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 Iklas Bashi Crystal Kassab Jabiro Steve Stein Weam Namou art & production creative director Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative graphic designers Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative Joseph Sesi Photographers David Reed Jerry Zolynsky operations Interlink Media director of operations Paul Alraihani circulation Paul Alraihani CLASSIFIEDS Joyce Wiswell sales Interlink Media sales representativeS Interlink Media Lisa Kalou Lamya Kory 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 (P-6); Published monthly; Issue Date: May 2011 Subscriptions: 12 months, . Publication Address: 29850 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48034; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post Office Postmaster: Send address changes to “The Chaldean News 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48034” BUSY. Talk toBUSY. ‘Cause you BUSY. us never about know BUSY. a 401(k) what you BUSY. 401(k) might run into. Behind every strong community are strong and thriving community groups. This issue we highlight those with official nonprofit status. The Chaldean community has had charitable groups in operation for the past 50 years, thanks to the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC), which was the first to establish a 501 (c) (3). Although our community groups do stellar work, unfortunately some of the newer groups overlap services that the established groups have already been doing. Perhaps over time, they can join forces and collaborate more. We share with you this month what each offers in service to the community. My mom was among the pioneering women who started the CALC inside the church basement. It was during those early years that I learned about giving back and helping those in need. Back then, my mom spent her time taking members of the community to doctor appointments, helped them find free medical care and helped with translations. My dream is to become a philanthropist; my goal is to reach a financial state where I can trade in my full-time work as a business owner for a full-time job doing charity work — and God’s Dawn Shaouni, Agent Life If If you’re I’m you’re insurance about to shouldn’t change wait. jobs, you may have If your you’re about agent about to for retire to that. retire or or 89 89 89 W. W. South Blvd. some decisions to make about your retirement-plan MI Even money. change Having though Good jobs, you me as life thing may your is busy, there’s have Troy, Troy, MI 48085 change jobs, you agent may take means someone have who knows you, Bus: 248-879-8901 and some is ready decisions to help. to make about dawn.shaouni.r5ec@statefarm.com dawn.shaouni.r5ec@statefarm.com dawn@dawnshaouni.com Bus: 248-879-8901 a moment having some a real decisions to reflect person on to there what’s make to help about dawn@dawnshaouni.com Like your a retirement-plan good neighbor, money. State Farm is there.® most you important. when you need For peace it. So when CALL your ME retirement-plan TODAY. money. Good thing there’s someone of who mind, accidents protect happen, your family you have knows Good you, thing and there’s is ready to someone with help. who State FarmMutual State Automobile someone Farm ® Insurance life can insurance. trust Company, to get Bloomington, the Like knows a good you, neighbor, and is ready help. IL Like job a done good right, neighbor, and right away. State Like Farm a good is there. neighbor, State Like Farm a good is neighbor, ® CALL ME TODAY. there. ® 8 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2011 CALL State State ME Farm Farm TODAY. is there. is there. ® ® CALL CALL FOR ME A QUOTE TODAY. 24/7. We all have something to give! Vanessa denha-garmo editor in chief co-publisher It does not always have to come with a monetary contribution. Sometimes your talents and skills are what are needed most. Read about the organizations in our community whose members have dedicated thousands of hours to helping our brothers and sisters in need. You may have money, time or talent to spare. Perhaps your charitable giving will include lending your expertise. Helping others was the focus of discussion last month at Shenandoah where Ambassador Paul Bodde was speaking along with Congressman Gary Peters and Dr. Duraid Tobiya Zoma from Iraq at a luncheon hosted by the Chaldean Federation of America. Ambassador Bodde made it clear that the Iraqis cannot do it alone. In order to build the country and establish a thriving economy, the country needs help from Chaldeans in the United States. Read all about it on our website, ChaldeanNews.com. I had an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Zoma about the continued struggles Christian Iraqis are facing. The discussion about creating a Nineveh province is still at the forefront. However, the country is still dealing with insurgents work — evangelizing our faith. If only and terrorist attacks. Safety is at the top we did not need money to survive! never of a long know list of issues and concerns. I believe true happiness is found by what In you this issue, we bring you a Oneon-One with Dr. Zoma. The bottom line using your God-given talents to make might a difference and share goodness with is: your help is needed. run into. the world. Charity work is part of that Perhaps your charitable giving will because we all have talents that we can focus on Iraqi Christians. share with others in need. Whether you We enter into spring having just celebrated the holiest day for Christians are an attorney doing pro bono legal work, a writer, an Dawn accountant, Shaouni, Agenta communicator or a doctor Troy, ‘Cause MI who 48085you lends his Having Easter me as celebration your agent means is a time of reflec- I’m your everywhere. agent for that. The Lenten Season and 89 W. South Blvd. Bus: 248-879-8901 or her expertise dawn.shaouni.r5ec@statefarm.com at no never cost know to the less having tion. a real I reflected person there on to my help life, my career, what you fortunate, we all have might an opportunity to you when my family, you need my it. friends So when and even my foes. be charitable. run into. accidents I am happen, not a fan you of have the word “enemy” un- Talk to us about a Dawn Shaouni, Agent 89 W. South Blvd. Troy, MI 48085 Bus: 248-879-8901 dawn.shaouni.r5ec@statefarm.com 1001177 1001177 I’m your agent for that. Having me as your agent means having a real person there to help you when you need it. So when accidents happen, you have someone you can trust to get the job done right, and right away. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company • Bloomington, IL ‘Cause you someone you can trust to get the job done right, and right away. