RELENTLESS & IRREVERSIBLE

Let's continue our discussion on the subject of initiating the Third Phase (Oct 8 & 15). Basically what we said was that Assyrians (of all backgrounds and religious affiliations) have reached a point in their history where it is necessary to begin influencing their environment. This we called the Third Phase, following the first two phases of "Fight Back" & "Survival".

We also said that influencing our environment requires a bottom-to-top revolution. A Control Revolution. Ordinary people coming together and doing a very extraordinary thing: building a stable economic and political infrastructure for a new nation rising from heaps of ashes of massacres and genocides.

Such a long-term national plan in turn requires the collaboration of the "wise men and women" or Lamasu's of our generation. These are the agents of change living among us in our own communities, determined to change the status quo. They will lift us up in their strong arms with perseverance and their fantastic radical new ideas. They're publishing journals in Australia, studying our ancient history in Helsinki and Toronto, preserving classic Syriac texts in New Jersey, monitoring Assyrian websites on their computer servers in Chicago, working in the offices of U.S. congressional representatives in Washington, re-writing the laws of the World Court in Geneva, and teaching Chemistry in the Assyrian language to high school students in North Iraq.

Spend an inspirational day with Albert in Turlock, Peter in Dallas, Evelyn in the Hague, Maha in New York, David in Melbourne, Homer in San Jose, Ashur in Pheonix, Wilson in Sydney, Yacoub in Dohuk, Sharokina in New Britain, Marduk in Tel Aviv, Hannibal in Tehran and any one of our Z-crew teams around the world. The wheels of this revolution are already turning. Are we prepared to push this carriage of hope and progress forward with our moral support? We must reaffirm our belief in the greatness and salvation of the Assyrian people by gladly providing these fine men and women of the Assyrian nation with financial sustenance and unconditional support.

To make the first crucial leap from the "as-is" to the "should" form of our economic and political existence, the value of education must be greatly emphasized at every level of our social strata. While new schools are built in every community, the education of all Assyrian students must be fully financed and completion of post-college education encouraged. In the meantime, through a close network of professional and trade associations we ought to provide for more Assyrian-owned small businesses and elevated positions in Fortune-500 multinational corporations. Prosperity of a nation depends on the affluence of its individual member. Education and Prosperity go hand in hand and are the building blocks of the Third Phase.

To adopt such new radical ideas a new system of revenue-generation must also be adopted. A fundraiser here and an auction there will not bring this nation out of its coma. A potent, constantly flowing, injection of life-giving financial verve into the veins of our comatose being is the only way we can initiate and complete the next phase.

An educated and prosperous people will surely elect capable leaders to administer their nation's finances and politics. Say good-bye to the current "musical chairs" politics of our stagnant national leadership organizations. Our new leaders will manage by consent, not through the Middle-Eastern style of authoritative execution of pointless decisions.

It's time we take our place in history and play a very unique role in the history of our nation. On November 12 we will take our first step toward a future of hope and progress. This time our will is relentless and our journey irreversible.

Zinda Magazine

AN INTERVIEW WITH WALTER AZIZ

At the start of his career over 20 years ago, Walter Aziz seemed to defy the natural order of things as it concerned the Assyrian listener of that time. Soon he became known as the rebel and iconoclast. Then suddenly Walter Aziz disappeared and left the fast-changing world of Assyrian music. He's now back again with a fresh approach.

Twenty years after he first began his music career, Walter Aziz remains the most controversial and equally popular figure in Assyrian music. He is currently traveling North America promoting his superbly produced CD, "Away", which has already become the fastest selling album in the history of Assyrian music.

Zinda Magazine recently caught up with Mr. Aziz at his home in California. A scheduled two-hour interview lasted six hours. Walter Aziz talked briskly and truthfully about his roots, his musical career, and the factors that resulted in the formation of an unmistakably Assyrian pop entertainer.

We found Mr. Aziz at home with his family, dressed comfortably in his jeans and a shirt on which the word "Chicago" was ascribed in large, bold letters.

Zinda: Let's start by talking about your special kind of musical style.
Walter: I, with all the musicians and producers I've worked with in the past couple years have put together a new style of Assyrian music for today's listener; Assyrian pop music. It's different from the traditional styles of music we're used to. There are and should always be the traditional "khigas". But this is new stuff and I'm glad that people have responded to it so well.

Z: Why are you doing this?
W: I believe that God created each of us to be different and to contribute differently. Music is the soul of the people and people have different tastes in music. I'm giving the people what I feel creatively. The Assyrian listener today is more conscious and appreciative of a better quality production. And when it comes to dance, we understand that we can change with the times yet keep the soul of our music intact. I think we are all learning how to do that together.

