he 

said. “You learn valuable, valuable 

lessons. But it is absolutely one of the 

hardest things I’ve had to do in my life.” 

It wasn’t long before his mom’s cart 

sported a bumper sticker that says,” 

My son is a Marine.” 

Calvin Shamoon was influenced 

early in his life by the U.S. Marines in 

Iraq. His mother’s family was still there, 

and they shared stories with their family 

in America about the kind Marines 

that helped them through the crisis of 

being invaded. He didn’t think about 

it again until high school. “I started 

talking to a recruiter,” Shamoon said. 

“They obviously do their thing.” 

He sat down and discussed the 

decision with his parents. Joining the 

military gave him purpose – Shamoon 

always wanted to help people. He also 

admits to a bit of selfishness in thinking 

the military could set him on the 

right path. And right away, it seemed 

like he made the right choice. 

Shamoon went to basic training in 

South Carolina. “It was actually very 

fun, if I’m being honest,” he said. “It 

was hard, don’t get me wrong.” 

He gained a sense of pride and 

learned to hold himself to a higher 

standard. “You learn a lot,” Shamoon 

recalled, about yourself, about the Marine 

Corps and their history. 

Joe Mousa joined the Army as a tribute 

to his father, who worked in public 

service at the Iraqi Embassy in Washington, 

DC. What did he do there? Joe 

doesn’t know. His dad passed away before 

he could talk about it with his son. 

Mousa joined the Army with an 

idea to go into intelligence, believing 

his knowledge of Arabic would serve 

him well. Joe wanted to get his foot 

in the door, hoping it would lead to a 

federal job he could dedicate his life 

to. When he was told he would have to 

go to school for a year to become fluent 

in reading and writing the Arabic language, 

he looked to other assignments. 


He got lucky when a once-in-alifetime 

much-coveted “unicorn” position 

became available – a military 

canine handler, working with dogs 

to discover explosives and narcotics. 

Stationed in South Korea and then 

Arizona, Mousa was doing okay until 

back and knee problems prompted 

medications that when combined 

had an adverse effect, causing his 

heart to temporarily stop. He was 

medevacked for treatment and was 

eventually given a medical discharge. 

That was the end of his Army 

career in law enforcement. 

The experience, however, enriched 

him. “It was eye-opening,” Mousa said 

of his time in the military. “I got to 

meet people from all walks of life, different 

religions, races.” 

That immersive experience in different 

cultures is something all three 

veterans recounted. “We’re all the 

same,” said Mousa. “We’re all humans, 

you know – we love the same, 

feel the same.” 

“You get a sense of all the different 

cultures,” said Shamoon. “All the 

different walks of life that everyone 

comes from.” 

Other people that they met had the 

opportunity to learn about Chaldean 

culture, too. “Nobody even knows 

what a Chaldean really is in the military,” 

said Garmo. “I would say ‘I’m a 

Catholic Iraqi.’” 

He got some chaff from a drill instructor 

once who said to the squad, 

“The enemy is here with us.” Of course, 

he was referring to Garmo’s Middle 

Eastern heritage. “It ended up becoming 

like a joke,” he assured. He was cool 

with most people, he said, although 

there were a few that asked him what 

he was doing in the military. “Aren’t you 

supposed to NOT like us?” they asked. 

Garmo said the military instills 

a special bond, a “tightening” that 

serves to strengthen the group as a 

community. This is very relatable for 

Chaldeans. He especially connected to 

the Latino community in the military. 

“They are very, very close to their culture,” 

he said. “And that’s exactly how 

we are.” They are Catholic, to boot. 

Mousa has features that don’t immediately 

identify him as Middle Eastern, 

but his last name is a giveaway; he 

said whenever he had the opportunity 

to explain his culture and history, he 

did so. “It was kind of cool to see their 

reaction,” he remembered. “A lot of 

them eventually find out we’re familiar, 

you know, Babylon and the Bible; 

they were amazed.” 

Joe also felt a bond with others of 

Middle Eastern descent in the military. 

“We instantly felt a broad connection.” 

He had the opportunity to 

talk to people from other countries in 

his position with public relations. He 

went to Germany and had the chance 

to interview troops from the country of 

Georgia. “We’re really the same, and I 

think that’s the biggest takeaway for 

me,” said Mousa. 

Steven Nofar’s father, Zuhair, 

served two terms in Vietnam with the 

U.S. Army. He didn’t share many war 

memories with his son, saying, “I 

take no pleasure or comfort in what 

I was ordered to do.” But along with 

the honorable discharge he received 

in 1971, Zuhair exited the Army with a 

new name, “Harry,” a certification in 

small arms repair, and a medal for being 

a rifle marksman. 

He came to the U.S. at the age of 

12 and dropped out of high school, 

so he enlisted at the age of 19. He was 

proud to serve his new country and 

sent money home to his parents, who 

spoke no English, every month. When 

he got out, he had multiple job offers 

but went to work for the UPS before 

opening his own supermarket. One 

thing that the military taught Harry 

and that he passed on to his children 

– you cannot quit. 

The journeys of Harry Nofar, 

Devone Garmo, Joe Mousa, and Calvin 

Shamoon highlight the multifaceted 

motivations behind military service, 

particularly within the Chaldean 

American community. Their stories reflect 

a deep commitment to family, culture, 

and personal growth, revealing 

how enlistment can shape identities 

and foster connections across diverse 

backgrounds. 

As these veterans navigated the 

challenges and triumphs of their military 

experiences, they not only honored 

their heritage but also embodied 

the universal values of resilience, 

service, and unity. Through their service, 

they illustrated that the path to 

personal fulfillment often intertwines 

with a dedication to something far 

greater, reinforcing the idea that we 

are indeed all connected in our shared 

humanity. 

YELLA! 

SUBSCRIBE TO THE 

CHALDEAN NEWS. 

TODAY. 


FEATURE 

Feminine Identity 

What does it mean to be a Chaldean woman? 

BY JENNA ABROO 

Society is now experiencing the 

fourth wave of modern-day 

feminism here in the West, and 

many of us are becoming more aware 

of what contributes to our identities as 

women. In my own experience, one of 

the main influences on my identity as 

a woman/feminist was my Chaldean 

family/culture. 

I am proud of my rich lineage and 

thankful for the “village” who helped 

raise me, like my Bebe Badia and my 

Amma Yasar. I am always curious to 

see if other women in our community 

feel the same way, and how our culture 

has shaped how they view themselves. 

