State Rep. Tom Kuhn (R-Troy) testified before the House Government Operations Committee on behalf of his bill to name the month of May as “Chaldean American Month” in Michigan. “This is a well-earned and long-overdue recognition,” said Kuhn. “Chaldean Americans are a cornerstone of Michigan’s cultural, economic, and civic life, especially in Southeast Michigan.

The roots of the Chaldean American community in Michigan stretch back nearly a century, to a small but determined group of Iraqi immigrants who gathered in April 1943 at the Danish Hall of Detroit. Their mission: to create a better life for their families and preserve their culture in a new land.

On May 2, 2025, a special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark a major milestone in our community’s story. The Chaldean Community Foundation officially unveiled its new campus in West Bloomfield—known as CCF West—a space that builds on the Foundation’s mission with a renewed focus on cultural preservation and community growth.

In the heart of West Bloomfield, a new culinary space is bridging generations, cultures, and flavors. Nana Bernadette’s Kitchen, a demonstration kitchen at the Chaldean Community Foundation West, stands as a tribute to the late Bernadette Sarafa, mother of Anmar and Haithem Sarafa, prominent community leaders and philanthropists.

Protocol. That became our catchphrase during our trip to Iraq in the fall of 2023—sometimes used in jest, sometimes in earnest. In Iraq, “protocol” carries far more weight than the relatively informal customs of the more egalitarian West. There, it’s a profession. Every ministry, embassy, and consulate general office has a full department of protocol staff.

Each June, Immigrant Heritage Month offers a time to recognize and celebrate the millions of immigrants who have shaped—and continue to enrich—the American story. It’s a moment to honor the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and journeys that define the soul of the United States.

The city of Erbil in northern Iraq is truly magnificent in many ways. Few places on Earth can claim as much uninterrupted history. Erbil is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with settlement origins dating back at least 8,000 years.

قلعة‭ ‬أربيل‭ ‬هي‭ ‬قلعة‭ ‬وحصن‭ ‬أثري‭ ‬تقع‭ ‬فوق‭ ‬تل‭ ‬في‭ ‬مركز‭ ‬مدينة‭ ‬أربيل‭ ‬في‭ ‬كردستان‭ ‬العراق‭ ‬وهي‭ ‬بمثابة‭ ‬مركز‭ ‬مدينة‭ ‬أربيل‭ ‬التاريخي‭ ‬وأُدرجت‭ ‬القلعة‭ ‬على‭ ‬قائمة‭ ‬التراث‭ ‬العالمي‭ ‬منذ‭ ‬21‭ ‬يونيو‭ ‬2014

The vibrant artistry of the Chaldean-American community will be on full display this summer as the Perspectives 3 exhibition opens at Southfield City Hall. Featuring the work of eight Michigan-based Chaldean-American artists, the exhibit is a tribute to cultural identity, creative expression, and the power of visual storytelling.

This issue of Chaldean News is especially meaningful as it captures a powerful moment of growth and celebration. With the opening of the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) West, we are quite literally opening the doors to a new chapter in the story—one that reflects both the richness of Chaldean heritage and the promise of its future.

The Chaldean Community Foundation launched its 2025 Academic Scholarship Program on June 2, 2025. With anticipated scholarship awards reaching nearly $85,000 this year, several endowment and family funds will be contributing directly toward Chaldean students’ education.

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) was the recipient of a 2025 Macomb Business Award in the Nonprofit of the Year category presented by Advancing Macomb and Macomb County Planning and Economic Development on May 15. The Macomb Business Awards honor outstanding organizations throughout the county’s 27 communities.

Nearly 150 prospective job seekers attended the CCF’s Spring Community Job Fair on Wednesday, May 7. Job seekers had the opportunity to connect with employers, including Chick-Fil-A, Corewell Health, Macomb Community College, Michigan State Police, Oakland University and more.

The Chaldean Community Foundation attended multiple events throughout the Metro Detroit community in May. Events included Havel Elementary School’s Day of Culture, Disability Law Group’s Resource Fair, and providing cultural awareness training for Corewell Health staff.

Northern Hotels Group, LLC has been recognized by Hilton for their new hotel, the Hampton Inn St. Ignace Lakefront Mackinac. The hotel and the company are recipients of Hilton’s 2024 Americas Development Awards, which celebrate the “passion, creativity, and innovative spirit” of the hotel owners, development partners and teams.

Founded in 1988 by Richie Abbo and with the recent addition of his son Cal, Elite Parking Solutions has grown its valet service business to hundreds of clients in the restaurant, country club, home party, and banquet space, with 120 employees in season. Revenue in 2024 was approximately $790,000.

In many ways, Northern Hotels Group’s story is a typical Chaldean business success tale: Work hard at a business, gain professional skills and education, bring those attributes back, and grow the business. George Jappaya, who was a hotel proprietor in Iraq, took a job as a janitor upon arriving in the United States because it was one of few jobs available to a non-English-speaking immigrant. Soon he bought a liquor store and then a hotel.

