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Assyrian Cultural Foundation

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation (formerly known as AUAF) is a non-profit organization inspired by Assyrian heritage, serving as a bridge between traditions and different generations in the hopes of building a stronger, more connected community through our various programs.

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLnNZRzJTcW96OWhz

A Man Before His Time Chronicles the life of the revered Freydun Atouraya "The Assyrian", A remarkable man whose love for his nation was so strong, he was willing to die for it. In addition to leading a successful military and political career, Atouraya was a respected physician, writer, and thinker. He lived through those tumultuous years when Assyrians faced annihilation at the hands of the Ottoman Turks and their Kurdish allies. Deeply affected by the genocide of 1915, he authored a manifesto that outlined the creation of a unified Assyrian nation-- a passion that ultimately led to his wrongful arrest, imprisonment, and execution.

Follow us on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACFChicago
Instasgram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/acfchicago/2979710867147366218/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACFChicago
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/4024813/admin/

A Man Before His Time Chronicles the life of the revered Freydun Atouraya "The Assyrian", A remarkable man whose love for his nation was so strong, he was willing to die for it. In addition to leading a successful military and political career, Atouraya was a respected physician, writer, and thinker. He lived through those tumultuous years when Assyrians faced annihilation at the hands of the Ottoman Turks and their Kurdish allies. Deeply affected by the genocide of 1915, he authored a manifesto that outlined the creation of a unified Assyrian nation-- a passion that ultimately led to his wrongful arrest, imprisonment, and execution.

Follow us on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACFChicago
Instasgram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/acfchicago/2979710867147366218/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACFChicago
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/4024813/admin/

A Man Before His Time: The Unsung Story of Freydun Atouraya

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLnNZRzJTcW96OWhz

On the last Thursday of November, families across the nation will gather around a table for a feast unlike any other. While the exact dishes vary from house to house, one thing remains, no matter where you are in the country: the new memories shared with loved ones.

While the holiday’s origins date back to the late 17th century, it wasn’t until the Civil War that President Abraham Lincoln named the last Thursday in November a national holiday in observance of the first Thanksgiving. No matter what the country faced, presidents used Thanksgiving as a call to unify the nation.

The Assyrian people have much to be grateful for. We are thankful to have the opportunity to establish roots in a land of endless possibilities. It is a blessing to build a community of loved ones, old friends, and new friends in our new home. On Thanksgiving, we celebrate these fresh prospects, as well as the country that provides them.

From all of us at the Assyrian Cultural Foundation and Home Care powered by AUAF, Happy Thanksgiving. May your day be full of love, laughter, blessings, and fantastic food

Assyrian Cultural Foundation: Thanksgiving Wishes

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLmNtVWloNXJ5OHdV

Assyrian History Class: Taught by Robert DeKelaita

During this segment, of the Assyrian History Class: Assyrian Cruelty Real or fictional?

Topics Discussed:

• The Old Testament and its influence
• Details in Assyrian art and archives
• Comparing the Cyrus Cylinder with Assyrian treaties during the Sargonid kings

1:03 - Biblical understanding of Assyrian cruelty, and its influence

3:54 - The Western Church and the opinions of scholars

18:09 - The comparison of the Cyrus cylinder with various Assyrian treaties

20:43 - Assyrian cruelty vs. Persian cruelty

26:32 - methods of death/cruelty in the east and west

37:53 - About Assyrian record

Various authors in the 19th and 20th centuries have referred to the Assyrians as ‘ruthless’ and ‘barbaric’ conquerors whose cruelty is unmatched throughout history. But is this the truth, or have the Assyrians been unfairly portrayed in Western literature? In this class, we look carefully at the practices of the Assyrian state and empire, compare them to the practices of other peoples, and seek to explain the reputation of the Assyrians in the West.

To serve as a reminder, there will NOT be class next week due to Thanksgiving.

Learn the truth about Assyrian cruelty by registering for the class below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcumurT8rG9dK_BF4B6VmKE8Kr6oYS-FY

Image Source: A drawing of Assyrian soldiers that appeared in the book “THE HISTORY OF COSTUME” by Braun & Schneider (c. 1860). Note the ‘classical’ poses of the figures and their nonchalant manner as they hold a severed head of an enemy combatant.

