Vol IV, Issue 15

Khzeeran 22, 6748                   June 22, 1998


T H I S   W E E K   I N   Z E N D A

The Lighthouse ZENDA's Class of 1998
Good Morning Bet-Nahrain  U.S. to Help Iraqi Opposition Groups Topple Saddam
Surfs Up "that we are Assyrians first and foremost"
Surfers Corner 6th Annual Assyrian Olympics of California
News Digest Prominent Iraqi Physician Dies
Assyrian Surfing Posts Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party
Saving the Assyrian Language
Pump up the Volume University & High School
Back to the Future Slave Trade and the Assyrian Church in China
Literatus New Novel Featuring Assyrian Characters
This Week in History Kokhva Newspaper
Bravo Class of 1998

 

ZENDA Says...

As a child, I would often ask my grandmother, a survivor of the Great Exodus of the 1914-1918, to narrate perhaps for the hundredth time the story of the "Assyrian priest and his books."  After a lengthy introduction she would begin to explain how an old Assyrian priest was forced to leave his church and escape his village in Iran and begin the journey from Urmia to the Bakuba Camp in Iraq.  In a few months three quarters of the Assyrian population fleeing the villages of Iran had died of hunger, cold, and disease.  I asked her "What did the Qasha take with him?"  She'd reply, "Neither food, nor water, not even the holy water.  Just books.  That crazy man took lots of books with him."  I would then sit back and gaze at the little books I firmly held in my hands.  "Nana, what kind of books?" was my immediate reaction.  Her response would always be the same, "All kinds of books, small ones, big ones, thick ones, and old ones."

Today, I sit in my Zenda office in California and am often reminded of Nana's story.  Seventy years have passed since the Great Exodus and I truly believe that today I, too, would had done the same thing - as did the old priest and as have the Assyrians for the past twenty six centuries.  According to the 1990 Census conducted in the United States, the Assyrian population is one of the most educated minority group in America.  We have always abandomed our homes, families, homelands, and have carried only our books and knowledge to the lands of the unknown.

John Adams, the second President of the United States, once said "Let us dare to read, think, speak and write."  This week ZENDA lists the names of the daring young Assyrians who have committed themselves to breaking the chains of ignorance and dependence - the principal enemies of freedom.  Zenda concurs with the old priest from Urmia on that only a nation which nourishes the greatest number of readers, writers, thinkers, and speakers can truly be regarded as rich.  So ladies and gentlemen, fix your eyes on these names that are to follow...ZENDA proudly presents the future of our rich nation - the Class of 1998!

Wilfred Alkhas
Publisher

THE LIGHTHOUSE

CLASS OF 1998 ASSYRIAN COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY GRADUATES
STUDENT
DEGREE
MAJOR
SCHOOL
Amira Abraham M.D. Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tara Abrahams B.A. (Honors) Human Resource Development
Alin Alkass B.S. Biology University of Illinois at Chicago
Mariam Amro B.S. Building & Construction Engineering
Maureen Antar Ph.D. Pharmacy
David Arkis B.S. Civil Engineering
Fadia Audisho A.A.S. Accounting
Ramiz Aziz A.A.S. Computer Animation  & Graphic Art
Michael Azzo B.S. Accounting
Samira Benjamin B.A. Education & Earth Science
Charles Brikha M.D. Internist
Bianka Doomany M.A. 
Social Work & Personal Pupil Service Credential in Education San Jose State Univeristy
Nadya Eliah B.S. Nursing & Flight Attendance Certification Hawaii Pacific University / United Airline
Tony Eshaya B.A. Business Management
Roza Esho B.A. Human Resource Development
Dalia Jacob M.D.
Karen Kando M.D. Pediatrics
Hani Khiziran Cert. Computer Control
Erik P. Khoobyarian B.A. Political Science American University
Jennifer Kosiniski B.A. Criminal Justice
Nancy Lazar J.D. Law Loyola University
Ronda Malik B.S. (Honors) Criminal Justice
Sankaow Mansor B.A. S. Economics
Bushra Mansour B.S. Computer Science
Benita De Mirza B.S. (Honors) Microbiology/ Chemistry & Psychology University of Miami
Nanette Nisan B.S. Communication
David Odishoo B.A. Criminal Justice
Diana K. Oshana 1 M.A. Human Resource Development & Training Northeastern Illinois University
Domarina K. Oshana 2 B.A. (Magna Cum Lauda) Developmental Psychology Northeastern Illinois University
Donna K. Oshana 3 B.A. Speech Communications Northeastern Illinois University
Robert Oshana B.S. Computer Science/ Mathematics Northeastern Illinois University
Farid Shamoon A.A.S. Management Supervision
Reita Sultan A.A.S. Engineering
Rony Sultan B.S. Computer Science
Carol Talia A.A.S.. Travel & Tourism
Nahrain Yacoub MBA Finance
Ninos Yacoub B.S. Mathematics & Computer Science
Rebekah Saras Yonan M.A. Intercultural Relations Lesley College
Alfred Yousif Ph.D. Civil Engineering
 
