Loss, Sacrifice, and Rediscovering Culture

We chose our cover carefully to convey the great sorrow and anguish felt after a recent tragic fire in the Nineveh Plain province of Iraq. It was the happiest of occasions, a wedding between two lovers, a marriage of families, which turned into one of the most heartbreaking events a family can endure.

The story made headlines internationally, in part because of the “blame game” that started almost immediately among Iraqi officials and others involved, and in part because this tiny community has been beleaguered by tragedy for decades and has endured. Other recent events in the Middle East have overshadowed this story, so we wanted to remind you that the people of this small village in northern Iraq are still dealing with the aftermath of the fire and are struggling to pick up the pieces. Will they be able to recover from this horrific event and once again rebuild the community? Only time will tell.

We cannot ignore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, however. It has far-reaching effects as well as the potential to turn into the next world war. It seems that everyone has an opinion on this issue. Guest columnist Mike Sarafa shares his views on the situation, one that we hope and pray will have cooled off, or at least not escalated, by the time we go to print.

In honor of Veterans Day on November 11, we are humbled and honored to feature a story about Chaldean American veterans who served in the US military as part of our “Great Michigan Stories” series. Engaged in conflicts from World War II to the Detroit Riots to the Gulf War, these brave men and women served in war and in peacetime, admirably representing and upholding the values of the community. All Americans owe every US veteran a debt of gratitude.

Exploring more “Great Michigan Stories,” we seek to tell the tale of how Chaldean immigrants impact their adopted state. Two articles penned this month by star reporter Cal Abbo—Why Language Matters and Spicing Up Michigan—explain the importance of sustaining a shared culture, the former about native language and the latter about native cuisine. Chaldean language and Chaldean food are unique and deserve to be celebrated and preserved. We hope you agree.

Dr. Miri once again delights readers with colorful prose extolling the virtues of Chaldean culture and history. This month’s article is all about Amba, that delicious spicy mango-flavored treat that is a staple in Iraqi kitchens. In First Tango with Mango, he traces this delicacy to its roots in India and explains how it was adapted by cooks in Iraq.

In Celebrating 20 Years, Chaldean Cultural Center (CCC) director Weam Namou shares CCC founders’ stories and photos of the anniversary gala they recently celebrated. This small center has a large impact on the community, whether Chaldean or non-Chaldean. Families bring their young ones to show them their familial and cultural roots and others come to be educated about their neighbors. It serves a great purpose, and we are excited about the upcoming relocation and expansion.

Other articles in this issue include Origins of Language, Dr. Miri’s take on cuneiform and other early forms of writing and Arts & Entertainment, in which author Weam Namou tells the story Sam Sako, a foreign language coach in Hollywood.

Michael Antoon introduces us to one of the community’s newest priests, Fr. John “Junior” Jwad; Mikey Lossia tells the story of his family’s introduction to and subsequent love affair with golf; Paul Natinsky gives us an update on new Americans seeking health insurance; and Valene Ayar shares some unique ideas for Thanksgiving fun, minus the turkey.

Sarah Kittle

Editor in Chief