Southfield Manor Part V – The Farewell
By Adhid Miri, PhD
By late 2004, the time had come to say “goodbye” to our beloved Southfield Manor building. Let’s take the time to celebrate and remember the incredible 25 years we spent in our original home.
Buildings come and go but the community goes on, leaving with us something special, carved in our memory. Southfield Manor was a landmark of its time, having quickly become a hub for all major events and community functions and the center for the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan (CIAAM) activities. Politicians such as state representatives and senators were frequent visitors, whether dining with a friend or looking for campaign support. The Manor had been visited by every Michigan governor and City of Detroit mayor during its time. This practice continues at Shenandoah Country Club.
Storied Past
So many events create a historical timeline one can follow to see the growth of a community. For example, on July 10, 1981, Southfield Manor hosted California State Senator Waddie Deddah. He visited again in 1982 when he was invited by the Iraqi American Graduate Association to give a political lecture. Senator Deddah shared his political experiences and encouraged the younger generation to enter the political arena. Deddah had won his California Senate seat with over 75% of the votes that year.
On Sunday, April 18, 1982, the appointment of His Excellency Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim as the first Bishop of the Chaldeans in the United States made history at Southfield Manor. On December 13 of that same year, Southfield Manor hosted Detroit Mayor Coleman Young and a City of Detroit delegation.
In 1984, the 4th Annual Baghdad University- Al Hikma University Jesuit Reunion was held at the Manor; the 6th annual reunion was hosted there as well. Former teachers and friends attended a weekend of celebration at Southfield Manor July 27- 28-29, 1984. The three-day gathering was as a display of appreciation and gratitude for the work of the Jesuit Fathers. In attendance were 26 Jesuit Fathers from New England who had served in Baghdad, Iraq as well as 150 guests from across the United States and overseas. They included students and their families in the spirit of fraternity, pride and comradeship which dominated this reunion. The 6th annual reunion was also held at Southfield Manor again on August 5-7 in 1988. Sabah Tomina and Dave Nona were the dynamic duo behind these historic gatherings.
In September, a fund-raising event was held at Southfield Manor for Reverend Jesse Jackson, who was among the leading Democratic Party candidates for the US presidency that year. In October, the club hosted Iraqi Council General in DC who announced the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iraq and the US.
On October 22, 1984 Senator Carl Levin, the Democratic US senator for the State of Michigan and his brother Sander Levin, Democratic congressman were guests at a Southfield Manor fund raising party. U.S. Senator Carl Levin, a true friend to the community received the Chaldean Iraqi American of Michigan certificate of highest achievement and appreciation; October 13, 1988 Senator Carl Levin gave a political lecture at the Southfield Manor.
On September 27, 1985, Southfield Manor hosted an Iraqi American social event to promote friendship and understanding between people from Iraq and the United States. The event was attended by several Iraqi and American dignitaries including the Iraqi Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Nizar Hamdoun.
October 3, 1985 was the date for a major fundraiser for Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, organized by members of the Chaldean community and spearheaded by Mr. Sami Jihad. The event was attended by over 300 guests. During the event Mayor Young applauded the Chaldean Community for maintaining business in the city of Detroit during hard times and called on the community to participate in the renaissance of Detroit.
In 1987, the Education Committee hosted Professor Adhid Dawisha, who gave a lecture about the Iraq-Iran war. In 1988, renowned artist and photographer Issa Hanna Dabbish arrived from Iraq and displayed his artwork and paintings at the Southfield Manor.
In 1989, they invited Dr. Behnam Nasser Nuaman Abu Alsoof, an Iraqi Cambridge graduate and professor at the University of Baghdad, to hold a lecture called Mesopotamia and the Chaldeans. His talk was informative, enlightening, and utterly confusing. Unlike many historians, Al-Soof claimed that “Chaldeans” and “Assyrians” are religious titles that are irrelevant and have no national identity. Some felt that outlook marginalized minorities and was playing to the tune of the Iraqi government.
In 1992, the Chaldean political action committee (PAC) hosted First Lady Hilary Clinton at the Southfield Manor. Many Chaldeans gathered to show support for President Bill Clinton’s re-election. They were hoping to have the sanctions on Iraq lifted.
November 24, 1997 hosted Poet Lamia’a Abbas Amara. The evening started with a piece of poetry to eulogize Iraq’s great poet (AL-Jawahri) with a personal poem by Mr. Joseph Nadhir. Other poems (in Sourath) were recited by participants Shawqi Qonja, Intisar Yono and Salam Yaldeko. Beautiful background music was played by Miss Ghada Maqdissy. To conclude the night Mr. Joseph Nadhir recited in Sourath the heroic poem the “Chaldean Epic.”
On November 18-21, 1997, a public Art Exhibition by Dr. Artist Hashim Al-Taweel was hosted at the Southfield Manor.
In 2002, the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC) honored Chaldean Americans in the US armed forces with a special tribute. The gathering at Southfield Manor was an opportunity for future generations of Chaldeans to acknowledge the many priceless freedoms enjoyed by American citizens every day.
