CULTURE & HISTORY
The United States, Europe and other nations are undergoing significant demographic change as immigrant groups once considered minorities move toward majority status. Among them are fast-growing communities from Asia and North Africa. In several Michigan cities, Chaldean Iraqi Americans are part of this transformation.
NOTEworthy
Javon David, a shareholder at Butzel, was recognized among Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women in Law for her work across commercial litigation, media and entertainment law, and products liability, where she advises businesses on complex matters ranging from contract disputes and shareholder oppression to trade secrets, real estate and automotive supplier issues.
SPORTS
Pierce Shaya’s tennis career has always been associated with unbelievable numbers. His career record playing for the Bloomfield Hills High School boys tennis team from 2021-24 was 103-2. He was 77-1 in singles matches and 26-1 in doubles matches. He was 16-0 in four trips to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state tournament, winning state championships at No. 3 singles, No. 1 doubles, No. 2 singles and No. 1 singles, respectively, from his freshman through senior seasons.
Online Exclusive
Iran has launched missile and drone strikes against U.S. military assets across the Gulf following a major joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel. According to Iranian officials and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, American and Israeli targets throughout the region are now considered legitimate targets, and operations will continue until what Tehran calls “aggression” ends.

Inside the Studio with Chris George
Former staff writer, Cal Abbo, returns for an encore appearance to interview Chris George about his recent sale of his SubSummit conference business.
Chaldean Kitchen with Jacob Bacall
Jacob Bacall prepares Gurgur, the classic Chaldean dish and ancient staple, cooked throughout Mesopotamia for thousands of years.

Inside the Studio with Ron Najor
CN editor, Sarah Kittle, speaks with Ron Najor about his new film, "Adjunct" and about Uncle Freddy Productions, the production company set-up with help from his uncle, Fred Najor.
Chaldean Kitchen with Linda Abbo
Linda Abby's unique torshi recipe brings on the heat.
This episode of Chaldean Kitchen is proudly sponsored by Jim Manna, the Residential & Vacant Land Expert with Real Estate One.

Sureth Language Classes for Teens
Chaldean Community Foundation's new center in West Bloomfield kicks off its programming series with language classes designed to introduce Sureth to Chaldean teens.
Features
In a quiet corner of the Chaldean Community Foundation in West Bloomfield (CCF West), something extraordinary is unfolding. The Mar Ibrahim Library is not simply housing books. It is awakening memory. It is stirring questions. It is forming students. And for the first time, it is opening the history of the Church of the East to the wider community in a structured, academic course once reserved primarily for seminarians.
As he approaches his first anniversary as Archbishop of Detroit, Archbishop Edward Weisenberger reflects on a year marked by collaboration and visible signs of hope. Arriving from Tucson to lead one of the nation’s most historic and complex archdioceses, he stepped into a city whose very motto promises resurrection.
For the second time in Chaldean Community Foundation West Bloomfield’s relatively short history, a group of (mostly) men met in Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen to cook up some Chaldean cuisine. On the menu for this cold February day in Michigan? Paqota (also spelled pakutta, pukota, or pikota), a traditional Chaldean dish of turmeric barley with beef.
As the only girl with three older, athletic brothers, Lily Alattar had no choice but to like sports. The family was either at a game or watching one on TV. But while her brothers showcased their athleticism on the field, Lily’s talents emerged in a different way—through her vocal cords.
On any given morning, their voices can be heard across metro Detroit’s airwaves, confident, quick-witted and unmistakably at home in the fast-paced world of iHeart Radio and Mojo in the Morning. But beyond the microphones and studio lights, they are also daughters of the Chaldean community, shaped by family expectations and a deep sense of identity.
For many in the Chaldean community, Manresa Retreat Center is more than just a peaceful property tucked away in Bloomfield Hills—it is a spiritual refuge, a place of renewal, and, for some, a sacred tradition passed from one generation to the next.
Iraqi Arabic, also known as Mesopotamian Arabic, is the everyday language of millions of Iraqis and Iraqi Americans. It is the language of family conversations, humor, storytelling, and daily life. While Modern Standard Arabic is used in formal settings, Iraqi Arabic is what people actually speak at home and in the community.
Though it happened decades ago, the tragedy that once made headlines across Iraq still lingers in memory. Khariya Gergis Mattia was intelligent and beautiful. Though she had many suitors, she never married. Around 1960, while she was in her early twenties, she moved to Baghdad to study education.
