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                                            T H I S     W E E K     I N     Z E N D A
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The Lighthouse..................................    Assyrian Women
Good Morning Bet-Nahrain.................    Turkey Creates Security Zone in the north
                                                             Rival Kurdish Groups Resume Heavy Fighting
Surfs Up............................................    "links which connect our people worldwide"
Surfers Corner...................................    Assyrian Social Club of Chicago
News Digest......................................    Iran Seeks Closer Relations with Christians
                                                            Patriarch, Christians Lack Rights in Turkey
                                                            Individuals Held Responsible for Immigrants
                                                            22 Million Live in Iraq
                                                            Arab Investors Meet in Beirut
                                                            Tehran's Index Has Fallen 302 Points
                                                            24 Countries to Attend Iraqi Inter'l Fair
Calendar of Events............................    No New Entries
Khudra.............................................    October-December 1997
Entracte............................................    Fundraiser Dinner in Chicago
Intelligentsia......................................    Meetings & Classes
Abzu................................................    Assyrian Radio & TV Programs
Assyrian Surfing Posts.......................    Assyrian Pentecostal Church of Nineveh
                                                            Assyrian Gays & Lesbians Website
                                                            Paul Yohannian Endowment Fund
                                                            Assyrian Net-Heads at "Detroit" Convention
Pump up the Volume.........................    Weight & Measurement
Back to the Future.............................    Sargon II Introduces New Irrigation System
                                                            Jacobite Schism in Edessa
Literatus...........................................    Deep in Sleep
This Week in History.........................    Zahrire d'Bahra and Ishtar
Bravo...............................................    Dr. Zomaya Solomon, Beblas & Badals
The Directory...................................    ZENDA News Sources
Bshena............................................    Applied Materials, Cadence, Toronto, & D.C.
Salute..............................................    Francis, Hermis, Lena & Yolanda
 

Discrimination against women is well documented.  Throughout history men have discriminated against and abused them in the most inhumane ways- anywhere and any time. There are many reasons behind that as they are apparent to all of us.  However I will try to remind my readers by shedding some light on the most important factors. In the meantime some help from my brothers and sisters is expected to better understand this sensitive subject. Those who may not agree are welcome to express their opinions with facts.

It was called the law of the forest- possessing physical strength that is. Men have in the past boasted their physical dominance over women. This biological difference has always been abused to impose a painful strain on women which in turn has contributed to limiting their full productivity in most societies. The so-called "women's physical weakness" was used to master their lives in any way possible. This problem may now be alleviated by more education for both genders, while women continue to prove their ability to achieve their aspirations.  Using the weapon of education, courage and strength, achieving noble results is imminent.

The other factor that has overwhelmingly limited women from progressing toward the best in their lives was the rules set by either religion or the religious leaders (here I refer to Islam in particular).  In general this limitation was imposed far greater upon women than men. Permitting men to marry up to four women for instance is humiliating to women.  It is insane and could not be justified even if it was used to increase the population of Muslims in achieving the goal of spreading their religion. When that happened over many centuries, Muslims continued to ignore the rights of women and did not take the trouble to modify that approach. This attitude has affected our Assyrian nation very much; we followed the Law of the land set by our Muslim rulers. Muslim women who were humiliated and directly affected by these inhumane rules are the only ones who can truly express this painful tragedy.

Nature maintains a balance between men and women, all that is needed is to comprehend this reality honestly and maturely. Women have assumed so many responsibilities, no matter how difficult: the family, motherhood, general protection and care for children.  In many cases these responsibilities have been carried alone. They have even entered the workforce to elevate the economy of the family. They are well prepared, when given the green light of equality, to serve their nation in a way no body can imagine.

The bottom line of this my message is to admit it is about time to respect and look to the Assyrian Women as equal partners to men.  This for sure will expedite our progress. It will be worth while to pay attention to the advanced nations and see how women are contributing to their societies.  While they struggle for their rights, they continue to serve as teachers, Senators, Judges, government officials, in the Army, as professionals, etc.

