In the rich tapestry of American diversity, the Chaldean community stands out as a vibrant example of immigrants who have not only embraced the American dream but have also contributed significantly to the country’s defense. With a deep sense of patriotism and a commitment to safeguarding the freedoms they’ve come to know, Chaldean Americans in every generation have a proud tradition of serving in the United States military. Hundreds of men and women have joined the effort to protect and serve.
Read MoreElla Lucia is a teenage wonder woman. She’s a star girls hockey player and an outstanding student who has made a verbal commitment to take her hockey skills and academic acumen to Harvard University, a prestigious Ivy League college. Lucia announced July 31 that she has “committed to the admissions process” at Harvard.
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The Chaldean News sponsored a trip to Kalamazoo last month for a father-son duo, Nick and Randy Najjar, to share their story with a program called StoryCorps, which aims to “illuminate the humanity and possibility in us all – one story at a time.”
Read MoreIn the early and mid-20th century, countless numbers of young Iraqi men were moving from villages to fill up major Iraqi cities like Baghdad, Mosul, and Basra. But a few visionaries, courageous young men, were more adventurous and turned their faces another way, journeying west to the United States of America. The late Thomas Denha was one of them.
Read MoreWhen ancient Mesopotamians carved their drawings into clay, constructed elaborate ziggurats and city gates, and designed practical and beautiful vases, their practice likely focused on their contemporaries. Thousands of year later, however, this act of creativity is kept alive by modern Chaldeans. Thamer Hannona expresses himself through many different media and inspirations, but his car designs garner national appeal and the attention of large companies.
Read MoreWhen Christina Roki’s family car broke down, they couldn’t afford a mechanic to look it over. Her family lived paycheck to paycheck, and with three children, there was little money to spare. Most would turn to a family member for help or take out a short-term loan. But Christina had a rare and enterprising thought: What if she tried to fix it herself. The rest, as they say, is history.
Read MoreBahi was born to farmers Zingel and Gorgia Jarbo on December 10, 1947, in the village of Telkeppe, Iraq. As a young boy, he shepherded animals and cared for his hunting dog. His mother died when he was 11. His older sisters helped raise him, as did his mom’s brother, the late Ramzi Yono, who taught him how to cut hair. When he was 18, Bahi was drafted into the Iraqi Army where in between training and combat he would trim soldiers’ hair for extra money. He served six years in very difficult conditions because of ongoing conflict in the region. After he was discharged, Bahi went to Kuwait and worked for a sheik as his personal barber. Several years later he traveled to Lebanon with a friend to await their American visas.
Read MoreTheoni came to the United States to live with her son and daughter-in-law Samantha in 2008 after the death of her husband. Both families lived in Greece, sharing a building and meals, and caring for each other. Samantha is a teacher here as she was in Greece and has always had a strong relationship with her mother-in-law Theoni.
Read MoreDespite punishingly high temperatures, dozens of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad on July 18 to protest water and electricity shortages, and to blame Turkey for reduced flow of rivers. Designated by the United Nations as one of the five countries in the world most touched by some effects of climate change, Iraq is experiencing its fourth consecutive summer of drought.
Read MoreSometimes a career change can happen before a career even starts. Such was the case for Lamar Kashat, a would-be pediatrician who is now a police sergeant with aspirations to be the top cop in Sterling Heights.
Read MoreAdrianna “Adri” Kattoo was never in the starting lineup for the Birmingham Marian High School girls’ soccer team before this season. She never played forward for the Mustangs before; she was a center-back on defense. But the senior needed to be in the Marian starting lineup this season. And she needed to play forward.
Read MoreJerry Yono’s story begins in the famed town of Telkeppe, Iraq, on June 7, 1940. Most were farmers back then, according to Jerry, and his father was no different. His most nascent memory is walking to and from the well to fetch water.
Read MorePaul Elia burst onto the stage with a bright smile and an air of star quality. He looked out at the intimate and tightly-packed room at Detroit House of Comedy. This was his dream: to bring a successful show to his hometown, draw a sizable crowd, and return favor to the Chaldean community that raised him.
Read MoreIn the Middle East, war seems to follow you like a monster from a Stephen King novel. It’s unrelenting and always a step ahead; a story told by many Chaldeans who arrive in the bright and beautiful lands of America. The story of David Shammas is no exception.
Read MoreHanan Qia and Ghazwan Alyass are independent contractors who joined the staff of the Chaldean Community Foundation in 2022 in order to be the eyes and ears of the CCF, which is currently working on rebuilding villages and creating economic opportunities for the people of the Nineveh Plain in Iraq. They were here in Michigan recently to attend the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce’s Awards Dinner and to tour the Chaldean Community Foundation.
Read MoreIn 2017, the Trump administration escalated the deportation of Iraqi nationals, including many who had lived in the metro Detroit area for decades. These individuals had been convicted of felonies in the past, preventing them from becoming US citizens. They were here legally, but America under Trump didn’t want them.
Read MoreSonya Jamil was born just outside Baghdad, but her family moved here when she was very young – she can’t remember anything before the States. If she had grown up in the Middle East, her life would be very different, and she certainly wouldn’t have been the first Chaldean woman to become a law enforcement officer for Macomb County.
Read MoreSelwan Anwar Taponi was born to a Syriac Catholic family on April 29, 1969, in Baghdad, Iraq. In August of 1969, he was baptized at the Monastery of the Martyrs Mar Behnam and Mart Sarah in northern Iraq. Growing up in Baghdad, Father Selwan’s home parish was Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Church in Baghdad. Although they were Syriac Catholic, his family were regular parishioners at Sacred Heart Chaldean Church in the same city; Selwan’s father was particularly close with Bishop (then Father) Jibrail Kassab. It was in this church that he received his First Holy Communion.
Read MoreIt has been said that what shapes a person is the books they’ve read, the people they’ve met, and the places they’ve traveled. This applies directly to Habib Hannona’s life journey and philosophy. As an avid reader and ardent culturist, he has read hundreds, perhaps thousands of books in various languages over the years.
Read MoreRon Boji is an extremely successful businessman who happens to base many of his life decisions on a series of “Louie-isms” – sayings he has heard his entire life from his father, Louie (Louay) Boji, a successful businessman in his own right.
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