Jonny “Magic” Mansour, 25, is a boxer on the rise. His Instagram account names him “God’s Chosen Warrior,” and he’s currently 5-0 in the ring. He recently had the opportunity to visit the land of his ancestors; his parents are both from Alqosh in the Nineveh Plains of northern Iraq.

The Chaldean Community Foundation will partner again with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the 2026 National Civics Bee® to the community. This nationwide, nonpartisan competition gives 6th, 7th, and 8th graders the chance to showcase their ideas, sharpen their civics knowledge, and compete for prizes — all while making a difference in their communities.

As the leaves begin to turn and we enter the season of harvest, we find ourselves reflecting on what it means to preserve—and fight for—what we value most. Harvest is more than just a gathering of crops; it’s a moment of reckoning—a time to gather the fruits of labor, memory, and intention.

The treatment of immigrants in the United States, whether legal or illegal, has become increasingly harsh. Policies have shifted from being pragmatic to punitive. There is an effort to dehumanize the undocumented. This cruelty carries negative consequences not only for immigrants, but also for their children, spouses, our society and ultimately, the moral and economic fabric of our nation.

On September 8, the CCF welcomed back their Little Scholars students as they started their new journeys in Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten. Little Scholars Preschool for ages 3-4 supports early learning through songs, stories, and movement while building language, early literacy, pre-math, social skills, independence, and confidence.

New tenants to Tigris Tower were met on Friday, September 19—move-in day—with a welcome package including, “bread – so that this house may never know hunger; spice – so your life will always have flavor; and wine – that joy and prosperity may reign forever.”

On September 3, the Chaldean Community Foundation welcomed nearly 100 eager job seekers ready to take the next step in their career journeys. With polished resumes in hand and interview skills prepped, attendees made meaningful connections and explored exciting opportunities.

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) is honoring Hungary Helps as its 2025 Humanitarian of the Year, recognizing Hungary’s extraordinary role in supporting persecuted Christians in Iraq. Through its Hungary Helps Program (HHP), the Hungarian government has become the world’s leading state-level advocate for Christian minorities, providing more aid to Christians in Iraq than any other nation.

Governor Abdul Qader Al-Dakhil of Nineveh has been actively working to support the return of Christians to the province through a combination of infrastructure projects, cultural initiatives, and direct engagement with the community.

Many people associate October with classic fall traditions such as visiting pumpkin patches, picking apples, enjoying cider and donuts, or preparing for Halloween. These American family customs trace back more than 200 years, with roots in Scottish and Irish immigrant culture.

Parts One and Two of this series explored the history and plight of Iraq’s Jewish community, an indigenous minority that practiced its faith and civil rights amid conspiracies and persecution that ultimately forced its emigration to Israel. We also examined the displacement of Christians, Mandaeans, and Yazidis, who were scattered across the globe.

Michigan’s marijuana market is emerging as one of the most mature in a vastly complex web extending across the country. But the state’s status is a mixed blessing, according to some of the industry’s stakeholders.

Ron Najor may not be a household name—yet—but within the world of independent film, he’s earned a reputation for telling deeply human, heartfelt, multi-layered stories. Born into a Chaldean-American family and raised among the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses and tight-knit community ties, Najor has taken a different path: film.

October is recognized as Fire Prevention Month to raise awareness about fire safety and to promote practices that prevent fires. The observance dates back to 1922 when the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established the first Fire Prevention Week to commemorate the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that began on October 8.

Two Chaldean businessmen were honored by the state earlier this year for their transformation of a historic downtown Clarkston grocery store into a fine dining establishment. Robert Esshaki and Christopher Thomas received a Building Award from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network for their renovation of a more-than-century-old building at 9 Main Street that’s now Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse, which opened in October 2024.

Every business begins with a story. Sometimes it grows out of passion, sometimes it comes from necessity, and often it is rooted in values instilled long before the first customer arrives. In the Chaldean community, entrepreneurship has always been more than a career choice. It is a way of life, a tradition carried forward by families who relied on resilience, faith, and an unwavering belief in hard work.

