Arameans in the Holy Land

Arameans in the Holy Land are a Christian minority living in Israel. They claim to descend from the Arameans, an ancient Semitic-speaking people in the Middle East in the 1st millennium BC. Some Syriac Christians in the Middle East espouse an Aramean ethnic identity, and a minority still speak various Neo-Aramaic languages, with the Eastern branch being widely spoken.

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Civically Engaged

On March 15, the Chaldean Community Foundation hosted its Second Annual National Civics Bee® local competition. The National Civics Bee® is an annual, nonpartisan competition designed to inspire young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Students in grades 6-8 entered by submitting an essay showcasing their civic knowledge.

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Revisiting Iraq

Thousands of miles of distance and cultural differences were never an obstacle for the true and patriotic sons of their homeland to express their love and pride for their motherland, Iraq. This was exemplified by a delegation representing the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, the Chaldean Community Foundation, and the Assyrian Chamber of Commerce, led by Mr. Martin Manna, who decided to visit their homeland in response to an invitation extended to them by the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mr. Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani.

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Faith, Prayer and Perseverance

As we celebrate this season of Easter, we are reminded of the triumph of life over death, hope over despair, and light over darkness. This issue highlights the work of Pope Francis, who recently faced a health scare that led to his hospitalization. As of the date of publication, the Holy Father is back at the Vatican, where he belongs. His resilience reminds us of the importance of faith, prayer, and perseverance in times of trial.

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A Pope of the People

He’s been a pope like no other. Pope Francis, the 266th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, has been a figure of profound transformation and spiritual renewal ever since his election in 2013. A man known for his deep empathy and commitment to social justice, he has earned the affectionate titles “The People’s Pope” and “Pope of the 99%.” Beneath the headlines, Pope Francis’ story is one of faith, humility, and a passion for service.

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Christ is Risen

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is Risen, and you are overthrown! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

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Joey’s Light

If you meet my brother Joey, you won’t forget him. He’ll introduce himself, ask your name, and from that moment on, he’ll remember you. He’s not just friendly—he’s genuinely interested in people. He wants to know who you are, what you like, and how your day is going. And he wants to be your friend.

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Chaldean Diocese to Host Special Masses

The Office of Life is a Pro-Life ministry dedicated to upholding the dignity and value of every human life. Central to this mission is a strong focus on supporting individuals with special needs and their families, ensuring they feel embraced and valued within the community. The ministry’s Special Needs Committee works to promote awareness and acceptance, celebrating the inherent beauty and worth of every life, regardless of ability.

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Opportunity Knocks

The early 1900s marked the “Progressive Era” in the United States, a period known for welcoming more than 15 million immigrants over 15 years. These newcomers came from around the world, with a significant portion hailing from non-English-speaking European countries. Among them were some of the earliest Chaldean immigrants, arriving during this time—or, in the case of Zia Atala, even a bit earlier.

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From Immigrant to Advocate

Ron Acho doesn’t really see himself as a businessman. Had he achieved his dream as a young man, he’d be heading a large grocery franchise. “I wanted to be president of A&P,” he says, only half-jokingly. Ron’s journey to the courtroom began decades earlier, when he shared a house with, among others, Mike George’s mom, and the Chaldean community in Detroit numbered only in the hundreds.

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A Visit to My Mother’s Grave in Baghdad

During our diplomatic visit to Iraq, led by the president of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce and Chaldean Foundation, Mr. Martin Manna, I made a personal decision—I would not leave Baghdad without visiting my mother’s gravesite. On February 24, our final day in Baghdad, I excused myself after our last scheduled meeting at around 4 o’clock and visited the Christian cemetery near Sahat al-Tayran, just behind the famous Freedom Monument (Nasib Al-Hurriya) in the heart of the city.

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Tigris Tower

The saying “home is where the heart is” rings true for many, but what happens when rising housing prices make owning or renting a home unattainable? The recovery from the 2008 economic crisis was slow in Michigan, with metro Detroit facing challenges such as economic instability and population loss. In the early 2000s, the region began to see a gradual rebound.

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Larger Than Life

Giovanni El-Hadi is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound senior offensive lineman for the University of Michigan football team. That’s a typical size for a Division I offensive lineman. But there’s nothing typical about this 21-year-old from Sterling Heights.