1    Diana has been employed by Motorola, Inc. for the past three years and thanks to complete financial funding from Motorola, was able to successfully obtain her Master's degree in HRD.

2    Domarina has been accepted at the University of Chicago and will be pursuing her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology in the Fall of '98.  Her field of interest will be Research and Analysis.  Her first Research paper was presented at The 27th Annual Symposium of the Piaget Research Society, June, 1997 in Santa Monica, CA.  Title:  Pier Interaction:  "The Joint Role of Knowledge Stability, Social Dominance and Scaffolding in Learning."  Her second Research paper was presented at The 6th Annual Creative Arts and Research Symposium of NEIU. Title:  "The Relationship Between Children's Social Perception and Their Learning in Peer Interaction."

3    Donna is currently seeking a position with the Federal Government and will start Graduate school in the Fall of '98.  Her graduate studies will be geared toward 
Public Administration.
CLASS OF 1998 ASSYRIAN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
STUDENT
HIGH SCHOOL
LOCATION / COMMENTS
Zina Aboona Niles West Illinois
Christian Abraham Niles North Illinois
Stella Alkass Main East Illinois
Sylvana Audisho Schaumburg Illinois
Leena Baba Mather Illinois
Tania Babella Mather Illinois
Natalie Nahrain Beitashour
Stella Benyamin Niles North Illinois
Atur Bit-Ivan Mather Illinois
Ninort Brendaro Mather Illinois
Ramcin Cannon Mather Illinois
Ronny Constantine Mather Illinois
Hilda Daniel Mather Illinois
Ronny Daniel Mather Illinois
Sharen Dankha Main East Illinois
Helen David Niles North Illinois
Nabih David Deerfield Illinois
Rony Dawood Senn Illinois
Ramsen Eisha Mather Illinois
Linda Eshaya Good Counsel Illinois
Achour Esho Niles North Illinois
Danny Georges Niles West Illinois
TAnia Guiwargis Evanston Township Illinois
Sargon Hajey Mather Illinois
Daniel Hanna Gordon Technical Illinois
Dina Hermiz Mather Illinois
Josephine Hermiz Amundsen Illinois
Zia Iskander Niles North Illinois
Robert Kacho Libertyville Illinois (Honors Student)
Ziya Kakoo Glenbard East Illinois
Tony Kalogerakos Holy Cross Illinois
Vivian Khizickia Niels North Illinois
Gina Khoshaba Mather Illinois
Sunny Khoshaba Senn Illinois
Jouliana Lazar Larkin Illinois
Vivian Lazar Good Counsel Illinois
Linda Malik Mather Illinois
Ninva Mansor Niles North Illinois
Babylonia Marcus Glenbrook South Illinois
Shamiran Markos Mather Illinois
Rita Neesan Niles West Illinois
Tanya Odisho Mother Seton Regional Clark, New Jersey
Rema Oraha Mather Illinois
Pauline Oushana Glenbrook South Illinois
Sonny Peera Central Illinois
Hani Pourshabazi St. Gregory Illinois
Frederick Rasho Niles West Illinois
Florida Sarkis Mather Illinois
Steven Shilaita Niles North Illinois
Danny Shamoon Lane Technical Illinois
Sharbel Shamoon Lane Technical Illinois
Mariam Shando Niles West Illinois
Ninos Shaoul Notre Dame Illinois
Eva Shlimon Elk Grove Illinois
Emil Soleyman* Oak Grove  California
Clara Sommo Amundsen Illinois
Danny Taliya Gordon Technical Illinois
Ankido Tamras Niles West Illinois
Ator Yacoub Mather Illinois
Nineveh Yacoub Niles North Illinois
Karolin Yaghianian Mather Illinois
Sharbel Yokhana Main East Illinois
Baneta Nahrain Youkhana Ceres Ceres, California
Roudi Youkhana Gordon Technical Illinois (Honors Student)
Niven Youkhana Niles West Illinois
Suzie Younan Grace M. Davis Modesto, California
Tanya Younan Good Cousel Illinois
Nora Yousif Niles West Illinois
Madlen Youssefi Leland San Jose, California
Steven Zakaria Mather Illinois
John Zaya Rolling Meadows Illinois
Zina Zaya Rolling Meadows Illinois
Zando Zando (Deacon) Mather Illinois
* Emil will attend UC Berkeley in the fall and will be pursuing a degree in neurobiology.