It is in the best interest of our nation to be open-minded and throw away the wrong and antiquated ways we have so far defined living into the nearest garbage can of history.  We have already had enough of that poison so let's protect our future generations from this dilemma. By cultivating a sense of equality in our nation, we improve the lives of women, men and children.

The rights of women have been abused and stolen in the past. As they continue to struggle for their rights, it is the responsibility of our Assyrian men to help and bless this movement - the sooner, the better.

Kaiser Shahbaz
Turlock, California

          TURKEY CREATES SECURITY ZONE IN NORTHERN BET-NAHRAIN

(ZNAF: Ankara)  Turkey is keeping 8,000 of its soldiers within the Iraqi territory in northern Bet-Nahrain to police a security zone aiming to prevent attacks by Iraq-based Kurdish rebels.  Turkey announced it was withdrawing the bulk of the 15,000 soldiers, backed by air power, it sent into mountainous northern Iraq on September 23 to wipe out bases belonging to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).  Turkey will also use its local allies in the Democratic Party of Kurdistan (PDK) to help quell the PKK threat.  Turkish deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said Turkish troop involvement in the region should continue until the Baghdad government regained control there, something it has not achieved since the end of the Gulf War in 1991.

      RIVAL KURDISH GROUPS RESUME HEAVY FIGHTING IN NORTHERN IRAQ

(ZNRU: London) Eric Falt, spokesman for UN humanitarian operations in Iraq, reported fighting between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has forced hundreds of people to flee their homes and disrupted deliveries of food supplies.  The battle zone stretches from Hajj Omran near the Iranian border to Shaqlawa in the west.  The KDP said Sunday that it had snatched back areas of northern Iraq seized earlier this month by its arch-rival, the PUK. KDP radio broadcasting from northern Iraq and monitored in Turkey said it recaptured the areas of Role, Zeni, Dergele and Serrevas which the PUK had occupied since Friday.  Meanwhile, the KDP reportedly suffered losses to friendly fire as Turkish aircraft apparently bombed their positions by mistake. Turkey is allegedly supporting the KDP against the PUK in the latest fighting.  UN spokesman Falt reported that electricity to the main Kurdish city of Arbil, where a substantial number of Assyrians live, has been cut.  He said that the PUK, which controls the power supplies to the city, had said it cut the electricity because of Turkish air raids on its positions.  Falt said the clashes have not affected all UN food distribution but made it impossible in the fighting zone.  A convoy of 25 World Food Organzation trucks left Arbil on Sunday to deliver food supplies to the PUK-held zone of northern Iraq, which has been under Kurdish control in defiance of Baghdad since 1991, he said.  A ceasefire negotiated between the rival Kurdish groups by Washington, London and Ankara in October 1996 was largely observed before breaking down on October 12.  The Iraqi Kurdish faction the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) accused Turkey of dropping napalm Saturday on the group's positions in northern Iraq at Kapki Hamad Agha and Bani-Harir.

"Shlama B'omta, A very nice edition, Your efforts are really appreciated.
The joined file could be easily read by using Internet explorer, Thanks
for this great job, But that's normal, because you're the sons of
the Great Assyrians. God be with you and help you, Amen."

Atoraya
France

["The sons and daughters of the Great Assyrians" would be more appropriate in this case, since our Staff is made up of both men and women- in fact more female reporters and contributors than men.  Thank you for your kind words!]

                         ******************

"The HTML file came through just fine. Thanks, as always."

Grace Yohannan
Florida

                         ******************

"In response to Mr. Ed Williams of Chicago regarding his response to the latest matters of our Ancient Assyrian Church of the East (Old and New Calendars). First, let me express my personal opinion with respect to our church and nation. I believe that our church has kept Assyrians and their nation always united and played an important role in preserving our culture, language, heritage, and most important the oldest denomination of the World. Having said that, this does not imply that our church has the role of political leadership, on the contrary our church leaders have made it crystal clear that they are not political leaders but spiritual leaders for this fragmented nation. Look around us and see so many parties and leaders!! . Do you think that these parties will lead our nation to Glory day? I believe the answer is NO. I believe
our loyal and hard working Assyrians should set aside their differences and separate the affairs of our church from those of the national issues.

