Saadi Al Saihood, an Iraqi businessman and prominent philanthropist, was born in Baghdad in 1954. A father of three sons and a daughter, his family hails from the province of Amara. He began his career humbly, selling newspapers at age 11 while attending school part-time and taking night classes. He also helped with his father’s laundromat business, which he named The White Robe, inspired by the film The Robe.
Read MoreTransitions are rarely easy. Letting go of what was and adjusting to what comes next is an internal process—one that requires navigating the journey, not just the change itself. For a Church and a community that have endured many transitions, the current moment is simply the latest chapter in a long and evolving story.
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 MoreA local investment group led by Saber Ammori, Kevin Denha, and Andrew Dickow has acquired Buddy’s Pizza from private equity firm CapitalSpring, though the purchase price was not disclosed. The new owners—who say the brand holds personal significance—plan to strengthen customer experience, improve product quality, and expand Buddy’s presence nationally, particularly in the frozen pizza market. The deal, financed by First Merchants Bank with legal support from Varnum and Taft, comes after years of limited expansion outside metro Detroit and several recent store closures in west Michigan. Founded in 1946 and credited with creating Detroit-style pizza, Buddy’s remains a longstanding staple with multiple locations across Michigan.
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 MoreFirst-floor medical and retail space is currently available at Tigris Tower. Spaces range from 1,500 to 9,000 square feet, with ground floor access and parking attached. Long-term lease opportunities are available. For more information about the spaces available, contact KJ Commercial Real Estate at (248) 851-8900.
Read MoreOn February 12, Chaldean Community Foundation West was visited by Saadi Saihood and a delegation from the American University of Iraq-Baghdad to explore the Foundation’s newest location in West Bloomfield. Mr. Saihood is the founder of the Raban Al-Safina Group, one of Iraq’s largest private industrial and engineering conglomerates, and the founder of the American University in Baghdad, the country’s largest private university.
Read MoreOn February 3, the Mar Ibrahim Library officially opened to the public, located inside CCF West at 2075 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield. Operated by the Chaldean Catholic Diocese, the Mar Ibrahim Library will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am - 4pm for study.
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Crain’s Business Detroit’s Best of Detroit contest celebrates the people, businesses, and organizations making a meaningful impact across the region. The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) has been nominated again this year, a testament to its continued commitment to serving individuals and families throughout metro Detroit.
Read MoreJavon David, a shareholder at Butzel, was recognized among Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women in Law for her work across commercial litigation, media and entertainment law, and products liability, where she advises businesses on complex matters ranging from contract disputes and shareholder oppression to trade secrets, real estate and automotive supplier issues.
Read MoreRudy’s Prime Steakhouse in downtown Clarkston has earned Hour Detroit’s top honor — and it’s easy to see why. Housed inside the beautifully restored 1915 former Rudy’s Market, the 130-seat steakhouse blends historic charm with modern quiet luxury.
Read MoreAfter the sudden loss of her father, Dr. Raad Jajo, a psychiatrist known for his compassionate approach, Shahad Jajo Jonna, PA-C, founded Jajo Psychiatry in 2021. The practice reflects her father’s emphasis on empathy, trust, and individualized care, serving patients across Michigan with a focus on mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Read MoreThe Chaldean Hockey League hosted its annual Charity Night on Feb. 15 at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Ice Arena, uniting players, families, and supporters for an evening that blended spirited competition with community generosity. The event successfully raised $25,000 for the Chaldean Community Foundation, bolstering the foundation’s broad mission to support advocacy, acculturation, community development, and cultural preservation within the Chaldean and greater Michigan community.
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.
Read MoreAs the only girl with three older, athletic brothers, Lily Alattar had no choice but to like sports. The family was either at a game or watching one on TV. But while her brothers showcased their athleticism on the field, Lily’s talents emerged in a different way—through her vocal cords.
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