GOOD MORNING BET-NAHRAIN

U.S. TO HELP IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS TOPPLE SADDAM

(ZNAF: Washington) The US State Department will soon launch a program to support some
73 groups opposed to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.  Congress has recently approved funding for the plan that will help the exiled groups collect evidence against Saddam, said Assistant Secretary of State Martin Indyk.  "We will be launching an effort to help them organize and coordinate their case against Saddam Hussein, particularly his brutality, his war crimes, and will be going forward in an effective way," said Indyk at a State Department media seminar.  "I don't place a high probability in their ability to overthrow Saddam but it's important they demonstrate there's a different way of life for the Iraqi people," Indyk said.  Congress has already authorized $5 million for Radio Free Iraq, a government-sponsored outfit that will broadcast news into the Islamic nation that would otherwise be censored. In addition, the Congress has approved in principle another $5 million to support the Iraqi opposition.

SURF'S UP!

"I am so proud to submit the names of all of my three sisters who obtained their degrees from college this Spring :-)  Thank you in  advance for all that you do to bring Assyrians together.  Would you also be so kind as to include my parents and brothers' names (Peter & Shamiran and brothers Douglas and Emmanuel)? My parents have been the driving force behind each and every one of us as we pursued
the road to education.  Forever, encouraging and motivating us to strive for success and financial stability through education and hard work.  Never letting us forget that we are Assyrians first and foremost and instilling a strong sense of religion in us which has seen us through many a nightmarish "thesis or term paper."  Thank you staff of Zenda and God bless :-)

Doris Oshana
Chicago, Illinois

Ms. Oshana's sisters are Diana, Donna, and Domarina.  Please see our proud list of University Graduates in this week's The Lighthouse section.



"My sister, Benita De Mirza, just graduated WITH HONORS from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology and 2 minors in Chemistry and Psychology.  On behalf of my family and I, please extend our congratulations in your magazine. Thank you!!

Sharokina De Mirza
Florida 

"Suzie Younan, our younger sister, graduated from Grace M. Davis High School in Modesto this past week. She was the main speaker at her graduation. We were so proud of her. You should have seen the look on people's faces when she spoke; she got a standing ovation...Please mention Suzie's name and the fact that she made her whole family very proud.  Thanks!

