metro

Joining
Together

Jews and Chaldeans honor their
seniors and help schoolchildren.

Father Andrew Seba of West Bloomfield explains the artist drawings on
the ceiling of the church.

Gail Katz
Special to the Jewish News

A

n interfaith program was held
June 29 at St. Thomas Chaldean
Catholic Church in West
Bloomfield, where nearly 100 Jews and
Chaldeans of all ages came to honor senior
citizens and celebrate the ongoing friendship
and connection among the two communi-
ties.
Father Andrew Seba, priest of St. Thomas,
kicked off the evening in the church's sanc-
tuary with some information about the his-
tory of the Chaldean Catholics. He pointed
out some of the images in the sanctuary
and their importance, and talked about the
180,000 Chaldeans in Metro Detroit and the
12 Chaldean Catholic churches available to
them. He then introduced (in both English
and Arabic) Rabbi Paul Yedwab from
Temple Israel.
Yedwab gave a short history of Temple
Israel in West Bloomfield, which will cel-
ebrate its 75th anniversary in 2016. He
highlighted the similarities between the
Jewish and Chaldean communities, empha-
sizing how both languages had their roots in
Aramaic, the language of the Jewish prayer
for the dead — the Kaddish. He also spoke
about how both communities live together
in West Bloomfield and Oakland County.
Speaker Vanessa Denha Garmo, chief
editor of the Chaldean News, informed
participants that she grew up in a mostly
Jewish neighborhood and went to lots of bar
and bat mitzvahs. Her grandparents came
over from Iraq in the 1960s, and she shared
humorous stories about her grandmother's
love of TV shows like General Hospital and
The Young and the Restless — shows that
seemed like real-life episodes to her. To
Chaldean immigrants, family is so impor-
tant, she says, as family members all live
together in the same home upon arriving in
the United States.
Lois Shulman, an ombudsman for the
senior Jewish community, spoke about how
she volunteers much of her time with Jewish
residents in nursing homes. Her emphasis
was on respecting elders by listening to their
stories and learning from their wisdom.
Following the speakers, the group went to
the social hall for some delicious Chaldean
appetizers and tasty Jewish desserts. The

36 August 13 • 2015

The group samples Chaldean and Jewish foods.

Rabbi Paul Yedwab addresses the group.

Sue Kattula of Sterling Heights reads off the
numbers on Krystal Yono's winning bingo card.

Salma Ajo of West Bloomfield and Lita Zemmol of Diane Okun of West Bloomfield and Laila Cohen of Commerce Township
put folders in backpacks for underprivileged kids.
Beverly Hills share stories.

social hall was set up for bingo, and Father
were an
Seba and Rabbi Yedwab
incredible comedy team as they called out
the bingo numbers and gave away prizes.
Afterward, Arthur Horwitz, publisher/
executive editor of the Jewish News, gave
some closing remarks and underscored the
wonderful feeling of friendship between the
Jewish and Chaldean communities.
He said he was proud to see that Building
Community Initiative, started by the Jewish

News and the Chaldean News about six years
old, is still going strong today and success-
fully breaking down myths and stereotypes
about each other, and building respect and
understanding.
The evening ended with a social action
initiative. All were asked to bring school
supplies for needy elementary students in
Oakland County and Sterling Heights. Many
of the guests packed these supplies into
backpacks donated by Temple Israel and the

Chaldean Foundation.
Leaders of the event say they will con-
tinue to work to bring people together for
joint social action projects to benefit both
the Jewish and Chaldean communities.
They believe that bringing both communi-
ties together is a major step in bonding with
each other.

❑

Gail Katz is co-chair of the Jewish Chaldean

Social Action Committee, along with Rula Yono.