Z: What does Assyrian music mean to you?
W: To me it means variety. Assyrian music can mean different things to different people and we need to embrace that. My new goal is to export our music to the world. Take something we are proud of, make it ours, and tell the world who we are. To do that. we need to be able to understand that this music can grow and develop with the times.

Arab musicians were successful in exporting a music that is influenced by Western beats. Who hasn't heard of Amr Diab and Alabina these days? Unless our music doesn't deny that the world is different today and our people are different today, then we will not be able to reach new Assyrian listeners and the non-Assyrians around the world.

Z: Who are these new listeners?
W: The youth. And I'm afraid we might be driving them away. They love "chobiya" and "khigas" as do I more than anyone. I think its time to bring that, but make it sound different from everything that was done in the past. I don't want people to say that the Assyrian music formula is getting old. So with this album, I tried to change that.

Z: You seem to be optimistic about the future of our music in the west?
W: I knew our music was in jeopardy. People come to the conventions, but do not want to come to the parties. The feeling I get is that they're tired of dancing to the same six or seven songs while holding hands in a circle for an hour or so. They want to break free and show their individuality. That's the primary purpose of the new music.

Z: What do you mean by breaking free and demonstrating individuality?
W: Let's take singing of ballads as an example. The first time any Assyrian vocalists sang ballads was in 1960's. This was the time of such greats as Biba and Evin Aghassi. How did the people react at first? They called them "non-traditional" and "non-original". But the more we learned about them, the more we realized that we just weren't ready for something so new so fast. People like Biba and Evin are innovators. I am inspired by both of them.

They showed that Assyrians could dance slow songs together to music of their own language. Love songs. That's what I mean by individuality. They let the audience express themselves in ways they couldn't do before. I don't mind seeing people breaking free from traditional dances and showing who they are.

Z: Do you consider yourself a "career entertainer"?
W: No, not really! That's because singing is not a job for me. It's what I love doing. If I had to I would not even mind singing for free. I love trying to promote our music among other people and other nationalities. It's a challenge for me.

Z: Does this mean that you would collaborate with entertainers from other nationalities?
W: Yes, and I have already. My new CD, "Away" is a collaborative project with several entertainers from various backgrounds.

Z: Tell us something about your background, your childhood.
W: My father was born in Russia and my mother in Iryava. My family moved to Baghdad where my father died when I was eight. I was born in the Geilani Camp in Baghdad. I was raised in a very poor family. My mother was our bread-winner who worked in a bank and helped raising her family and taking care of my grandmother and uncle.

I went to Qasha Khandoo's school where I learned to read and write in Assyrian. I was then accepted to Baghdad College to study free of tuition, because of my academic achievements. I would have never been able to study there for two years had I not been accepted in this way.

My father's aunt in Chicago invited me to live with her. I was 16 when I left Baghdad. She was in her late 70's. I then helped bring my mother to America.

In Chicago I had two more years of high school education and then entered the University of Illinois in Chicago to study Chemical Engineering. (He stops and stares at the candle lit on the coffee table for a few moments). If there's one regret that I have in my entire life, it's that I never completed college.

Z: Why not?
W: I was a very bright student, but early on had to deal with too many obstacles and family difficulties. I was forced to quit school and before I knew it I was in California and married. I thank God that things turned out so well for me, though.

Z: So when did you start singing?
W: I was 19 or 20. At that time I didn't appreciate Middle Eastern music as much. I enjoyed the likes of the Beatles instead. As for my mentors later, I began to look up to Sargon Gabriel, Ashur Bet-Sargis, and the late Isha Zaya. I formed a band called "Kings" in Chicago and Ashur Baba was our guitarist. He still lives in Chicago. My second band was called "Heartbeat".

Z: Which song brought you your initial fame?
W: "Yala, Rappe Eeda" (Let Go Boy!). My sister Claudette performed the song with me. It was her first and last attempt at singing.

Z: Let's go back to your coming to California. When was that and what happened then?
W: I came to California in 1978 where I met my wife at a New Year's Eve party in San Francisco. We got married and two years later I released my first LP called "Assyrian Nation".

Z: You mentioned that you were not much into Middle Eastern or Assyrian music for that matter. Your early music indicates otherwise. What happened between Chicago and California?
W: I owe my sense of nationalism to my father-in-law, Gewargis Yoseph. I was not raised in a patriotic family so I could not be one. It was he and my lovely wife, Nahrain, who taught me all I know of Assyrianism. My father-in-law has been like a father to me.