Assyrian History Class #10: Assyrian Cruelty Real or fictional?

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLllEN0lxN3ExMDhV

Assyrian History Class: Taught by Robert DeKelaita

Assyrian History Class #9: "Fall of the Assyrian State and Empire.”

• Akkadian sources
• Greek and Roman sources
• Old Testament sources

The fall of the Assyrian state and empire sent shockwaves around the world and represented a political and economic setback for the entire Near East. In this class, we explore the various sources for the fall of the Assyrian empire, discuss archeological evidence of the destruction of certain sites, as well as the persistence of the Assyrian administrative system and social and political life of the Assyrian state.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:46 - What the fall represents

00:10:54 - Theories about the fall

00:23:15 - What really happened according to sources

00:28:41 - The succession of Ashurbanipal & various conflicts/attacks/destruction (struggle between north and south, and the Medes attack)

00:51:46 - Nineveh falls and Prince Assur-uballit II last stand 609 BC

00:59:58 - What the fall means for Assyrians

01:07:49 - Myths about the fall

To expand your knowledge of Assyrian history, register for our class below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcumurT8rG9dK_BF4B6VmKE8Kr6oYS-FY

Image Source:

The Fall of Nineveh
(Illustration from 'Hutchinson's History of the Nations', 1915)

Assyrian History Class #9: The Fall of the Assyrian State and Empire

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLl9SWG9DVTk0LVZj

Assyrian History Class: Taught by Robert DeKelaita

In this section of the Assyrian History Class #7: "The reign of King Ashurbanipal"

• Shamash-shum-ukin the older brother
• The Arabs, Elam, Babylon, Egypt, and Nubia
• The Ashurbanipal Library

No other monarch has the fame of Ashurbanipal, who brought the empire to its zenith, built the famed library at Nineveh, and turned Nineveh into a world capital. In this class, we study Ashurbanipal’s incredible military achievements, his diplomatic overtures to various peoples, his love of learning, and his legacy today.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:15 - Ashurbanipal's origins / the succession of Esarhaddon

00:11:45- Start of Ashurbanipal's reign + the spread of the Neo-Assyrian Empire

00:15:35 - The rebellions in Egypt

00:21:05- Trouble in Mannea and Media

00:26:25 - Trouble in Elam

00:42:15 - Assyria's Civil War (Brothers' War)

00:54:53 - Ashurbanipal's creations (building programs, Ashurbanipal library, lion hunt)

00:58:19 - Last kings of Assyria

Register for the course below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcumurT8rG9dK_BF4B6VmKE8Kr6oYS-FY

The bust of King Ashurbanipal by Assyrian artist Fred Parhad, currently sits in the modern Ashurbanipal Library, at the Assyrian Cultural Foundation in Lincolnwood, Illinois.

Assyrian History Class #8: The reign of King Ashurbanipal

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLjMtVjFuWHc5RW4w

Assyrian History Class: Taught by Robert DeKelaita

In this section of the Assyrian History Class #7: "King Esarhaddon"

•Rivalries over the monarchy
•Egypt and the Levant
•Esarhaddon’s illness

Timestamps:

4:34 - Assyria at the time of Esarhaddon and the dynasty of Assyrian kings

16:14 - Introduction to Esarhaddon and becoming crown prince

20:10 - The rivals, and Esarhaddon’s growing distrust, fears, and weaknesses

35:34 - Esarhaddon’s conflicts and conquests

53:02 - Esarhaddon’s illness and the naming of Ashurbanipal

57:01 - The Sasi Conspiracy, threats to the king’s line

1:01:12 - Legacy of Esarhaddon

Esarhaddon’s reign became with conflict between himself and his brothers, who were slated for the monarchy but ended with his ascension to power and the expansion of the Assyrian empire beyond anything seen before. The empire grew to include Egypt and usher in a region of world supremacy. In this class, we study the circumstances of Esarhaddon’s region as well as his personal life and difficulties.

Register Below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcumurT8rG9dK_BF4B6VmKE8Kr6oYS-FY

Assyrian History Class #7: The reign of King Esarhaddon

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLm5ISjlMcHRFYi04

Assyrian History Class: Taught by Robert DeKelaita

In this section of the Assyrian History Class: #6 "The reign of King Sennacherib"

Topics that will be covered in this class are:

• The wars of Sennacherib
• The hanging gardens of Nineveh
• The protector of the weak or the ‘wicked king’?

