Dave Nona’s life began in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was the oldest child in a large family, having six brothers and two sisters. His father, a banker, moved the family to Amarah, in southeastern Iraq, when Dave was five. “Like most [Iraqi] cities, Amarah was predominantly Muslim,” Dave said. “There were maybe 10 or 15 Christian families, but we did have a Chaldean church and a priest there.” Dave remembers being the only Christian in his primary school.
Read MoreIt was a marketing professor at Wayne State University that lured Amanda Elias away from her private sector job to her current home as a Senior Advisor to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “The way he talked about Detroit changed how I look at the city,” said Elias. She wondered why people were spending all of their money in the suburbs and wondered if Detroit could capture these dollars.
Read MoreAs we pack away the Christmas decorations and ring in the New Year, our minds shift focus from “good tidings” to “new beginnings.” With this shift, we often lose the spirit of the season. The extra warmth and grace that fills us up around the holidays seems to get packed away with the Christmas ornaments, waiting until next year to re-emerge.
Read MoreThe CCF’s Little Scholars early childhood development program received a donation from Lisa Libraries of 83 books valued at $1,404. The donated books covered a range of different genres including fiction, mystery, fairy tales, fantasies, and more.
Read MoreThe CCF’s Breaking Barriers Program and their families enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration on December 17. This annual event brought together 250 individuals who enjoyed an afternoon of food, entertainment, dancing, crafts, and pictures with Santa. Thanks to CCF staff, volunteers, and Fr. Matthew’s Men’s Group, who graciously contributed to this event. CCF Breaking Barriers clients each received a set of bed sheets thanks to the generous donations made to the Mother of God and St. Thomas Giving Tree.
Read MoreThe Oakland County MDHHS Office hosted a bed sheet drive, “Tucked in Tight”, to support individuals and families that participate in the Chaldean Community Foundation’s Breaking Barriers Program. Breaking Barriers provides services and advocacy to those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Heather Hembree, Program Manager with the Oakland County MDHHS Southfield office, dropped off the donations to the Chaldean Community Foundation on December 13. The CCF thanks the Oakland County MDHHS Office for their generosity!
Read MoreHappy New Year! We at the Chaldean News are excited about the coming year and the plans we have to better serve our readers. We have already added more varied voices on our Editorial Board and grown our contributor base, introducing you to new writers and bringing back some alumni writers.
Read MoreIn late November, an historic delegation of community leaders from Detroit’s Chaldean community and several U.S. legislators toured northern Iraq and took notice of the living situation of the Chaldean families remaining there. Working with many different people and organizations, the delegation has planned many programs to support the community in Iraq.
Read MoreThere was a sadness in their eyes, but they were happy to pose. When I pulled out my phone to take a picture, they stood up straight and simultaneously pulled their arms behind their backs. They stared straight at me.
Read MoreGenevieve Kashat, 11, is a contestant on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. The contestants are all child entrepreneurs with “burgeoning baking businesses.” Throughout the ten-week competition, they must compete for the best in the latest dessert trends and most popular sweets. Premiering on Dec. 26 at 8 p.m., the season features a new twist, testing the children’s business savvy as well as their baking skills.
Read MoreOn Saturday, December 3, 2022, St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church celebrated a ribbon cutting and open house with blessings from His Excellency Bishop Francis Kalabat for the new St. Thomas Montessori School. Catholic faith-based education has been desired by the faithful and clergy for many years.
Read MoreIn the year that Apple launched iTunes, the Human Genome Project was completed, and basketball legend Michal Jordan retired, the United States invaded Iraq without provocation. Iraq was estimated to have nearly 1.5 million Christians before the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. Dating back to the first centuries of the religion, they include the Chaldean, Syriac, Assyrian, and Armenian Churches.
Read MoreSecuratech, a security company owned by Rudy Patros, had its grand opening at a new location on Farmington Hills. The event was celebrated in tandem with the U.S. Army and the Great Lakes Army Recruiting Battalion.
Read MoreAbe Koumaiha, of West Bloomfield, is a real estate agent at KW Domain and is a licensed real estate broker. Mr. Koumaiha is appointed to represent real estate brokers and salespersons for a term commencing December 15, 2022, and expiring June 30, 2026. He succeeds Hassan Ahmad whose term expired June 30, 2022.
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