from the EDITOR
from the EDITOR Published By The Chaldean News, LLC Editorial Editor in Chief Vanessa Denha-Garmo managing Editor Joyce Wiswell Contributing Writers Laura Abouzeid Joe Gasso Weam Namou Anthony Samona Mike Sarafa proofreader Valerie Cholagh intern Laura Abouzeid art & production creative director Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative graphic designers Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative Joseph Sesi Photographers Nora Bahrou Downs David Reed operations Interlink Media director of operations Paul Alraihani circulation Paul Alraihani CLASSIFIEDS Crystal Oram sales Interlink Media sales representatives Sandra Denha Jolagh Lisa Kalou Crystal Oram managers Vanessa Denha-Garmo Martin Manna Michael Sarafa subscriptions: per year The Chaldean News 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250 Southfield, MI 48034 www.chaldeannews.com Phone: (248) 996-8360 Publication: The Chaldean News Published monthly; Issue Date: July 2010 Subscriptions: 12 months, . Publication Address: 29850 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48034; Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Chaldean News 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48034 Culturally distinguishable Traveling to a foreign land is often coupled with excitement and anxiety, especially if you don’t speak the language, are familiar with the culture or understand the currency exchange. When Ron and I visited Spain on our honeymoon, we almost got duped by a con artist. Luckily, we asked our concierge about this guy offering us a tour service, saying he worked for our hotel, and they explained guys like that are known for swindling tourists. We were culturally distinguishable not as Chaldeans but as Americans. We were just visiting — not living in Europe — so we never really had to adapt to the country. Of course, here in the U.S., many of us are culturally distinguishable as Chaldeans. Imagine being forced to live in a foreign land. That is exactly what is happening to many Chaldeans who never became United States citizens and have been found guilty of a crime. Some of these Chaldeans left Iraq as infants or young children; they neither speak the Arabic language nor are they accustomed to the culture of the country. We feature this national story in this issue. Chaldean felons are not the only ones being deported — anyone born in a foreign land who has not become a U.S. citizen and who has committed a felon is being sent back to their birth country, regardless of how long they have lived in the U.S., and some Chaldeans being deported have lived here for 20 years or more. The story is complicated. The issue is controversial. So Joyce Wiswell went on a fact-finding mission to get the truth about who is being deported and why this is really happening. A significant portion of our editorial Vanessa denha-garmo editor in chief co-publisher this month reflects our culture. We highlight the Chaldean Festival, once again held in Southfield. It is not only an event that enables us to show our support for the Chaldean Community Foundation, but it is a place for non-Chaldeans to experience Chaldean heritage. I had the opportunity to sit down with Fr. Manuel Boji, who is now the Pastor of Holy Martyrs in Sterling Heights. He hopes to preserve our culture, language and community through his efforts at the new church. He has plans to incorporate many programs to be held at the educational facility that is part of the church’s structure. Our community continues to grow as more refugees arrive into the United States. The Chaldean Federation has led the efforts to help these Chaldeans adapt to life in our country. They are supported by the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity and the Chaldean Community Foundation among other groups. This past month there were two successful fundraisers for the refugees. These newcomers are bringing with them the culture that many of us have lost over the decades. They help us preserve our heritage as we help them adjust and create a new life in America. This past month, I was among more than 100 people who were given insight into the burial cloth of Christ. Ave Maria radio sponsored the presentation of the Shroud of Turin in collaboration with the E.C.R.C. at St. Thomas Church in West Bloomfield. The Shroud of Turin is a centuriesold linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man, a man that millions believe to be Jesus of Nazareth. The question many ask: is it really the cloth that wrapped his crucified body, or is it simply a medieval forgery, a hoax perpetrated by some clever artist? Modern science has completed hundreds of thousands of hours of detailed study and intense research on the Shroud. It is, in fact, the single most studied artifact in human history. Yet, the controversy continues. Our faith is an important part of our culture. Tracing back the linen that wrapped the body of Christ was a fascinating presentation. I highly recommend attending the talk by Russ Breault, an Imagine being forced to live in a foreign land. That is exactly what is happening to many Chaldeans who never became United States citizens and have been found guilty of a crime. authority of the Shroud of Turin. Our culture is a composite of many influences — the Arab world, our historical roots, Catholic faith and our recent immigration to the United States. Our culture is indicative of our community and individual identities. Our culture distinguishes us from the masses. Let our culture always be upheld. Alaha Imid Koullen (God Be With Us All) Vanessa Denha-Garmo vdenha@chaldeannews.com Meet Our Dental Hygienist, Karen Shounia Caring For Older Adults & People with Special Needs Dr. Marvin Novetsky Licensed specialist in Prosthetic Dentistry (248) 553-4740 changing Smiles. changing Lives. 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Her son was born with special needs. Every health plan rejected them, except for one. At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we believe every health plan should accept everyone, regardless of medical history. While health care reform addresses this critical issue, change is still several years away. In the meantime, we remain committed to our mission of guaranteed access to quality health coverage and being a champion for expanding access to affordable health care. To learn more about Blue Cross, visit us at bcbsm.com/home. Join the conversation about making Michigan healthier at aHealthierMichigan.org. Leading Michigan to a healthier future ṢM JULY 2010 CHALDEAN NEWS