Nahrin is Walter's closest advisor, manager, promoter, and his biggest fan. She accompanies her husband to his shows and promotion parties. Tonight, she arrived home late from work. In just a few minutes she prepared a delicious Assyrian dinner for Walter and his guests and began speaking boldly about her husband's relentless pursuit of perfection in his art. "Nahi", as Walter calls her, is without a doubt the essence of his continued success in music. Walter and Nahrin are proud parents of two sons: Joey (Yosip) and Benny (Benyamin). Benny is now attending the University of California at Berkeley as a Junior.

Z: Did your father-in-law help you with your music also?
W: One of his earliest contributions to my music was his song "Agha Petros". It's the Title Track from my second album.

Z: This is a good time to ask you a question that has puzzled us for a long time. Where did you find that color painting of Agha Petros on the cover?
W: It's not a painting. Actually it's a colorized photo of our famous general. I took a black and white photo of Agha Petros and gave it to an American artist to colorize. She then did some research to learn more about the French military uniforms worn in Agha Petros' time. The poster turned out to be a memorable gift for fans of my music and those who appreciate our history.

Z: And the music on the album?
W: It was a grand achievement for me. Twenty musicians performed on the album. I can safely assert that an entirely new generation of Assyrians turned to our music because of the music on that album.

Z: Was "Agha Petros" your favorite song on this album?
W: No, I liked "Yama Shleeta" (Quiet Sea) even more. It was a very difficult song. Although my band practiced it, it was tough for them to play that song live. It was a song by Andranik and involved the brass section, trumpets especially, and violins. I never sang it again until the remake in "Away".

I also took the two-inch master of "Agha Petros" last year and digitized the entire album to preserve it. A new rendition of that song is now on the "Away" CD.

Z: It wasn't until much later when we hear of Walter Aziz again. What happened in the late 1980's and early 90's?
W: To speak plainly, my music career declined. There was a renewed interest in the traditional Assyrian music during this time and people moved towards that style. I wanted to stay true to what I wanted to do as a singer and performer. So I didn't adapt to that sound. I didn't want to sing in the traditional style of Assyrian music like everybody else.

Z: What about the behind-the-scene politics and the Assyrian American National Federation's boycott of your performances?
W: (He did not expect this question, clearly obvious in the manner he suddenly began to move around in his chair.) It started with the 1985 Assyrian State Convention held in Turlock and organized by San Jose. I was one of the three invited entertainers at that convention. All three of us were asked to sing for an hour and to bring our own bands and sound system. I did, but the other two bands did not come prepared. They each sang for one hour and then it was my turn to perform. I had not been even 15 minutes on the stage when I was told to leave by the MC.

I was very confused and so was the crowd. "What would people think if I just left the stage after singing for 15 minutes," I asked myself. So I decided not to and I told the person in charge that I was not going to. We continued to play. Then the security showed up. My drummer, Pierre Noghli, became furious and stopped playing. I stopped too. I then turned to the crowd and asked if they were satisfied with our performance. They all cheered for my band. I told them that the organizers of the convention do not want me to sing and have brought the security to take us away. The organizers asked the band to stay on without me, but the band members said that they wouldn't play for anyone else except myself. I left the Civic Club that night crying. I still don't know why they wanted me to leave the stage that night.

The (Assyrian American National) Federation then boycotted me. I was never to sing at any Assyrian party or convention sponsored by any of their affiliates.

After all I had done for our music up to that point, I thought, "How could this happen to me?" It took a toll on me and then I started having stage fright. In fact I did not even listen to Assyrian music for almost 6 or 7 years after that horrible experience. So between 1985 and 1992 I sang for Arabs and Persians and just non-Assyrians in general. I think that helped me build a better world view of music even in the local scene.

Z: So why did you decide to return to Assyrian music?
W: I owe my comeback to Pierre Noghli and David Betsamo (Ogin's younger brother). Pierre was then playing with the Persian singer, Shahram; and David was making music with the Black Cats. In 1992 these two guys proved to me how much I had missed singing in Assyrian. I went to see David on one occasion. He had just arranged a very nice song for Shahram. I was so impressed with what he had done. Of course I always knew he was a very talented musician.

Five or six months later I saw David again. He was playing with Shahram in the Bay Area. He encouraged me to work on a new album. So I gave him five or six songs and we started working together in the studio.

We were concerned that CD's in 1992 may not sell as well among the Assyrians. But I also wanted to come back to the music scene with a big bang. Fired up by this idea, even though it cost more, I did it and became the first Assyrian musician to release his music on a CD.