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company • Bloomington, IL Eliminate Varicose Veins Before After less in reference to Lucifer. I do not refer to anyone as an enemy, rather a person who needs much prayer. My father always taught me to pray for those people who have hurt me. It has been one of the most challenging requests ever made of me. This past Easter season I spent many hours thinking about this lesson and doing my best to do just that — pray for those who have deceived me, betrayed my trust, who have uttered rude remarks, who have used ill judgment in relating Being charitable does not always have to come with a monetary contribution. Sometimes your talents and skills are what are needed most. to my daughter and whose reputations have tainted mine by mere association. I also prayed for forgiveness for any harm I might have caused others. In my conversations with God, I deeply understand that there is nothing more powerful than prayer. It is a simple thing to do — pray for others — even for your nemesis. Perhaps your charitable contribution is starting with a simple prayer for those in most need of God’s Mercy. Alaha Imid Koullen (God Be With Us All) Vanessa Denha-Garmo vdenha@chaldeannews.com Success Is Our Experience Laser & Ultrasound Technology • Dr. Mok Has Treated Tens-Of-Thousands Of Varicose Veins Using This Technology. • In Many Cases Covered By Insurance and Medicare. • Now Accepting HAP! • Non-Surgical, Quick, Simple Procedure. Call for your FREE screening exam 800-610-7486 VeinAway.com 8180 26 Mile Road, Suite 300, Shelby Township Dr. Charles Mok
your LETTERS Community Pride Part I Remember the Virginia Slims cigarette commercials that always stated, “you’ve come a long way baby?” I am reminded of that every time I look at our wonderful community and realize how far we have grown in a few short years. I look at all the wonderful events and things our organizations and churches do to further us as a community. I was recently at a Chaldean event where 900 people attended and I was floored by the fact that not only the governor was there, but many politicians and judges from all aspects of religions and ethnic groups. It feels great when you run into Judge Small a week later from the 48th District Court and she tells you how great and genuine your community is. I sat at this event and shared with my wife that in the next few decades I would absolutely not be surprised if we have several state legislators, state senators and even a Chaldean governor some day. Our community is truly a community of leadership and I will leave any negatives aside. Our Chaldean Churches continue to grow with further investment in more church locations and excellent leadership by our bishops. Most masses are crowded and someday some of us will figure out how to perfect being on time for something important. I was at a recent Chaldean Federation board meeting at which all the heads of the various Chaldean organizations were and I marveled at the fact that in the next decade I have absolutely no doubt that we will be doing much greater things. Although we have a way to go, for example, giving. We are still way behind in terms of an organized effort to raise millions of funds on an annual basis for the good of our entire community. Always remember that there are only 70,000 Jewish people in Michigan and they raise 0 million+ per year. We are 120,000 strong and raise less than million! Basil Bacall and the refugee program has been a tremendous success with much, much more needed to help our Christians throughout the world. He has become an expert at fundraising all while running his own companies and doing this all as a tireless volunteer. The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity are celebrating their 50th year. Who would have guessed that a small group of women started this great organization 50 years ago and today are HVSH_04-11_ED Chaldean News (SUNNY_NEW).pdf 1 4/26/11 3:02 PM a force to be reckoned with? Their tireless work at housing and donating furniture and appliances to the needy is a great example of our Christian faith. Here are a few more of our organizations that need a salute for all their worthwhile causes: Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, Chaldean Community Foundation, Chaldean Federation of America, Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan, Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Council of America, Chaldean American Student Association, Chaldean American Association of Health Professionals, Chaldean Bar Association and Chaldean Outreach and Community Hope. There are many more organizations and companies that would be too long to mention here, including media, but that’s a great problem to have. In closing I ask us all to shake the hands or hug our brothers and sisters in these organizations instead of criticizing them. Say thank you for all you do to help further our name, our community and especially our future survival as Chaldeans. Someday we’ll all have a permanent home in this world before our great promotion to Heaven. See you at the top! – Jibran Jim Manna Part II On March 30, I was privileged to be one of the cooks at the Ma Baseema cookbook launch party held at Shenandoah. As I dished out my recipe to the hundreds of attendees, it made me reflect on how proud I am to be a Chaldean, and to have been a part of such a momentous occasion. I envision that for generations to come, the cookbook will be used and cherished and many will proclaim “how good it is” to enjoy our traditional foods and to be a Chaldean! As an American-born Chaldean, it would have been relatively easy to adapt to the American ways and put aside the traditional aspects of being a Chaldean. However, embracing my culture has significantly enhanced my life. I made a conscious effort to speak and write in Aramaic and learn Chaldean cooking, prayers, dances, and the strength of connecting to my fellow Chaldeans through strong family, church, professional (teaching Chaldeans for decades) and community ties. I strongly urge all parents and youth to encourage and keep our culture alive! – Theresa Dabish Sitto C M Y CM or text ER to 42660 MY CY CMY K When it’s serious choose the only hospital in the area with the DMC 29-Minute Guarantee and emergency angioplasty to open a blocked coronary artery: DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital. THE EXPERTISE OF THE DMC DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital at Commerce and Commerce in Commerce 1 William Carls Drive Commerce, Michigan 48382 248-937-3300 www.hvsh.org MAY 2011 CHALDEAN NEWS 9
