Tishrin I 7, 6746 Volume II Issue 33 October 7, 1996
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A Weekly
Online Publication of the ZENDA Assyrian Newsagency
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THE L I G H
T H O U S E
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A REPORT OF THE SECOND ASSYRIAN YOUTH EXCELLECE PAGEANT
63rd National Convention - Turlock, California
Hosted by Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock
The second “Assyrian Youth Excellence pageant” was held
on August 31
and September 1, 1996, during the 63rd National Convention,
organized by the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock, California.
The program was an exploration of our youths’ achievements and excellence in different fields. The event was an indication of the rapid advancements of our youths, migrating from our homelands to this country, and at the same time the conflict in cultures, as viewed by them. It was a demonstration of a well organized presentation of our youth’s achievements and their plans for the future, humored by an artistic performance, at times so emotional, which brought tears to the eyes of our audience. A unique opportunity to hear a well prepared assay and poem, indicating the awareness of our youth and their commitment toward the Assyrian family values and preserving our language and heritage. And finally the program highlighted the capability of our youth to achieve unlimited progress and leadership to the extend of representing this country’s youth to the highest office: that of the presidency of the United States of America.
The program was conducted in two phases as follow:
Phase One: Saturday, August 31, Initially the concept, objectives and the process of the program were explained to the contestants and the judging panel and committee members were introduced. Then the contestants introduced themselves, talked about their achievements and finally took the tests on Assyrian history and literature, reading and writing. During a meeting, held later by the judging panel and committee members, the contestants qualifications and test results, at the first phase, were evaluated and scored.
Phase Two: Sunday, September 1, During this meeting, held as a luncheon, the contestants introduced themselves and presented their achievements and talent and answered a random question. Based upon total scores during the two phases, the winner and two runner ups were selected and introduced to the audience.
We had 8 contestants, each praised for his/her achievements. These nominees along with their nominating associations were as follow:
Miss Laura Aghajan
Canada
Miss Helena N. Chanko
Assyrian American Assoc. of San Jose
(AAA, San Jose)
Miss Anna M. Eshoo
Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock
(AACC, Turlock)
Miss Elizabeth D. George AAA, San Jose
Miss Natasha Hermis
AACC, Turlock
Miss Bana Hermis
AACC, Turlock
Mr. James Petros
AAA, San Jose
Mr. Ashur E. Peyour
AACC, Turlock
Although we consider all our contestants as “Winners and the Pride of our Nation” but alike any other contest we selected those whose achievement and advancements were weighted higher. The winner and runner ups of the contest, as shown below, were presented with The “ Ashurbanipal Awards “ and cash prizes. The winner was also acknowledged and introduced as “ The Assyrian Youth of The Year and a Guest of Honor” at the convention banquet.
Winner:
Miss Natasha Hermis
Cash Prize: $1,000
Nominated by: AACC of Turlock
First Runner Ups:
1. Miss Bana Hermis
Cash Prize: $ 700
Nominated by: AACC of Turlock
2. Mr. James Petros
Cash Prize: $ 700
Nominated by AAA of San Jose
Second Runner Up:
Miss Elizabeth George
Cash Prize: $ 500
Nominated by: AAA of San Jose
All the participants were presented with a certificate of participation in the “Second Assyrian Youth Excellence Pageant” and a book titled “ Folk Tales and Stories of the Assyrians” by our author Sarah Sayad Paz, a collection of sweet and sad corners of our ancestors lives. All cash prizes were funded by the sponsors and believers of our youth development.
Another noticeable achievement for the “Assyrian Youth
Excellence Pageant” during 63rd National Convention, was its acceptance
by the Assyrian American National Federation as an event to be held in
all future conventions. With no doubt this new corner stone
will be an effective and instrumental cause for this
program’s success and expansion in future. A program aimed and structured
to encourage our youths’ advancements, which in term will benefit and secure
the future of our Assyrian nation.