The "Assyrian Unity Dance" CD saved me and brought me back to life and back to my people. I just wish there was an influential medium of information like Zinda Magazine then. I could not get my message through to the youth who had not heard Assyrian music with new beats until then. I was back again and this time I was about something more than just singing Assyrian music. I wanted to be known as the "promoter" of Assyrian music among other nationalities.

Z: Could it be that this was one of the first CD's produced for a Middle Eastern singer?
W: Iranian performers had already printed CDs by then, but I was told that this was the first CD produced by an artist from Iraq also.

Z: So how come you're singing at the convention and its affiliates' parties now?
W: After I released the CD, Haroot asked me to perform at an upcoming national convention. That was the unofficial end of the boycott. The same guy running the 1985 convention from San Jose also came to see me at one of my performances in San Jose and apologized later.

This was a perfect moment to ask Walter about another source of contention during his musical career. The digressive and intermittently fascinating video "Khoosh, Khoosh" - filled with sexual innuendos and graphic scenes. It remains the most controversial video ever directed for an Assyrian singer.

Z: Perhaps nothing has been as controversial about you as your now famous 1997 music video. Tell us about "Khoosh, Khoosh".
W: The "Khoosh, Khoosh" (Go Away, Go Away) video was directed in 1997 by Sargon Yoseph, who's the most talented Assyrian filmmaker I've seen. He also happens to be Nahrain's brother. He's done work in independent film festivals across America. We shot the video at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts. There were a few scenes in that video which angered some people. Only Sargon Dadesho agreed to play the video without any editing. The feedback I got was probably split in half; half positive, half negative. But what I noticed was that younger crowd supported it fully, and most of the negative response was from slightly older Assyrians.

I consider that video and song in general a success. I was now known not just for my comeback music, but also for my videos. And that video made the song really work. I don't think one could have existed without the other. A few months later I released a collection of my videos. Then we shot a video for "Guitari". I think that's the video I've done.

Z: Let's come back to the current year and "Away". It seems you have a winner in your grasp this time.
W: I hope so. We worked to make this the best quality album I've ever done. We spent months in the studio working out so many details. It was tiring but fun. But I never tried to settle for something until all the people working with me were happy with it.

I think that the Assyrian singer's responsibility today is greater than ever. There was a time when Assyrian singers used to compete with other Assyrian singers only. Today we're competing with other Middle Eastern artists as well. Assyrians are watching Arabic, Persian, and Turkish music videos on satellite television and are drawn to the music from that region.

You have to realize that it's no longer just about a vocalist and a keyboard. It's the CD, the video, the musicians, the music and so much more - the whole package. There's a lot of pressure on the Assyrian singers these days.

Z: How did you incorporate this philosophy or observation in your latest CD, "Away"?
W: "Away" is an arrangement of World-Assyrian music. I demanded better quality than most Arabic CD's out there. We mixed three songs in Fantasy Studios, where I saw Carlos Santana during recording session. He recorded his album "Supernatural" there. "Away" was also recorded in five other studios in Oakland, San Francisco, and Sausalito. I invited such great musicians like Latif Bolat from Turkey to play on a record. Ishmael, an Assyrian "Qanoon" player from San Louis Obispo also played on a few tracks.

Z: Of all Assyrian singers you picked Sargon Gabriel to do a duet with you on "Away". Why Sargon?
W: Let's be honest. Sargon is probably the most influential Assyrian singer ever. To me, Sargon is the most popular Assyrian singer. The name of Sargon Gabriel is like a trademark for Assyrian nation. People will forever associate that name with Assyrian music. In fact, musicians use him as a standard of measurement to which they compare their quality of musicianship and performance. There is just something about his voice that makes you want to dance. Sargon Gabriel is a legend.

I wanted to utilize the legendary voice of Sargon Gabriel on my CD and he graciously agreed.

Z: We hear very positive reaction to such songs like "Lorque" and "Qa Mani Bayat" at the Assyrian parties. Is that true with your other tracks on the "Away" CD?
W: The reaction has been tremendous. It's been selling very well these past two months. This is the fastest-selling album I've ever made. It might be the fastest selling in Assyrian history. I thank everyone who has supported me.

Z: Some Zinda readers were accusing you of separating yourself from others by singing to the melodies of non-Assyrian music. They even say you have betrayed our music for fame and money.
W: No. First of all I haven't lived in communities with other singers so I haven't had the chance. But musically, I'm influenced by music around the world. For me it's been successful. But no matter what, it is Assyrian music.

In order to grow, we need to be able to create different genres of music. Some Traditional, some "Pop", some Contemporary. The listeners are asking for something different. Our singers are responding also. We're starting to see more emphasis being put on production, and more established singers trying to take their music to directions that they can call their own.

