London, UK – Chaldean scholar, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dr. Suha Rassam was named as one of the four Catholic Women of the Year at a reception in London this past week.  The founder of the charity Iraqi Christians in Need (ICIN) was honored among an assembly of some of the world’s most notable leaders and in the presence of the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Faustino Munoz.

Dr Rassam is originally from Mosul in northern Iraq. She is a medical doctor and professor of Medicine in the University of Baghdad. Arriving to England in 1990 she worked in London hospitals until her retirement when she took an MA in Eastern Christianity at the school of Oriental and African Studies in the University of London.

Dr. Rassam, author of the book 'Christianity in Iraq' set up ICIN  last year with a group of fellow Iraqis, to provide financial and spiritual support to Iraqi Christians both in Iraq and in countries such as Syria and Jordan, where many are now refugees.

Earlier this year, she visited Iraqi refugee families in Syria to assess how best ICIN could help them. In Aleppo, she met with Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo of the Chaldean Catholic Church and Bishop Yuhanna Ibrahim of the Syrian Orthodox Church.  Since then her impact in helping Iraqi refugee families has been remarkable. 

Michigan, USA - Sister Beth Murphy, the Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator of the Refugee Services Office in the Archdiocese of Detroit is looking for two dedicated volunteers who can assist their staff with the important task of helping Iraqi refugees adjust to life in the United States.

Chaldeans are invited to this uplifting and rewarding opportunity of sharing their gift time and talent for the benefit of the hundreds of refugees who are arriving in the Detroit Metro Area.  The Office of Refugee Services has already resettled more than 700 refugees this year, improving the quality of life for many Chaldeans.  The office anticipates another 200 refugees by the end of this year. 

The Archdiocese of Detroit is looking for fluent speakers in English and an office assistant to help with clerical work.  Both positions require less than a few hours a week. 

Sulaimaniyah, IRAQ — Today, Iraq's three-member presidency council approved a delayed provincial election law, amidst strong criticism of legally marginalizing Christian representation in the country.  “Again, Iraqi Christians are dealt a devastating blow,” says Issam Najed.  “America’s revolution was ignited over taxation without representation.  In Iraq, Christians are given no representation in the direction of their country.” 

"I think that some political groups are pushing the remaining Christians to leave Iraq," worshipper Afram Razzaq-Allah said after services at a Catholic church in Baghdad. "They want us to feel that we are no longer Iraqis."   Native Americans can empathize with the indigenous people of Iraq.  Iraq's leaders feigned seeking safeguards for small religious communities in this mainly Muslim country as Christians protested parliament's decision for minority representation on provincial councils. 

Tbilisi, GEORGIA - The world sat on edge as a democratically sovereign country of Georgia was invaded by the Russian military.  It has come to be known as the 2008 South Ossetia War.  While the country fights for independence, the people of Georgia turn to their faith for solace and prayer of peace.  One Chaldean church begins to grow and offer Georgian Chaldeans as well as non-Chaldeans comfort

Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River. The city is the size of Michigan and with a little more than a million people.   Chaldeans are to be found living all over the world, more is being learned about the Chaldeans of Georgia. 

The indigenous Iraqi Catholics have been present in Georgia since the middle of the 18th century and currently number around 7,000 members, living in various different cities in this country.

California, USA – “The entire Milk Day movement is based on fallacies, is offensive, and every Chaldean around the world should contact Governor Schwarzenegger and tell him to veto this bill.  Again, they are attempting to shove immorality down our throats,” declares Jonathan Shayota.

Gina Ateek agrees that, “AB 2567 needs to be vetoed.”  The California bill is now awaiting Governor Schwarzenegger’s signature that would designate May 22nd a day to celebrate homosexuality.  “Unless the governor receives 1 million phone calls requesting the bill be vetoed,” says Ateek.  “Everyone with a phone should call 1-916-445-2841, then press 1,2,1,2 to record a no vote for this bill.” 

Chaldean family businesses present a unique set of conflict resolution strategies at the workplace.  Conflicts at home or at the business, whether they’re interpersonal or purely business, are an unavoidable fact of the Chaldean family business life.