Henry Hormozian
Committee Chairman
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G O O D M O R N
I N G B E T - N A
H R A I N
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From: Anna Eshoo, 14th
District, California
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-0514
To: The Honorable William Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
September 18, 1996
Dear President Clinton,
Given the recent escalation of conflict in Iraq, I write to request your assistance in obtaining and securing aid for the Assyrian communities and villages in northern Iraq. As you know, Assyrians are a proud people, with a strong Christian faith, a distinct language, and a rich cultural heritage spanning over 7,000 years. Assyrians have endured centuries of persecution because of their ethnicity and faith, and today suffer the same brutality under Saddam Hussein as do the Kurds. Yet because they do not have the same world recognition, Assyriansreceive very little of the humanitarian aid that goes to the region.
As the only Member of congress of Assyrian decent, I believe the U.S. government must take stronger action to ensure the security of all innocent people living under the threat of Saddam Hussein, including Assyrian. The Kurds control much of the flow of aid in the area and even the Red Cross is unable to guarantee privately raised U.S. funds will reach the Assyrians.
As you pursue a solution to the conflict in this troubled
region, I ask that you continue to respect the needs and integrity of the
Assyrian community. Please inform me of the steps your Administratincan
take to alleviate the suffering of Asyirnas in northern Iraq.
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S U R F S
U P !
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"For the past month I have been questioning our congresswoman
Anna
Eshoo profile on Assyrian Contacts at AOL. After
reading her profile I have noticed that there was nothing mentioned about
our Assyrian community. So I requested some document to prove all the work
she has done for our community. She asked me to call her and to talk about
these issues on the phone, but i refused and insist on legal documents.
I haven't received them yet and she stopped replying to my request.
On your next issue October 7, 1996, you have mentioned that she requested
for aid for the Assyrians in northern Iraq, It's about time that she is
doing something."
Sargon
**********
"Can you bring Zenda TV to the Chicago area ?
Edmond Daniel
Chicago
[Certainly. ZENDA TV is produced in San Jose, California
and can be
pre-recorded and delivered to any location. For more
information
write to ZENDA and let us know if you would like to sponsor
our
weekly community program in your local area.]
**********
"I vote in 'Being an Assyrian first and Christian second'. Who believes in God? My teacher "Rick" asked us in Sociology class. Few students of about 200 raised their hands. Rick asked "Why? Is God observable, is God measurable?" No one could answer this question. If we make a hypotheses and say "God is a soul and the creator of universe", than this hypotheses should have expected relationship between variables with other things being equal. "God is a soul" so, the two variables we have "soul a dependent variable and God an independent variable" However, if we come to "Operation Definition", we find out that God can not be observable nor can be measurable, and there for, this hypotheses "God is a soul and the creator of universe" can not become a theory, for it does not carry any validity and reliability. Therefor, why should we believe in God?
The article of "Doris Babassi - San Jose, California"
published in
"Zenda" issue number 31 argued that we should put Christianity
first
and Assyrian second! The writer defends God, Christ,
and Christianity with deep emotions rather with scientific prove. The writer
placed the democracy second and the absolutism first by enforcing that
we should believe because the writer stated that:
* Our empire collapsed for lack of belonging to
God
* Our unity been divided for lack of belonging to God
* God left us with pride
* Christ will give us salvation
and goes on until the writer seem to enter in a state
of deep emotion, and depression. If we say IQ test is valid, than
we have to observe and measure it, but we can not..... Can we say
that who ever believe in God is the one who have fears, and the direction
might be an irony to say that believing in God is an equal as to belonging
to a communist society. Emil Durkheim in his sociological perspective stated
"Structural Functionalism" as society being an organism or like a clock
with all parts inside working together in harmony, balance and equilibrium.
Unfortunate society is not living in harmony, balance and equilibrium,
because it seem to have other directions as some belong to "Conflict Theory"
driven by power and living in battleground.... and others seem to belong
to "Symbolic Interaction" where an individual interpreted his/her own world
and attach meaning and significance to them.....
