MORE ARAMAIC NEWS:

New book preserves and teaches the Chaldean story

By David Wallace
C & G Staff Writer

WEST BLOOMFIELD — “The Chaldeans,” a new book produced through the Chaldean Cultural Center at Shenandoah Country Club, strives to honor those who paved the way for Chaldeans to thrive while teaching younger generations and others about Chaldean history, culture and accomplishments.

The book traces Chaldean history from ancient Iraq — the cover features the famous Ishtar Gate from Babylon — to the present day. It includes the migration to the United States and Detroit in particular during the 20th century.

We want to pay tribute to the pioneers, those Chaldeans who at the turn of the century came to America — leaving villages in northern Iraq, not knowing the language and coming to America, trying to make a better life for themselves and for their families,” said Mary Romaya, executive director of the Chaldean Cultural Center.

[...]

That heritage poses a challenge.

“Their challenge is to live up to and walk in the shoes of their predecessors,” said Bryon Perry, the book’s author.

And besides the book’s personal meaning for Chaldeans, the center hopes it reaches and educates the general public.

“We want them to know that the Chaldeans are a very hard-working, entrepreneurial, close-knit group of people. That we are Aramaic speaking, which is the language used by Christ and before him back to the Hebrews and ancient Babylonian times,” said Romaya.

[...]