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview 

four different Chaldean women, 

of all different backgrounds. While 

our conversations varied; it seemed 

that every conversation found its way 

back to one core question: In your experience, 

what does it mean to be a 

Chaldean woman? 

My first interview was with May Asmar 

(56), a married mother of two who 

is a Family Resource Assistant for Warren 

Consolidated Schools. Asmar stated 

that although it is not easy to be a 

woman, she is proud to be one—especially 

a mother. When discussing what 

advice she would give to empower 

young Chaldean women, she says, “Be 

confident, don’t waste opportunities, 

listen actively around you, and don’t 

be afraid of your own shadow.” 

Asmar graduated from Wayne State 

University in 1994 with her undergraduate 

degree in Criminal Justice/ 

Political Science. She asserts that this 

is one of her biggest sources of confidence, 

especially being raised with the 

community mindset that education is 

not a necessity for women since they 

end up “getting married and having 

kids.” Having a degree made her feel 

“whole,” and while she didn’t have a 

lot of support in this decision, she is 

grateful to have put in the hard work 

and for this accomplishment. 

When asked if her feminine identity 

Caption 

Top of page: 4 generations: Amy Joa’s maternal grandmother Mary, her mother 

Hayfa with herself and her daughter Amelia at a bridal shower in 2024. Above: 

Julia Alexander and her godmother Hanna Cushing at MSU’s Law School 

graduation, 2024. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMY JOA 

would be different if she weren’t Chaldean, 

Asmar beautifully states that our 

traditions, faith, and heritage shape all 

of us, and that she actively shares these 

values with her children, especially her 

daughter. One thing that she would 

like to see progress in our community 

is more attention towards our special 

needs children and to break the stigma 

of supporting our community members 

who have disabilities. 

Julia Alexander (26) is an Immigrant 

Justice Corps Fellow working 

as a Staff Attorney at Michigan Immigrant 

Rights Center. She explained 

that she deeply resonates with Chaldean 

women, and views them as “the 

center and heroes of our community.” 

Alexander has always considered herself 

an empowered feminist and accredits 

this belief system to her mother/grandmother 

who raised her. At age 

18, she became politically and civically 

engaged in her community, advocating 

for women’s health laws and voter 

engagement. After completing her 

undergraduate degree at Oakland University, 

she began volunteering with 

non-partisan projects while attending 

law school at Michigan State University, 

where she graduated in 2024. 

Alexander confirmed her family 

had been matriarchal; her grandmother 

and mother were both widowed 

young and had to raise their children 

alone. Alexander feels blessed to have 

been brought up by the “village” of 

her family, believing “God has a plan, 

and he planned for me to grow up surrounded 

by women.” 

Her mother, aunts and sisters fiercely 

encouraged her to succeed in education, 

to challenge stereotypical gender 

roles, and to be a voice of advocacy for 

others. She warmly calls her godmother 

her “North Star;” she is one of Alexander’s 

biggest role models for faith, resilience, 

and female empowerment. Concluding 

that being a Chaldean woman 

is to be “a woman of God,” she hopes 

other Chaldean women will uplift each 

other more in our communities. 

Amy Joa (40) is the Higher Education 

Administrator/Associate Director 

of the Executive MBA at Michigan State 

University. She is a married mother of 

two and expresses that her Chaldean 

identity is directly connected to her 

feminine identity of strength, grace 

and beauty. 

Joa said that her identity as a Chaldean 

woman was altered by living in 

Western society; while she welcomes/ 

respects traditions from our culture, 

there were also times where she challenged 

them. Her parents supported 

her decision to go away to college at 

Michigan State, which has never been 

the norm for Chaldean women. 

She encourages young Chaldean 

women to “empower themselves to 

pursue their passions, even if it isn’t 

something that is traditionally expected 

or accessible.” Joa credits her 

grandmothers, aunts and cousins, 

who were “wonderful influences in 

my upbringing and modeled what it 

meant to show up for one another during 

the good times and bad.” 

We often see a double standard 

with men and women in our community, 

and Joa keeps this in mind while 

raising her son and daughter. She encourages 

them equally to pursue their 

passions in any setting. She shared 


May Asmar with her husband and their two children at their First Holy Communion, 

2008. 

A TTORNEYS & C O UNSELORS AT LAW 

with her first memory of being aware 

of her femininity when visiting family 

in Baghdad in 1988. She begged 

to play the same way she did back in 

the U.S.—wearing pants, hair in a ponytail, 

and playing rough in soccer 

with the boys outside. She felt lucky 

that her mom allowed her to be that 

authentic version of herself, and she 

strives to do this with her daughter. Joa 

hopes that the community can evolve 

to “celebrate feminism/femininity in 

all forms as we honor our traditions 

and move forward towards equality 

and opportunity.” 

Maryam Qoda (21) is a Medical Assistant/Student 

at the University of 

Detroit Mercy. Her identity as a woman 

rests in fighting for equality and empowerment 

for all women, “including 

the unique struggles we face as Assyrian 

women.” She has always considered 

herself to be a social justice 

advocate and even founded a women’s 

rights organization, “The Feminist Coalition” 

on her college campus. She 

states that the work has “allowed me 

to connect with other women who 

share my passion and has created a 

supportive space on campus for empowerment.” 

Qoda explains that the significance 

of preserving our language, traditions, 

and religious practices is something 

she always defends when speaking to 

non-Chaldeans. She credits her Teta 

Tahani for teaching her the importance 

of accountability and setting 

boundaries while also maintaining 

compassion and empathy. Her Teta, 

“created a space where I could grow 

into my identity without feeling like I 

had to choose between nurturing and 

being assertive. Both aspects are beautiful 

and powerful, and I carry that lesson 

with me as I navigate my own life.” 

Qoda has big wishes for the progress 

of our community, in the U.S. and 

in Iraq. She hopes for better education 

and workforce opportunities, and support 

in STEM fields. Success to her is 

all about “being authentic, having 

courage to pursue what fulfills you, 

and using your platform to empower 

other women to do the same for future 

generations. That they too can achieve 

their dreams and create meaningful 

change.” 

Throughout these interviews, all 

these incredible women relate to their 

culture and their femininity in their 

own ways. One thing seems to ring true 

for all—they empower and strengthen 

themselves and other women around 

them, utilizing the rich upbringing of 

our Chaldean heritage, culture, and 

community to fuel the fire of their unwavering 

feminine identities. 

Simply delicious food served 

by the finest Professionals 

CASUAL DINING AT ITS BEST 

PATIO 

NOW OPEN! 