Arabic Translations
مع اقتراب الذكرى السنوية الأولى لتوليه منصب رئيس أساقفة ديترويت، يتكلم رئيس الأساقفة إدوارد وايزنبرغر في هذه المقابلة عن عامٍ اتسم بمبادرات التعاون وبوادر الأمل الملموسة. فلقد قَدِم نيافته من مدينة (توسان- ولاية اريزونا) ليقود إحدى أعرق وأكثر الأبرشيات تعقيدًا في البلاد، وليجد نفسه في مدينةٍ شعارها نفسه يَعد بالقيامة. وفي عامه الأول، لم يلمس فقط صمود ديترويت، بل لاحظ أيضًا أمرًا فاجاءه كثيراً: كنائس نابضة
تشهد الولايات المتحدة وأوروبا ودول أخرى تغيرًا ديموغرافيًا كبيرًا، حيث تتحول جماعات المهاجرين التي كانت تُعتبر أقليات إلى أغلبيات، ومن بين هذه الجماعات، نجد مجتمعات سريعة النمو من آسيا وشمال أفريقيا وامريكا الجنوبية.
لطالما كان الشعر في قلب الثقافة العربية، وصدر الديوان وأدب المجالس كونه أقدم وسيلة استخدمها المتحدثون الأوائل في اللغة العربية لتسجيل معتقداتهم ورواياتهم وفلسفتهم. بدأ الشعر في شبه الجزيرة العربية منذ أكثر من 1500 عام، قبل الإسلام، واستمر في الشهرة ولكنه أصبح فيما بعد شكلاً لغوياً فنياً وانتشرعالمياً.
بغداد (أ ف ب) - قال مسؤولون عراقيون يوم السبت إن القوات الأمريكية انسحبت بالكامل من قاعدة جوية في غرب العراق تنفيذا لاتفاق مع الحكومة العراقية. سبق واتفقت واشنطن وبغداد في عام 2024 على إنهاء عمل التحالف الذي تقوده الولايات المتحدة والذي يقاتل تنظيم الدولة الإسلامية في العراق بحلول سبتمبر 2025، ومغادرة القوات الأمريكية القواعد التي كانت تتمركز فيها. ومع ذلك، بقيت وحدة صغيرة من المستشارين العسكريين الأمريكيين وأفراد الدعم.
ضمن تغطيتنا لتاريخ شعبنا الكلداني ومناطق تواجده، كان لي شرف محاورة سيادة المطران مار حبيب هرمز النوفلي، راعي أبرشية الكلدان في البصرة والجنوب، والزائر الرسولي إلى أوروبا، الذي استعرض خلال اللقاء تاريخ الوجود الكلداني في مدينة البصرة، وأبعاده الروحية والثقافية والاجتماعية، والتحديات التي يواجهها اليوم.
بادرت مؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية في مدينة ويست بلومفيلد باقامة أمسية ثقافية كلدانية للفن والموسيقى يوم الخميس كانون الاول - ديسمبر 11 2025 في موقع مؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية الجديد في مدينة ويست بلومفيلد.
قبل ظهور كتب الطبخ، وقبل السكر والطماطم، وحتى قبل فكرة «طبق الحلوى»، كان سكان بلاد ما بين النهرين القديمة يتفننون في أعداد وطهي انواع الطعام ببراعة ملحوظة. ففي المنطقة الواقعة بين نهري دجلة والفرات، والتي تُعرف غالبًا بمهد الحضارة، لم يكن الطعام مجرد وسيلة للبقاء على قيد الحياة، بل كان طقسًا وهوية وقربانًا للآلهة.
Voices
FROM THE EDITOR
This month’s issue explores a question that sits at the heart of every community story we tell: How do we carry the Chaldean story forward? Sometimes that question appears in big conversations, like immigration, where policies and legal definitions can shape real lives in lasting ways. When we talk about whether a misdemeanor should be grounds for removal, we are not just debating law. We are talking about families, second chances, and what fairness looks like in practice.
GUEST COLUMN
“What part of illegal do you not understand?” That is a standard line I have heard from critics of legalization whenever undocumented immigrants are discussed. For some, that sentence seems to settle the matter — a complex immigration debate reduced to a single word, with no need for further discussion.
GUEST COLUMN
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.
Departments
IRAQ TODAY
The U.S. military has completed the transfer of thousands of Islamic State group detainees from Syria to Iraq, where they are expected to stand trial in the future, the U.S. Central Command said Friday. CENTCOM said that the transfer that began on Jan. 21 saw U.S. forces transporting more than 5,700 adult male IS suspects from detention facilities in Syria to Iraqi custody. The prisoners were transferred to Iraq at the request of Baghdad — a move welcomed by the U.S.-led coalition that had for years fought against IS.
BUSINESS
After years spent building his SubSummit conference, Chris George and his partners, John Hajji and Paul Chambers, exited the business earlier this year in an eight-figure acquisition by Nineteen Group. The trio launched SubSummit in 2016 as an annual weekend conference geared toward subscription-based businesses. It created a space where founders, operators, and innovators could connect, exchange ideas, and push the industry forward together.