 But a disagreement doesn’t have to end with hardship and hurt feelings. Employing smart psychology can help younger Chaldeans handle conflict wisely with their seniors and end up with a solution that works best for everyone.

Dr. Nabil Rafou, a Chaldean social psychologist who is an expert in conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation and leadership, shares some of the tactics that work among Chaldean family businesses.  “These ten tips work particularly well given the Chaldean cultures blended history,” Dr. Rafou says.  

Located a little more than 10 miles or 15 kilometers from Mosul there stands a, “Hill of Stones.”   For many Westerners this would seem to be an uninspiring and gloomy place to live.  However, to many Chaldeans the rich and fertile land of Tel-Kepe (Telkaif), Iraq was once a wondrous place of adventure, peace, and communal living.  In contrast to its name Tel-Kepe (The Hill of Stones) the region was quite fertile making many Chaldeans rural farmers living off the land and mastering the science of agriculture in some of the harshest of conditions.

A very high majority of the inhabitants of Tel-Kepe were Chaldean Catholics.  Indigenous people of the region who were converted to Christianity by Mar Addai and Mar Mari, disciples of St. Thomas and later merged with the Roman Catholic Church in the seventh century.  

Michigan, USA - On July 27, 2008 over 1200 Yaldo guests attended the 1st Annual Yaldo Family Reunion. The Yaldo family gathered at the Saint George Chaldean Camp in Brighton, Michigan. The heart and soul of the 1st annual Yaldo reunion began with the hard work invested by the dedicated volunteers, which was headed by Father Basil Yaldo.

The Yaldo family originated from Telkaif, Mosul, Iraq. A great number of the Yaldo family migrated throughout the cities in Iraq. As the years progressed the Yaldo family began to settle in the United States. In fact, an ever-increasing number call areas of Metropolitan Detroit home today. The new generation has been successful in reaching high educational attainment. They carry many successful positions such as doctors, lawyers, business entrepreneurs, accountants, engineers and so forth.

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Michigan, USA - St. George Camp Chaldean in Brighton, Michigan invites the Chaldean faithful community to freely join their friends and family for a two-day camping celebration of the Feast of The Assumption of our Blessed Virgin Mary.  The celebration begins on Wednesday, August 13 and concludes on Thursday, August 14. 

As one big family the community comes together to celebrate this inspirational event.  The camp features a tent-city for guests to pitch a tent, boating, scenic nature trails, DJ music, food, and most importantly on Thursday, a Mass led by His Excellency Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim.  Mass begins at 6 p.m. sharp.  Prior to Mass, church choirs will lead pilgrims in prayer songs.  After Mass a candle light prayer precession march will occur. 

Overnight Guests are reminded to bring tents, lawn chairs, barbeque grills, towels, and other camping related items.  Over 100 picnic tables are available, indoor bathrooms, warm showers, and hot food will be available for campers. 

For more information please call 1-888-822-CAMP or e-mail CAMP@chaldean.org. 

Chaldean Youth Day (CYD-2008) is Sunday, August 17!  Hundreds of Chaldean young adults will converge on Camp Chaldean for a day of fun, food, and festivities.  Hang-out. Chill. Picnic. Play. This event is free for those 35 and under.  Anyone over 35 the cost is $45,000 per person. 

This is a non-alcoholic camp.  Bring your own lawn chairs.  Bring food coolers if you like.  Food and beverages will be available. Games. Competitions. Prizes. Boat Races.  Water-balloon wars.  Tug-A-war.  Sports.  Bring your own BALLS.  Best of all bring some biceps, brains, and bounce. 

The event is sponsored by the St. George Chaldean Camp Council in partnership with Chaldean youth groups, which include but are not limited to, the Chaldean Church Sports League, Chaldean Teens Coming Together, Chaldean Youth Bible Study, Chaldean Loving Christ, Jesus Christ University, Chaldean American Professionals, Chaldean Football League, Chaldean Basketball League, Chaldean Hockey League, Chaldean American Student Association, and Chaldean Church Youth Choirs. 

You have been told!  Someone post this on MySpace, Facebook, and whatever other social network you freaks got going! 

Michigan, USA – Chaldeans don’t always have much time to spare.  Long hours at work, family and cultural responsibilities, and trying to make ends meet leaves many Chaldeans hungry for safe and entertaining events for the entire family. 

