West Bloomfield Chaldean community to host annual event to support programs

By CHRIS LAINE
claine@journalregister.com; Twitter: @topherlaine
West Bloomfield’s Chaldean community can come together for an upcoming evening dedicated to the celebration of its arts and culture.

The Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Youth Union, or E’rootha, will host its fourth annual Evening of the Arts at the Regency Manor in Southfield on Thursday, Nov. 8.

The annual event promotes cultural awareness and preservation of the arts within the Chaldean Assyrian Syriac community. In previous years, the event has drawn hundreds of attendees to support talented visual and performing artists from within the community.

E’rootha will present its Outstanding Contributions to the Arts Award to local artist Weam Namou Yatooma. Yatooma will be honored for her commitment to the arts and celebrated for her noteworthy works.

“Our founding values include the preservation of our ancient culture while building and promoting great young leaders in all they do,” said E’rootha CEO Matthew Kalasho. “This event is one way to highlight the contribution our culture has made to the arts, and we are proud of Weam Namou Yatooma and her continued dedication to her passion and our community.”

In addition to their support of the arts, E’rootha has worked to promote and expand programs and initiatives that support young leaders across the community.

The organization’s programs include the Youth Refugee Mentoring Program, Professional Mentoring Program, Refugee S.N.A.P. Camp, Dance Troupe, Dance Classes, Refugee ESL Summer Learning Academy, and Modern Aramaic Language Course. All proceeds from the event will support and benefit E’rootha’s current and future community programs.

Attendees are invited to join E’rootha from 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8. Tickets for the event, produced in part by West Bloomfield consulting firm Steward Media, are available for $20 in advance or $30 at the door. The Regency Manor and Banquet Center is located at 25288 W. 12 Mile Road in Southfield.

Contact staff writer Chris Laine at 248-745-4673, chris.laine@oakpress.com or follow him on Twitter @topherlaine.

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