Assyrian Cultural Foundation

The Assyrian Renaissance proudly presents Marina Benjamin, a poet and artist currently based in the Chicago area. Marina uses creative expression as a tool to explore and honor her Assyrian heritage. Themes of faith, community, history, love, and hope are often found in her work.

Join us on October 20th, 2024, for “Words in Color”, an unforgettable evening of poetry and art in Arizona. Marina’s profound words will be at the heart of this cultural celebration, alongside the vibrant creations of Assyrian Artist, Paul Batou.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details! Tickets will be available soon.

How did Ninos Aho and Yousip Bet Yousip influence Assyrian poetry? Join us this Wednesday at 7 pm (CST) as we explore the lives and legacies of these poets.

Start Date: September 4, 2024
Schedule: Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM (United States Central Time)
Location: Online (Zoom)

Register now to secure your spot.

Meeting ID: 811 2381 1941
Passcode: Assyrian

Zoom Registration:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdeqgrzojHtXiEs_RGBYcKpLlWgaU9syk #/registration

In this class, we embark on a journey that delves into Assyrianism: its origins, culture, and literature. We explore the concept of nationalism throughout the ages, examining what scholars have said about it, both in ancient and modern times, and its influence on the Assyrian nation. We seek to understand Assyrian history, culture, literature, and language—how we perceive them and how Assyrianism has left an impact on them today.

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation is excited to announce the next speaker in our Nabu Circle Lecture series. Join us on September 3rd at 8:00 PM (CST) for a fascinating lecture by Dr. Johannes Bach from Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Germany. Dr. Bach, part of the Emmy Noether junior research group, will be discussing "Unique Ancient Assyrian Literature."

Mark your calendars for this insightful event, where we will continue our mission of deepening the understanding of Assyrian history and culture. Each lecture in our series is crafted to enrich the knowledge of our global audience and foster appreciation for our heritage.

To register for this event, please click on the following link

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucOmsrDIvGNFsaBtxPppgNkwrxyTNhuEc #/registration

Passcode: Assyrian

As a continuation of our Assyrian Architecture Series, we delve into the ancient and remarkable Jubail Church in Saudi Arabia.

Jubail Church, Saudi Arabia
Built around the 4th century, an Assyrian church of the Church of the East is located in the desert outside Jubail, Saudi Arabia. This church was discovered in 1987 during excavations by the Saudi Department of Antiquities. It is believed that the church features a nave, or congregational hall, at the center of the building where pews would have faced the altar.

Near the altar, two stone carved crosses can still be seen today. Behind the altar could be the sanctuary which would have housed wine, bread, and a shrine.

To the right of the sanctuary is the sacristy used for storing church documents such as birth certificates.

To the left of the altar is the vestry where the priest would enter and prepare for the sermon.

All these details are speculations by Randy W. Horton and have not been confirmed. You are encouraged to conduct your own research on the church's architecture.

Horton, Randy W. “Saudi Arabia Has the Oldest Standing Church on Earth?” YouTube, YouTube, 29 Aug. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehc7P0MBU54.

Explore this incredible piece of Assyrian history with us as we continue our journey through the architectural wonders of our heritage.

At the 2024 Assyrian Food Festival, the Assyrian Cultural Foundation hosted a free raffle featuring a beautiful piece by our very own artist, Reni Stephan, titled "Our Hope Still Life." It was a pleasure to connect with everyone and feel the excitement in the air. We are thrilled to congratulate this wonderful family as the lucky winners of the artwork!

If you're interested in purchasing prints of this piece or others, and supporting our Fine Arts Program, please visit: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/assyrianculturalfoundation

Join us for the 18th session of our Assyrianism class, where we delve into the life and works of a significant figure in Assyrian literature: Mishael Lazar Essa, known as the ‘father of the Assyrian short story.’ Explore his profound contributions to Assyrian nationalism, culture, and literary heritage. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into how his ideas and writings have left their impact on Assyrianism.

Date: Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM (CST)
Location: Online (Zoom)

Zoom Registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdeqgrzojHtXiEs_RGBYcKpLlWgaU9syk
Let’s continue this journey of understanding Assyrian history, culture, and literature together!

