Step inside West Bloomfield’s newest gathering place and you’ll find the aromas of fresh-baked bread drifting from a demonstration kitchen, children laughing as they explore cultural exhibits and seniors gathered around card tables swapping stories. The recently opened Chaldean Community Foundation West (CCF West; chaldeanfoundation.org/ccf-west) isn’t just a building, it’s a vibrant hub where heritage and community come together, blending centuries-old traditions with modern-day connections.
When the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) unveiled its new West Bloomfield campus in May 2025, it was more than a ribbon-cutting; it was a milestone nearly a century in the making. Chaldeans — Aramaic-speaking Eastern Rite Catholics — immigrated from Iraq to Michigan in the 1940s in search of economic opportunities and religious and political freedom. Rooted in their struggles and triumphs, the new center represents both preservation and progress.
“This center is about celebrating who we are and ensuring that future generations understand their heritage,” says Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean Community Foundation and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. “For years, our Sterling Heights campus has focused on health, human services and immigrant integration. CCF West is about preservation — our language, our history, our traditions.”
Located on Walnut Lake Road, the $20 million, 42,000-square-foot facility is designed to inspire both reflection and connection. Inside are a theater, a demonstration kitchen, a full-sized gymnasium and the reimagined Chaldean Museum. The gym, constructed on the footprint of the property’s original school, now features a newly raised ceiling and modern design.
The Bishop Ibrahim Library, developed in partnership with the Chaldean Catholic Diocese, anchors the center with rare manuscripts and texts rescued from Iraq.
“We’re especially proud of the library,” Manna says. “It’s a living archive that connects generations to their faith and culture.”
Equally exciting is the revival of the Chaldean Museum. Once tucked into a smaller space, the museum is being reimagined with expanded galleries, interactive exhibits, even a gift shop. Visitors can explore timelines of Chaldean history, view artifacts and learn about the community’s resilience in the face of persecution.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to tell our story in a deeper and more engaging way,” Manna notes. “We hope to welcome not just community members but also school groups and curious neighbors who want to learn more.”
The center also features classrooms for language and cultural studies, as well as a media studio for Chaldean radio and television. Cooking classes, film screenings and art programs are already underway, providing engaging ways for people of all ages to connect with Chaldean life.
While heritage is the heart of the new center, community service is its soul. Programming has been designed for seniors and families with special needs — two groups Manna believes deserve focused attention.
“We’ve launched initiatives like Special Needs Movie Nights and senior excursions,” he says. “Research shows staying active and socially engaged reduces health risks. We want this to be a place where people connect, stay healthy and feel less isolated.”
Partnerships with neighboring communities are also central to the mission. Collaborations with Jewish and other local organizations are already strengthening bonds across Metro Detroit.
The vision for CCF West is ambitious: to expand partnerships, build bridges and ensure that the story of the Chaldean people is not lost to history.
“Much of our heritage has been destroyed in our homeland of Iraq,” Manna says. “This center gives us the chance to preserve it here and share it with Michigan and beyond.”
For the 187,000 Chaldeans who call Metro Detroit home (the world’s largest population outside of Iraq), CCF West stands as a beacon of resilience and pride. For the broader community, it’s an invitation to learn, to connect and to celebrate a culture that has endured for millennia.
LOOKING AHEAD: HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT THE CHALDEAN CULTURAL CENTER
“Food and family are at the heart of Chaldean life,” Martin Manna says. “Sharing those traditions with our neighbors during the holidays is one of the best ways to celebrate the season together.”
The holiday season is a time for food, family and cultural traditions, and the Chaldean Community Foundation West is bringing all three to West Bloomfield. Here’s a look at what’s planned:
- Cultural Cooking Demonstrations In the Nana Bernadette Sarafa Kitchen, chefs and community members will showcase traditional holiday recipes, offering both tastings and take-home recipes for guests to enjoy.
- Museum Tours & Storytelling Families can explore updated exhibits in the Chaldean Museum, including displays on Chaldean Christmas traditions. Special storytelling sessions will introduce children to folktales and customs.
- Community Film Screenings The theater will host holiday-themed movie nights for families, with refreshments available.
- Senior Gatherings Seasonal card games, light exercise sessions and festive group meals will provide a welcoming space for older adults.
- Youth Engagement Holiday crafts, language workshops and interactive activities will provide children and teens with opportunities to connect with their heritage.