<Mr. Williams has> ended his comments by saying, and I quote: My nations UNITY is imperative, standing above our church and tribal affiliations" End of quote. I strongly believe that our nations UNITY should not and must not be placed above our beloved church. I do not agree with <him> at all. Yes, I agree ... that it is imperative that we should and must set aside our personal differences, tribal affiliations and egotism!! and start working hard and teach our young Assyrian generation to stay in school, pursue higher education, and respect of our churches and spiritual leaders. Together we succeed, apart we fail."
 

Simon Francis Shamoun, Ph.D.
Research Scientist & Professor
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

                         ******************

"My great-grandmother was a great woman.  I feel as though I know her well, even though she passed on long before I arrived. She continues to live through her favorite grandchild, my mother. Little wonder that Nana Ensab's values have survived. Nana always preached on how to be "a true Assyrian woman."  My dear mother, who never hesitates lecturing me, typically prefaces her admonition:  'Nana Ensab used to say...' It is not surprising, therefore, that I know a good deal about how Nana used to think.  I see Nana's signature even in the way my mother will answer some of my questions. While in my early teens and studying the Bible with my sister and brother, we came up on a question regarding our church.  We asked my mother; she answered it the Nana way:  'Don't ask questions; just read, remember and leave it at that.'

I have never quite understood or accepted this dismissive type of answer, and it is the kind of answer many of us have heard when we have posed questions about our churches, our politics and our nation.  Our parents were told to leave questions of politics to politicians and questions of religion to our clerics.  We were told the same. But living in a Western country, we have come to think differently.  With all due respect to my mother, and to her grandmother, I believe this represents progress.  Although some will disagree, I believe that today we are a nation with more education and more wisdom. It is our obligation to ask questions and to demand answers. Our politicians and our church leaders
have an obligation to inform us of the direction they seek to lead us.

We need to be informed of contemplated changes in our churches and in policies which affect us; and we need to be brought to the table before decisions are made.  When I see that Mar Bawai replies to specific questions on Zenda, my respect for him is greater than ever. We need such leaders who have the courage to express their opinion and to share their experience with us. The time is long past when the people would be satisfied to have their bishops and priests confined to the four corners of their churches and sees, only to be heard a couple of hours on Sundays. People such as Mar  Bawai have acquired an impressive amount of knowledge over the yeas. They are a precious national resource to us. It is time we look to such figures to provide us more than solely spiritual leadership.  From time to time, I have talked with individuals from various political groups who have a disagreement or other about an item appearing in Zenda. I ask them why they have not written to Zenda, and why they have not offered their opinion or response. They scoff at my suggestion on the grounds that Zenda can't hurt or help their cause. I disagree.  As I see it, Zenda is a first but important step in the interconnection of our scattered people.  Zenda and publications like it are the links which connect our people worldwide; they can inform and teach us what we need to know in order to survive.

I have noted strong opposition toward the Internet and the way it has been utilized by our people.  I believe that this antagonism is often rooted in the fear of those who practice duplicity. The Internet has become an awesome tool. It has made it much more difficult to lie, cheat, and act arbitrarily. The Internet makes us more accountable.  It is my hope that we are entering a period when more of us will ask and demand answers from our politicians and our churches.  What better way to show that we are involved, and that we care?  Let us shed the outmoded and reinvigorate our society with our collective wisdom and strength, and with our faith and love.  Our nation is alive and can stay alive if we stand up for it and help it on its feet.  In her lifetime, Nana Ensab saw wars and ravages, but she had never seen the West, nor could she ever imagine the Internet. But she was a woman of abiding faith, and she was endowed with much common sense. Somehow, I believe she would have shared my sentiments.