Assyrian empire was destroyed by believing in other and not in our own unity. Religion is a best mean to destroy any empire, and Assyrian with their strong emotions walked out from their battleground and gave our civilization in the name of God, Christ, and humanity to Muslims, and Arab and they turned Middle-East into a zoo and war zone. We should believe in unity of Assyrian first. We should respect and commemorate our Assyrian martyrs.. We should not sell ourself. We should not label ourself as Arab Chaldean..... We should build our self-esteem and help each other to return to our identity and sense of belonging to who we are. We should examine our actions with validity and reliability to prevent mistakes, deceptions and destruction of our own Assyrian family."
Ashur Simon Malek
Ontario, Canada
**********
"Please don't send negative comments about my article
(Are Assyrians
Truly Christian)to Zenda. This is indirectly insulting
God and it is
dragging His name and word through the mud. I didn't
make up stories; I studied the Bible and I thought now that we are close
to the Second Coming of Christ, I can advise our people. My mistake! Now
if you have comments send me an e-mail. You can ask Zenda's staff to provide
you with my address. I can answer you personally. I am asking God
to forgive me for causing people to mock his word which is about eternity
of mankind."
Doris Babassi
San Jose, California
**********
"It was a late rainy September night, when Assyrians from
all over Austria headed to Vienna for a very special occasion. Joy
had filled their hearts and showed on their faces. For a few hours
the warm voice of Mr. Evin Agassi with his wonderful lyrics and melodies
made us forget we were in exile or refugees or what ever. It was
as if we were back in Bet-Nahrain. One could clearly hear the Assyrian
blood boiling...when dancing Sheikhanee, Belatee etc... A German
visitor couldn't hold back his enthusiasm; he jumped up on the stage, grabbed
a microphone and said that this evening was unbelievable. He told
us that he had never seen anything similar, "I don't understand a word
of what is spoken but it is wonderful". He also thanked the Assyrians present
for their kindness and hospitality. We returned
his compliments by warm applauding. What can one
say except that it was an unforgettable Assyrian night in Vienna.
Bernadette Miraziz
Vienna, Austria
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S U R F E R S
C O R N E R
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"Has our alphabet become but a simple symbol of faith
which is upheld by theoretical acts and not practical actions? Do
we expect our alphabet to leap off of that painting on our walls and teach
itself to us or our sons and daughters? I would love to see Zenda
one day convert to a partial or complete use of our own alphabet.
This would serve to challenge its readers to become up to date with our
own language. Certainly Zenda stands to lose many readers; of this
risk I am aware. However, I believe that the risk to gain our own
writing, reading, and speech is more compelling than maintaining a faith
that our alphabet will be learned eventually by those who choose to learn
it on their own time and pace. To move towards a more "practical action"
I would like to suggest that the words introduced in the Pump Up The Volume
section be incorporated within the text of the same or subsequent issues
of Zenda. Through this fashion the readers will be challenged to,
not only look up the meaning of the word or phrase, but also to use the
word or
phrase more often than not. For instance, by simply
conducting a word search throughout the text of an issue of Zenda which
has been prepared for publication, the editor may find a word or phrase
is repeated many times in the overall text. That English word or
phrase will then be the phrase of choice to be replace by its Assyrian
counterpart.
Please consider this and I thank you for your consideration.
We are proud and hearty, but we are also lazy and apathetic.
If we are not lazy, then we are people and, for most, our psychology
requires repetition to learn a subject. Language,
if it is to be
learned, requires great repetition, not a "simple mention"
in the Pump Up the Volume section. This could be a great addition
to the Pump Up The Volume section's role in teaching our wonderful language
to our wonderful people. Thank You Dearly."
Frank Chamaki
Turlock, California
[ZENDA's main objective is to bring news and information
to as many
Assyrian individuals, families, and organizations as
is electronically and timely possible. Our reader has
a very interesting suggestion; it will be given serious consideration
in the preparation of our homepages on the world wide web, where
both English and Assyrian alphabets can be incorporated in our articles.]
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N E W S
D I G E S T
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REFUGEES AMONG REFUGEES
(ZNUS: Washington) Assyrian-Americans have written
to the State
Department claiming that the Kurds who fled Saddam Hussein's
persecution are in turn persecuting the Assyrian Christians who are among
the refugees huddling in the mountains along the Turkish-Iraqi border.
