Book Review: “Sister of Saidnaya; A Syrian Immigrant’s Tale;” By Rose Ann Kalister

 

The Blogger’s personal note:

 When I read the name of the sender of one email, my first thought was “this must be a spam.” The name was Rose Ann Kalister and I have never heard of this person before. I usually delete all suspicious emails before opening them. Not this time. And I am glad I didn’t delete it.

The Origins and the Meanings of the Saidnaya Immigrants’ Names; By Ghassan Keriaky

One fascinating subject that keeps coming up every time I communicate (in person, by e-mail, or by phone) with Saidnaya descendents is the meaning of their family names and their ancestors’ original names.

Reunion celebrates 100th anniversary of Nedeff's arrival in United States; By Roger Nedeff

Parkersburg - Descendants of Mike and Mose Nedeff gathered at Parkersburg's City Park for their 27th annual family reunion on August 18th.

  This year's reunion celebrated the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Mike Nedeff and the 75th anniversary of the arrival of his brother Mose to the United States from Syria.

2- The Golden Generation of Saidnayan Immigrants to South America; By Ghassan Keriaky

Two weeks ago, I wrote an article about the Saidnayan immigrants who went to the USA. Today, I am writing about those who went to South America; particularly, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.

1- The Golden Generation of Saidnayan Immigrants to the USA; By Ghassan Keriaky

Since I arrived on these shores, twenty six years ago, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many Saidnaya descendents. Some were born over there, more than a hundred years ago, and were still longing to their beloved town; and some were born here and have never visited it, but they have heard so much about it from their parents and grandparents.

Book Review: “Tafadalo; Come, Sit, Eat, Help Yourself;” By Kelly C. Baas & Leslie Kafoure Baas

Written by generations of loving hands
Compiled by Kelly C. Baas & Leslie Kafoure Baas

The Blogger’s personal note:

 

I still can’t believe that I managed to read a book about cooking from cover to cover. I have read so many books in my life about all kinds of subjects; Cooking surely was not one of them. But the book “Tafadalo” is different and it’s not simply about cooking.

A life of giving. A night of cheering; In Lowell Sun

Fred Simon has always helped those in need. On Friday he'll hear just how much it means
By Jennifer Myers on November 27th 2011:

Fred Simon stops into Lowell's Owl Diner for a BLT club on rye, homefries and a coffee. Everyone knows him.

Syrians visit Parkersburg for reunion; In Parkersburg's News and Sentinel

By Paul LaPann on July 1st 2009:

People came to Parkersburg from Canada and across the United States last weekend for the Saidnaya Reunion.

The reunion is an "extended family" gathering of those with ties to Saidnaya, Syria, a Christian holy land in the Middle East.

Local family celebrates 100 years; In Portsmouth Daily Times

By Frank Lewis, 4 years ago:

One half of the Ferrell/George family legacy has its roots in Syria. The other half: Greece. That family will come together on Aug. 2, to celebrate a family reunion at the Shawnee State Park Lodge.

"This will be the 100th anniversary of their coming to America," said David Ferrell of 2305 Waller St., Portsmouth, OH

A Mother's Day Remembrance: The Two Worlds of My Arab Mother; By Frank Maria

"Mother is the name of God on the lips and hearts of little children." William Makepeace Thackeray

My mother came to America in the early 1900s from Saidnaya, a Syrian village north of Damascus and the site of what I believe is the oldest shrine in Christendom, the Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya. Thus faith and religion were important to Mary Saba Maria during her life in Syria and in the United States.

Relocated Syrians' Descendants Attending Second Reunion Here; In Indianapolis Star

"Originally, written on Saterday, June 23, 1979"

When life became unbearable under the Turks around 1890, Syrians of Saidnaya began leaving their beloved little town (population 12,000) in the rocky terrain 20 miles north of Damascus.

Sadly, families said goodbye to friends and to the famous and beautiful Orthodox Patriarchal Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya, built about 517 A.D.

Reach Out and Keep in Touch With Your Heritage; By Alice Mesalam

"Originally, written By Alice Mesalam for the first Saidnaya directory in 1984"

We think that some things will last forever...that our parents and grandparents will always be here to tell us about their trip from the "old country" to make a new life in America.  But today we realize that we have perhaps waited too long...for the stories were rarely written and already many of them are lost to us.  They were so anxious to be a part of this great land, to provide a better life for their children, that no one saw the importance of writing down the wonderful stories.

The History of Saidnaya Reunion; By Ghassan Keriaky

The beginning

On June 4^th 1978, the members of St. George Orthodox Church in Indianapolis, IN started a tradition that would last for many years to come. Encouraged by Frank Maria, the most prominent Saidnayan in the USA, Alice Mesalam organized the first reunion for Saidnaya descendants in the Americas. Since then, the reunion has become an important date for the growing number of Saidnayans living in the USA and Canada.