Lena Mushell
San Jose, California
 

******************
 

"In reply to Mr. Ashur Simon Malek of Ontario, Canada:  Mr Malek wrote, 'We have been known by many names: Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians and Assyrians.'  Certainly the Sumerians were not Akkadians or Babylonians or Assyrians in origin.  They were non-semitic speaking people, and also non-indo-European speaking (they are still a puzzle). Their language does not relate to any dead or living language yet discovered. However, there is a theory that it is related to Dravidian language, (scholars do not agree about it). Also they had different culture, the Akkadians called them Shumery from the word Sumer/dark/black.  They were called the black-headed people.

I cannot go through their history, but there is a good book by Samuel Noah Kramer called the "Sumerians" which explains the Sumerian culture and society.

Another point Mr Malek mentioned was that the Phoenicians (Lebanese), were a branch of Assyrians, which I do not agree with him.  There are many books written about the ancient Phoenicians the seafarers, for example The Phoenician, by Harden, D.B. Also you can search for more information in the internet.  There is a web site devoted to Sumerian, Akkadian, Aramaic, Syriac languages and their roots, plus historical background etc.

Many thanks and I do apologize for being so brief."

Janette Yacoub
London

Thirty three years have passed since the Assyrian Social Club (ASC) was founded by a group of devoted Assyrian students, who have come to the USA to receive higher education.  Their objective, among others, was to help the newly arriving students, as well to have a place to assemble, see friends, make new fiends, and keep the Assyrian closeness.  This hope did not perish.

When on Sunday, May 15, 1994 ASC opened it's doors at the new location of 6313 North Pulaski Road in Chicago, Assyrians of Chicago and its suburbs found a "National Home." During the past 33 years the ASC hosted Assyrians of all walks of life and the members are always glad to see a new Assyrian face.

Today, like thirty years ago the ASC is convinced that Assyrians should have a place to bring their children, families and friends where they can: learn Assyrian language, English as a second language, Assyrian history by providing lectures on Assyrian history and heritage; help with immigration problems, fill out applications for different purposes, or just for a friendly chat.

At present ASC is Headquarters for five Chicago Assyrian organizations: Assyrian Athletic Club, Assyrian National Foundation, Assyrain Ladies Foundation, and Assyrian Social Club.  The doors are open, we are more than proud to cooperate with all Assyrian establishments.

Nevertheless, at present the ASC is encountered with a financial problem. It has to pay its Property Tax, if not paid on time the "National Home" is gone forever. If this happens, it will take a long, long time before another such kind of opportunity will knock at the door of Assyrians of Chicago and its suburbs.

It is our national duty to save what was founded on a noble cause to serve Assyrians without any other ambitions but one aim, to serve.

With this letter we approach our Assyrian community and friends asking for their help and support in order to keep this "National Home."

Make your pledge payable to Assyrian American National Federation.
(Tax Exempt IRS Code 501 (c)(3)

Nenif Mikhael
Fundraising Committee
Chairman

[ZENDA thanks Mr. Michael and his Fundraising Committee for the complimentary dinner ticket to this event on November 9 in Chicago. Please see ENTACTE for more information.]

   IRAN SEEKS CLOSER RELATIONS WITH EASTERN CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL LEADERS

(ZNDA: Tehran)  Iran's official news agency reports that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, in a meeting with the leader of the world Armenians, Archbishop Jasligh Aram Keshishian, said corrupted culture has shaken the bases of human communities in many societies, and in such conditions, Islam and Christianity, as two eastern
religions, should cooperate to propagate religious and spiritual values.
 