We are deeply honored to have been a part of the 2024 Assyrian Food Festival in Chicago, Illinois, alongside our incredible Assyrian community. It was a heartwarming experience to make lasting memories with all of you. We truly value every connection, every question, and every opportunity to share the mission of the Assyrian Cultural Foundation and Home Care Powered by AUAF.

Assyrian Food Festival - Diocese of Eastern USA

Our sincere gratitude goes out to the dedicated organizers and the volunteers who brought this event to life. We eagerly anticipate what next year will bring and look forward to continuing this beautiful tradition with all of you.

Join us on Wednesday, August 21st, at 7:00pm (CST) for Class #17, where we’ll continue with part two of our lecture on Hanibal Akhas. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain deeper insights into the legacy of this remarkable figure.

Class Details:
Date: Wednesday, August 21st, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM (United States Central Time)
Location: Online (Zoom)
Instructor: Robert DeKelaita

Register Now to Secure Your Spot:
Meeting ID: 811 2381 1941
Passcode: Assyrian

Zoom Registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdeqgrzojHtXiEs_RGBYcKpLlWgaU9syk?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0kU1rxC5jH33FNRgI2v-1nl-2_e7qg4JEZPK7U861Snwkk3dm0TtouegA_aem_xQiCf8vvBH__gNhh9lLOdQ #/registration

About the Class:

In this session, we continue our journey into Assyrianism, delving into the origins, culture, and literature that have shaped the Assyrian identity. We will examine how influential figures like Hanibal Alkhas have contributed to our understanding of Assyrianism and how their work resonates with us today.

The Assyrian Renaissance proudly presents "Words in Color"—an unforgettable evening of poetry and art in Arizona. Join us on October 20th, 2024, as we immerse ourselves in the profound works of renowned Assyrian Poetess Marina Benjamin (Ishtar's) Poetry Benjamin and explore the vibrant creations of Assyrian Artist, Paul Batou

This unique event blends the beauty of words and visual art, offering a rich cultural experience that highlights the depth and talent of the Assyrian community.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.

The Assyrian Renaissance proudly presents "Words in Color"—an unforgettable evening of poetry and art in Arizona. Join us on October 20th, 2024, as we immerse ourselves in the profound works of renowned Assyrian Poetess Marina Benjamin and explore the vibrant creations of Assyrian Artist, Art of Paul Batou

This unique event blends the beauty of words and visual art, offering a rich cultural experience that highlights the depth and talent of the Assyrian community.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation is honored to have partaken in sponsoring this beautiful statue at the Assyrian Community Center.

Ninos DeChammo’s sculpture, Mother Assyria, was sculpted in New Jersey to honor the Assyrian genocide and Martyrs’ Day. It reflects the hope of continuity and resilience that Assyrians have maintained for centuries despite enduring persecution.

The sculpture depicts the figure of a woman, “Mother Assyria,” carrying a wounded man representing Assur, accompanied by a child and a wounded lioness, all moving forward with a determined gaze. The woman holds up an Assyrian star, which also resembles a cross, as she stares into the future with resolve.

The project was funded by Assyrian Cultural Foundation (Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation), the Assyrian National Council of Illinois (under the leadership of Mr. Sheba Mando, former head of ANCI), Dr. John Michael, Mr. Robert DeKelaita, and Mr. Emmanuel Yalda.

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation is proud to announce the launch of our adult and senior ESL classes, designed to make a real difference in the everyday lives of our community members. We believe that language is a powerful tool that can transform lives and empower our community.

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled educator in ESL, and fluent in Assyrian, to join our team and help uplift our community through the gift of language. Together, we can make a meaningful impact, one word at a time.

If you have a heart for teaching and a passion for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

For more information, please contact Stella Sweiss:

📧 [email protected]
📞 224-935-2366

Assyrian Cultural Foundation Building the Next Generation of Assyrian-Americans.

Join us for an insightful lecture by Assyrian History Instructor, Robert DeKelaita, as he explores the history of the Assyrian homeland in modern-day Turkey and Iraq.

The lecture, titled "Journey to Assyria 2024," will cover regions such as Hakkari, Tur Abdin, Nala, and the Nineveh Plain, delving into the current state of the Assyrian people and the prospects for preserving their culture and heritage.

Date & Time: Sunday, August 11th, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Location: 5050 Church St, Skokie, IL 6077

This is an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of Assyrian history and the challenges faced by the community today. Be sure not to miss it!