Yasmine Dabish and Michael Sulaka will both take the court for their college basketball teams this winter. But they’re more than athletes—they’re standout students with ambitious career goals beyond basketball. Dabish, a freshman at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a 2025 graduate of Troy Athens High School, finished high school with a 3.8 GPA. She’s determined to carry that success into college as she pursues her dream of becoming a pediatric surgeon or entering another medical profession.

The Iraqi Chaldean community gathered in solemn remembrance of the tragic Soria Massacre of 1969, honoring the 39 innocent lives lost to a brutal military attack. The event was organized by the Chaldean Democratic Union Party in cooperation with the Chaldean Diocese of Zakho, with the participation of local clergy, faithful from surrounding towns, and expatriates from the United States and Europe.

For most kids, “asthma” is just a word they’ve heard from parents or teachers—something serious, maybe even scary, but distant. For Charlize Sitto and Elinor Jwaydah, it became personal. Elinor remembers being a child who didn’t even know she had asthma. “I didn’t realize my coughing and shortness of breath were symptoms,” she said. “It was confusing and kind of scary, and I wish someone had explained it to me in a way I could understand.” That experience became a driving force behind her work.

Ethan Mukhtar, a talented Chaldean-American golfer from Farmington Hills, is making waves in the golfing world. A 2025 graduate of Orchard Lake St. Mary's Preparatory High School, Ethan was a four-year varsity letterwinner and a key member of the school's first-ever MHSAA Division 2 state championship-winning boys golf team in 2024.

Nestled in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood, Kintsugi Village is more than just a school—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem built on the idea that education should nourish the whole child. Set to open in October, the nonprofit early childhood center blends learning with art, food, nature, and community connection.

For one group of past, current, and future medical students at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, it’s definitely safe to say that the school is a family affair. Chaldean cousins Jackie, Julianne, and Jacob Thomas all officially begin attending OUWB as members of the Class of 2029 on Monday, August 18.

For over 150 years, the remarkable story of a Chaldean woman from the Nineveh Plains who became part of the ruling dynasty during 19th-century Afghanistan was largely forgotten or perhaps intentionally concealed in my family’s historical narrative.

With increasingly realistic deepfakes arriving by email, text, phone and even mail, everyone is vulnerable to fraudsters. Seniors, in particular, are prime targets. My wife and I—not quite seniors yet—learned this the hard way. A couple of years ago, while trying to sell a couch on Facebook Marketplace, we were scammed out of $300 through Zelle.

The Chaldean Community Foundation’s West location (CCF West) will soon unveil a robust slate of new programs designed to support seniors, families, and community members of all ages. From wellness classes to cultural workshops and intergenerational cooking lessons, the expanded offerings reflect CCF West’s mission of building connection, promoting health, and celebrating heritage.

As the days grow cooler and shorter, many of us take time to reflect on what matters most—and for Chaldeans, that often begins with family. Our cover story is a true family affair: five cousins from the Thomas family have all chosen to pursue medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.

There is a persistent misconception that sanctuary cities allow “criminal illegal aliens” to roam freely and hide after committing crimes. Basic logic suggests this is not the case — regardless of party affiliation, elected officials generally care about the public and work to protect it.

If you ever find yourself driving down Jamacha Road in San Diego, you might notice a modest wooden sign that reads: Good Samaritan Retirement Center. Tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood, this Spanish-style building, surrounded by well-kept landscaping, may seem like a hidden gem—and it is.

Tigris Tower’s on-site office is now open, Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. Tours for the public are now available. All interested applicants are encouraged to fill out the form at tigristower.com/contact or visit Tigris Tower in person at 43700 Van Dyke in Sterling Heights.

CCF recently celebrated the completion of the teen Chaldean (Sureth) Language Course at CCF West. Over the past six weeks, Michael Antoon and Patrick Kakos taught students how to speak Sureth – the language spoken by Jesus Christ.