   PATRIARCH COMPLAINS ORTHODOX CHRRISTIANS LACK EQUAL RIGHTS IN TURKEY

(ZNAP: Ankara) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I has begun a monthlong 16-city tour of the U.S. His church officials hope his visit will be a cause for celebration across the ethnic boundaries that have made Orthodox unity elusive in America.  Bartholomew is the spiritual leader of 300 million Christians in Turkey, Russia, and elsewhere.  Last Wednesday in an interview with English-language newspaper Turkish Daily News, Patriarch Bartholomew said that Christians did not enjoy equal rights with the Moslems in Turkey. He noted that they are deprived of the right to train priests, as their religious school has been out of service for 26 years. "We are deprived of this possibility (religious training) although Moslem Turkish citizens have this possibility to prepare, educate the young generation of muftis (religious Moslem leaders)," Bartholomew said.  He continued, "The Greek Orthodox have the same rights with the Moslems according to the Turkish constitution, but in reality we don't have the same rights."  The Halki Theological School was closed down in 1971 by the military regime in place at the time. The historical patriarchate is located in Fener on Istanbul's European side and is subject to the laws of predominantly Moslem Turkey. The patriarch himself is a Turkish citizen. Diplomatic sources say the school's reopening is hampered by ongoing tensions between Turkey and Greece, which are at odds on the sovereignty of several islets in the Aegean Sea's and the divided island of Cyprus.

Patriarch Bartholomew received the congressional gold medal on Tuesday and later on Wednesday he met with President Bill Clinton. Bartholomew visited six countries on the Black Sea as well as Greece in a September tour mainly to raise awareness about environmental problems in the region. He also met with Russian Patriarch Alexei.  Yesterday, Patriarch Bartholomew I became the first Orthodox Patriarch to officiate at a service in a Catholic church in the US, when he presided over a prayer service at the Basilica of the national Shrine of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Baltimore, Maryland.

Visit:  http://www.yale.edu/eox/Diaspora/fanari/varth1.html

   NEW IMMIGRATION RULES HOLD U.S. CITIZENS FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE

(ZNMN: San Jose)  Last week new immigration rules were unveiled which make individual U.S. citizens financially responsible for the immigrants they sponsor.  These rules set new minimum income levels for those who may bring family members from other countries.  They also transform sponsorship into a contractual obligation, meaning an individual could be sued for failing to support a sponsored immigrant.  Based on past data, experts suggest that as many as one-third of families hoping to be sponsors will not be able to meet the new income threshold, which is set at 125 percent of poverty level, or about $ 20,000 for a family of four. The new immigration rules are part of federal efforts to prevent immigrants from being a "burden" on society.

            CENSUS REVEALS THAT 22 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE IN IRAQ

(ZNRU: Baghdad)  The Washington Post reports that the census carried out in Iraq on Thursday, October 16, 1997 showed that the population of Iraq is 22,017,983 of which 14,994,208 (68%) live in cities.  The Iraqi Embassy in Amman, Jordan, reported that over 18,000 Iraqis who live in Jordan of whom several hundred families are Assyrian refugees, registered for last week's national census. Independent estimates, however, put the number of Iraqis in Jordan at well over 100,000. Furthermore, Iraqi government officials reported that they included the population of the three northern Kurdish provinces, which have been outside Iraqi government control since March 1991. The estimated figure used for these provinces were obtained from a census that the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has previously conducted. Reuters reported today that no census took place in these provinces and that Iraqi government officials did not say whether the gross figure of 22,017,983 include the three provinces.

                                   ARAB INVESTORS MEET IN BEIRUT

(ZNSM: Beirut) The seventh conference of Arab businessmen and investors was held last week in Beirut. The 800 Arab and foreign participants called for the establishment of a $500 million bank to finance trade and investment in the Arab world. They also called upon the Arab governments to "seriously" implement the planned Arab Free Trade Agreement that is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 1998. The conference also emphasized the need to create new modes of economic cooperation among Arab countries which would allow for the free movement of goods and labor. Commenting on  the Arab investors conference, a high-ranking official in Beirut said that it seemed to him that Arabs and foreigners sometimes care more about Lebanon than the Lebanese themselves." (As-Safir, Oct. 21, 1997)

  TEHRAN'S GENERAL INDEX OF SHARES HAS FALLEN BY 302 POINTS IN 7 MONTHS

(ZNDA: Tehran)  Iran's official news agency reported yesterday that the general index of shares at Tehran Stock Exchange has dropped by 302.01 points in 7 months beginning March 21, standing at 1634.74 points.