On August 13, 2002, CIAM directors invited Patriarch Raphael Bidawid, along with Chaldean bishops, to a five-course dinner with board members, committee chairs, and past presidents, to celebrate the ordination of Fr. Sarhad Jammo as the Bishop of the new Diocese of St. Peter in the western United States. Bishops Emmanuel Dalli and Ibrahim Ibrahim were present.
The Patriarch started his short speech by saying, “the food is delicious!” (His favorite was kubba mosulia.) He thanked the club and management, commended the founding fathers, urged the dedicated members to continue their hard work for the unity of the community and encouraged the attendees to embrace their new homeland of America, along with its values and principles.
On February 12, 2004 the women committee chairperson, Dr. Salma Ajo, and Nieman-Marcus department store produced a hugely successful fashion extravaganza at the Southfield Manor. All the benefits went towards the Shenandoah building project. That same year,
On April 28, 2004, the Assyrian Nationalist Movement staged an event for Mr. Yonadem Kanna (Iraq’s Governing Council) at the Southfield Manor, over 400 persons were in attendance. The following day CIAAM board hosted a luncheon for Mr. Kanna that was attended by clergy and 25 members.
On September 3, 2004, His Excellency Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim gave an important lecture about the problem of divorce in the Chaldean Community.
On December 17, 2004, the new Ambassador of Iraq to the US Samir Al-Sumaidaie gave a lecture at the Southfield Manor encouraging the Iraqi community in Michigan to participate in the 2005 Iraqi elections.
The Future
The club years are a sentimental part of the history of the Association. We cannot help cherishing the conception of CIAAM and the birth and life of Southfield Manor, even while wewent on to build an even more glorious space at Shenandoah Country Club.
Chaldeans are progressive, aggressive, and decisive when charting a new destiny. To honor the history of the old building before we moved into the new one, our vision was to build something special for the community, a central gathering place that connects east and west, the traditional and the modern, the old and the young.
Each contributor felt a mix of excitement and sadness as our moving day approached in 2005 and the curtains were lowered at Southfield Manor; however, we had inner joy because the opportunity to move forward was our goal after long years of planning. Our community has been greatly blessed by moving into the new building and that allowed us to pour out our blessings in greater ways. In Shenandoah Country Club, we have a new beginning for our community, but not the end of our achievements.
The digital world around us is changing everything; we need to be able to tell stories in every way possible in every format or platform. The world community needs to know us and stay informed about the impact we make.
That is the reason why this author plans to establish a “single source data bank and photography center” that will be charged to collect, sort, and digitize past community documents and to preserve the historic family archives before they are erased from memory. You can help preserve that history by sharing your photos and favorite memories through The Chaldean News.
From the author: I would like to thank all the club members mentioned in the story of the Southfield Manor that served as an inspiration for this series of articles. They gave their best, they shined, they did their duty to imagine, inspire and instill hope for generations to come.
Finally, I apologies for missing names, misspellings, other member stories, or historic events that might be attributed to the so called “Saybootha.”
Acknowledgements for contributions by Sabah Summa, Hanna Shina, Nabby Yono, Adil Bacall, Zuhair Antone, and Jacob Bacall. Additional editing by Jacqueline Raxter. Story ideas, photos and videos may be shared by emailing them to edit@chaldeannews.com.
Leadership
The management at Southfield Manor was an amazing mixture of international citizens from the Middle East and Arab world. (Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Iran, and Iraq).
Managers & Assistants
Samir Agemy (1981-1987 Lebanon)
Kassim (Cass) Allie
Tony Abou Nassar
Ramzi Nabor
Ernie Malazo (1997 Philippines)
Mohammed Ansari (Iran)
Massih
Oak Management
HDS Management
Fadi Abdu-Nour (2004 Lebanon)
Chefs & Assistants:
Chef Haroun Shimoun Guliana
Chef George Khnanisho
George Bazido (1994)
Servers, Bartenders, Etc.:
Naji Al-Mansour (1981-2004 Yemen)
Ibtissam Fathallah (1983)
Ammo Elias – Elias George Abdallah (1994 Syria Teacher)
Raffi Tombolian (1996 Lebanon)
Jan-Dark Shabo (1997)
Hanna Sultani (Syria)
Emmanuel Paolus (1994)
Samir Emanios Aramanuous (2001 Egypt Bartender)
Mohammed Al-Masri (Egypt)
Munther Kiryakoza
Napoleon Ross (Server)
Fadhil - Freddie (Tunisia)
Kathy Matti (Bartender)
Behnam Gorgies (Banquette Captain)
Henry Jackson (Bathroom Attendant)
Fatin Hanna (Kitchen)
The Agemy Brothers (Valet)
Richie Abbo (Valet)
Darlene Najor (Coat Room)
Andrea Gabbara (Mike George’s sister – Office)
Zahra Ansari (Mohhaad Anasari’s wife – Office)
Iman Jameel (Office)
Nawal Eissak (Office)
Terri Shammami (Office)
Rhonda Foumiya (Office)