In their pleas, the Assyrians say that as their brethren fled from their
homes in northern Iraq during the Kurdish rebellion, some were killed because
''they were cold'' to the Kurdish cause. The letter writers ask the United
States to set up separate camps for the Assyrians, who, they say, make
up 15 percent of the refugees, to enable them to hold religious services
without fear of ''intimidation '' by the Muslim Kurds.
ASSYRIAN POLITICAL LEADERS INVITED TO FORM AN ASSYRIAN
PARLIAMENT
(ZNBN: Ceres) Last month, in response to the military attacks and fighting in northern Bet-Nahrain, the Assyrian National Congress held an Emergency meeting at the Bet-Nahrain complex in Ceres, California. The attendees unanimously voted to invite the Assyrian political leaders, heads of organizations, of churches, and the activists in the creation of a new parliament in northern Bet-Nahrain. The Assyrian Parliament would lay the foundation for the establishment of a collective leadership under which all future efforts will be decided.
A committee was later formed to deliver the ANC invitation
and
Dr. Sargon Dadesho, the ANC president, delivered the
message during a live show on KBSV-23 (AssyriaVision). The invitation was
extended to the newly elected president of the Assyrian American National
Federation, Mr. Sargon Lewie; General Secretary of the
Assyrian Universal Alliance, Senator John Numrod; Representative of the
Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa), Dr. Licoln Malik.
The Assyrian National Congress was created "to bring together
all political parties, organizations that are dedicated to our national
cause under one collective leadership, here in the United States and around
the world."
SADDAM CELEBRATES THE BABYLON FESTIVAL
(ZNWS: Baghdad) At the height of his recent military confrontation with he U.S. over the Iraqi army's push into northern Bet-Nahrain, Saddam Hussein made sure his top brass showed up at last month's Babylon Festival. The annual celebration is part of the Iraqi leaders's effort to portray himself as the modern-day successor of King Nebuchadnessar, whose biblical empire stretched from Kuwait to Israel. Saddam Hussein has used bricks stamped with his name and the seal of Iraq in the restoration of Nebuchadnessar's ancient palace in Babylon, 60 miles south of Baghdad. He cited the claim that Nebuchadnezzar's father was an ancient tribal leader in what is now Kuwait as further justification for Iraq's 1991 invasion of that country.
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D I R E C T O R Y OF THE
N E W S S O U R C
E S
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ZNAD (Assyrian Democratic Organization)
ZNBN (Bet-Nahrian Inc/ KBSV-TV "AssyriaVision")
ZNDA (Zenda: zenda@ix.netcom.com)
ZNRU (Reuters)
ZNSJ (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNUP (United Press International)
ZNUS (US News & World Report)
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C A L E N D
A R OF E
V E N T S
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Thru April 6 The Ain Ghazal Exhibit
Smithsonian Institute
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Washington D.C.
Nov 13
Babylon & Syria in the time of XENOPHON
Lecturer: M. Stolper
Oriental Institute
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Jan 15
Ashur & Marduk: The State Gods of Assyria & Babylonia
Lecturer: G. Frame
Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations
University of Toronto
St. George campus
Toronto, Canada
8:00 p.m
Mar 12
Guardians of the Gate: The Assyrian Winged Colossi
Lecturer: A. Harrak
Near and Middle Eastern Civilization
University of Toronto
St. George campus
Toronto, Canada
8:00 p.m
April 9
Recent Excavations at Gordion, Turkey:
An Achaemenid Persian Imperial Town in Central
Anatolia
Lecturer: T.C. Young, Jr.
Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto, Canada
8:00 p.m
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R E G U L A R C L A S S E S &
M E E T I N G S
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Mondays
Assyrian History Class
Fall 1996 Session
"Assyrian Biographies"
Instructor: Wilfred Alkhas
BETA: Assyrian American Association of San Jose
20000 Almaden Road
San Jose, California
8:00-9:00 pm
Info: Wilfred_Alkhas@3mail.3com.com
Fridays
Assyrian Educational & Cultural Club at
Modesto Junior College
1:00 pm
Founders Hall 108
Modesto, U.S.A.
