Cousins Jonny Mansour and Julius Ballo each earned convincing victories Saturday night in Los Angeles, thrilling hometown fans while winning bouts on the same professional card. Mansour (5-0, 2 KOs) cruised to a six-round unanimous decision over Marc Antonio Juarez Rodriguez of Mexico (12-9-3) in a lightweight bout, winning every round on all scorecards. Mansour controlled the fight with a sharp jab, steady footwork and poise, even showboating late as the crowd cheered.

Long before the holiday music plays and the last gift is wrapped, a small army of volunteers gathers in a Macomb County space to sort, wrap, and organize presents. Each package is assembled with care so that a child in foster care will open something personal and know they are not forgotten. For nearly 20 years, that work has been centered around one woman and a simple promise: to make sure no child in foster care goes without at Christmas.

The history of doors in ancient civilizations—and especially in the Middle East—is remarkable. Gates and wooden doors have existed since the dawn of civilization. According to the Bible, King Solomon commissioned olive wood doors for his temple. Ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians also used wooden doors in their homes and temples.

Dr. Crystal Kassab Jabiro successfully defended her dissertation titled “Ethnic Identity Development of Chaldean American Youth” at Indiana Wesleyan University on Friday, November 21, 2025.

Winner of over 50 international film awards and now streaming in 25 countries, Pomegranate by Weam Namou comes to the big screen at Emagine Theater in Royal Oak (200 North Main Street) on December 7 from 3pm to 6pm EST.

Jonathan Elias, Metro Detroit’s own “Pastry Guru,” recently returned to the national spotlight with a new appearance on Food Network’s Sweet Empire: Winter Wars. Competing among a select group of top dessert artists from across the country, Elias showcased his signature creativity, precision and larger-than-life pastry imagination in this high-stakes holiday competition.

Last month, guest chefs Samira Cholagh and May Denha guided participants through the art of making Kleecha, Kahi, and Maa’Kacha. Hands-on sessions offered more than just recipes, they fostered connections, cultural pride, and delicious memories. Each session invites you to team up with fellow food lovers, learn from talented Chaldean community members, and create authentic dishes in a welcoming, hands-on environment.

In partnership with MDHHS and Ageways Michigan, CCF West hosted a meaningful community dialogue with Chaldean seniors to help shape the Michigan Plan on Aging. Participants shared personal experiences about aging in Michigan, highlighting key needs around transportation, mobility, food access, and overall well-being. Tammy Lemmer from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) facilitated the discussion.

Last month, our B.E.A.M. Project participants attended nutrition classes at CCF West presented by Amy Safaoui, a Michigan State University Extension Community Instructor fluent in Arabic. Amy works closely with Arab and Chaldean communities across Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties, helping families build lasting healthy habits.

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) has partnered with the city of Sterling Heights for the 47th Annual Ken Stempowski Memorial Food Drive, providing food assistance to families in need this holiday season. Now through December 17, a donation bin will be available at the CCF (Sterling Heights location) to accept non-perishable food donations during office hours.

As we close out the year, this December issue invites us to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with our heritage, our families, and the communities that sustain us. The end of the year has a way of drawing us back to what matters most, and across these pages you’ll find a theme that carries through each story: the power of belonging, whether expressed through gratitude, service, shared history, or the simple joy of being together.

One of the great privileges of my work with the Iraqi Embassy over the years has been meeting and collaborating with remarkable Iraqi diplomats who have become brothers to me—as we call one another. Recently, Iraq’s Parliament approved a long-delayed slate of new ambassadors, and I was thrilled to see at least five of these colleagues elevated to the rank of ambassador.

In addressing this difficult subject, I must first make a clarification: I am not a theologian or an ethicist. I am a physician who has faced end-of-life issues many times over my 37-year career in pediatric oncology. This article is guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church—its Catechism and moral tradition—and by the Catholic Medical Association, of which I was a member. If I have made any errors, I welcome correction and comment.

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) Iraq Mission has been closely monitoring the 2025 national parliamentary elections. With permanent staff in the Nineveh Plain and ongoing work and visits in the region, the CCF has established strong relationships with political leadership.

Every family has its own story, but some stand out because they’re built on quiet strength and shared purpose. For brothers Rami and Noor Yasi, their path in real estate and mortgage lending grew from early lessons that shaped them long before they entered the industry. What began as a simple desire to help others find stability has become a lifelong calling rooted in compassion and hard work.

Telleskuf (Tel Keppe) is a Chaldean name composed of two parts: Tella Zqeepa — Tella meaning “hill” and Zqeepa meaning “upright” or “cross.” The town’s origins date to the mid–second millennium B.C. Ancient manuscripts reference Telleskuf. In the archives of the Chaldean Diocese of Kirkuk, there is a manuscript written in 1582 by Abraham bin Bid‘a of Telleskuf.