The Chaldean churches have had a long tradition in hosting family gatherings.  The opportunity brings respectful families together in faith and fellowship and helps raise funds to keep the church ministry strong.  

The events are always a community affair organized and managed by church volunteers and supported by community donors.  Although increasing competition of commercial festivals and state fairs targeting Chaldeans are on the rise, Chaldean church hosted events remain the number one place for Chaldean families. 

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Your church and community needs help.  This is a community call for volunteers for the 2nd Annual Mother of God Church Chaldean Music Festival.  The festival will be held on Saturday, August 23 & Sunday, August 24 at St. George Camp Chaldean located on 1391 Kellogg Road, Brighton, MI 48114.

The two day carnival event will feature carnival games, 9 live bands, food, vendor and information booths, contests, and more.  Volunteers that are 18 years of age and older are needed to make this event a success.  Community volunteers will receive room accommodations, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and volunteer shirts. 

We need help with assisting crowds, controlling the rides, working the carnival tents, parking, security, serving food, donating items to the prize and give-away table, and keeping the area clean. 

To answer the call for help please contact Steve Sitto at cmf@chaldean.org / (248) 762-4424 or Raad Kashat at MotherofGodChurch@yahoo.com. 

 The fertile lands in the river basins of Euphrates and Tigris were the home land of rich and complex societies.   The word 'Mesopotamia' is Greek meaning ‘land between the rivers’ derived from Greek mesos (middle) and potamos (river), thus 'land between the rivers'.

Flowing south out of Turkey, the Tigris and Euphrates are 250 miles apart.  The Euphrates runs south and east for 800 miles and the Tigris flows south for 550 miles. The two rivers join and stretch to the Persian Gulf as the Shatt al Arab.  The area that now comprises most all of modern Iraq and part of Syria. 

Mesopotamia's richness attracted neighbors and its history is a pattern of infiltration and invasion. Although there were meager rainfalls in most of the region, the land was well irrigated by canals.  The fertile soil yielded rich food and heavy crops of date palms, useful fiber, wood, and fodder. Both rivers have fish, and the southern marshes contain wildfowl.    Being a land of plenty, commerce, and strategic worth the river valleys and plains of Mesopotamia were often attacked from the rivers, the northern and eastern hills, the Arabian Desert, and Syrian plains. 

Most of the conflicts were internal to the region and small skirmishes between warring tribes and factions.  It was not until Persia (Iran) invaded and defeated the Chaldeans, the last rulers of the region, that the area is forever lost to foreigners. 

Michigan, USA - No one would dare refute that Chaldeans often come from large families.  The Chaldean culture values the importance of family virtues and cooperation.   Chaldeans often hold large family gatherings, dinners, and celebrations.  

One family is taking the family gathering up a few notches.  The Yaldo(o|u) family is hosting their 2008 family reunion at Camp Chaldean in Michigan beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 27.  Nearly a thousand family members are expected to attend the family gathering. 

Saher Yaldo, a leading community entrepreneur and committed volunteer for the Chaldean Voice radio station has been instrumental in the reunion.  “We invite everyone with Yaldo(o|u) blood pulsing through their veins.  This includes all children and grandchildren whose mother or father are Yaldo(o|u), says Saher.

“Guests are also welcome to invite close friends and relatives as well. We will be holding a special Mass for all our guests led by Fr. Basel Yaldo of St. George Church at 4 p.m. and we have games, gifts, and more as well.”

Sydney, AUSTRALIA – Australian Chaldeans in Sydney have been wildly celebrating World Youth Day.  The excitement, exhilaration, and energy has been intoxicating says Joshua Shami, a Chaldean pilgrim from Europe.  Chaldean youth from around the world have gathered in Sydney in celebration of World Youth Day. 

“We continue to pray for our Chaldean brothers and sisters stuck in Iraq,” says Shami.  For many Chaldeans in Austrialia, the joy of welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the World Youth Day celebration was dampened by the absence of a Chaldean Catholic delegation from Iraq.  “For months people have been working on getting the Iraqi Delegation to Sydney, but it is one thing after another stopping them.” 

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