According to the report, 368,700,567 shares worth 1,248.843 billion rials were transacted for 106,711 applicants in 187,950 turns over the period. The number of companies whose shares were transacted at the stock exchange rose from 246 companies at the end of last Iranian year (march 20) to 259 companies at the end of the 7 months.

           24 COUNTRIES TO ATTEND IRAQI INTERNATIONAL FAIR

(ZNAF: Baghdad) Syria and Lebanon are expected to participate for the first time in years in an international fair next month in Iraq. Syria will be attending for the first time in 17 years and will run one of the most important pavilions.  Other countries participating in the fair include Azerbaijan, China, Greece, Iran, Italy, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Turkey and Vietnam.  The fair is being organized despite the international embargo imposed on Iraq in 1990 after it invaded Kuwait.  Syria broke off diplomatic relations with Iraq in 1980 but the two countries began a rapprochement this year, re-opening their border in June which had been closed since 1982.  Iraq took part in Damascus's international fair in September. Iraqi-Lebanese relations, broken off in 1994, have also begun to improve with the warming of Iraqi-Syrian ties.  Syria is the dominant influence in Lebanon and has 35,000 soldiers stationed there.

Oct 30        Library Tour of the Near Eastern Collections
        Main Library of UC, Berkeley
        4:00 pm

Nov 22-24    Middle East Studies Association's 31st Annual Meeting
        San Francisco, California
        Hyatt Regency San Francisco
        http://www.mesa.arizona.edu/mesa97.htm

        Selected Topics:
        -Christian Persian Notables: Patrons and Leaders in East Syrian Christian Society
        -Iraq and the Assyrians, 1925-1933
        -Dawn at Tell Tamir: The Assyrian Christian Survival on the Khabur River
        -The Future of Iraq
        -Recognized Religious Minorities in Iran
        -An Ethnic Perspective on State Formation in Iraq
        -Lebanon's Culture and National Identity
        -Sons of Noah in Eastern Christian Tradition

Dec 7        General Meeting of the Assyrian Foundation of America
        Berkeley, California
        Agenda:  General Elections

Dec 11-13    British Association for Near Eastern Archaeology
        1997 Annual Conference
        University of Durham
        United Kingdom
        http://www.dur.ac.uk/Archaeology/confs/BANEA.html

Dec 20        Maestro Nebu Issabey's Nineveh Choir
        San Jose State University Music Hall
        8:00 PM
        (Tickets are on sale!)

Through    In the Presence of the Gods: Art from Ancient Sumer
Mar 8,1998    The Smart Museum of Art
        5550 South Greenwood Avenue
        Chicago
        Free Admission
        A presentation of 43 4,500-year-old Sumerian temple offerings, including statues from Tell Asmar, tablets, carved stone vessels, and relief panels showing banquet scenes.

Oct 31        Dokhrana 'd Mar Elia (of Hirta or Khirata)
Nov 1        Dokhrana 'd Mar Mikha d'Alqosh
Nov 3        Dokhrana 'd Mar Gewargis, Sahda (The Martyr)
Nov 19       Commemoration of Mar Yacoub m' Pasqa
Nov 22       Dokhrana 'd Mar Odisho d'Urmi
Dec 7        Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (Soobara)
Dec 8        Immaculate Conception
Dec 13        Mar Yacub d'Nsiven (St. James of Nisibin)
Dec 20        King Abgar V
Dec 22        Mar Yousip (St. Joseph)
Dec 25        Christmas (Julian Calendar)

For the Church Liturgy of the Assyrian Church of the East visit:
               http://www.cired.org/liturgy.html