The best examples of that are Evin Aghassi, Ashur Bet-Sargis, and Linda George. These are three singers with three very different, original styles. And lately, all three have better established their musical identities.' Evin's voice and Ashur's lyrics are phenomenal. Linda George has a beautiful voice and an excellent pitch.

I speak for all singers when I say that music production has never mattered more than right now. And good production requires money. And money comes from the support of the people. So we have to constantly bring our best to them. And with this album I feel I bring my best for my people and for the world.

Z: Walter, what can top your current success in the future?
W: I have given myself two years to fully distribute "Away" around the world. It will take me another year and half to record another CD. By that time I have no idea what will happen to the music industry and what kind of new styles will come around. But I already have some thoughts on how the next projects will sound.

In the meanwhile, I want to work with other Assyrian singers as well. We want to establish an Assyrian record label, EastJam Records. Hopefully the success of "Away" can show other artists that anything is possible. Our people need more positive exposure in the world.

I'm so pleased that there will be something like Zinda Magazine then to promote my work and the work of other Assyrian artists. I wish we had you guys back in the old days too…

********

Our interview was over, as Nahrain insisted that we must now partake in the delicious dinner she had prepared for us at an hour past midnight. There was more wine and more stories that will never make the pages of our magazine.

Walter is a gifted and dedicated Assyrian artist. He's controversial, a skilled marketer who has a knack for popular taste in Assyrian and Middle Eastern music.

For just a few minutes after the interview, Walter disappeared from our sight and came back with a bottle of Pinot Noir and a couple of his albums. As he was filling our wine glasses and watching us admiring his unwrapped albums, "Assyrian Nation" and "General Agha Petros" he quietly told us that he was presenting them to Zinda Magazine as a gift for its dedication to promoting Assyrian arts and artists.

Leaving his residence, speechlessly holding our gifts, we reached an emphatic conclusion about Walter Aziz: he has an unfinished business with Assyrian music and we should brace ourselves for more controversy, tasteful surprises, and just plain-old good Assyrian music.

We can hardly wait!

SYRIAN ORTHODOX MEMORIAL IN NEW JERSEY FOR SEPT 11 VICTIMS

Courtesy of The Record (October 29); New Jersey- article by Charles Austin

(ZNDA: New Jersey) In accordance with ancient tradition calling for a memorial service about 40 days after a death, Syrian Orthodox Christians from throughout New Jersey gathered in Teaneck on Saturday night to mourn those lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The solemn service at St. Mark's Syrian Orthodox Cathedral was conducted in English and Aramaic, the language the church uses for worship. Although the Syrian Orthodox are deeply rooted in the culture of their ancestors, the memorial service had a decidedly American flavor. Boy Scouts carrying an American flag preceded several dozen clergy down the center aisle of the packed cathedral. The service closed with everyone singing "God Bless America."

The Syrian Orthodox Church traces its lineage to the cities of Jerusalem and Damascus and the earliest days of Christianity. Membership is estimated at about 40,000 nationwide. Its New Jersey parishes are in Teaneck, Hackensack, Mahwah, and Paramus, and many of the families have been in Bergen County for decades.

Still, some have felt hostility directed against Middle Easterners since the attacks.

"There have been some glares and sneers," said Sama Khalef, an usher at the Teaneck cathedral. "We felt it also during the Gulf war 10 years ago."

In Syria -- a predominantly Muslim country -- the Orthodox are sometimes maligned for being associated with unwanted influences from "the Christian West."

Teaneck-based Archbishop Cyril Aphrem Karim, one of the church's three archbishops in North America, read a letter signed by all three. The letter asked for prayers for the victims, their families, and rescue workers. "We ask almighty God to grant the leaders of the United States strength, wisdom, and patience in their pursuit to bring the perpetrators
of the horrendous crimes to justice," he said.

Holding the ornate staff symbolizing his office, the archbishop said he grieved for those who are "victims of ignorance and intolerance."

"But through their deaths," he added "they have taught us the value of life. Evil people may kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul."

New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, whose wife is Syrian Orthodox and who was married in the Teaneck cathedral, told worshipers that although Sept. 11 will be seen as "our darkest day," it also will be remembered as a day when thousands were saved by the efforts of police officers and firefighters "who didn't ask about race or religion or the color of skin" before entering the doomed towers.

The Rev. John Peter Meno, rector of the Teaneck cathedral, read additional greetings from Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I of Damascus, head of the worldwide church body.