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A Historic Easter

For the first time since 2017, Catholics and Orthodox will stand together in proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ on the same day. Though this has occurred occasionally—most recently in 2017, 2014, 2011, and 2010—these shared celebrations are rare due to differences in calendar calculations. Easter is the foundation of Christianity, the ultimate victory of life over death, and in 2025, all who follow Christ will proclaim that in one voice.

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Second Chances and Shared Roots

“Write about what you know”—it’s an old writer’s axiom, and Reem Kashat is doing just that. In June, Kashat published her debut novel in the women’s fiction genre, Forgive and Remember, a self-published work that explores the lives of three generations of Chaldean women. Each generation faces the challenges of modern life from distinct perspectives, yet they all share common roots.

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Las Vegas Stone Carves Its Legacy

Rob Kaoud’s craft has taken him across the country and around the world, but he is rooted in the fertile soil of three generations of stone craftsmen. Kaoud’s grandfather was a hand sculptor in Jerusalem, where he sculpted stone into place on walls and other surfaces. His father took up stonework as well and moved the Palestinian Christian family from the Middle East to the United States in 1969, when the now-56-year-old Rob was a few months old.

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على‭ ‬بعد‭ ‬آلاف‭ ‬الأميال،‭ ‬ومع‭ ‬ذلك‭ ‬فهم‭ ‬مرتبطون‭ ‬ارتباطًا‭ ‬وثيقًا‭ ‬بوطنهم

آلاف‭ ‬الأميال‭ ‬من‭ ‬البعد‭ ‬واختلاف‭ ‬الثقافات‭ ‬لم‭ ‬تكن‭ ‬عائقًا‭ ‬أمام‭ ‬أبناء‭ ‬الوطن‭ ‬الأصليين‭ ‬الأصلاء‭ ‬ليعبّروا‭ ‬عن‭ ‬حبهم‭ ‬واعتزازهم‭ ‬بوطنهم‭ ‬الأم،‭ ‬العراق‭. ‬نعم،‭ ‬هذا‭ ‬ما‭ ‬قام‭ ‬به‭ ‬وفدٌ‭ ‬يمثل‭ ‬غرفة‭ ‬التجارة‭ ‬الكلدانية‭ ‬الأمريكية،‭ ‬ومؤسسة‭ ‬الجالية‭ ‬الكلدانية،‭ ‬وغرفة‭ ‬التجارة‭ ‬الآشورية،‭ ‬برئاسة‭ ‬مارتن‭ ‬منّا،‭ ‬حين‭ ‬قرروا‭ ‬التوجه‭ ‬إلى‭ ‬أرض‭ ‬الوطن‭ ‬تلبيةً‭ ‬للدعوة‭ ‬الموجهة‭ ‬إليهم‭ ‬من‭ ‬قِبَل‭ ‬رئيس‭ ‬مجلس‭ ‬الوزراء‭ ‬العراقي،‭ ‬السيد‭ ‬محمد‭ ‬شياع‭ ‬السوداني‭.‬

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المسيح‭ ‬قام‭: ‬اعتناق‭ ‬نصر‭ ‬القيامة‭ ‬في‭ ‬حياتنا

“أيها‭ ‬الموت،‭ ‬أين‭ ‬شوكتك؟‭ ‬يا‭ ‬جحيم،‭ ‬أين‭ ‬نصرك؟‭ ‬المسيح‭ ‬قام،‭ ‬وأنتَ‭ ‬قد‭ ‬هُزمتَ‭! ‬المسيح‭ ‬قام،‭ ‬والشياطين‭ ‬سَقطت‭ ‬وهُزمت‭. ‬المسيح‭ ‬قام،‭ ‬والملائكة‭ ‬تفرح‭. ‬المسيح‭ ‬قام،‭ ‬والحياة‭ ‬تسود‭. ‬المسيح‭ ‬قام،‭ ‬ولا‭ ‬يبقى‭ ‬ميت‭ ‬واحد‭ ‬في‭ ‬القبر،‭ ‬لأن‭ ‬المسيح،‭ ‬بقيامته‭ ‬من‭ ‬بين‭ ‬الأموات،‭ ‬أصبح‭ ‬باكورة‭ ‬الراقدين”‭.‬

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Rehabilitating History

Recently, the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) secured approval for the rehabilitation of the Sacred Heart Church in Tel Keppe. The Governor of Nineveh, Mr. Abdul Qadir Dakheel, approved the request submitted through the CCF in Iraq by His Excellency Archbishop Najib Mikhael, the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, to rehabilitate the Sacred Heart Church and its annexed church, Mary the Virgin, in Tel Keppe.

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