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 MoreOnce 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 MoreMay is a favorite month for many people. The weather is warming, everything is green, flower shoots are peeping out of the ground and tree buds are popping out all around us. It is the month of hope, of promise, of new beginnings. Let’s look back at May cover stories over the last two decades.
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Nestled along the shores of a great river, Detroit’s story is one of triumph over adversity. From its humble beginnings as a French fur-trading post to its rise as the automotive capital of the world, Detroit has weathered economic downturn, social upheaval, and urban decay. Yet, amidst the challenges, one constant has remained – the power of faith to inspire, unite, and uplift.
Read More“Geography informs your fate,” says Dr. Adhid Miri. What he means by that is our environment has an immense influence on our chosen trade or livelihood. The Silk Road—interwoven passages, caravan routes, and byways that stretched from China to the eastern Mediterranean—connected with other important trade routes in ancient Mesopotamia, giving rise to a culture adept at trade.
Read MorePeople tend to get emotional when talking about Frank Jonna, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Businessperson of the Year. Frank, who will be honored at their 21st Annual Awards Dinner on April 26, has the reputation of a man who listens to people and makes them feel valued.
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Back in 1937, a group of Chaldean Iraqi Christians traveled from Telkaif to Mosul, then to Adana to board a cargo ship bound for America. However, the United States was not their final destination. Upon reaching Ellis Island, New York City’s famous point of entry, they would board another ship, this one bound for Veracruz, which was then the main port of entry into Mexico.
Read MoreWhen David Garmo makes a decision, he doesn’t look back. This resolute attitude led him to the pinnacle of athletics in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where he represents Chaldeans as one of the toughest fighters in the world. It also brought him to the 2023 world finals match against repeated world champion Ronaldo Junior.
Read MoreIn the tapestry of history, the contributions of remarkable women often remain woven in the shadows, their stories hidden beneath layers of time, patterns, and societal norms. Yet, within the rich and vibrant cultural heritage of the Chaldean community, a garment of strength, resilience, and empowerment emerges; one adorned with the narratives of extraordinary women who have defied expectations and altered the weave.
Read MoreBeirut (AP) Feb. 3 — British forces on Saturday joined their American allies in new attacks against militia in Yemen. The U.S. military earlier launched strikes on dozens of sites manned by Iran-backed fighters in western Iraq and eastern Syria in retaliation for a drone strike in Jordan in late January that killed three U.S. service members and wounded dozens.
Read MorePart III The Chaldeans’ journey to Detroit is a story constantly being rewritten as the community grows and evolves. It would be relatively simple to characterize Chaldeans in the early 1900s; their differences from other immigrants left them with few options besides the assembly line, menial labor, or starting their own farmers market stalls and eventually small storefronts.
Read MoreThe Chaldean American Bar Association (CABA) has risen from the ashes. A young and energetic board led by president Rita Soka has big plans for the future of the Chaldean legal community. CABA hosted its first event in January at the new restaurant and bar West End to kickoff its relaunch.
Read MoreI was recently out to lunch with some family and friends and the topic came up of how taboo and even frowned upon mental therapy is within the Chaldean community. Like other social issues such as disabilities or physical ailments, therapy has had its own negative stigma for years uncounted. In the past, if you even remotely considered counseling, you were deemed weak, crazy, or both.
Read MoreFittingly, the first March cover in 2004 (and only the second CN issue ever) was about the community having a voice. Featuring a young Shoki Konja from Chaldean Voice Radio, the article told the story of the radio show that began as “Voice of the Chaldean Youth” and was broadcast from a closet below the stairs of Mother of God Church.
Read MoreMetro Detroit may not be top-of-mind for lovers planning a romantic date night, but it does offer everything you need and more! Detroit has undergone a breathtaking revival in recent years, blossoming into a vibrant and diverse city with an expanding array of enchanting destinations for a memorable date night.
Read MoreLast year, the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) announced plans to renovate The Corners, a former school building at Walnut Lake and Inkster Roads. The newly acquired property in West Bloomfield will serve as the headquarters for the CACC and will also house other affiliated organizations.
Read MoreTania’s Pizza has long been an iconic Royal Oak institution. Nestled in an unassuming little strip mall behind a Sunoco station at the corner of 13 Mile Road and Crooks, Tania’s has been dishing out its signature stuffed pizza since 1987. The then-beer and wine shop began feeding hungry Kimball High School (now Royal Oak High School)…
Read MoreAs promised, each month this year we will highlight the cover stories of that month over the last two decades. This serves as a timeline of what we thought was worth reporting, and what the community was concerned with at that time. For instance, the first cover of the first issue of the Chaldean News declared Chaldeans “An Ancient People in Modern Times.” The inaugural issue was not just about uniting the community…
Read MoreBrendin Yatooma’s athletic resume is impressive. He’s also an impressive human being. Just ask Aaron Babicz, the longtime athletic director at Novi Detroit Catholic Central High School. Yatooma graduated from Catholic Central in 2020 after being an outstanding football player and wrestler for the Shamrocks.
Read MoreComing to a new country can be daunting. A new language. An unfamiliar culture. Everything is different. On top of all that, add a set of rules, regulations, and customs regarding finances that are strange and confusing. There are many financial perils facing those new to life in the United States, particularly if immigration takes place under duress.
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