Michigan Chaldean Community

For 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.

Ron 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.

Thirteen 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.

Ronia 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.

The 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.

After 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.

No 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.

On 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.

Our 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.

The 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.

Helen 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.

Yvonne 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.

Lamya 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.

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th birthday, commemorating a century and a half since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Since then, America has gone through some growing pains: war, growth, hardship, and renewal, evolving into the country many of us proudly call home.

On Saturday, June 20, the Chaldean Community Foundation partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association and the group Do What You Love to End ALZ to host the Walk for Alzheimer’s at CCF West.  The Chaldean Catholic Church took part with a blessing from Fr. Marcus and Fr. Pierre, and MCCFAD (Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease) participated with remarks from Joe Sheena and Wassim Taraf. Dr. Tanav Popli, a dementia specialist and professor at the University of Michigan, shared insights on brain health and Alzheimer’s.

The last time Team Iraq qualified for the World Cup was in the 1980s,  but that was not the last time Iraqi American fans rooted for a team. These photos are from the World Cup in 1994, when Detroit hosted at the Pontiac Silverdome.

For many Chaldean families, caring for aging parents is more than a responsibility—it is a deeply ingrained expression of love, respect, and gratitude. Our parents and grandparents sacrificed to build better lives for their children. As they age, many families feel a strong desire to return that care. Yet today’s reality looks very different from previous generations.

We all know that prioritizing mental health is important. Paying attention to our emotional well-being is a critical part of caring for our overall health. Fortunately, conversations about mental health have become more common and less stigmatized in recent years.

Sameer “Sam” Poules didn’t grow up imagining a career in federal law enforcement, but looking back, the path now seems almost inevitable. Born in Iraq and brought to the United States at around age seven or eight, Poules spent his early years in Chicago before settling in Detroit, where he was raised. It’s the city that shaped his identity, his work ethic, and ultimately his career in law enforcement.

It has been said that owning a home is the ultimate American Dream. But for many West Bloomfield residents lately, that dream has become a nightmare. “If there is one more thing Chaldeans value besides God and family, it is the home. It’s where you raise your kids and host your relatives and friends,” said Omar Kallabat, a 31-year-old resident of West Bloomfield. “The home is sacred.”

Detroit restaurateur and developer Zaid Elia is making a bold play in one of America’s fastest-growing cities. Through his Michigan-based company, Elia Group, Elia has emerged as one of Nashville’s most ambitious hospitality developers, bringing a distinctly Detroit—and Chaldean—entrepreneurial spirit to the heart of Tennessee’s booming entertainment district. Drawn by Nashville’s explosive growth in population, jobs, and income, Elia saw an opportunity to establish a presence in a city increasingly viewed as one of the country’s most dynamic business and tourism markets.

Chaldeans began arriving to Australia in significant numbers during the 1990s, driven by war, persecution, and the gradual unraveling of life in Iraq. The population grew quickly, and by the 2021 Australian Census, more than 60,000 people identified with Neo-Aramaic origins, settling primarily in Sydney and Melbourne.

Ever since I was a little girl, one of the final lines in my evening prayers has been, “Thank You for making me an American.” Even then, small and sheltered as I was, I sensed there was something special about this country. (I also thanked God for making me female, but that’s a topic for another day.)

Soccer in Iraq is a unifying cultural force governed by the Iraq Football Association, which was founded in 1948 and joined FIFA in 1950. Known as the “Lions of Mesopotamia,” the national team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice (Mexico 1986 and the expanded 2026 tournament) and famously won the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

Summertime always feels like the season of fun and adventure. As children, we wait for the end of the school year and impatiently look forward to days spent playing outside, swimming, and enjoying homework-free fun. As adults, many of us are simply looking forward to a break from the cold, relentless Michigan winters. Summer also brings time off work, family reunions, and, best of all—vacations.

June is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to encouraging honest conversations about emotional well-being, addiction, depression, anxiety, and the silent struggles many men face behind closed doors. For generations, men have often been taught to suppress pain rather than confront it, leaving many to cope in unhealthy ways. In the Chaldean community and beyond, the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction can make asking for help even more difficult.

The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce PAC has steadily expanded its role in local civic life in recent months, positioning itself as a growing voice for increased transparency, accountability, and resident participation in township decision-making across West Bloomfield.

Lewis Yaldo, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and beloved uncle, passed away on November 1, 2025. Born in 1928, he overcame early family hardships to build a successful plumbing and import business with his brother and cousins. Lewis was cherished for his toughness, generosity, and storytelling, leaving a lasting legacy with his family and the Chaldean community. He is survived by his wife Juliet, children, grandchildren, and extended family.

Beginning in 2026, the month of May will officially be recognized as Chaldean American Month across Michigan, marking a historic acknowledgment of the cultural, economic, and civic contributions of Chaldean Americans throughout the state. The announcement came during a defining moment for the community.