"At this time of mourning," the patriarch wrote, "we pray God to grant your leaders wisdom that in their pursuit of justice, they may not afflict suffering on other innocent people. We also ask all of you to be God's agents of peace and reconciliation and to remind everybody that evil can only be overcome by goodness."

Members of the congregation were dressed in black. Some wore red, white, and blue ribbons, and several women wore scarves in the same colors. Uniformed Boy Scouts stood at attention throughout the service.

A choir sang from the balcony in both English and Aramaic.

Among the dignitaries were Teaneck Deputy Mayor Emil "Yitz" Stern and Councilwoman Marie Warnke. Stern read a letter of commendation from the council, praising the cathedral for its special attention to memorial prayers following the Sept. 11 attacks.

After the hour-long worship, Archbishop Karim said the Syrian Orthodox Church was taking steps to make itself better known as "proud Arab Americans and faithful Christians."

HOUSING PROGRAM AIDS CHALDEANS OF EL CAJON

Courtesy of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Oct 31); based on an article by Matthew T. Hall

(ZNDA: El Cajon) When Ahlam Shamoun fled Iraq five years ago with her three children the adjustment wasn't easy.

She loved her new freedoms, but she also longed for her parents and brother in the Middle East. She no longer feared leaving her house at night, but she had trouble talking to the people she met, especially Americans.

"The first six months when we came here, we had some difficulty," Shamoun said. "We thought no one could help us."
A new alliance may change that for Chaldean immigrants, who now make up more than 10,000 of the city's 95,000 residents. A local group called the Community Coalition for Better Housing is behind the outreach effort.

Fair housing advocates are translating two housing handbooks into Arabic. The manuals have only been published in English, the first in 1982 and the second in 1988. Other community leaders are working to improve living conditions and apartment complexes made up largely of Chaldeans, Kurds and other Middle Easterners.

One coalition member, Maha Ibrahim, is a translator and case manager with the Alliance for African Assistance. She said without any outreach, "They will stay in the house, they will sit there, they will not do anything."

Newer immigrants are the focus of a housing coalition made up of building inspectors, police officers, social-service agents and housing advocates. The coalition formed in 1999 to build up the image of El Cajon's 800 apartments.

This year coalition members received a $25,000 grant from the nonprofit San Diego Foundation to produce 1,000 Arabic copies of the two housing manuals and improve conditions for Chaldeans in at least 10 apartment buildings.

Conditions are being measured by a survey that includes questions about managers, repairs, rent, police calls and child supervision. The questionnaire is available in English and Arabic.

Zina Toma is translating the Heartland Human Relations and Fair Housing Association's handbook on renting and its fair housing handbook into Arabic.

"Since it's something good for the community, why not do it?" she said. "It's going to help them know their rights and responsibilities. They come here, they are strangers, they don't know anything about the rules."

Some Chaldeans are hesitant to answer questions at first. But she said they tend to open up when she speaks their Aramaic language and hands them apartment satisfaction surveys she has translated into Arabic.

Hikmet Pauls is the lone Chaldean on the board of directors for the Heartland Human Relations and Fair Housing Association. He called the outreach helpful, but said new Chaldeans will likely have more pressing matters on their minds: Bringing other family members to the United States.

The main priority, he said, is "to find a way we can help other immigrants come to the United States and lessen the suffering that they endure through the long way they come."

About 120,000 Chaldeans live in the United States now, said The Rev. Michael Bazzi, pastor of the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Church in Rancho San Diego. There are 600,000 remaining in Iraq, where they live as a small Christian minority in a country governed and largely populated by Muslims.

Many of the Iraqi Catholics of the Chaldean community arrive here with little money and little grasp of the English language, Bazzi said. About 15,000 have immigrated to San Diego County since 1951.

He estimated that one-third of them live in apartments, sharing stories in their native tongue even as they work on English at school and on the job.

Bazzi said language and culture barriers make seemingly trivial things like arranging for baby sitters and attending PTA meetings tricky for parents with one car and a reluctance to let others care for their children.

Milad Isho, an El Cajon Valley High School senior, said the younger generation of Chaldean-Americans has an easier time of it.

Isho moved here 10 years ago. He speaks fluent English but very little Aramaic, the opposite of the older generation of Chaldeans who settled here.

"This is the most important thing for Chaldeans," Shamoun said. "Getting used to the second language."

When a housing coalition member approached her last week, Shamoun welcomed the chance to talk about her apartment complex in English. She said she is studying to be a teacher and soon will become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

"We don't want everything to be perfect," she said. "We want it to be reasonable."