Authentic Italian style restaurant featuring cut to order steaks, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and pizzas and several salad options. 

Spacious Banquet rooms available perfect for corporate events and meetings, family celebrations, weddings and showers. 

5600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan 

248.813.0700 ◆ ◆ www.loccino.com 


FEATURE 

Money Matters 

Year-end financial planning strategies 

BY JOSEPH MANSOOR 

As the year ends, it’s an ideal 

time to review your financial 

standing and establish a proactive 

plan for 2025. Whether you’re 

an individual investor, a retiree, or 

a business owner, effective year-end 

financial planning can help you optimize 

current opportunities, minimize 

taxes, and set the groundwork for future 

growth. Below are key strategies 

to consider as you wrap up the year. 

Review Your Benefits Package 

One of the simplest yet most overlooked 

opportunities is a thorough 

review of your benefits package. Many 

benefits, such as company match programs 

or tax-saving options, are underutilized 

but can significantly enhance 

your financial well-being. 

For Employees: Look for hidden 

gems in your employer’s package— 

such as Health Savings Accounts 

(HSAs), which offer a triple tax advantage: 

contributions are tax-deductible, 

growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for 

qualified expenses are tax-free. 

For Business Owners: Offering benefits 

to your employees is likely your 

biggest expense after payroll. Regularly 

review your offerings to ensure they 

align with your organizational goals. 

An effective benefits program can be a 

powerful tool for attracting and retaining 

talent, making it crucial to evaluate 

if the dollars you’re spending are 

truly adding value. 

401(k) Contributions: If your company 

offers a match, contribute at least 

enough to get the full match. This is 

essentially free money that accelerates 

your retirement savings. 

Roth IRA Contributions: High-income 

earners might feel excluded from contributing 

directly, but strategies like the 

Backdoor Roth or Mega Backdoor Roth 

allow contributions of up to $69,000 annually, 

regardless of income limits. 

Optimize Your Tax Strategy 

With potential changes to federal tax 

laws in the coming years, year-end tax 

planning is more crucial than ever. 

Proactively managing your tax situation 

can lead to significant savings. 

Tax-Loss Harvesting: Selling investments 

at a loss to offset capital gains can 

reduce your taxable income. If you anticipate 

high capital gains in the future, 

these losses can be carried forward to 

offset gains in upcoming years. 

Roth Conversions: Shifting assets 

from traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs is a 

smart move during low-income years, 

as it locks in a lower tax rate. Although 

you’ll pay taxes on the converted amount 

now, future withdrawals will be tax-free. 

Qualified Charitable Distributions: If 

you are over 70½, consider using your 

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) 

for charitable donations. You can direct 

up to $105,000 from your IRA to charity, 

satisfying the RMD requirement without 

increasing taxable income. 

Pro Tip for Business Owners: 

Schedule a year-end meeting with 

your CPA to review 2024 results, run a 

preliminary tax return, plan for 2025, 

and ensure compliance with the Corporate 

Transparency Act. This proactive 

approach helps optimize your tax 

strategy and positions your business 

for success in the coming year. 

Leverage Lifetime Gifting 

The current gift and estate tax exemption 

stands at $13.61 million per person 

but will decrease significantly in 

2026. Now is the time to consider lifetime 

gifting to reduce the size of your 

taxable estate. 

Annual Gift Tax Exclusion: You can 

gift up to $18,000 per person annually 

($36,000 for married couples) without 

affecting your lifetime exemption. 

Medical and Educational Expenses: 

Payments made directly to medical or 

educational institutions on behalf of 

another person don’t count towards annual 

or lifetime gift limits, making them 

an effective way to transfer wealth. 

Gifts to Irrevocable Trusts: Consider 

gifting to irrevocable trusts to 

provide for future generations while 

protecting your assets from creditors 

and potentially reducing estate taxes. 

Charitable Giving 

Charitable giving not only supports 

causes important to you but can also 

reduce your tax liability. Utilizing taxefficient 

strategies can amplify your 

impact while maximizing tax benefits. 

Donor-Advised Funds: Contribute 

assets to a charitable fund, receive an 

immediate tax deduction, and decide 

on grants over time. This is ideal for 

those who want to simplify their giving 

while maximizing impact. 

Gifting Appreciated Stock: By gifting 

appreciated stock, you can avoid 

capital gains taxes while claiming a 

charitable deduction for the fair market 

value, increasing the value of your 

donation. 

Succession Planning 

With the lifetime estate tax exemption 

set to be cut nearly in half by 2026, it’s 

essential to review your estate plans 

now. Consider strategies like setting 

up irrevocable trusts or restructuring 

ownership interests to reduce estate 

tax exposure. 

Buy-Sell Agreements: Ensure buysell 

agreements and ownership structures 

are aligned with your long-term 

goals. Proper structuring can help facilitate 

a smooth transition and avoid 

unnecessary taxes or disputes. 

Prepare for a Smooth Tax Filing 

Season 

Organizing your records and understanding 

your upcoming tax obligations 

can prevent headaches during 

tax season. Consider running a preliminary 

tax return to identify potential 

issues and opportunities. 

Large Financial Transactions: If 

you expect a significant capital gain or 

plan to make a substantial gift, consult 

your advisor to manage tax implications 

effectively. 

Charitable Contributions: Consolidating 

or accelerating charitable 

donations can help manage your tax 

bracket, especially if you’re expecting 

large gains or increased income next 

year. 

Final Thoughts 

Year-end financial planning is more 

than just analyzing your annual investment 

returns—it’s about implementing 

proactive strategies that set 

you up for long-term success. From tax 

optimization to strategic investment 

planning and charitable giving, partnering 

with a team of trusted professionals 

ensures every component of 

your financial plan is addressed. 

Working closely with your advisors, 

CPAs, and attorneys allows you 

to take advantage of opportunities, 

minimize taxes, and streamline your 

approach for a successful 2025 and 

beyond. Maximize this planning season 

by leveraging the expertise of your 

dedicated advisory team! 

Joseph Mansoor is a Managing Partner 

and Director of Wealth Management 

for Spartan Wealth Management 

in Birmingham Michigan. Contact: 

joseph.mansoor@spartanwealth.com. 

Disclaimer: This article is intended 

for informational purposes only and 

does not constitute financial advice or 

a recommendation to buy or sell any 

financial instruments. Readers should 

consult with a qualified financial 

advisor before making any financial 

decisions. Past performance is not 

indicative of future results. 



