Residents of West Bloomfield may be experiencing déjà vu. Once again, a vacancy on the Township Board of Trustees has raised questions about transparency, public participation, and who gets a seat at the decision-making table.
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Shortly after Dianna Rasha’s death from cancer in November of 2021, a woman stopped her sister Dalia Kejbou in the middle of Birmingham, crying. “No one calls and asks about me anymore,” she told her. “Dianna would just call and say, ‘Are you OK? What are you up to? What’s going on?’ Nobody does that anymore.”
Read MoreToday, families have more educational options than ever, from traditional public schools and Catholic or other religious-based schools to homeschooling. The right choice often depends on each family’s individual needs, priorities and values. For many families in our community, finding an education that incorporates faith into everyday lessons is especially important.
Read MoreOne of the most sentimental parts of childhood is the memories we make with our grandparents. They are often some of the first people to teach us about the fun and whimsical parts of life. One cherished memory that many people share is spending the night at their grandparents’ house.
Read MoreTwo years ago, Andrew Boji started posting his food on Instagram just for fun, with no plans to do anything more than entertain the family and friends he cooked for. He always made good food for everybody, and they always saw his passion. They wondered if he would open a restaurant, but that never occurred to the 33-year-old.
Read MoreHalloween is a tradition many Americans enjoy from early childhood into adulthood, when they pass it on to children of their own. It brings to mind jack-o’-lanterns, flashes of orange and black, spooky decorations, endless costume possibilities, and mountains of candy.
Read MoreCarl Matthew Hakim, “Chef Carl,” born on March 3, 1960, passed to the fullness of life on September 17, 2026, surrounded by his family. Loving husband of Azucena for 37 years; devoted father of Carly (Randy) Babi and Caitlyn Hakim; proud grandfather of Charlotte.
Read MoreFor more than 6,000 years of recorded history, dates have nourished civilizations and occupied a place of honor throughout the Middle East. The date palm has sustained generations with its sweet fruit and remarkable ability to thrive in some of the world’s harshest climates.
Read MoreRon Acho’s life was a testament to what can happen when perseverance is met with opportunity and when success is understood as something to be shared, not simply as something to be achieved. I had the distinct honor of interviewing Ron and his lovely wife Rita last year as he was being honored by the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce as Businessperson of the Year.
Read MoreThirteen years ago, John and Ann Mansour faced an unfathomable reality when two of their three young children, Alexander (11) and Gabrielle (6), perished in a boating accident. Their despair turned into a deep devotion towards the Chaldean seminarians after a seminary student came into the hospital to pray for 11-year-old Adriana, who was fighting for her life.
Read MoreRonia Shamona, host, anchor, and producer on Detroit’s channel FOX2, tried to be a lawyer once but her mother reminded Ronia of when she would walk around the house as a child with a hairbrush “microphone,” reporting on the news. Yes, she was meant to be on TV.
Read MoreThe Hamama v. Adducci lawsuit—a landmark class-action lawsuit filed in 2017 by the ACLU of Michigan and partner organizations to block the mass deportation of Iraqi nationals—provides important protections for certain Iraqis living in the United States. The settlement applies only to Iraqi nationals who had a final order of removal between March 1, 2017, and June 24, 2017, and who were not already deported under that order. It does not apply to all Iraqi immigrants.
Read MoreAfter 39 days and 104 matches, the World Cup has come to an end—but the intense feelings of national pride and a broader sense of global unity will hopefully linger. The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the first in its 23 editions to be jointly hosted by three nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States. Opening Day on June 12 had 25 million viewers for “the planet’s largest sporting event,” according to NPR—and then the party really began.
Read MoreNo matter where someone comes from, music is arguably one of life’s great shared experiences. From classical to Arab pop to jazz and hip hop and all the kinds in between, music has always been a great uniter of people. But it’s even more than that—music is a way that we express ourselves, preserve our cultures, and connect with others. Grandiose gatherings centered around music is a concept almost as old as time itself. To dedicate one’s life to music is as noble an effort as any.
Read MoreOn Thursday, July 23, Comerica Park in Detroit experienced a Chaldean takeover during Chaldean Heritage Baseball Night. Thousands of Chaldeans filled the stands, wearing their specially made Detroit Tigers shirts featuring a Chaldean Cross and sporting cut-out signs of Fr. Pierre Konja’s face to celebrate his throwing out the first pitch. Before entering the stadium, a joy filled Baggiya line dance spontaneously broke out. It was truly a family affair with fans of all ages representing both their culture and their city. The Tigers didn’t disappoint and rallied in late innings to beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3.
Read MoreOur archives this month explore some vacation photos of our international traveler, Dr. Adhid Miri, who shared some “mod” photos from the 1970s and more recent (but still decades old) photos from the year 2000.
Read MoreThe Chaldean community mourns the passing of Dr. Nouri Y. Mary, a pioneering pharmacist, educator and academic leader who was born in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 25, 1929, and passed away on July 5, 2026. After earning his pharmacy degree from the University of Baghdad and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University, Dr. Mary spent 42 years as a professor and associate dean at Long Island University, where he mentored generations of pharmacists and received the university’s Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Service.
Read MoreHelen Jerjes Kattoula Kassab was born on August 3, 1950, and passed to the fullness of everlasting life on June 25, 2026. Helen was the loving daughter of the late Jerjes Hanna Kattoula and the late Narmi Hanna Yono, the cherished wife of the late Hanna Kassab, humble mother to Duraid Kassab, Ruwaida (Mazen) Yono, and Randa (Yousif) Jamil, and beloved grandmother of 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Read MoreYvonne Najor fell in love with New York City the first time she set foot there. Now, New York City loves her back as one of the main cast members on Bravo’s newest hit show, In the City, a spin-off of the network’s Summer House. It is a movement from the single, partying lifestyle to navigating the complexities of adult life, including marriage and personal reinvention. She is the first Chaldean “character” on a mainstream reality show and claims they are all just their authentic selves.
Read MoreLamya Kory believed that we are here for one reason: to learn how to give and receive love. It was a belief she spoke about often, but more importantly, it was a belief she lived. She lived life fully and invited everyone around her into it. She measured life not by possessions or achievements, but by love, connection, and the lives she touched along the way.
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