Vian & Marian Younan
Modesto, California



"...I am proudly Syrian Aramaen.  I have no idea who you are or what you represent but I would like to inform that your sending me this shit will in no way change my mind as to the truth about my history.
So, I ask you to no longer send me emails or I will also send you a copy of the Australian Syrian Times magazine by email and internet everyday for the next year!  thanks but no thanks!"

Georgette Ertas
Australia



"Dohuk, Sulaimaniya and Erbel are not under Iraqi government control as you stated in Zenda, please correct."

Mel Jackob
California


SURFERS CORNER

SIXTH ANNUAL ASSYRIAN OLYMPICS IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

SOCCER, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, TENNIS, TABLE TENNIS, POOL, CHESS,  & BACKGAMMON

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, July 2        7:30 to 9:30 p.m.             Willow Glen High School Mail Gym         Free

Games
Friday, July 3            9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 4        9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.       Willow Glen High School
                                                                       $2.00 per person ( good for all day and all the games )

Award and Celebration Party
Saturday, July 4        8:30 p.m.                         Mediterranean Center, Hyatt San Jose - Airport
                                                                      Entertainment:  Franco and his band;  D.J. Noel
                                                                      Admission:  $15.00 per person
                                                                      A.U.O.C. Affiliate Athletes Free
Olympics Picnic
Sunday, July 5          11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.     Saratoga Springs Picnic Grounds
                                                                      Admission:  $5.00 per person
                                                                      A.U.O.C. Affiliate athletes free

Hotel Accommodations
Hyatt San Jose - Airport
1740 North First Street
San Jose
Special rate of $69.00 has been reserved for the " Assyrian Olympics "
For Reservation, please call (800) 824-6835

If interested in competing in Tennis, Table Tennis, Pool, Chess, or Backgammon games, please call:

Wilson Eshou          (408) 980-1797
Jacklin Bejan           (408) 263-0984
AAA of San Jose     (408) 927-8100

NEWS DIGEST

PROMINENT IRAQI PHYSICIAN DIES

With Permission From the New York Times
Thursday, June 11, 1998, page B12.

 

Gourji M. Raby [Rabee`] died on June 8, 1998.  A physician of Iraqi-Jewish origin whose career spanned six decades and two cultures.  He was a graduate of the first medical school class of the University of Baghdad in 1932 and, in time, became the personal physician of the Iraqi royal family and of the political elite in the Middle East.  In 1966 he immigrated to the U.S. and successfully re-began his career at the age of 60, eventually becoming the Director of Ambulatory Care Services at Queens Hospital Center before retiring at age 81.  He is survived by his wife Rachel, his daughters Yvette, Joyce and son-in-law Frank Reiss, his sons Samir and Khether and daughter in law Katie, and grandchildren Alexander, Annabel and
Sammy.  Dr. Raby was much loved and respected among his circles of Assyrian friends.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

June 27
CERES/MODESTO, CALIFORNIA

NEW MAR ADDAI CHURCH FUND RAISING RECEPTION

For the New Mar Addai Church Project on Monte Vista Avenue, Turlock 
Guest of Honor:  Mar Melis Zaya, Bishop of Australia & New Zealand 
8:00 PM 
Bet-Nahrain Assyrian Cultural Center 
3119 Central Avenue 
Ceres 

Your RSVP must be received by 19 June 1998. 
Any amount of contribution would be greatly appreciated.  Send donations to: 

The New Assyrian Church of the East Mar Addai Parish

P.O. Box 3216 

Turlock, CA  95381

June 28
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

ASSYRIAN MOTHERS DAY

Ladies Auxiliary Committee of Assyrian American Association of San Jose
Luncheon and Assyrian Women Arts and Crafts Exhibition 
Selection of " Mother of the Year " 
1:00 p.m. 
BETA, 20000 Almaden Road
Ticket Price:  $10.00 ( Includes lunch, tea and cake, and a surprise raffle 
ticket ). 
For more information: 408-927-8100 

