Michigan, USA - The cold winter months in Michigan may keep some Chaldeans indoor and lazily lounging around.  That is not the case for over two hundred Chaldeans that gathered at the Salter Gymnasium in Royal Oak, Michigan.  The large group of Chaldean men and women came out in large numbers for the first of three open sessions for the Chaldean under 18 open basketball tournament. 

The tournament organized and hosted by the Chaldean Church Sports League (CCSL) of Michigan returns after financing a very successful flag football and volleyball youth tournament.  This year the CCSL brings the Chaldean community both boys and girls basketball for both Chaldean boys and girls age 11-14 and 15 -18. 

The CCSL hold their next tryouts this Sunday, January 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Slater Gymnasium located at 10 and half and Campbell in Royal Oak, Michigan.  Tryouts are open to all Chaldeans between the ages of 11-18.  “Chaldeans just need to show-up at the gym.  We have coordinators there to get them registered, go over the rules, get forms signed, and get them on the court to show their stuff,” says Brenda Kouza, CCSL administrative assistant. 

Michigan, USA - The community’s best flag football athletes took to the grid iron this past week.  The Chaldean Football League’s 27th Chy Cup championship brought out the best.  The championship game featured the league’s two best teams pitting Anthony Toma’s 8-2 Red team vs. Bobby Semaan’s 9-1 Green team. In a long awaited rematch the two teams faced one another under the lights of Groves stadium in Michigan. 

Michigan, USA – The Camp Chaldean open house brought thousands of community members out into the fresh October air.  Some Chaldeans traveled for three hours to join the tour and share in the celebration of new of the community campground. 

“We worked very hard to get the property ready for the camp open house,” says Adil Kallabat, Camp Chaldean president. “We had crews working around the clock for nearly a month making repairs, cleaning, landscaping, and decorating the buildings.”

Chaldean diocese volunteers came together to offer community tours of the camp property and answer any of their questions.  Nearly ten bus loads of people left from church parking lots to the campground. 

(Must be a registered member of www.CHALDEAN.org to view the photo albums.  Registration is free and begins by selecting the register link in the upper right-hand corner.)

Michigan, USA - Over 10,000 Chaldeans visited the two day summer Chaldean music festival.  The event was hosted by Mother of God Chaldean Church of Southfield, Michigan, and featured some of the community’s top singers and bands.  “This was the best festival I have been to all year,” said James Hakim of Sterling Heights. “They had everything.  Games for kids, dancing, great music, excellent food and snacks, everyone was so helpful and nice.”

Hakim’s sentiments were widely shared as nearly 10,000 Chaldeans enjoyed the fair weathered weekend.  Opening Saturday, the sun sat hidden behind some gloomy clouds at first.   However, D.J. Imad Koki kept spirits high and coaxed the sun out with his excellent mix and play of traditional Chaldean songs.  By mid afternoon the sun shined brightly and the crowds began to merge.  The enticing harmonies combined to transform Mother of God Chaldean church’s campus into the old time village celebrations Chaldeans long remembered.

[This article features five photo albums and an event program PDF download.  Visitors must be registered members of the site to access the additional resources.]

California, USA - "My village was burned in 1961 with an act they called “Ethnic Cleansing.” I was 2 years old at that time when both my father and mother witnessed the event. There will always be that clear picture of us running and hiding to survive etched into our memories," by Paul Batou.

Paul Batou, releases his new book titled My Last Thoughts About Iraq; a compilation and collection of my memories as an artist. His work, contained within the passionate pages of his latest musings, capture his reactions to the suffering and the Sadness which Has Plagued Mesopotamia.

As a gift, Batou has released one of his famed poems as a tribute to the suffering endured by those harmed by the September 11 bombing and those impacted by the pain Iraq has long suffered. 

Southfield, MICHIGAN - The Chaldean Church Sports League ended their summer season with electrifying excitement.  After the playoff games the best church teams in girls’ volleyball and boys flag football faced one another.  In the girls’ volleyball division, the Mother of God Guardian Angels played the St. Thomas Twin Tigers.  In the boys flag football division the St. Joseph Protectors took on the St. Thomas Twin Tigers. 

The championship volleyball game began first.  Both Mother of God and St. Thomas entered the sand court with stern determination.  Each team brought with them a cheering squad in the hundreds. 

(To view photos you must be a registered member of www.CHALDEAN.org.)

Windsor, CAN - Besides the brains and business, Chaldeans are also known for their superior athletic ability.  Take for instance Chaldean champion boxer Andre Gorges, a tall, lean, cobra-fast striking boxer who is returning to Iraq to represent the embroiled country. 

A country his family was forced to flee from over twenty years ago due to persecution, war, and hatred of Christians.  Gorges' family fled Iraq, first to Greece, then Toronto, before landing in Windsor where they have lived for 18 years.

Michigan, USA - Picture perfect weather in the mid 80’s with a rolling cool breeze excited organizers as they waved cars into the fair ground.   Nearly five thousand Chaldeans gathered at the Knights of Columbus family picnic grounds for the St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church 2007 annual family festival.  The attendance was much better than the last year and continues to grow at an exceptional rate as more and more families recognize the importance of their Chaldean church and community. 

The picnic was organized in appreciation and for the importance of faithful Chaldean families for their support and guidance.  Families enjoyed a sparkling day as St. Joseph church members, well-wishers, and their friends celebrated, danced, ate and played. 

Michigan, USA - Joe Bidawid, professional board rider, uses his paddle in the fight to finding a cure for cancer.  The middle child from a family of five children has his eyes set on breaking a world record as he trains to stand-up paddle surf across Lake Michigan from St. Joseph, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois. 

The Farmington Hills, Michigan Chaldean native is perhaps one of the more versatile athletes in professional boarding.  Skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and surfing, Joe Bidawid has mastered them all at a world class level.  Capturing the imagination of world boarders the Chaldean Aquaman has been featured in top sports boarding magazines and local Michigan papers.