November Memories 

20 years of November cover stories 


The November issues of Chaldean 

News over the years reflect 

a rich combination of challenges 

and resilience within the Chaldean 

community, highlighting both personal 

stories and broader societal issues. 

In 2004, the focus on survivors of 

breast cancer brings to light the courage 

of Chaldean women, setting a tone 

of resilience. The four women interviewed 

were at different stages in their 

recovery journey and shared their very 

personal stories in the hope of encouraging 

others. 

This theme of overcoming adversity 

continues in 2005 with the plight of 

Iraqi orphans, underscoring the community’s 

compassion and desire to 

support those in need. The connection 

to caregiving and support carries into 

2006, where Ed Bahoura’s work with 

Gleaners Food Bank emphasizes the 

importance of nourishing both body 

and spirit within the community. 

2007’s “Miller Time Out” boycott 

illustrates a collective stand against 

injustice, echoing the sense of community 

activism. This theme of unity 

is further explored in 2008, as Iraq’s 

Chaldeans strive for autonomy, showcasing 

their quest for identity and 

self-determination. In 2009, the search 

for answers regarding Michigan’s economic 

future ties these personal struggles 

to broader systemic challenges affecting 

the community. 

The years 2010 and 2011 celebrate 

the wisdom of elders and the growing 

presence of Chaldeans in the medical 

field, illuminating a legacy of care 

and knowledge being passed down 

through generations. This legacy takes 

a transformative turn in 2012 with Tom 

Naemi’s reflections on finding freedom, 

signaling personal redemption 

and community healing. 

The years 2013 and 2016 reinforce 

the Church’s role in accommodating an 

expanding faith community, reporting 

on new churches including Our Lady 

of Perpetual Help, while 2014’s article 

about Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako emphasizes 

accountability and leadership 

within this context. In 2015, the DIA’s 

feature of Middle Eastern art serves as 

a cultural touchstone, connecting heritage 

to contemporary expression. 

The narratives of 2017 and 2018 

delve into pressing social issues within 

the Chaldean community, particularly 

focusing on the alarming rise in 

drug overdoses. Community leaders 

and members alike recognize the necessity 

for transparency within the 

Church, urging an open and honest 

dialogue about the challenges facing 

their neighborhoods. 

In contrast, the years 2019 and 2020 

shift the focus to the plight of marginalized 

individuals within the community. 

Reports highlight the struggles faced by 

refugees and the disenfranchised, emphasizing 

the need for greater support 

and resources. Amidst this adversity, 

there emerges a celebration of local heroes, 

particularly figures like the Archbishop 

of Mosul. His commitment to 

preserving the Chaldean cultural heritage, 

often in the face of violence and 

oppression, exemplifies courage and 

resilience. His actions resonate deeply, 

illustrating how individual bravery can 

serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring 

others to take a stand for their identity 

and community. 

In 2021, the declaration of Ankawa 

as an autonomous district signifies a 

milestone for Chaldeans in Iraq, while 

2022 emphasizes rebuilding efforts in 

Nineveh, symbolizing hope and resilience. 

The initiative reflects a broader 

commitment to restoring dignity and 

providing a pathway for the community’s 

future. Finally, 2023 brings a stark 

reminder of fragility with the tragedy in 

Bakhdida, where a fire at a wedding destroyed 

entire families and highlighted 

the lack of safety measures. The Christian 

community in Iraq is still recovering. 

This heartbreaking event urges the 

community to confront loss while continuing 

to support one another through 

shared pain and healing. 

Together, these articles weave a narrative 

of a community navigating the 

complexities of identity, resilience, and 

social justice over nearly two decades. 

They reflect a shared history of struggle 

and triumph, showcasing how the 

Chaldean community remains steadfast 

in its pursuit of a better future, rooted 

in faith, compassion, and unity. 


Chaldean 

culture is unique. 

Stay engaged 

with your 

community, 

by supporting 

its publication 

of record, 

since 2004. 

SUBSCRIBE! 

H Sign-up to have an issue 

mailed to you each month 

H Gift a subscription to your 

family and friends 

H Sponsor a subscription 

for a recent refugee family 

DOWNLOAD 

THE FREE 

MOBILE APP! 

H Read the latest issue 

while on the go 

H Access 20+ years 

of archives. 


CULTURE & HISTORY 

Shako Mako 

The Unique Flavor of Iraqi Colloquial Dialect 

BY DR. ADHID MIRI 

Pat II 

In Part I of this series, we explored 

the Iraqi dialect, highlighting some 

ancient words from Sumerian, Akkadian, 

and Aramaic. The diverse geography 

of Iraq influences its dialects, with 

distinct variations found in the southern, 

central, and northern regions. This 

variation reflects the country’s rich tapestry 

of ethnicities, including significant 

Christian, Kurdish, and Turkmen communities, 

contributing to the complexity 

of the Iraqi colloquial dialect. 

Local Iraqi Dialects 

Arabic serves as the official language 

across Arab nations, but within Iraq, 

each region has its unique dialect. 

While the media and formal communications 

generally use Modern Standard 

Arabic, spoken dialects vary widely. For 

example, the Basra dialect significantly 

differs from that of Baghdad or other 

southern cities, such as those influenced 

by the Tamim tribe along the Gulf Coast. 

One noteworthy feature of the Iraqi 

dialect is its incorporation of the letter 

( 

گ ) from Persian, pronounced like the English “g.” This letter is often substituted 

with the Arabic Kāf ( ) on keyboards, 

leading to potential confusion 

in meaning. For instance, “al-Kalb” 

(the dog) can be confused with “al- 

Galub” (the heart). Similarly, the letter 

representing the “ch” sound in “chair” 

is represented by the Persian ( ), but 

since this letter is also absent from Arabic 

keyboards, the Arabic jim ( ج ) is 

used instead, with context helping to 

clarify intended meanings. 

The Iraqi dialect can be broadly 

categorized into three main varieties: 

Mosuli, Baghdadi, and Southern. Interestingly, 

Iraqi dialects extend beyond 

the borders of modern Iraq, influencing 

Arabic-speaking communities in Iran, 

Syria, Kuwait, Ahwaz, and Turkey. 

گ 

ك 

گ چ 

ك ج 

چ گ 

ك 

چ 

ج 

ك 

چ 

ج 

Baghdad Dialect 

The Baghdadi dialect, common in central 

Iraq, encompasses areas like Baghdad, 

Dujail, Samarra, and Diyala. This 

dialect is characterized by clarity and 

a slower pace, making it relatively easy 

to learn. A distinctive feature is the use 

of the suffix “CHI,” derived from Turkish 

(originally Greek), to refer to professions 

playfully. For instance, “Kababchi” 

means “kebab maker,” while 

“Gahawchi” refers to a coffee vendor. 