Saturdays Nisibis
School
10:30-1:30
The Church of the East
Toronto, Canada
Nisibin School
10:00-12:00 pm
BETA: Assyrian American Association of San Jose
San Jose, California
SUNDAYS
Assyrian Boy Scouts
Assyrian American Association of Southern California
Assyrian Club
5901 Cahuenga Blvd
North Hollywood, California
9:30am to 12:30pm
Contact Sargon Gewargis @ fishtale@juno.com
(818) 891-3705 after 7:30 pm
Assyrian Student Union
California State University, Northridge
Assyrian American Association of Southern California
Assyrian Club
5901 Cahuenga Blvd
North Hollywood, California
6:00pm
Contact Sargon Gewargis @ fishtale@juno.com
(818) 891-3705 after 7:30 pm
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A S S Y R I
A N S U R F I
N G P O S T S
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Assyrian Teen Network
http://www.accesscom.com/~gek/assyrian/
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P U M P UP THE V O L U
M E
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ENGLISH
ASSYRIAN
Conversation
swaa/daa
[M]
Speech
mam/la
[M]
Speaker
mal/la/la [M]
_____________________________________________________________________
F = Feminine M = Masculine
P = Plural
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B A C K TO THE
F U T U R E
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B.C. (879) Ashurnasirpal II chooses Calah as the capital of the Assyrian empire.
<< Assyrian Sculpture, Reade >>
A.D. (489) Roman emperor Zeno orders the closing of the famous Assyrian school at Urhai (Edessa). The school was then moved to the city of Nisibin where the Assyrian Church of the East was supplied with patriarchs and bishops for future generations.
<< The Death of A Nation, Yohannan >>
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L I T E
R A T U
S
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*** MY ALPHABET ***
I recall one day standing in a room of my father's home
A young boy standing there all alone
Gazing at the wall before me where a painting for so
many years had existed
On that day its presence upon my attention, it had insisted
"What is that?", of my father I went and questioned
"It is the alphabet of our people", he proudly mentioned
"Khzeelakh bakhtee, broonan bet garvis oup bet haveh
Atouraya", he explained
"Hee, bet meghim la Nineveh min eedatid nookhraya", she
maintained
I recall one day standing in that same room of my father's
home
An older boy standing there all alone
With no mother and no father to show me the way
Carrying with me only this painting
I will stray
I know with great detail the language of my hostess land
As for my own language,
I carry this wonderful painting from my father's home
In my hand!
I fear the day when while standing in that same room of
my father's home
When I am an old man standing there all alone
Should my son or daughter ask (not as) me of the same
question
Like their grandfather will I simply but proudly mention
"It is the alphabet of our people"?
Frank Chamaki
Turlock, California
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T H I S
W E E K I N
H I S T O R Y
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October 10, 1910: The first Assyrian Drama group is established in Tibilis (Teflis), Georgia.
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B R A
V O
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IT'S A GIRL!
On October 4 a baby girl was born to Albert and Nancy Gabriel. ZENDA and its contributing staff wish to congratulate the Gabrial family on such joyous occasion. Albert & Nancy, two avid ZENDA readers, live in Holister, California. Albert has been a pioneer in furthering Assyrian presence on the internet, most notably through the creation of eBabylon BBS and the Nineveh Online web sites.
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W E
L C O M E
T O Z E N D
A
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Zenda welcomes our new on-line subscribers from:
CORPORATE ACCOUNTS
VLSI
PERSONAL ACCOUNTS
[2]
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A C K N
O W L E D G
E M E N T S
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Zenda wishes to thank the following individuals &
organizations
whose contributions appear in this issue:
Ashur Simon Malek
Ontario, Canada
Ninos Bebla
San Jose, California
Albert Gabrial
Hollister, California
Lena Mushell
San Jose, California
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Our Next Issue will appear on Monday, October 14, 1996.
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In our next issue: Report of the Upsala University
Conference