On April 23, 2026, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce hosted its 23rd Annual Awards Dinner at Shenandoah Country Club, bringing together community leaders, business professionals, and public officials for an evening of celebration and connection. The sold-out event honored entrepreneur Saad Nadhir as Businessperson of the Year, recognizing his impact and leadership.
Read MoreIn his farewell speech of January 17, 1961, five-star General Eisenhower (Ike) warned the nation against the mounting influence and unbridled reign of a newly established “military-industrial complex.” He
Read MoreThere is a fear of the unknown—especially when it comes to raising children, and particularly when parents sense that something may be different. That is how Zena Agoubi felt when her oldest child, Owen, was not progressing past 18 months. At around two years old, she enrolled him in speech therapy because he was not really talking. The doctor suggested it could be a sign of autism and urged her to make an appointment quickly, given the long wait lists. Agoubi did just that—”just in case”—knowing her son would not get the help he needed if he did not have an official diagnosis.
Read MoreChaldean American physician and mother Dr. Mariam Shapera never set out to write children’s books—but her love of storytelling, combined with her experiences as a parent and physician, inspired her to create stories that celebrate the unique strengths of autistic children. Writing was always something she enjoyed, but her career first took her down a very different path. “As a teenager, I always loved writing fiction and poetry,” she says.
Read MoreImagine stepping into a place where you can do it all: explore the town center of ancient Babylon; touch the stele bearing Hammurabi’s Code of Laws; enter a sacred space and hear Aramaic spoken just as it was in the days of Christ; visit a Chaldean village in the Nineveh Plain in the early 20th century; travel to America and glimpse the New York skyline as early pioneers saw it from Ellis Island; feel the pride of standing inside a 1930s grocery store as a Chaldean entrepreneur builds his place in Detroit’s business community; and discover how Chaldeans today are expanding their professional horizons. How is all this possible? Welcome to the Chaldean Cultural Center and its Museum.
Read MoreEveryone knows the goal of going to college and earning a degree is to gain the education needed to find a job after graduation. One key part of that journey is securing an internship. Internships help students build connections in the workforce, gain professional experience in their chosen field, and strengthen their resumes. They’re not just important—they’ve become almost essential to the college experience, especially in today’s competitive job market.
Read MoreIn West Bloomfield, Michigan, a city home to one of the largest Chaldean populations in the country, Officer Zena Dailey occupies a unique position. She is the only female Chaldean police officer in the city, navigating a profession that is still growing in diversity while representing both her community and women in law enforcement. Her story is one of dedication, service, and the quiet but powerful impact of representation.
Read MoreDr. Adhid Miri has lived many lives in one—scientist, educator, entrepreneur, historian, cultural preservationist, and, for Chaldean News readers, one of its most trusted and thoughtful voices. To read his work is to travel across centuries and continents, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern Michigan, guided by a man who understands both the chemistry of molecules and the chemistry of people.
Read MoreFor anyone who knew Nuha Arabo, one thing was immediately clear: she had a presence that could light up any room. Her smile was constant, her laughter contagious, and her warmth made people feel instantly at ease. Whether surrounded by family or greeting someone for the first time, Nuha had a natural kindness that left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Read MoreNicholas, better known as Nini, made life louder, funnier, and more interesting. His heart was huge, and anyone lucky enough to know him always felt that. Nini was notorious for chasing adventure and making all of our adventures that much better. Nini was the fearless one, the adventurous one, and the witty one who always had the perfect comebacks. He was the best arguer to do it. I know, because we argued a lot… and he always won.
Read MoreNever doubt Logan Hamama. Ever. When he was a student-athlete at Birmingham Brother Rice High School, his work ethic, drive and determination earned the former part-time player the starting point guard job on the star-studded boys basketball team when he was a senior.
Read MoreApril is National Minority Health Month, highlighting the health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minority groups. By understanding the social determinants of health impacting Chaldeans, both physicians and patients can encourage preventive care and improve outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and only about a quarter have it under control.
Read MoreApril invites us to slow down, listen more closely, and widen our understanding. As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month, this issue is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: every story, every mind, and every path deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
Read MoreOn Thursday, March 12, 2026, an alert went out across West Bloomfield: active shooter in the area. Schools and organizations went immediately into lockdown—no one in or out. Those inside were told to shelter in place as police raced to potential targets. An attack was underway at Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, but it was unclear if the assailant acted alone.
Read MoreThe 2026 Bishop’s Dinner for the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle took place Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at Larsa Palace in Warren, Michigan. Hosted by Bishop Francis Kalabat, the annual benefit supports the bishop’s office and provides vital funding for the diocese’s seminarians, priests and parishes.
Read MoreIn a quiet corner of the Chaldean Community Foundation in West Bloomfield (CCF West), something extraordinary is unfolding. The Mar Ibrahim Library is not simply housing books. It is awakening memory. It is stirring questions. It is forming students. And for the first time, it is opening the history of the Church of the East to the wider community in a structured, academic course once reserved primarily for seminarians.
Read MoreThis month’s issue explores a question that sits at the heart of every community story we tell: How do we carry the Chaldean story forward? Sometimes that question appears in big conversations, like immigration, where policies and legal definitions can shape real lives in lasting ways. When we talk about whether a misdemeanor should be grounds for removal, we are not just debating law. We are talking about families, second chances, and what fairness looks like in practice.
Read More“What part of illegal do you not understand?” That is a standard line I have heard from critics of legalization whenever undocumented immigrants are discussed. For some, that sentence seems to settle the matter — a complex immigration debate reduced to a single word, with no need for further discussion.
Read MoreAs he approaches his first anniversary as Archbishop of Detroit, Archbishop Edward Weisenberger reflects on a year marked by collaboration and visible signs of hope. Arriving from Tucson to lead one of the nation’s most historic and complex archdioceses, he stepped into a city whose very motto promises resurrection.
Read MoreFor the second time in Chaldean Community Foundation West Bloomfield’s relatively short history, a group of (mostly) men met in Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen to cook up some Chaldean cuisine. On the menu for this cold February day in Michigan? Paqota (also spelled pakutta, pukota, or pikota), a traditional Chaldean dish of turmeric barley with beef.
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