MENAHEM MANSOOR, ARAMAIC SCHOLAR, DIED AT 90

(ZNDA: Madison) Menahem Mansoor, 90, who had taught Hebrew and Semitic studies at the University of Wisconsin from 1955 until retiring as professor emeritus in 1982, died of cancer on Oct. 21 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dr. Mansoor, who founded the university's Hebrew and Semitic Studies department, was born in Port Said, Egypt, attended high school in what is now Tel Aviv and graduated from the University of London. He received his doctorate in Biblical studies and Semitic languages from Trinity College, Dublin.

He was the author of more than 80 books and technical articles, including 15 textbooks. He had worked on the Dead Sea scrolls and had developed early correspondence courses in Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic.

OBITUARY: ROSE YOHANNAN

(ZNDA: Turlock) Rose Yohannan died on September 15 in Turlock, California. She was 88 years, 10 months, and 21 days old. She was the beloved wife of Ephraim Yohannan and the daughter-in-law of the late Hannah and Absalom Yohannan of Elizabeth, NJ, and Urmia, Iran. A life-long educator, Mrs. Yohannan spent many hours volunteering to tutor Assyrian immigrants in the English language, helping them to gain employment and housing in the U.S. She and her husband Ephraim moved to Turlock more than 20 years ago. Surviving members of the family include husband Ephraim; brother-in-law James, Turlock; brother-in-law John, Whiting, NJ; niece Grace Yohannan, Apopka, FL; niece Rosemarie Yohannan, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; nephew John J. Yohannan, Queens, NY. A Rosary Mass was held at Sacred Hearth Catholic Church, Turlock, on September 20th; interment was at Turlock Memorial Park. Casket bearers included: David Balswick, Richard Vierira, Albert Yonan, Joe Gova, Jessie Yohannan, and Mick Zuniga.

JOIN US IN CANADA IN SUPPORT OF OUR PEOPLE

"Here is a call for help that you can be proud to be part of. Our people need help, and if we extend our help one by one, we will find the true meaning of a family, and sense of joy in a world that is full of strangers whom don't know us- the Assyrians. Our people need help, and here is what you can do. Your financial donation of any amount can do a lot in helping Lina Nissan for example. She is being admitted to a hospital in Ontario.

Financial help of $10, $20 or more can save a person, and makes us proud of standing up to help humanity and unity of Assyrians. Our Assyrian population in Canada is over 20,000, and if each can donate $10, it will fulfill our goal. But we don't have Assyrian media in Canada capable of disseminating information to Assyrians, nor do we have proper Assyrian institutions /societies that can work toward helping Assyrians in need. The one that exists in Ontario, if not the entire Canada, has been used for their own tribal group and discriminates against other Assyrian people.

It is a shame to have lack of our own institutions, while other cultures and nationalities rose from nothing to become recognized in Canada. Now, let us move forward, and get out of this negative cycle by joining hands across the globe, from Canada to Middle-East and elsewhere in helping our people.

Hope you enjoy your visit to our Assyrian Students' Association of Mohawk College website, and we hope that you join in by donating directly to Lina Nissan's bank account.

Your help is needed, donate and feel good."

Assyrian Students' Associationof Mohawk College
http://www.mohawkc.on.ca/clubs/assyrian

AUA RALLY IN CANADA

The Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) branch of Canada invites the Assyrian people to attend a rally on Sunday, November 18, 2001, at 3:00 PM at the Assyrian Society of Canada, Mississauga, 1150 Crestlawn Drive.

Senator John J. Nimrod (retired), Secretary General of the AUA, the Honorable Homer Ashurian, AUA Executive
Board Member, and Mr. Carlo Ganjeh, the AUA Americas Secretary, will report on the activities of the AUA on
behalf of Assyrians worldwide.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the rally, and hope that you will be prepared for an open question and answer session with our distinguished guests.

Assyrian Universal Alliance
Canada Branch

ASSYRIAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATIONS IN CHICAGO/SKOKIE

The Mid-Western Region of the Assyrian American National Federation Presents The Assyrian Heritage Month (November 2001)

"Assyrian Heritage Exhibition" coordinated by Assyrian Students at the Skokie Heritage Museum
8301 Floral Avenue
Oakton & Lincoln
Skokie, Illinois

Open to Public During November
Tuesday-Saturday 12-4 PM

Opening Ceremony
Friday November 2, 6:00 PM

For More Information visit: www.AANF.org

UC-BERKELEY STUDENTS WORKSHOPS IN SAN JOSE & TURLOCK

The Assyrian Student Alliance, a student run group at UC Berkeley, will initiate a series of university recruitment sessions for high school school students.

The aim of these sessions is to encourage our younger students to apply to colleges and universities. Our goal is to provide interested students and parents with the opportunity to learn about the college application process, college life, and the rigors of academia.

