Posts in Newsfeed
Prime Time

The motorcade stretched a mile long down Walnut Lake Road to Shenandoah Country Club (SCC) on Thursday, April 18. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani was in town to speak with the Iraqi American community and its leaders, having first traveled to Houston to speak with Iraqi immigrants there and visiting the Islamic Institute in Dearborn before coming to West Bloomfield.

Read More
Rising Above

Once Elia graduated, he worked hard to support his family. It was this goal that led to his downfall. He was introduced to Adderall, which he used to stay awake and alert through his long days at school and multiple jobs. “That’s what our culture is, we work hard and try to help each other and support one another,” Elia said about the Chaldean community.

Read More
Weaving a Narrative

Dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, the Epic of Gilgamesh stands as one of the oldest known works of literature in human history. This epic poem, written on clay tablets in cuneiform script, tells the story of Gilgamesh, the legendary half-god king of Uruk, and his quest for immortality. Through its portrayal of heroic deeds, friendship, and the inevitability of mortality, the Epic of Gilgamesh reflects the concerns and values of society in ancient Mesopotamia.

Read More
What’s in a Name?

Names and naming practices in other cultural areas show a strong similarity in basic trends. Among the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians, names are theophoric designations (having the name of a god embedded in something, such as a name) such as Nebuchadnezzar of the Bible, translated as “Nabu (a god) protected the estate.” And Ashurbanipal, meaning “Ashur (a god) created a son (heir).”

Read More
What Sister Cabrini Can Teach Us

Until I watched the movie “Sister Cabrini,” I never thought a story could capture the issues of humanity and immigration so well as to rank among the best movies I have watched in my lifetime. The movie is the true story of a girl, Cabrini, living in the 19th century with poor health, envisioning missionary work to open orphanages, hospitals, and accommodations for the poor world-wide, long before anyone thought of social services.

Read More
Omar Jarbo, Music Man

At the young age of four, Omar Jarbo began playing the zurna, following in his father’s footsteps. It’s a woodwind instrument with a double reed, just like an oboe. Different versions of it are widely played in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Balkans. When Jarbo was only eleven years old, he entertained audiences in Tel Keppe during events, even at weddings that went on for two to three days. “We would travel from store to store, home to home, playing music,” he explained with emotion. “Life there was absolutely beautiful.”

Read More
Team Gold Skates Away with the Telga Cup

Each Chaldean Hockey League season concludes with the crowning of the league champion and produces a treasure trove of interesting personal stories. One of the major story lines this season in the six-team league was written by Team Gold star and captain Andrew Roye. Playing in his first Telga Cup championship series, Roye led Team Gold to the title and was named the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs. He had five goals and four assists in six playoff games.

Read More
Old Alqosh Bazaar Festival

The second edition of the Old Alqosh Bazaar Festival was inaugurated by the bishop and a group of residents in Alqosh on March 27. This festival’s mission is to uphold and preserve the rich traditions, culture, and ancient crafts of the region. Participants engage in traditional dances and patronize traditional food and handcrafted items, contributing to the rehabilitation efforts of this historic bazaar, once a vital commercial center in the area.

Read More
From Merchants to Entrepreneurs

The YAC kicked off the Spring season with a professional development and networking event held on the evening of Thursday, April 11, at Shenandoah Country Club. The event was moderated by the charming and witty Paul Jonna, a real estate and business attorney and former COO of the Chaldean Community Foundation.

Read More