The SkYwc The Limit
T H E
Teen support helps elevate Chaldean-Jewish initiative.
As the Chaldean-Jewish Building Community Initiative
moves through its second year of engagement and activity,
there have been many opportunities for learning and interac-
tion across an array of topics. Budding entrepreneurs, medi-
cal practitioners and recipients, social activists, food lovers,
international business mavens, keen observers of art, archi-
tecture and the performing arts, and those who flat-out enjoy
networking and shmoozing are among those who have been
touched by this Chaldean News/Jewish News joint venture.
However, the initiative and its desire to bring the Chaldean
and Jewish communities closer together would be incomplete
if it didn't include our teens. They are the ones who cross
paths, day-in and day-out, in the hallways,
lunchrooms, locker rooms and park-
ing lots of our middle and high schools.
They are the ones who are exposed to the
wisdom or stereotypes of their parents,
grandparents and other family members.
They are the ones who will hold the keys
to whether Chaldeans and Jews can work
collaboratively for the betterment of their
Martin Manna
own communities, Detroit and the state.
Co - Publisher
Chaldean Ne
A groundbreaking Chaldean-Jewish
Teen Forum, convened in October 2010
in collaboration with the Bloomfield Hills
School District and facilitated by radio personality "Mojo,"
brought together almost 200 high school students for an
illuminating and frank interaction. Stereotypes abounded, as
did recognition that both communities had more similarities
than differences. Among those observing the discussion were
representatives from other area school districts with diverse
student populations, including Chaldeans and Jews.
Josh Morof, who was one of the student panelists for the
Bloomfield Hills School District Teen Forum, possessed the
insight and drive to make sure the gathering wasn't a "one and
done' Rather than accept the status quo of separation and dis-
tance between groups of Bloomfield Hills Andover High School
students, he spawned the group "Face to Faith" to provide a
framework for Christian, Muslim and Jewish teenagers to get
' -r-
outside of their comfort zones and know each other better.
A Chaldean-Jewish workgroup focusing on education
and co-chaired by Vinos Kassab and Nancy Welber-Barr
also stepped forward. Working with the clergy of St.
Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church in West Bloomfield and
Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, it initiated a
program that brought Chaldean and Jewish middle school
students together for a joint community service program
at the Yad Ezra kosher food pantry in Berkley. Among
the follow-up being discussed by the students is working
together to assist the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity
to develop a food pantry modeled after Yad Ezra.
As part of the Chaldean-Jewish ini-
tiative, the Walled Lake Consolidated
School District will host its own teen
forum in early 2012. "Mojo" will again
facilitate the panel and student attend-
ees. Superintendent Kenneth Gutman
and his district value and celebrate the
diversity in their schools. "The time is
right to start developing some of these
Arthur Horwitz
Publisher
relationships. It will only make us
Jewish News
stronger:' he says.
The success and impact of the
Chaldean-Jewish Building Community
Initiative is the result of dedicated and committed vol-
unteers, led by our honorary co-chairs, Florine Mark
and Judge Diane D'Agostini, and workgroup co-chairs
Jeannie Weiner, LeeAnn Kirma, Mary Romaya, Bunny
Kratchman, Saad Hajjar, Howard Rosenberg, Ron Asmar,
Kassab and Welber-Barr. It is the support of our local spon-
sors — Bank of America, Wayne State University, St. John
Providence Health System, Meijer, Lawrence Technological
University, Beaumont Hospitals, Walsh College, Hospice
of Michigan, Henry Ford Health Systems, Ann Arbor
Offset, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, Bloomfield Hills
School District, Detroit Medical Center and University of
Michigan-Dearborn College of Business — that continues
to put the wind beneath the wings of this endeavor. BC
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TiVE
Childean News JN
Presenting Sponsor
Bank of America.
Gold Sponsors
WAY N E STATE
UNIVERSITy
meijer
SUJOHN
PROVIDENCE
HEALTH SYSTEM -
Silver Sponsors
Lawrence
'Tech
Beaumont
Sret..
wesT
HENRY FORD
BLOOMFIELD HOSPITAL
HOSPICE
of rnichigan
--,. • -,,
The Power Of Team Play
As Chaldeans and Jews here in Metro Detroit, we're
mingling and engaging more. It's the start of something
potentially special. Let there be no doubt: The Building
Community Initiative (BCI), hosted by Chaldean News
Co-Publisher Martin Manna and Jewish News Publisher
Arthur Horwitz, is building cultural bridges. The big test
Robed Sklar
for the two Southfield-based cosponsor publications now
Contributing Eclitqr
is to not only provide sustained leadership and encour-
agement, but also have the confidence to rely on the BCI
workgroup co-chairs and their able team members.
Unprecedented as a newspaper initiative, the Chaldean-
Jewish experience has all the hallmarks of building on common ancestral roots
in the Middle East (Iraq for Chaldeans and Israel for Jews). Efforts range from
shattering intolerant stereotypes to sharing cultural foods and tackling social
causes. This fourth of four 2011 special supplements to the Chaldean News
and the Jewish News showcases the five hard-working workgroups: Business/
Entrepreneurship; Arts & Culture; Education; Social Action; and Health.
The fragile experiment, drawing on the promise of a better tomorrow for Jews
and Chaldeans, has appealed to everyone from preteens to seniors. BCI has come
a long way since beginning with fanfare in April 2010. There's a standing invita-
tion for new participants. I welcome your thoughts (rsklar@renmedia.us ). BC
INSIDE
1 COLLEGE
Mil
. . .•" , '" OF BUSINESS
Cover Story
WALSH®
DEARBORN
Teen Connections / Education ...5
COLLEGE
Departments
Business / Entrepreneurship
Social Action
Health
9
12
14
Cover Design: Deborah Schultz,
Renaissance Media Solutions.
Inside Design: Michelle Sheridan, Farago & Associates.
Copy Editing: Robert Sklar, David Sachs and Keri Guten
Cohen, Renaissance Media Solutions;
Joyce Wiswell, Chaldean News.
On The Cover: Philip Squire, 12, of Bloomfield Township
lifts up a bag of onions with the help of
Natalie Faranso, 12, of Orchard Lake.
Photo by Brett Mountain.
Published jointly by the Chaldean News, 29850
Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 250, and the Detroit Jewish
News, 29200 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 110 — Southfield,
MI 48034. Created by Renaissance Media Solutions,
29200 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 110, Southfield, MI 48034.
F. Kevin Browett, COO, (248) 354-6060.
Bloomfield Hills Schools
A- rbor Offset
MARC
DErROIT MEDICAL CENTER
Workgroup Chairs
Mary Romaya,
Barbara Kratchman,
LeeAnn Kirma, Jeannie Weiner,
Saad Najjar, Howard Rosenberg,
Ron Asmar, Nancy Welber-Barr,
Vinos Kassab, Dr. Nahid Elyas
© December 2011, Renaissance Media Solutions.
December 2011
CHALDEAN NEWS I JEWISH NEWS 3