Mosul Dialect 

In northern Iraq, the Mosul dialect, 

or Muslawi dialect, is known for its 

unique pronunciation of the letter 

Qaf. While most Iraqis pronounce 

Qaf as Jeem, Mosulis say “Qollo” (he 

said), compared to Baghdadis who 

say “Gullah.” This dialect is prevalent 

among the Jewish community in Iraq 

and the residents of Tikrit. 

Anbar Dialect 

The Anbari dialect, found in western 

Iraq, blends Baghdadi and Bedouin 

dialects, featuring a wealth of ancient 

Bedouin vocabulary. Its pronunciation 

is clear and light, making it accessible 

for learners. This mixture enriches the 

dialect’s uniqueness. 

Najaf Dialect 

The Najafi dialect leans towards a rural 

vernacular, often favored by poets 

for its clarity and diverse vocabulary. 

Many poetic verses, including works 

by prominent Iraqi poets, draw on 

this dialect. The term “Cha,” derived 

from the Aramaic “Qa,” is commonly 

used in various contexts, such as “Cha 

Shlon?” meaning “How are you?” This 

word demonstrates the transformation 

of sounds, as “k” often shifts to “ch” in 

Iraqi vernacular. 

Basra Dialect 

In Basra, the dialect spoken is closely 

aligned with Gulf Arabic, integrating 

urban and Bedouin influences along 

with Turkish and Persian words. This 

dialect has seen a decline due to urban 

migration, resulting in a blending with 

the surrounding countryside dialects. 

Noteworthy Words and 

Their Evolution 

This article aims to showcase selected 

words from the Iraqi dialect, emphasizing 

their historical significance and 

transformation over time. With the assistance 

of Dr. Majeed Muhammad’s 

dictionary, “Foreign Terms and Words 

in the Iraqi Colloquial Language,” we 

can appreciate the rich tapestry of 

Iraqi vernacular. 

Some notable examples include: 

Adab Sez: A term for a person lacking 

manners, derived from Turkish. 

BanzinKhana: A gas station, incorporating 

Turkish roots. 

Kababchi: Refers to a kebab maker, 

blending Arabic and Turkish. 

Istikan: The small teacup, possibly derived 

from the Russian city of Astrakhan. 

Dugmma: A term for a button or electrical 

switch, reflecting everyday language. 

Chafcheer: Refers to a large ladle, 

from Persian “Kafkeer.” 

Paacha: A traditional dish consisting 

of sheep’s head and hooves, derived 

from Persian. 

Conclusion 

These words exemplify how the Iraqi 

dialect encapsulates a blend of influences, 

from Turkish to Persian, and 

illustrates how language evolves 

through daily use and cultural exchange. 

The Iraqi dialect, with its multifaceted 

variations and rich vocabulary, 

reflects the country’s historical and 

cultural complexity. Although it is impossible 

to cover every aspect of this 

vibrant dialect in a single article, the 

examples provided showcase the distinctiveness 

of Iraqi colloquial speech. 

We encourage readers to share their 

experiences and knowledge of Iraqi 

dialect words through the contact link 

on the Chaldean News website. 

Through ongoing exploration and 

collaboration, we can further enrich 

our understanding of this unique linguistic 

heritage. 


AYDA SAGMAN 

Administrative Support 

MARYANA SHABO 

Behavioral Health Therapist 

SOUZAN VANLERBERG 


MARIAM ABDALLA 


JACKIE RAXTER 

Behavioral Health Program Manager 

Therapy can be a big step toward being the 

healthiest version of yourself and living the best 

life possible — our licensed, professional therapists 

are here for you to access. Through therapy, you 

can change self-destructive behaviors and habits, 

resolve painful feelings, improve your relationships, 

and share your feelings and experiences. Individuals 

often seek therapy for help with issues that may be 

hard to face alone. 

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY: The CCF and Project Light is 

committed to your privacy and confidentiality and are sensitive to 

the stigma and stress that come with seeking mental health support. 

Therefore, all counseling records are kept strictly confidential. 

Information is not shared without client’s written consent. Exceptions 

to confidentiality are rare and include persons who threaten safety of 

themselves others or in circumstances of a court order. 

In therapy your therapist will help you to establish 

person centered goals and determine the steps you 

will take to reach those goals. Your relationship 

with your therapist is confidential and our common 

therapeutic goal for those we engage is to inspire 

healthy change to improve quality of life — no 

matter the challenge. 

We invite you seek out the Light of Project Light! 

Serving individuals ages 13 years and up. Please call 

to request a Project Light Intake at (586) 722-7253. 

Chaldean Community Foundation 

3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 


ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE 

Fueling Fitness 

Powerhouse Gym reflects family’s work ethic 


The Dabish family turned Powerhouse 

Gym into, well, a 

worldwide powerhouse. 

Family patriarch Will Dabish and 

his brother, Norm, broke away from 

the family grocery business through 

a series of circumstances and improbable 

events. 

As immigrants’ kids, the brothers 

didn’t speak English when they 

were young. Will failed first and third 

grade as a result. The boys endured 

beatings from older and bigger kids in 

the neighborhood. The circumstances 

called out for a solution. 

The Dabishes decided to learn 

karate to toughen up and defend 

themselves. They came into contact 

with Brian Frost, a local sensei who 

ultimately gained an international 

following. Studying under Frost, the 

Dabishes regularly sparred when they 

weren’t working in their father’s grocery. 

Will weighed about 80 pounds 

less than Norm and decided to add 

weight training to his martial arts 

training. So began the unlikely series 

of events for a pair of grocer’s sons. 

The boy’s father, Karim, suffered 

a heart attack and had open-heart 

surgery. He was unable to work, so 

the job of taking care of the family fell 

to his sons. Faced with responsibility 

for the family but hating the grocery 

business and its perishable inventory, 

Will and Norm sought a “cleaner” 

way to make a living. Martial arts supply 

seemed the answer. 

In the early 1970s, Norm and Will 

took a karate training trip to Japan 

and returned to open a martial arts 

supply store in Highland Park. Amateur 

fighters, the pair decided to construct 

a gym in the back of the place 

to try to sell memberships. They figured 

the scheme would pay off — or 

they would be grocers with “the best 

private gym in the world,” said Will. 

