Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Assyrian New Year by honoring civic, business and community leaders

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas (middle) celebrated the Assyrian New Year of 6776 by welcoming dozens of civic, business and community leaders to her downtown office for an afternoon of traditional Assyrian song and dance.

The Assyrian New Year, observed annually on April 1, traces its origins to the founding of the first temple of Ashur in 4750 BC. The year 6776 reflects this ancient timeline and coincides with the start of the month of Nisan in the Mesopotamian calendar, symbolizing renewal, spring, and fertility in the historic Fertile Crescent.

“For more than a century, Assyrians have come to Chicago to build families, businesses, and communities while preserving their rich cultural heritage,” said Pappas.

“Whether in entertainment, technology, academia, healthcare, finance, hospitality, or many other fields, Assyrians have made lasting contributions to our region. As we celebrate Assyrian New Year 6776, we honor the more than 80,000 members of the Assyrian diaspora who call Chicagoland home.”

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates with the Assyrian Community the Assyrian New Year 6776

“For more than a century, Assyrians have come to Chicago to build families, businesses, and communities while preserving their rich cultural heritage,” said Pappas. “Whether in entertainment, technology, academia, healthcare, finance, hospitality, or many other fields, Assyrians have made lasting contributions to our region. As we celebrate Assyrian New Year 6776, we honor the more than 80,000 members of the Assyrian diaspora who call Chicagoland home.”

This celebration highlights the enduring cultural legacy of the Assyrian people and their vital role in strengthening Chicago’s identity as a diverse and global city.

The event will also recognize leaders from across the Assyrian community, including clergy, educators, business professionals, and civic organizers.

Among the honorees are Archdeacon Dr. George Toma, St Andrew’s Assyrian Church, Rev. Yousip Youkhana, Mar Gewargis Cathedral Assyrian Church, Hilda Toma, Assyrian Church Committee, Edward Danavi, Engineering & Project Manager, Renya Benjamin, President of Assyrian Aid Society of America, Dr. Joseph Danavi, Founder and Director of GISHRU, Joseph Tamraz, Assyrian American Civic Club, Yousip Bet Rasho, Assyrian Universal Alliance – Americas Region, Juliana Jendo, The Legend of Assyrian Singers, David Arkis, Civil Engineer, R E, Hewi Aaday, Global Process Owner, CRM Specialist, Deacon Sargon Hajey, Church Youth Advisor, Zaya Askhara, Building Management, Janeet Askhara, Building Management, Hani Khiziran, MK Global Realty Co, Deacon Daniel Eshow, Assyrian Church Committee, Raquel Yokhana Eshow, Assyrian Church Committee, Johny Misho, Tactical Training Instructor, Diana Samuel, Assyrian Church Committee, Samira Isaac Sarkis, Assyrian Church Committee, Emanuel Kamber, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Elizabeth Kais, Group Leader/Assyrian Church Committee, Jina Kena, Director and Vocalist at the Assyrian Church, Samiry Younan, President of Assyrian Athletic Club, Shatha Boudakh, Co-Founder President of Assyrian Family.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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