EVENT
The 2026 Bishop’s Dinner for the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle took place Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at Larsa Palace in Warren, Michigan. Hosted by Bishop Francis Kalabat, the annual benefit supports the bishop’s office and provides vital funding for the diocese’s seminarians, priests and parishes.
LEGAL UPDATE
Pierce Shaya’s tennis career has always been associated with unbelievable numbers. His career record playing for the Bloomfield Hills High School boys tennis team from 2021-24 was 103-2. He was 77-1 in singles matches and 26-1 in doubles matches. He was 16-0 in four trips to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state tournament, winning state championships at No. 3 singles, No. 1 doubles, No. 2 singles and No. 1 singles, respectively, from his freshman through senior seasons.
Economics & enterprise
For Rima and Rana Goro, a portrait does not begin with charcoal. It begins with a story someone is afraid to lose. Identical twins and Chaldean Catholics, the sisters grew up learning how quickly life can change and how deeply people hold onto the ones they love. Born in Iraq, their early years were shaped by uncertainty before their family moved through Lebanon and eventually settled in Michigan. Those experiences stayed with them. They learned early that memory is fragile and that love often outlives photographs.
CULTURE & HISTORY
The United States, Europe and other nations are undergoing significant demographic change as immigrant groups once considered minorities move toward majority status. Among them are fast-growing communities from Asia and North Africa. In several Michigan cities, Chaldean Iraqi Americans are part of this transformation.
Foundation Update
First-floor medical and retail space is currently available at Tigris Tower. Spaces range from 1,500 to 9,000 square feet, with ground floor access and parking attached. Long-term lease opportunities are available. For more information about the spaces available, contact KJ Commercial Real Estate at (248) 851-8900.
On February 12, Chaldean Community Foundation West was visited by Saadi Saihood and a delegation from the American University of Iraq-Baghdad to explore the Foundation’s newest location in West Bloomfield. Mr. Saihood is the founder of the Raban Al-Safina Group, one of Iraq’s largest private industrial and engineering conglomerates, and the founder of the American University in Baghdad, the country’s largest private university.
On February 3, the Mar Ibrahim Library officially opened to the public, located inside CCF West at 2075 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield. Operated by the Chaldean Catholic Diocese, the Mar Ibrahim Library will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am - 4pm for study.
Crain’s Business Detroit’s Best of Detroit contest celebrates the people, businesses, and organizations making a meaningful impact across the region. The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) has been nominated again this year, a testament to its continued commitment to serving individuals and families throughout metro Detroit.
Noteworthy
Javon David, a shareholder at Butzel, was recognized among Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women in Law for her work across commercial litigation, media and entertainment law, and products liability, where she advises businesses on complex matters ranging from contract disputes and shareholder oppression to trade secrets, real estate and automotive supplier issues.
Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse in downtown Clarkston has earned Hour Detroit’s top honor — and it’s easy to see why. Housed inside the beautifully restored 1915 former Rudy’s Market, the 130-seat steakhouse blends historic charm with modern quiet luxury.
After the sudden loss of her father, Dr. Raad Jajo, a psychiatrist known for his compassionate approach, Shahad Jajo Jonna, PA-C, founded Jajo Psychiatry in 2021. The practice reflects her father’s emphasis on empathy, trust, and individualized care, serving patients across Michigan with a focus on mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
The Chaldean Hockey League hosted its annual Charity Night on Feb. 15 at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Ice Arena, uniting players, families, and supporters for an evening that blended spirited competition with community generosity. The event successfully raised $25,000 for the Chaldean Community Foundation, bolstering the foundation’s broad mission to support advocacy, acculturation, community development, and cultural preservation within the Chaldean and greater Michigan community.
Obituaries
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.
John Mansour, cherished son of Emanuel and Antoinette Mansour, was born on December 29, 1968, and went to Heaven on September 17, 2025. The loving husband of Ann “Ahlam” Mansour, John was a faithful father to Adriana, the late Alexander, and the late Gabrielle Mansour and caring brother of Steven (Zenia) Mansour and Marvin Mansour.
Hana Yousif Manna, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on August 22, 2025. Born in Iraq on April 6, 1943, she married Frank (Fouad), in 1959. Ten years later, they immigrated to the US, where they built a life rooted in faith, family, and service. Hana worked for the Oak Park School District, where she was known as a second mother to many, always offering kindness, guidance, and love.
Laith Joseph Manni was born on July 2, 1964, and peacefully entered the gates of Heaven on July 12, 2025. He was the cherished husband of Suhair Katoola Manni for 31 years and the devoted father of Brandon, Brenda, Dylan, and Destiny. Laith’s greatest joy in life was his family, whom he loved unconditionally. May he rest in peace.
In Memoriam
MARCH 2026