July 3-4
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

6th ANNUAL ASSYRIAN OLYMPIC GAMES

Assyrian Teams from Five Cities in California Competing in Several Sports 

Los Angeles, Modesto, San Diego, San Jose, Turlock 

Participants include over 100 athletes from San Francisco Bay Area 
Games:  9:00 AM-5:00 PM (Friday & Saturday) 
Willow Glen High School 
For Schedules & Hotel Information See Next Week's ZENDA

July 19
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

ASSYRIAN ACADEMIC SOCIETY'S GENERAL BODY MEETING

Assyrian National Council Office 
6352 North Fairfield 
6:00 PM 
Refreshments will be served. 
All are welcome to attend. 

Sep 2-7
WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT

ASSYRIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 

Sponsored by the Assyrian American National Federation 

Sep 11-24
TEHRAN-IRAN

22ND WORLD CONGRESS OF THE ASSYRIAN UNIVERSAL ALLIANCE 

For more information see ZENDA:  JUNE 8: SURFERS CORNER

Through  
2001
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

NUZI & THE HURRIANS:  FRAGMENTS OF A FORGOTTEN PAST

Hurrian settlements in Bet-Nahrain during mid-2nd millennium B.C. 
More than 100 objects excavated by Harvard between 1927 & 1931 
Harvard University's Semitic Museum 
-cuneiform tablets 
-seals 
-glasswork 
-pottery 
-beaded jewelry 
-lion statuettes from the temple of Ishtar at Nuzi

 

ASSYRIAN SURFING POSTS

Links to Other Assyrian Websites

 

Want to Save the Assyrian Language?  Nineveh Online's Ninva Ponsonby

Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party

PUMP UP THE VOLUME

ENGLISH 
MODERN ASSYRIAN 
GENDER 
EXAMPLE 
 University
 Bet-Sobeh
 Feminine
Harvard University:  bet-sobeh 'd Harvard 
 High School
 maad/raash/ta  raab/ta
 Feminine
Shooshan H.S.:  maadraashta raabta 'd Shooshan 
 

KHUDRA

Observances of the Eastern Assyrian Churches

 

JUNE 
FEASTS & MEMORIALS  
ASSYRIAN CHURCH
 5
Golden Friday:  The Disciples First Miracle 
CCC , ACE
7
Pentecost
SOC
7
2nd Sunday of the Apostles
ACE
 11
Feasts of the Holy Eucharist (Corpus Christi)
CCC
14
3rd Sunday of the Apostles
ACE
18
 Memorial of St. Ephrem (Mar Aprim)
CCC
19
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 
CCC
21
4th Sunday of the Apostles
ACE
26-28
Fast of the Apostles 
SOC
28
5th Sunday of the Apostles
ACE
29
St. Peter & St. Paul
SOC
 
AAC = Ancient Assyrian Church of the East
ACE = Assyrian Church of the East
CCC = Chaldean Catholic Church
MCC= Maronite Catholic Church
MOC = Malankara Orthodox Church
SKC = Syrian Knanaya Church
SOC = Syrian Orthodox Church

BACK TO THE FUTURE

BC (2430)

The earliest documented slave sale in the world was recorded in the Mesopotamian city of Girsu.  At this time slaves were not held in large numbers and were not very important in supplying labor.

Life in the Ancient Near East, Snell



AD (1369)

 

The Ming dynasty had by this time gained control of China.  The Ming emperors, unlike their predecessors, disliked foreigners and anything foreign.  Hence, the Assyrian church in China came to its end before the close of the Fourteenth Century.

The Nestorian Churches, Vine

LITERATUS

 

NEW NOVEL FEATURES ASSYRIAN CHARACTERS

Two of the characters in David Hailstone's non-stop action adventure novel, SIX FACES, are Assyrian. Find out how the Persian Gulf War altered their lives forever.