Nov 9        Fundraising Dinner
        Assyrian Social Club
        63133 Pulaski
        Chicago
        7:30 pm
        RSVP by October 30:  773-478-8808
        P.O. Box 597365
        Chicago, IL 60659

Dec 31        New Year's Eve Party
        Assyrian American Association of San Jose
        Entertainers:  Black Cats & Franco
        Marriott Hotel
        Santa Clara, California

----------------------I N T E L L I G E N T S I A-----------------------

CHICAGO    Introductory & Advanced Modern Assyrian
          Room Numbers C13 & C33
          Instructor: Rabbie Zaia Kanoon
          Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays
        7:00-9:00 PM
          Location:  North Park University, Carlson Tower
        language@aas.net or  1-800-454-6979.

        Assyrian Athletic Club Soccer Development Program
        Ages 7-14
        7:45-9:45 PM
        Mondays
        Warren Park Gymnasium
        Western Avenue & Devon Street
        ------------------------------------------------------
HARVARD     1997-98 Syriac Classes Taught by Dr. J.F. Coakley
UNIVERSITY    Elementary Syriac
        Instructor:  J. F. Coakley
        Basic Syriac grammar and syntax with selected readings from
        the Syriac Bible and other early texts.
        ------------------------------------------------------
        Readings in Syriac I
        Historical and theological texts, and early poetry
        ------------------------------------------------------
             Readings in Syriac II
        Special attention to exegetical texts and to reading
        manuscripts.
        ------------------------------------------------------
NORTH          Assyrian Boy Scouts
HOLLYWOOD     Assyrian American Association of Southern California
             Assyrian Club
             5901 Cahuenga Blvd
              North Hollywood, California
             9:30am  to 12:30pm
        Sundays
              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
        ------------------------------------------------------
SAN JOSE    English as a Second Language & Conversational English (Adults)    Instructor:  Jacklin Bajan
        Mondays
        7:00-9:30 PM
        AAA of San Jose BETA
        ------------------------------------------------------
        Nisibin School for Children (Classes begin on 10/6/97)
        Various Instructors
        Saturdays
        10:00-1:00 pm
        AAA of San Jose BETA
        ------------------------------------------------------
        Citizenship Classes
        Instructor:  Jacklin Bajan
        Mondays & Tuesdays
        7:00 PM
        AAA of San Jose BETA
        20000 Almaden Road
        ------------------------------------------------------
        Maestro Nebu Issabey's Nineveh Choir Practice
        AAA of San Jose BETA
        8:00 PM
        Thursdays
        ------------------------------------------------------
ONTARIO    Nisibis School
           10:30-1:30
        Saturdays
           The Church of the East
          Toronto, Canada

        Assyrian Student Association
        12:00 pm (noon)
        MSA Room, Fennell Campus
        Hamilton, Canada

-----------------------------A  B  Z U---------------------------------

                   RADIO PROGRAMS

Assyrian Voice of Canada            Ontario-Canada

Saturdays
3:00 - 4:00 PM                 Cable 91.7 and 91.9
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM (midnight)         AM 1430
Voice (905) 279-6206
Fax (905) 279-7347
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                TELEVISION PROGRAMS

AssyriaVision KBSV-TV 23             Modesto/Turlock-California
Bet-Nahrain Inc.
Daily (Saturday-Friday)
7:00 AM - 2:00 AM PST
(209) 538-4130
http://www.betnahrain.org/kbsv-tv23.html
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Assyrian National Magazine             San Jose/Bay Area, California
(with George Maragolof)
Live Show (Every first and third Tuesday)
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM "live show"
Weekly Show (Fridays)
7:00-8:00 PM
Channel 15A (TCI Cablevision)
http://wwwdeanza.fhda.edu/26/shows/assyrian.html
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Atour TV (Assyrian American Association)       San Jose, California
Weekly (Mondays)
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Channel 15A (TCI Cablevision)
http://home.assyrianchurch.org/Users/AssyrianVoiceFromTheEast/TVProgram.html
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Voice From the East:  Assyrian Church of Nineveh
Check Your Local Cable Television Stations:
Channel 20    Santa Clarita, CA
Channel 25    T.C.I.(East San Fernando Valley).
Channel 27    T.C.I.(West San Fernando Valley)
Channel 36    Chicago
 