What impact did Hanibal Alkhas have on the art, culture, and identity of the Assyrian community?

Join us on Wednesday, August 14th at 7 pm (CST) for Class #16 in our Assyrianism series, where we will explore the life and contributions of this influential figure.
Please note that classes will resume their regular Wednesday schedule.
Class Details:

Date: Wednesday, August 14th, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM (United States Central Time)
Location: Online (Zoom)
Instructor: Robert DeKelaita

Register Now to Secure Your Spot:

Meeting ID: 811 2381 1941
Passcode: Assyrian
Zoom Registration:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdeqgrzojHtXiEs_RGBYcKpLlWgaU9syk?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1ytz1T-ZeZEWD8e3xI2WXC6Xgkn42iOhe7ijqhDiD5eq1J6-b3FcdskwY_aem_A0iEbb1eB_W6U3HsDh0pCA #/registration

About the Class:

In this session, we continue our journey into Assyrianism, delving into the origins, culture, and literature that have shaped the Assyrian identity. We will examine how influential figures like Hanibal Alkhas have contributed to our understanding of Assyrianism and how their work resonates with us today.

National Purple Heart Day: Honoring Assyrian Heroes

Today, we honor three remarkable Assyrians who were awarded the Purple Heart for their bravery and sacrifices in service to the United States.

Sgt. Saul J. Joseph - A decorated soldier who bravely held his position after being wounded by a mortar shell in WWII, earning a Silver and Bronze star along with his Purple Heart.

Alex Agase - A marine who fought in the brutal battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa during WWII, later becoming a respected football player and coach.

Daniel Sayad - A WWII veteran who was injured in Normandy and Northern Germany. He received his Purple Heart 70 years later, a testament to his enduring courage.

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation had the solemn honor of visiting the Assyrian Genocide Memorial at Montrose Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Standing before this sacred tribute, we profoundly honored and remembered those we lost, cherishing the enduring spirit they've left on our hearts.

We encourage everyone to visit, to learn from our deeply emotional history and to pay respect to the souls that have shaped our community.

Across the world, August 7 is recognized as Assyrian Martyr’s Day. On this day, the Assyrian people honor the brave individuals we lost to times of strife and tragedy. We recognize their sacrifice and continue to embrace our culture and traditions in their honor.

Featuring the artwork of Assyrian artist Rabel Betshmuel. Rabel Betshmuel

The John Malk Art Exhibition was an elegant evening that celebrated the work of this incredible Assyrian artist.

If you did not have the opportunity to attend, there is another option! For the next month, the collection will remain on display in the foundation.

In order to view the collection, please email [email protected] in order to make an appointment.

What role did Assyrian martyrs play in shaping the history and identity of the Assyrian community? Join us on Tuesday at 7 pm (CST)for a special lecture, “Understanding Assyrian Martyrs’ Day,” as we delve into the significance and legacy of Assyrian martyrs.

Please note that this particular lecture will take place on a Tuesday instead of the usual Wednesday. Classes will resume their regular schedule afterward.

Start Date: August 6, 2024
Schedule: Usually held every Wednesday at 7:00 PM (United States Central Time), this class will be on a Tuesday.
Location: Online (Zoom)

Register now to secure your spot.

Meeting ID: 811 2381 1941
Passcode: Assyrian

Zoom Registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdeqgrzojHtXiEs_RGBYcKpLlWgaU9syk?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1ytz1T-ZeZEWD8e3xI2WXC6Xgkn42iOhe7ijqhDiD5eq1J6-b3FcdskwY_aem_A0iEbb1eB_W6U3HsDh0pCA #/registration

In this class, we embark on a journey that delves into Assyrianism: its origins, culture, and literature. We explore the concept of nationalism throughout the ages, examining what scholars have said about it, both in ancient and modern times, and its influence on the Assyrian nation. We seek to understand Assyrian history, culture, literature, and language—how we perceive them and how Assyrianism has left an impact on them today.

Virtual galleries provide a unique opportunity for guests to experience our fine arts collection from the comfort of their home.

The John Malk Virtual Gallery is now available on our website under the “events” tab.

https://www.auaf.us/virtual-gallery/

Physical Tours of the exhibition are available by appointment. Please email [email protected] to schedule your visit today!