families stayed in the metropolitan area of
Detroit, having owned businesses or pro-
fessional practices. And the community
developed a vast and efficient institutional
structure to nurture and protect itself.
Until now, the Detroit Jewish com-
munity has been stable and durable,
but because of the difficult economy in
Michigan and an aging Jewish commu-
nity, businesses are leaving or closing.
The institutions developed for the Jewish
community are challenged to find ways to
serve needy residents, continue to provide
quality education to a diverse community,
and support or protect the community as
in the past.
In spite of these challenges, Yashinsky-
Chute told the gathering of women, the
generosity and caring of Detroit Jews is
nationally recognized. She outlined the
nature of a federated community that
reflects, in her words, the "values of Jewish
women" who are "family-oriented, inde-
pendent, involved and dedicated:'
There was laughter when she described
some as "over-involved:'

Continuing Synergy

Ann Antone responded to the presenta-
tion, saying, "We have so much in com-
mon. We want to organize in the ways we

Jeannie
Weiner
and Suhair
Kallabat,
both of West
Bloomfield,
select food
along with
other guests.

Ellen
Yashinsky-
Chute speaks
to the group
about life as
a Jew in the
Detroit area.

see in the Jewish community, and I think
this group of women will help to enrich
the Chaldean community through this
partnership:'
Florence Atto, a Chaldean living in West
Bloomfield, agreed. "We are inter-connect-
ed in so many ways:' she said.
Diane Baum, a Jewish resident of
West Bloomfield, attended a Building
Community Initiative event for the first
time. She noted, "The Chaldean women
hugged me when I came in. The feeling
in the room was warm and welcoming. I
loved the program."
The executive director of the Southfield-
based Jewish agency, Kadima, Janette
Shallal, who is Chaldean, expressed love
and appreciation for the Jewish commu-
nity and pride in being Chaldean. "I work
with Jewish donors, Jewish clients and the
entire Jewish community. Sometimes, with
my Chaldean accent, people ask if I am
Israeli. When they find out I am Chaldean,
they don't care. They have embraced me
completely."
When Shallal concluded speaking, the
room was silent before breaking into
applause.
Linda Finkel remarked, anette Shallal's
words and enthusiasm were a perfect way
to end the evening. It was great." 3C

1-1 nl I

ILI

eki ng

Chef's third cookbook debuts.

Baking and nourishing

others since she was

10, Samira Cholagh

has unveiled her third

and most extensive

cookbook, A Baking

Journey (Tate, 2011).

"I've been cooking and
experimenting in the
same immi-
kitchen since I was a little
girl:' says the West Bloomfield grants so they could make the
favorite flavors and dishes of
author, who is the star of a
weekly cooking show on MEA- their families and community.
"Through cooking, we stay
TV. "This book took me many
connected to generations of
ye is to complete. My friends
relatives and friends, and to
kerasking when it would be
ready so they could try my rec- our own history:' says Cholagh,
who raised three
ipes they've enjoyed
children to balance
over the years."
their
American and
Accompanied by
Chaldean
identities.
photographs taken
She
is
now
a
by Ally Cohen, of
grandmother
and
Frameable Faces
dedicated
member
Photography in West
of the local Chaldean
Bloomfield, A Baking
community's efforts
Journey contains
to preserve tradi-
nearly 520 recipes
Samira C holagh
tions and recipes
categorized in the
that reflect their cul-
following sections:
ture and beliefs.
bread, morning pas-
"This book
tries, cookies, bars
took
years of love
and brownies, cakes,
and
hard
work to
elegant pastries and
put
together:'
says
sweet endings.
Cholagh.
"It
is
such
Cholagh, who emi-
an
honor
to
see
it in
grated to the United
hardcover
and
know
States from Iraq more Ally Cohe n
that people around
than 30 years ago,
the world will make
wrote her first cook-
my recipes to nour-
book, Mukhtarat Min
ish
their
families.
Selections
Finon Al Tabekh, or
"It is amazing what we can
From the Art of Cooking, in
create
with the simple work of
Arabic to teach fellow immi-
grants how to make traditional our hands and our hearts." C:
American dishes that their
Samira Cholagh is available for
children favored. Her second
book signings. Contact Lynne
Treasured
Middle
Eastern
book,
Golodner, Your People LC in
compiled
Middle
Cookbook,
Southfield, (248) 376-0406,
Eastern recipes authentic to
lynne@yourppLcom.
their heritage for the very
American offspring of those

December 2011

CHALDEAN NEWS I JEWISH NEWS 13