Assyrian American Association of Southern California

AAASC created this detailed infographic with important information regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any questions or need help with how to get a vaccine, please feel free to message us or email [email protected] and we will put you in contact with a medical professional.

The Assyrians invented certain forms of investment and were also among the first men and women to write their own letters, rather than dictating them to professional scribes. It’s thanks to these letters that we can hear a chorus of vibrant female voices telling us that even in the distant past, commerce and innovation were not the exclusive domains of men. Read more in the article below. BBC News

On this day last year, AAASC’s current administration was sworn in for the 2020-2022 term. While none of us intended the year we had ahead of us, we have worked tirelessly to provide our communities here and abroad with resources, initiatives, fundraisers, virtual events and more. We will continue this work this upcoming year and hope that we can experience some of these things together and in person soon. For now, the health and safety of our community is our number one priority and we will continue our virtual efforts until it is deemed safe to resume in person activities. We look forward to that day and can’t wait to see you all!

Congratulations to the Assyrian Lion Beneil Dariush on his 6th consecutive victory tonight in the UFC. #assyrian #ufcfightnight

Our next message comes from AAASC Executive Vice President, Shervina Takhsh. 2020 has been so different for so many. And my story is not so different than any of yours: I have cherished time with my loved ones, burned a hole through my Kindle and pulled my hair-out doing e-learning with a 7-year-old. I am lucky. ...Continue reading

The ancient city of Babylon is a World Heritage Site, but it faces threats old and new. As some of its walls crumble, preservationists are fighting to preserve the past...... Read this insightful piece from The New York Times at the link below.

Tarpa, the newest album by legendary Assyrian artist Ashur Betsargis is now available on iTunes and Spotify! Betsargis was the recipient of AAASC’s Annual Gala Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Head over to iTunes and Spotify to listen now!

Check out this beautiful rendition of Khabour by the legendary Assyrian artist Ashur Bet Sargis....a year ago, Ashur was the recipient of last year’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the AAASC Gala. His latest album Tarpa is now available on iTunes and Spotify.

Our next message comes from Deeana Betsamo who currently serves as a Board of Director. Prior to this, she served as the Executive Secretary in the 2018-2020 administration. Hello everyone and happy Friday! I can't believe October has almost come to an end and we're about to enter November. This year has been difficult, to say the least, for many of us... but amidst all of the negativity in the world, I want to remind you how important it is to not lose sight of the beauty... life has to offer. Every day you're able to leave your home and walk freely and safely is a blessing. Every time you share a moment of laughter with a loved one is a blessing. Each morning you open your eyes and take a breath is a blessing. The point is, even if it may feel like there is nothing worth smiling about, life itself is something to smile about. For us, we're fortunate because we belong to a community that feels like family. I may meet someone I never knew and find out our dads were neighbors growing up. I may come across a long-lost cousin I never knew existed. Or I may meet a friend who later feels like family. I know this is possible because I've experienced it all firsthand. During this tumultuous year, a moment that truly inspired me was when I saw the amount of people who came through for Lebanon. In less than 24 hours, we collectively raised over $10,000 for those in need. In that moment I knew how much power our community had and while the circumstances were grim, I realized this small positive. Life throws a lot of curveballs at us and while most hit us where it hurts, a few show us that even on the darkest day the light is still possible. If I had to identify my takeaway in this message it would simply be: we're lucky to be alive and free, we're lucky to be Assyrian and we're lucky for this strong sense of community. I want to remind you all that if you ever feel alone and in need of a friend, AAASC's doors are ALWAYS open to you and we will welcome and embrace you. I look forward to the day we're all together and celebrating all the beauty life has to offer. Until then, be safe and be well.

Highly informative piece on the many migrations and adaptations of Assyrian music by Mardean Isaac The paradox of Assyrian music remains the paradox of diaspora: the condition linking Assyrians across the discontinuous terrain of Assyrian experience. Away from their homeland, Assyrians have finally been granted the freedom to maintain their culture, but only at the expense of its source and guarantee of its future: being Assyrian in Assyria.

Our COVID-friendly Gala will take place throughout the month of November. We’re excited to bring you announcements and share our programs with you! Keep an eye out for those plans coming very soon! Don’t forget to text AAASC Gala to 818-600-7109 for updates! #AAASC2020Gala

The pontiff, who turns 84 next week, would visit the capital, Baghdad, and Ur, a city linked to the Old Testament figure of Abraham, as well as Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh in the Nineveh plains, from March 5-8

Assyrian Language Class - 10/21/2020

AAASC President Peter Warda was chosen as moderator for the only debate held between the 25th Congressional District candidates, Congressmember Mike Garcia and Assemblywoman Christy Smith. As a reminder, ballots currently can be mailed or dropped off for early voting. You also have the option to safely vote in person. For those who need to register, you are able to do so on Election Day and submit a provisional ballot! Let us know if you need any help!

Today is the last day to resister to vote online in CA! Visit: RegsiterToVote.ca.gov to register if you haven’t already! #VOTE #RegistertoVote #Election2020

Over the next several weeks, AAASC will be sharing messages from our board of directors and officers. Our first message comes from Jennifer Aiwazzi, who has been a board of director for AAASC for the last three years. See below for her full message:...Continue reading

Tomorrow would have been AAASC’s 4th Annual Gala. We’re throwing it back to some of our most favorite memories over the last 3 years. We have some exciting news to share about our COVID-19 appropriate gala this year, so keep an eye out for our announcements coming soon. In the meantime, share your favorite #AAASCGala memories with us!

Halloween is around the corner and AAASC is excited to host our Trick or Treat Drive-Thru Bash, a free event for the whole family! Join us Saturday, 10/31 for a fun-filled event with contests, raffles, candy bags, photo booth, snacks and much more! To enter the contest, see details on the flyer. Top raffle prize is a bounce house for your next birthday party! ... We hope to see you there!

Today, the Supreme Court declared that the last day to complete the Census 2020 (@uscensusbureau) is tomorrow, October 15. If you haven’t already, please go to www.2020census.gov. Each person who completes the census ensures more funding for crucial community programs, including emergency services, health care, and schools. It only takes a few minutes, it is completely confidential, and it has a huge impact.

AAASC’s Language Classes are back! Join us TONIGHT at the association hall or on Facebook Live to brush up on your #Assyrian reading & writing skills! COVID-19 safety guidelines will be in place for in person classes.For any questions, please email [email protected]. We hope to see you tonight!