 

Assyrian Pentecostal Church of Nineveh

        http://home.assyrianchurch.org

Assyrian Gays & Lesbians Website

        http://pw2.netcom.com/~out/index.php

Paul Yohannian Endowment Fund

        http://www.ashur.com/aaasc/PaulYounfunds.html

Assyrian Net-Heads at the "Detroit Convention"

        http://www.ashur.com/aaasc/DET-PHOTO-ALBUM.htm

        English        Modern Assyrian

           Measurement        kyoo/la     [M]

              Weight                 tooq/la     [M]
________________________________________________________________________
            F = Feminine     M = Masculine      P = Plural

BC (714)  When Sargon II invaded Armenia he saw an irrigation system not yet known in Bet-Nahrain, called by its Arabic name "qanat" or the Farsi "kariz."  A qanat is a sloping tunnel that brings water from an underground source in a range of hills down to a dry plain at the foot of these hills.  Its advantage over an open-air aqueduct is that less water is lost by evaporation on its way from the hill to the plain.  Sargon liked the Armenian qanawat.  Although he destroyed them, he brought the secret back to Assyria.  Qanat irrigation was then spread over the Near East as far as North Africa. and is still used.

<< The Ancient Engineers, Sprague de Camp  >>

AD (543)  Jacob, nicknamed Burdono (Baradaeus), is consecrated bishop of Edessa (Urhai).  His followers, the Jacobites (Yacubaye) form the Syrian Orthodox Church and remain opposed to the Byzantine Church.  In 451 Jacobites had found fault with the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon on the definition of Christ as one person in two natures, as opposed to one person out of two natures, human and divine.  As a result they were persecuted and considered enemies of the state.  Emperor Justinian refused to give these dissidents a role in the running of his empire. This religious and somewhat political discrimination led to the schism of the Jacobites.

<< The Seventh Century in the West-Syrian Chronicles, Palmer & Brock >>

                          DEEP IN SLEEP

The nobles are deep in sleep,
the bars (of the doors) are lowered, the bolts are in place
the ordinary people do not utter a sound,
their open doors are always locked.
The gods and goddesses of the country -
Shamash, Sin, Adad and Ishtar-
have gone home to heaven to sleep,
they will not give decisions or verdicts tonight.

-an ancient Babylonian poem also known as "Prayer to the God of the Night"

<< Astral Magic in Babylonia, Reiner >>

November 1, 1849:  The Assyrian newspaper, "Zahrire'd Bahra" (Rays of Sun) is published in Urmi, Iran.  It is also the first newspaper ever published in Iran.  On this day in 1981, the first issue of the magazine "Ishtar" under the direction of Dr. Bet-Ushana and Rabbie Issa Benyamin was published in Tehran, Iran.

                                                     DR. ZOMAYA S. SOLOMON

As reported in the Journal of the Assyrian Academic Society's latest issue (Vol XI, #1) Zomaya Solomon, a regular contributor to this scholarly journal, was awarded an honorary doctor of letters degree (LL.D>) from Bob Jones University in South Carolina.  Dr. Solomon is holder of advanced degrees in Arabic Literature and studies, and is a senior linguist instructor with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Dr. Solomon's article "Voices, Moods, and Verb Particles" appears in this issue of JAAS.

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Francis Sarguis       Santa Barbara, California        Bravo
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Rita Pirayou            San Jose, California
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In Our Upcoming Issues:

November 3          ZENDA's Readers Survey
November 10        The Assyrian American Association of Chicago
November 17        Of Dolma and Haseeda:  Assyrian Chefs & Cookery
November 24        The Urmie Manifesto
November 31        The Assyrian Acedemic Society

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