The Chaldean Hockey League is a delicate balance of fierce competition, camaraderie and community. Games in the weekly league are hard-fought, and emotions run high—especially in the playoffs, when the coveted Telga Cup, the league’s version of the NHL’s Stanley Cup, is on the line.

There’s a reason our hearts feel different when the seasons change. It’s not weakness, it’s rhythm. As the days get darker, our bodies slow down too. The holidays can bring joy, but they can also overwhelm and bring stress. In Chaldean homes, this season is full of warmth and family, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Many people find themselves pushing to stay okay when what they really need is a little space to rest and reset.

DOHUK, Iraq (AP) — Members of Iraqi security forces and displaced people living in camps, including minority Yazidis, cast their ballots Sunday in early voting ahead of this week's parliamentary election in Iraq. The election, which will help determine whether Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani gets a second term, comes against the backdrop of fears of another conflict between Israel and Iran, and Iraq’s balancing act with Tehran and Washington.

Sterling Heights formally welcomed four new police officers and four firefighter/EMTs in October 2025. These officers were officially sworn in on October 7 by Police Chief Andrew Satterfield before the Sterling Heights City Council, marking the beginning of their careers serving the community. The four officers (as introduced) were Tyler Secluna, Miranda Diaowd, Adam Mays and Andy Cafritzas.

High school students Charlize Sitto and Elinor Jwaydah turned their personal experiences with asthma into an innovative awareness campaign for kids and families. What began as frustration and confusion over a misunderstood condition became Lung Quest—a colorful board game that teaches asthma management through play—and Breathe Boost, a digital platform and app offering kid-friendly tips, demos, and resources.

Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen came alive with the aromas of Takhratha during the CCF West’s first cooking demonstration with Anmar Sarafa. In each class, students team up with fellow food lovers, learn from talented Chaldean community members, and create authentic dishes in a fun, hands-on environment.

Balance and Breathe classes for caregivers and adults 60 years and up takes place on Mondays and Fridays from 11:30am-12:15pm at CCF in Sterling Heights (3601 15 Mile Rd.) now through March 2026. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:00am.

CCF West hosted a special Movie Night for adults with special needs and their families — featuring Disney’s Hocus Pocus! Guests enjoyed a cozy theater experience with friends, snacks, and lots of laughter.

On October 10, the CCF in Sterling Heights welcomed Turning Point for an all-staff training focused on the cultural aspects of the Chaldean community. Turning Point empowers survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking through comprehensive services and resources while advocating for community action to end oppression and violence.

November calls us to pause — to gather with loved ones, share a meal, and give thanks for the blessings that surround us. For the Chaldean community, gratitude runs deeper than a single season. It is rooted in faith, family, and tradition — values that have carried the community through hardship and continue to illuminate its future. This month, we celebrate that spirit through stories that reflect generosity, perseverance, and pride in heritage.

“Art and architecture have long inspired one another, each shaping imagination, innovation, and cultural memory.” Visitors to the new Chaldean Community Foundation building in West Bloomfield, CCF West, are greeted by a vibrant collection of artworks celebrating faith, culture, and history. The walls feature depictions of the Freedom Monument, King Nebuchadnezzar II, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Martyrs Wall, the Tree of Life, the Ishtar and Sennacherib Gates, and more. Many of these works were commissioned by the CCF and brought to life by artist Reni Stephan.

Old bridges and arches are living monuments that carry the weight of history. They are not merely structures to cross rivers and roads—they have facilitated communication, trade, and human interaction between friends and foes alike. Over time, they have shaped culture, geography, and historical memory. Few bridges illustrate this as vividly as Pira Dalal, or the Dalal Bridge, in Zakho, northern Iraq.

We may be thousands of miles away from our homeland, but the essence of who we are shouldn’t fade with distance. For Chaldean Americans including myself and many others – children of immigrants, either born or raised in a new world – our existence is defined by an ongoing struggle between embracing the culture we inhabit and holding on to our identity. We are fortunate to live in a country that has given us opportunity, safety, and freedom, and for that, we are endlessly grateful. Yet, amid the beauty of assimilation, we should always remember the subtle, strong reminders of our origins.

Long before a student steps into a courtroom or writes their first brief, there is a moment of realization that something within them is meant for this path. It might come from witnessing an injustice or from the understanding that words have power when used to defend what is right. Within the Chaldean community, that moment carries profound meaning. It grows from generations who built their lives on faith and perseverance, and who believed that success means nothing unless it uplifts others.