Quote from Chapter 1: "Mason's instant impression was that of one who is gazing at a rare objet d'art for the first time. As he admired her beautiful, chiseled face, he felt as though he was looking at the faces of the glorious Assyrian Kings -- Tiglathpileser, Shalmaneser, Sargon, Ashurbanipal, and of course
their famous queen, Shariram, who successfully ruled for three years. And looking further into her dark eyes, he could almost see the courage and strength of her people and the pain of the persecutions that they have had to endure over time."

Quote from Chapter 14: "'...Younia, what are your thoughts on being an Assyrian in today's world?'
Younia spoke softly. 'I am both honored and saddened to be an Assyrian. Honored by my rich heritage and saddened by the fact that our people have no native homeland. We are a people cast to the winds. I have cousins in America, Australia, England, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Canada and Germany. We are an international lot. We fly a flag with no soil to support it. But we still have our customs, our language and our love for one another. Who knows what the future will bring.'"

Virginia Lindsey, editor
Mother Lode Books

SIX FACES is a novel by David Hailstone.  For more information email to val@motherlodebooks.com  or write to 7378 W. Atlantic Blvd., Box 228 Margate, FL 33063    Web: http://www.motherlodebooks.com 

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

June 24, 1906:  The Assyrian Newspaper, "Kokhva" or STAR, under the direction of Rabbie Youkhanan Moshe, is published in Urmia, Iran.

BRAVO

 

Class of 1998... Congratulations!


WELCOME TO ZENDA

 

CORPORATE ACCOUNTS 
UNIVERSITY ACCOUNTS 
PERSONAL ACCOUNTS 
 FlashNet Communications

Hewlett-Packard

One Touch Systems

 University of California, Davis
Melbourne, Australia

Seattle, Washington

                             

SALUTE!

This Week's Contributors:                                                                  in alphabetical order
Jacklin Bejan San Jose, California Calendar of Events 
Surfers Corner
Zaineb Istrabadi New York News Digest
Nadia Joseph Chicago The Lighthouse
Raman Mikhael Chicago Literatus
Francis Sarguis Santa Barbara Surfers Corner
 
Thank You For Referring ZENDA to a Friend:
Ghassan Hanna California
Lena Mushell San Jose, California
 

 


ZENDA Magazine is published every Monday. Views expressed in ZENDA do not necessarily represent those of the ZENDA editors, or any of our associated staff.  This publication reserves the right, at its sole discretion, not to publish comments or articles previously printed in or submitted to other journals. ZENDA   reserves the right to publish and republish your submission in any form or medium. All letters and messages require the name(s) of sender and/or author. All messages published in the SURFS UP! section must be in 500 words or less and bear the name of the author(s). Distribution of material featured in ZENDA is not restricted, but permission from ZENDA is required.  This service is meant for the exchange of information, analyses and news. To subscribe, send e-mail to: zenda@ix.netcom.com w

zenda@ix.netcom.com
P.O. Box 20278   San Jose, California   95160   U.S.A.

Fax:  (408) 885-9894


ZNAA (Assyrian Academic Society-Chicago)
ZNAD (Assyrian Democratic Organization)
ZNAF (Agence France-Presse)
ZNAH (Al-Ahram Newspaper, London)
ZNAI  (Assyrian International News Agency)
ZNAK (American Kurdish
ZNAM (Archeology Magazine)
ZNAP (Associated Press International)
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ZNCN (ClariNews)
ZNIF (Iraq Foundation)
ZNDA (Zenda: zenda@ix.netcom.com)
ZNIN (Iraqi National Congress)
ZNLT (Los Angeles Times)
ZNMN (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNMW (Mideast Newswire)
ZNNQ (Nabu Quarterly)
ZNNV (Nineveh Magazine)
ZNNY:  New York Times
ZNQA (Qala Atouraya- Moscow)
ZNRU (Reuters)
ZNSH (Shotapouta Newsletter)
ZNSJ (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNSM (Shufimafi Lebanese News)
ZNSO (Syrian Orthodox News "SOCNews")
ZNTM (Time Magazine)
ZNUP (United Press International)
ZNUS (US News & World Report)