Taking the position of associate engineer at Lockheed, now known as Lockheed Martin, who had signed a contract with NASA to work on the space shuttle program, in April of 1981, Saad Jamoua was one of a small handful of foreigners and the only Iraqi working there.
Read MoreMatthew Marroki made a mark in his community during his 17 years. Matthew is gone now, the victim of a tragic house fire in Sterling Heights last April 28. But Matthew’s memory will live on thanks to Matthew’s Masterpieces, a fundraising event in Matthew’s honor that channels his passions into support for a cause he loved.
Read MoreHelp Iraq’s Student 2 Student Coalition (S2S) is an organization that advocates for displaced Christians and other minority groups in Iraq. The group of compassionate students have to be creative in order to figure out ways to connect with their peers thousands of miles away.
Read MoreIt’s long been considered a rite of passage for high school seniors. Spring break vacation is a time to escape to a warm destination, let loose, have fun and forget about the pressures of school and college applications for a little while.
Read MoreOn Easter 2016, Venis Asmar Hamama lost her father. The following Friday, still dealing with the fallout of a dead parent, she was dealt another blow. Asmar Hamama was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.
Read MoreNobody is surprised that Nathan Shammo got the opportunity of his lifetime last summer when he was selected among hundreds of kids at a camp in Brighton to attend an FC Barcelona soccer clinic for nine days last month in Spain.
Read MoreA 2015 Chaldean Chamber of Commerce humanitarian award recipient, Rafed Yaldo has spent years helping Christians and other minorities, especially those who suffered as a result of ISIS. Since his first trip to Iraq in November of 2014, when he witnessed firsthand the conditions of the displaced, he has worked diligently with the St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Diocese to provide them with various types of assistance. Along the way he learned from his fellow volunteers in Iraq about a group he wasn’t previously acquainted with – the Yazidis.
Read MoreIt’s been about 10 years since the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce first conducted a study of Chaldeans in Metropolitan Detroit. They have since wanted to examine changes in the Chaldean community so, along with the Chaldean Community Foundation, the chamber worked with the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Kurt R. Metzger and Associates to conduct a new survey.
Read MoreThey are documented as the first Chaldean wedding on American soil. George and Susie Essa exchanged vows inside a Lebanese church on November 22, 1922 in Detroit. “They had a very small wedding,” said Samira Essa speaking about her in-laws. “There were not many Chaldeans at all living here,” chimed in Peter Essa, the only son of George and Susie.
Read MoreThey have been capturing images of couples for years, some for decades. We asked local photographers to share with us some of their favorite photos and explain why each was sentimental.
Read MoreChaldeans are known for their extravagant and large gatherings, especially when it comes to those associated with weddings. Not long ago, they celebrated the tenetha, word, where the fiancé’s and fiancée’s family came together to give their promise that they’re committing to each other. That celebration was followed by an elaborate engagement party, a henna party, the wedding rehearsal, and the blessing of the couples’ bedroom. Next came the wedding and the after-wedding party.
Read MoreAs engagement season continues, many couples will find themselves planning their wedding and preparing for an evening that is sure to bring lots of love, food, and dancing. Wedding planning comes with many details and intricacies that almost always take precedence over being concerned about being able to keep up with traditional Chaldean dances.
Read MoreWith Valentines marking the middle of the month and just coming off the holiday season and New Year’s Day, there are and will be many newly engaged couples. Proposals are very popular from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day. According to WeddingWire.com, included in the top 10 most popular days to propose are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Day. So, now there are weddings to organize. Local wedding and event planners shared what was vogue in 2017 and what is expected to trend in 2018.
Read MoreHoneymoon is a concept that dates back to the fifth century in European cultures when time was measured in moon cycles. Couples were provided with a “moon,” approximately one month’s worth of mead which is an alcoholic honey wine. The idea was for couples to drink it together to help form sexual intimacy.
Read MoreThe beautiful, blushing bride is often what first pops into our minds when we hear the word “wedding,” but the handsome and eager groom plays an equally valuable role in the wedding process. Event planners Lawrence Yaldo and Andrew Keina from Top that Table, Dalia Atisha, CWPTM from The Event Planner, Inc., Suhair Kallabat from Eventfully Yours, and June Abro and Lauren Waterstone from A June Event shared their favorite tips for grooming the groom for the big, celebratory day.
Read MoreWith a lifelong passion for hockey, it was only a matter of time before Jason Shaya carried his passion into his broadcasting career. While Shaya’s broadcasting career started in 1983 when he was only 17 years old, it was only after receiving his broadcasting career that he realized he wanted to be a sports caster.
Read MoreContinuing the long standing tradition, University of Michigan’s Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) chapter is hosting their tenth annual Live From Babylon event. Live From Babylon is U of M CASA’s largest fundraiser of the year. Members of every CASA chapter are invited for a night out in Ann Arbor to enjoy food, entertainment and networking.
Read MoreTaking a stand against the second largest and fastest growing crime in the world, the Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) has partnered with the Convenience Stores Against Trafficking (CSAT) and In Our Backyard (IOB) to provide human trafficking training and materials to their convenience store members.
Read MoreEvery year there are trends in various industries with experts projecting outcomes or what to look out for in the coming year. Just like a particular industry, regions or communities have their own market shifts or approaches. The Chaldean community is no different. “We have seen a lot of focus on the food, hospitality, wireless and Marihuana sectors,” said Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. “Many are looking at franchising and we continue to see many developments, which has always been a significant part of the Chaldean community’s portfolio of business."
Read MoreCritics of technology argue that it can hinder interpersonal communication and limit face-to-face interactions. While there may be some validity to these statements, technology can also bring about enhancements to the natural connections we strive to make with one another by making interactions more accessible than ever before. Take Jay Nalu and Omar Binno, for example –two Chaldeans utilizing the advancements of today’s technology to connect to a wider audience of individuals craving insight, wisdom, entertainment, and knowledge.
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