The scheme worked. The brothers 

hung a sign that simply said “gym” 

on the steel door of the windowless 

From top of page: The Dabishes from left to right: Henry, Michael, William, 

Ibtisam, William Jr. and Victor. Powerhouse Gym interior. 

building in Highland Park. Will says 

he and his brother were not good 

at marketing at this point in their 

careers, so they started out with a 

membership roster that was willing 

to brave the rather intimidating location 

— “half convicted felons and half 

cops,” says Will. 

Forty-five years later, Powerhouse 

Gym is an international powerhouse 

with 302 licensees in 24 states and 18 

countries. Dabish said his company is 

the first Chaldean-owned company to 

go worldwide. 

Success came slowly. After the 

gym opened in ’74, the Dabish brothers, 

who were living at home, began 

to build a following for their gym as 

“the” place to work out. They got a 

big boost from University of Michigan 

football players who defied legendary 

coach Bo Schembechler’s weightlifting 

ban (he thought it made players 

slow) and trained at Powerhouse. The 

players wore Powerhouse t-shirts, 

and the brand started to grow. 

Still, it was not until 1984 that 

Norm and Will expanded to open 

their second gym in Farmington Hills. 

Things moved quickly from there. In 

1986, the brothers created a franchise 

concept and sold a license to a Lincoln 

Park operator. By 1989, the company 

had grown to 18 locations, with 

gyms in Boston and Florida. 

The Dabish brothers do not have 

business degrees. Will said their business 

acumen is “from God.” Whatever 

the source, Dabish said he and his 

brother decided they needed to open 

marquee gyms at high-profile locations 

in major cities. A 24,000-squarefoot 

club at Michigan Avenue and 

Lake Street in Chicago became the 

first of these “billboard gyms,” combining 

a quality workout facility with 

a promotional message in an upscale, 

high-traffic area. By 1995, the company 

had 175 locations. By 2000, the 

tally was up to 300. 

In subsequent years, the total rose 

to about 350 and slowed by design. 

Will’s son, Henry, is now CEO and 

Will focuses on launching a new gen- 


Fox Subaru Macomb 

eration of mega gyms that offer services 

ranging from physical therapy, 

basketball and racquetball courts to 

massage chairs and the company’s 

trademark FX Powerhouse workouts, 

which incorporate non-traditional 

training methods and equipment. “I 

plan to work forever,” said Will, 66. 

The faith and perseverance that 

have distilled in Will come, in part, 

from the examples set by his father 

and grandfather, Putrus. Will says 

his family and later, the larger community 

fled religious persecution 

and harsh living conditions in northern 

Iraq to pursue a better life in the 

United States. The village pooled its 

resources and sent its most capable 

people to America to establish themselves 

and lay the foundations for a 

community in the United States. 

Will prays daily, works hard and 

does not let failure discourage him. 

But he said the most important message 

he learned from his father was 

to fear no man, only God. He learned 

to trust his instincts and moral compass. 

If he believed in something, 

he would pursue it resolutely; if he 

believed something was wrong, he 

would avoid it with the same zeal. 

“You don’t have to fear taking personal 

gambles or business gambles,” 

says Will. 

On the heels of business success 

came a severe test of perseverance. 

The COVID pandemic affected the fitness 

industry intensely in 2020-2021. 

Much like the barbershops, restaurants, 

and bars, gyms were hit hard 

and early by government-enforced 

closure mandates. Also, much like 

other closed industries, gym owners 

began to demand solid numbers on 

the risks of remaining open and devising 

ways to make their businesses 

safe for reopening. 

Initially, the fitness facility industry 

in Michigan did what many forcibly 

closed industries did—applied for 

loans and grants to stay afloat. Powerhouse 

Gym CEO Henry Dabish said 

March and April were a blur of grant 

and loan requests. Dabish and his 

extended family own several Michigan 

locations and hold them as individual 

business entities, so each one 

required a separate filing. 

Henry said all 14 of his company’s 

directly owned Michigan gyms 

received Economic Injury Disaster 

Loans from the U.S. Small Business 

Administration, and all but one received 

some grant money. 

The biggest challenge for Powerhouse 

in 2020 was to get information 

from the government and disseminate 

the information to franchisees. 

Powerhouse also spent a lot of time 

setting up unemployment for employees. 

The system was overwhelmed. 

PPP loans helped, particularly with 

employees who are living paycheckto-paycheck. 

Once a business lifeline was established, 

gym owners began talking 

to one another. Dabish connected 

with several other Michigan fitness 

facility owners, including Bryan Rief, 

who owns 50 Planet Fitness Gyms in 

Michigan and Ohio; Alyssa Tushman, 

a founder and owner of three Burn 

Fitness locations in metro Detroit; 

and real estate investment professional 

Ed Eickhoff, among others. 

During these conversations, Henry 

learned that other states allowed 

gym re-openings as early as the end of 

May. He discovered through an Ohio 

franchise owner that the Buckeye 

State’s re-opening requirements included 

establishing a professional association 

to develop and present safe 

re-opening standards for the industry. 

In response to this news, Henry 

formed the Michigan Fitness Club Association, 

and its members quickly 

got to work. They drafted a board, 

codified re-opening standards, hired 

a Lansing multi-client lobby firm 

and met with officials from Governor 

Gretchen Whitmer’s office. 

Progress with the government 

was slow. Dabish said the group got 

no response from Whitmer’s office. In 

the end, Henry said MFCA-submitted 

standards are stricter than the requirements 

eventually established by 

state government. 

Gyms tended to take cleaning seriously, 

even prior to the pandemic. 

Part of gym etiquette is members wiping 

down exercise machines with sanitizer 

after each use. Gym employees 

also seem to be constantly cleaning. 

Formed of crisis, the MFCA remains 

intact and continues to advocate for 

the gym industry in Michigan. After 

the pandemic, the group continued 

to work on an agenda that includes 

ensuring due process for further regulations, 

repealing a federal “tanning 

Say hello to 

Sali Shaker at 

Fox Subaru 

of Macomb 

Subaru 

certified 

Sales 

consultant 

for 3 years 

Speaks 

4 languages 

Arabic, 

Chaldean, 

Turkish and 

English 

tax,” establishing tax credits for gym 

memberships, insurance discounts for 

memberships and preserving an existing 

sales tax exemption. 

Henry says the MCFA is the only 

state fitness industry remaining and 

it continues to provide education and 

administer grant money to its members. 