Media personalities, known for their work in television, radio or online platforms, often use their names, programs and chosen topics to connect with audiences, building strong personal brands and influence. One such figure is Kamal Yaldo, the presenter of Spotlight on Iraq.

Logan Hamama has a message for young Chaldean basketball players dreaming of starting for their high school team—or even playing in college. “I’m very proud to be a Chaldean who started for one of the top five high school boys basketball programs in the state and will be playing college basketball,” he said.

If you’re someone who scrutinizes food labels for healthier choices, recent developments from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be of interest. The FDA has announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the nation’s food supply by the end of 2026, citing health concerns associated with these additives.

من‭ ‬منا‭ ‬لم‭ ‬يستمع‭ ‬الى‭ ‬او‭ ‬يشاهد‭ ‬الإعلامي‭ ‬العراقي‭ ‬الأصيل‭ ‬والبغدادي‭ ‬العتيق‭ ‬مُعد‭ ‬ومقدم‭ ‬برنامج‭ ‬أضواء‭ ‬على‭ ‬العراق‭ (‬كمال‭ ‬يلدو‭)‬؟‭ ‬وقليل‭ ‬منا‭ ‬قد‭ ‬يصادف‭ ‬في‭ ‬مسيرة‭ ‬حياته‭ ‬بغداديا‭ ‬بتجذر‭ ‬وعمق‭ ‬الانتماءات‭ ‬لذكريات‭ ‬وطنه‭ ‬وعاصمته‭ ‬وأهله‭ ‬وصحبه‭ ‬ومحلته‭ ‬مثله،‭ ‬فهو‭ ‬يحمل‭ ‬للعراق‭ ‬محبة‭ ‬قل‭ ‬لها‭ ‬نظير‭ ‬وقناعات‭ ‬وطنية‭ ‬لا‭ ‬تقبل‭ ‬التغيير‭ ‬وكأي‭ ‬ذا‭ ‬فكر‭ ‬تقدمي‭ ‬نجدهُ‭ ‬صاحب‭ ‬رأي‭ ‬جدلي‭ ‬مثير‭ ‬يسير‭ ‬به‭ ‬ومعه‭ ‬وجنبه‭.‬

في‭ ‬التاسع‭ ‬من‭ ‬أيار‭ ‬2025،‭ ‬أُقيم‭ ‬مهرجان‭ ‬سوق‭ ‬ألقوش‭ ‬القديم‭ ‬في‭ ‬نسخته‭ ‬الثالثة،‭ ‬برعاية‭ ‬خورنة‭ ‬كنيسة‭ ‬مار‭ ‬كوركيس،‭ ‬وبمشاركة‭ ‬واسعة‭ ‬من‭ ‬أبناء‭ ‬البلدة‭ ‬والمغتربين‭ ‬العائدين‭ ‬من‭ ‬الخارج‭. ‬استُهِلَّ‭ ‬المهرجان‭ ‬بكلمات‭ ‬ترحيبية‭ ‬مؤثرة‭ ‬ألقاها‭ ‬سيادة‭ ‬المطران‭ ‬ثابت‭ ‬بولص‭ ‬مكو‭ ‬والأب‭ ‬رودي‭ ‬صفّار،‭ ‬مؤكدَين‭ ‬أهمية‭ ‬إحياء‭ ‬التراث‭ ‬والحفاظ‭ ‬على‭ ‬الهوية‭ ‬الثقافية‭ ‬لألقوش‭ ‬والمنطقة‭.‬

Author Jacob Bacall hosted a special book launch event on Thursday evening, May 15, at Shenandoah Country Club to celebrate his new book, Chaldean Catholic Church, co-written by Bishop Bawai Soro. The book celebrates the rich history and legacy of the Chaldean Catholic Church and marks Mother of God Church’s 75th anniversary.

The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) hosted its 22nd Annual Awards Dinner May 1, celebrating a year of business achievement, community leadership, and cultural pride. The event took place at Shenandoah Country Club, beginning at 6:00pm with a lively cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception that welcomed hundreds of distinguished guests.

On May 9, 2025, the third annual Alqosh Old Market Festival took place under the patronage of the Parish of Mar Gewargis Church. The event drew wide participation from local residents as well as members of the diaspora who returned from abroad to celebrate their cultural roots.

Community members who have recently passed away.

As the stock market continues its boisterous ride and federal tariff policy shifts by the week, businesses across Michigan—from multinational automakers to family-owned storefronts—are scrambling to adjust. A recent wave of heavy tariffs, particularly on imports from Canada, Mexico and China, has been announced, only to be partially walked back following sharp drops in stock indexes.

Lamya Kory is a free spirit. She is curious, inquisitive, and open to adventure — breathing in each moment with a lust for life that fills the room. To enter Lamya’s home, is to be transported to a place of vibrant positivity and possibility. With no shortage of projects to pursue, she brings a unique energy to each of her many endeavors.