Students and parents should expect to find information on

* Benefits of college
* Standardized tests
- ACT, SAT
- AP and honors courses
* Applying to college
- College applications
- Personal statement
* Financial aid
- Scholarships & grants
- Loans
* Community service
* Question and answer session

Program information

Location: San Jose
Date: Friday, November 9, 2001
Time: 8:30-10:30pm
Where: Hall of the Assyrian Church of the East
Address: 680 Minnesota Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125

Location: Central Valley
Date: Friday, November 16, 2001
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Where: Civic Club of Turlock
Address: 2618 North Golden State Blvd
Turlock, CA 95382-9504

Assyrian Student Alliance
University of California, Berkeley
Website: www.assyrianstudents.com
Email: contact@assyrianstudents.com

U.S. ABBASSADOR IN AUSTRALIA RESPONDS TO CONDOLENCE

EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STAETES OF AMERICA

15 October 2001

Assyrian Universal Alliance- Australia Chapter
P.O. Box 34
Fairfield NSW 1860

Dear Members of the Alliance and Assyrian Community:

I apologize for the long delay in responding to your message of condolence. Your warm note to the American people is so comforting. All free men and women every where recognize that the events of September 11th were really an attack on civilization. It gives Americans great encouragement to know that we will not stand alone in the difficult days ahead.

Please know that I will convey your thoughts to Washington. On behalf of the American people let me say how grateful we are to have friends like you in the world.

Warmest best regards
Sincerely,

J. Thomas Schieffer
Ambassador

Rolands Collection of Films on Ancient Mesopotamia

Michael Davodian's Assyrian Fonts
[ http://www.assyrian.dk/ ]

VASILI SHOUMANOV'S "ASSYRIANS IN CHICAGO"

Assyrians in Chicago was published in September 2001 by Arcadia Publishing. This new title is part of Arcadia's successful "Images of America" series.

The pictorial history of Assyrian immigration to Chicago encompasses more than 100 years. Assyrian pioneers came to the United States in the late 1800's. Eventually, by the turn of the century, they began to reside in Chicago. Following several waves of persecution in their homeland, they continued to migrate to America, and now the largest concentration of them reside in Chicago. Through the medium of historic photographs, this book captures the evolution of the Assyrian community of Chicago from the late 1800s to the present day.

These pages bring to life the people, events, and industries that helped to shape and transform this vibrant ethnic community in Chicago. With more than 200 vintage images, Assyrians in Chicago includes photographs from the collection of the Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation. This book depicts the many faces of the Assyrian American in various facets of American life interwoven with traditions from their homeland.

Author Vasili Shoumanov is a librarian at Ashurbanipal Library, as well as a history researcher and curator at the Assyrian Heritage Museum. Join them on this remarkable journey through the years of the Assyrian presence in Chicago.

Assyrians in Chicago is available or can be ordered at local Chicago bookstores and retail outlets. It can also be purchased online (barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com.) or directly from the publisher (arcadiapublishing.com, 888/313-2665).

$18.99 Paperback- 128 pages

Please contact Holly Zemsta, Publicity Coordinator, at 773-697-0104 if you wish to:

Arcadia Publishing, as an imprint of the Tempus Publishing Group, Inc.

(3500 B.C.)

The Sumerian civilization, one of the world's earliest, develops in the area around the rivers Tigris & Euphrates in about 3500 B.C. The region is known as Mesopotamia (between rivers) or the Assyrian Bet-Nahrain (the land of Two Rivers). Both rivers flow southward from Turkey through Iraq. Euphrates is about 1,700 miles long, and Tigris is about 1,180 miles long. Both rivers meet in southern Bet-Nahrain and form the river called the Shatt al Arab before emptying into the Persian Gulf. Only small boats can sail on the rivers, as they are too shallow for large ships. Today, in Turkey, these rivers are the site of a massive dam-building construction project called the Tishrin Project (see Pump Up the Volume).

(A.D. 1854-56)

During the Crimean War British and French archaeologists withdraw from excavation sites to the south in Mesopotamia, where they were uncovering the palaces and cuneiform tablets of Babylon and Assyria.

NOVEMBER 7, 1840

A small printing press arrives in Urmia, Iran and is brought to the American Mission building in Urmia. The American Mission Press became an important factor in the revival of the Assyrian language in the second half of the Nineteenth century.

Zindamagazine would like to thank:

Assyrian American National Federation

Martin Mirza
(Chicago)

Hermiz Shahen
(Australia)

Emil Soleyman-Zomalan
(California)

Grace Yohannan
(Florida)