The foundation set by Putrus and 

Karim and carried forward by Will and 

Norm is poised to continue. All four 

of Will’s sons—Henry’s older brother 

William and younger brothers Victor 

and Michael—are joined by Norm’s 

son Johnny as the Powerhouse leadership 

team of the future. 

Will and Norm are self-made men 

who left school to provide for their 

families. Their children went off to 

23651 Hall Road 

Macomb, MI 48042 

586-203-4800 

www.foxsubarumacomb.com 

college but came back to carry on the 

family business. 

“We try to stay out of each other’s 

hair, so we all have different departments,” 

says Henry, who handles 

“licensing, vendors and legal trademark 

stuff.” The other brothers and 

their cousin Johnny oversee the larger 

clubs and various locations. 

“A lot of the things (my dad) 

picked up from his father he instilled 

in us as well. Growing up I saw my 

dad pray every single morning. He’s 

a religious guy,” says Henry. “Work 

ethic was always there. He worked a 

lot, but always made time for us.” 

Henry says his family sees him 

pray every morning before heading 

out for long days at work. And so the 

tradition continues. 


SPORTS 

“I Can Do That”: Girls Play Hockey 

Sydney Schafer hits the ice 

BY STEVE STEIN 

Sydney Schafer 

From competitive dancer 

to one of the best girls 

high school hockey 

players in the state —that is 

Sydney Schafer’s remarkable 

backstory as she begins her 

junior season on the Orchard 

Lake St. Mary’s/St. Catherine 

Academy girls hockey team. 

“I was a competitive dancer 

for five years. Then I decided 

I wanted to play hockey 

when I was 9,” says Sydney. 

“I’d watched my brother play 

travel hockey and I thought, ‘I 

can do that.’ My parents said 

I could dance or play hockey. 

I couldn’t do both, so I chose 

hockey.” 

Schafer, 16, attends St. 

Catherine. She had a quite a 

season last year for the firstyear 

St. Mary/St. Catherine team. The 

Brighton resident scored 42 goals 

and had 26 assists in 23 games for St. 

Mary’s/St. Catherine, which went 18-5 

and advanced to the semifinals of the 

Michigan Girls High School Hockey 

League Division 1 state tournament 

before losing to eventual state champion 

Grosse Pointe South. St. Mary’s/ 

St. Catherine made it to the finals of 

the Catholic League tournament before 

losing to Grosse Pointe University 

Liggett. 

Besides being an offensive juggernaut, 

Schafer is a team leader. She’s a 

two-year captain. 

“Everyone loves Sydney,” says 

St. Mary’s/St. Catherine coach Craig 

Ward. “She has fun, she’s ‘loud’ in 

a good way, and she works with our 

younger, less experienced players. 

“She’s also an extremely hard 

worker, she loves to skate, is serious 

about hockey and very competitive,” 

she went on. “You can tell she was 

raised right. She’s respectful to everyone 

and mature for her age. From a 

coaching standpoint, she’s very attentive. 

She wants to learn.” 

The latter quality is extremely important 

if Schafer wants to achieve 

her goal of playing hockey in college. 

She says she wants to play for Adrian 

College, which has the only NCAA 

women’s hockey program in the state. 

It’s a Division III program. “That’s my 

dream,” says Sydney. 

For the dream to become reality, 

Schafer needs to add a required element 

to her natural athleticism that 

has served her well so far on the ice. 

She had only skated recreationally 

before starting to play hockey. She’s 

now an excellent skater who uses her 

speed and hands to baffle opponents. 

At 5-foot-5 and 115 pounds, she isn’t 

one of the bigger players on the ice, 

but she holds her own when it’s time 

to be physical. 

So, what does she need to add to 

her hockey repertoire? “We’re working 

on Sydney’s hockey IQ,” Ward says. 

“That’s getting better day by day. She 

certainly has the talent. Now it’s a matter 

of her learning to make the right 

decisions on the ice so she can put 

herself in position to score and defend 

when it’s needed. That’s what coaches 

are looking for at the next level. 

“She needs to have college coaches 

watch her play over the next two years. 

PHOTO COURTESY HURRICANE GRAPHICS 

Sydney Schafer scored 42 goals in 23 games last season for the Orchard 

Lake St. Mary’s/St. Catherine girls high school hockey team. 

We’re working on that.” 

Those college coaches don’t need 

to worry about Schafer’s work in the 

classroom. She’s a 3.7 grade-point average 

student at St. Catherine, which 

is in Wixom. 

Schafer’s parents are a big part 

of the St. Mary’s/St. Catherine girls 

hockey team. Her mother Reta is the 

team manager. Her father Rob runs the 

scoreboard at home games. Her brother 

Blake, 15, is a sophomore at Detroit 

Catholic Central High School. He’s 

on the Catholic Central junior varsity 

white hockey team this season. 

Like Blake, Sydney is a travel hockey 

player. Sydney also plays golf and 

lacrosse at St. Catherine. Even though 

she’s only played lacrosse for two 

years, Alma College has offered her a 

spot on its NCAA Division III women’s 

lacrosse team. 

Sydney has some sage advice for 

girls who are thinking about playing 

hockey. “Go for it,” she says. “I went 

from one extreme to another, from 

competitive dance to hockey, and I’m 

glad I did.” 

PHOTO COURTESY SCHAFER FAMILY 


PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS 

Authorized Agent for: 

Phone: (248) 851-2227 

(248) 851-BCBS 

Fax: (248) 851-2215 

rockyhpip1@aol.com 

ROCKY H. HUSAYNU 

Professional Insurance Planners 

Individual & Group Health Plans 

Medicare Supplement Plans 

31000 Northwestern Hwy. • Suite 110 

Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 

Over 45 years of experience. 

Gabe Gabriel 

Associate Broker, 

Certified ABR, SFR 

29444 Northwestern Hwy, ste. 110 

Southfield, Michigan 48034 

Office (248) 737-9500 

Direct (248) 939-1985 

Fax (248) 737-1868 

Email MortgageGabe@aol.com 

Angela Kakos 

Producing Branch Manager - VP of Mortgage Lending 

o: (248) 622-0704 

rate.com/angelakakos 

angela.kakos@rate.com 

2456 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 48310 

Guaranteed Rate Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit 

nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Conditions may apply • Angela Kakos 

NMLS ID: 166374 

Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service 

Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service 

TOP 1% OF REALTORS 

2015 REAL ESTATE 

TOP IN OAKLAND 

ALL STAR - 

TOP 1% 1% OF OF REALTORS REALTORS IN 

2015 2023 REAL ESTATE 

OAKLAND COUNTY COUNTY 1993 – 2015 - 2023 

HOUR MEDIA ALL STARS – 

IN OAKLAND 

ALL STAR - 

HOUR MEDIA 

COUNTY 1993 – 2015 

Proudly servingHOUR Birmingham, MEDIA 

Bloomfield, Proudly Farmington serving Birmingham, Hills, Bloomfield, 

Each office Each office is independently 

is independently 

West Farmington Bloomfield, Hills, the Lakes West Bloomfield, the 

Proudly serving Birmingham, 

Owned Owned and Operated and Operated Brian S. Yaldoo and surrounding Lakes and areas. surrounding areas. 

Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, 

Associated Broker 

Each office is independently 

West Bloomfield, the Lakes 

Office (248)737-6800 Brian • S. Mobile Yaldoo 

Owned and Operated 

(248)752-4010 

Toll Associated Brian Free (866) S. 762-3960 Yaldoo and surrounding areas. 

Broker 

Email: brianyaldoo@remax.com Associated Websites: Broker www.brianyaldoo.com 

Office (248) www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com 

Office 737-6800 (248)737-6800 • Mobile (248)752-4010 (248) 752-4010 

Email: Toll brianyaldoo@remax.net 

Free (866) 762-3960 

Email: brianyaldoo@remax.com www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com 

Websites: www.brianyaldoo.com 

www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com 

JACQUELINE RAXTER, LMSW, LPC 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 

PROGRAM MANAGER 

SOUZAN VANLERBERG 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST 

3601 15 Mile Road 

Sterling Heights, MI 48310 

TEL: (586) 722-7253 

FAX: (586) 722-7257 

jacqueline.raxter@chaldeanfoundation.org 

www.chaldeanfoundation.org 

Advertise 

MARYANA SHABO 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST 

for As little As $ 85 

in our business directory section! 

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


TEL: (586) 722-7253 

FAX: (586) 722-7257 

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

maryana.shabo@chaldeanfoundation.org 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101 



ELIAS KATTOULA 

CAREER SERVICES MANAGER 



TEL: (586) 722-7253 

FAX: (586) 722-7257 

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org 




TEL: (586) 722-7253 

FAX: (586) 722-7257 

souzan.vanlerberg@chaldeanfoundation.org 


MARIAM ABDALLA 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STACY THERAPIST BAHRI 

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER 

3601 3601 15 15 Mile Mile Road Road 

Sterling Sterling Heights, Heights, MI MI 48310 48310 

TEL: 

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

FAX: 

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

mariam.abdalla@chaldeanfoundation.org 

stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org 



Attorney Alexander R. Karana 

Nationwide Services: 

• Patent Law 

• Trademark Law 

• Copyright Law 

• Licensing Agreements 

Contact Alex to start protecting your IP today. 

vonbriesen.com 

Service Industries: 

• Technology Protection 

• Branding Protection 

• Entertainment 

• Startups & Business 

alexander.karana@vonbriesen.com 

(312) 676-7597 

New York Life Congratulates 

Gabriel H. Sinawi CLU®, ChFC® for 

46 years of Service & Life member of MDRT 

Life Insurance, IRAs, SEPs, Fixed and Variable Annuities # , Mutual Funds # , 

Health Insurance/Medicare ** 

CONTACT: 

Agent, New York Life Insurance Company 

Registered Representative of NYLIFE Securities LLC 

Member (FINRA/SIPC), a Licensed Insurance Agency 

and a New York Life company 

EMAIL: gsinawi@ft.newyorklife.com 

PHONE: 248-357-8971 

CELL: 248-420-2632 

ADDRESS: 27777 Franklin Dr, Suite 2220, Southfield, MI 48034 

#Securities offered through NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC). **Products available through one or more carriers not affiliated with 

New York Life, dependent on carrier authorization and product availability in your state or locality. *Awarded by New York Life Insurance Company 

for outstanding sales achievements. Council is an annual company recognition program based on agent production from July 1-June 30. 


EVENT 

2 

1 

3 

1. CACC president Martin 

Manna gives an update. 

2. Roop Raj and Mike 

Rogers meet on stage. 

3. Networking before 

the program. 

4 

5 

6 

4. Elissa Slotkin answers 

Roop’s questions. 

5. From left: Mike Rogers, 

Roop Raj, Martin Manna, Elissa 

Slotkin, Mayor Mike Duggan. 

Let’s Get Down 

to Business 

On Friday, October 18, the Chaldean 

American Chamber of Commerce hosted 

its 18th Annual Business Luncheon 

at MotorCity Casino Hotel’s Sound 

Board Theater. Moderator Roop Raj 

from TV’s FOX2 deftly handled questions 

for special guests Rep. Elissa 

Slotkin (D) and former Rep. Mike Rogers 

(R), who are running for the same 

U.S. Senate seat. Topics included resources 

for business, the economy, immigration, 

Iraq, the Middle East and 

bipartisanship in politics, among others. 

The 300 attendees were welcomed 

at the beginning of the program by 

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and had 

the opportunity prior to the program 

to network and visit vendor booths, 

including Michigan Lottery. 

7 

8 

6. Henry Ford Health & friends. 

7. Michigan Lottery. 

8. Networking. 

9. 300 business 

community members 

attended the luncheon. 

9 


ESL 

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE 

September 9, 2024 – January 24, 2025 

ESL 1 AND 2: PRE-LITERACY TO HIGH BEGINNER 

• Conversational Skills 

• Writing 

• Reading 

• Vocabulary and pronunciation 

• Speaking focused on social conversations and 

familiar topics 

Monday – Thursday: 1:00p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Preparing ESL learners to use the 

English language in the real world! 

ESL 3: INTERMEDIATE 

• Advanced conversational skills 

• Writing 

• Reading 

• Grammar 

• Vocabulary and pronunciation 

• Helps students speak quickly on a 

wide range of topics 

Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

$40 REGISTRATION FEE 

Books and materials included. 

GED 

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 – JANUARY 24, 2025 

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

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

Offered in the four subjects needed to pass the GED: 

• Math 

• Science 

• Social Studies 

• Reading Language Arts 

Math 

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

Reading Language Arts 

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

Winter semester: Science and Social Studies 

Perfect for individuals hoping to advance in their careers or attend college! 

$50 REGISTRATION FEE 

Books, materials, and testing costs included. 

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

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

NOVEMBER 2024

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?