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction to the Middle Assyrian Empire

3:56 - The misunderstanding of history and politics

10:02 - Rebellion against Assyrian rule and its effects

24:08 - Egypt/Kush relations with Assyria and Kush’s conquest

29:34 - What sources tell us about Sennacherib

34:14 - Sennacherib’s innovations/creations

39:50 - Sennacherib’s family: wife, sons, father

Though scriptural records and subsequent Western sources portray Sennacherib as a villain, written and archeological sources describe him as an expert engineer who built the ‘gardens of Nineveh’ (erroneously known as the Gardens of Babylon and attributed to Nebuchadnezzar), initiated magnificent aqueducts in Assyria that survive to this day, and referred to himself as ‘the protector of the weak.’

Register below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcumurT8rG9dK_BF4B6VmKE8Kr6oYS-FY?fbclid=IwAR0gSTyIceg7xr7816l2yQPM9V976UP4qiSgwZ0Ru1p5Y5IdGVE0lWjmzoo

Image used in Thumbnail: Artist Gustave Dore’s 19th-century depiction of an angel destroying Sennacherib’s army outside Jerusalem.

Assyrian History Class #6: The reign of King Sennacherib

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLm9qUFgtTGhYdTdN

The Assyrian History Class: Taught by Robert DeKelaita

In this section of the Assyrian History Class: #5 The reign of King Sargon II

Topics that will be covered in this class are:

• Rise to power
• Organization of empire
• Death and its significance

Sargon II (722-705 BC) was the son of Tiglath-Pileser III (745 -727 BC) and the brother of Shalmaneser V (727-722 BC). Unique among Assyrian kings for building a new capital city at Dur Sharrukin (Khorsabad), his reign is one of the most well-documented and shows a king whose selective use of Assyrian power demonstrates that Assyria ruled through wisdom and diplomacy and not by military might alone.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:26 - The meaning of “King of Assyria” and the Neo-Assyrian period history

00:12:10 - Growth of Assyrian power, and the chronology of Assyrian kings

00:26:01 - Sargon II’s origins and reign

00:30:58 - Assyrian magnates, military, and warfare

00:42:04 - Sargon’s challenges (Babylon, Egypt, Urartu, Mannea etc)

00:58:49 - Sargon II’s death and his developments

To register for the class please refer to the Zoom link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcumurT8rG9dK_BF4B6VmKE8Kr6oYS-FY

Assyrian History Class #5 The reign of King Sargon II

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLnZpbElMUl9fbTJj

The Assyrian History Class: Taught by Robert DeKelaita

In this section of the Assyrian History Class: #4 : The Neo Assyrian Period, the topics discussed will be:

• Imperial power and wealth
• Administrative and archival sophistication
• Governmental structure

The new assertiveness after some setbacks to the Assyrian state and its territories marks a period known to scholars as ‘Neo-Assyrian,’ a period that saw major changes in the power of the monarchy, a change in the structure of the administration of the Assyrian state and its political, economic, military, architectural, engineering, literary and artistic achievements. In this class, we look at the major transformations of the Assyrian state and empire, beginning in the 10th Century BC.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:26 Growth of the Assyrian empire, and chronology of Assyrian kings

00:11:56 Markers of the Neo-Assyrian Age

00:19:36 Various Assyrian productions

00:34:55 - Assyrian control of trading ports, its influence, and benefits

00:47:36 - Assyrian investments in cities and projects

00:51:27 - The neo-Assyrian age centuries later

To register for the class please refer to the Zoom link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcumurT8rG9dK_BF4B6VmKE8Kr6oYS-FY

Assyrian History Class #4: The Neo Assyrian Period

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLkdndW1rNXU3TlVj

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Assyrian Cultural Foundation

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation (ACF) is a non-profit organization inspired by Assyrian heritage, serving as a bridge between traditions and different generations in the hopes of building a stronger, more connected community through our various programs.

© Copyright AUAF 2022. All Rights Reserved.

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Mon–Fri: 8:30 am to 5:00pm
Sat: Closed Saturdays
Sun: Closed Sundays

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Assyrian Cultural Foundation
4343 W. Touhy Avenue
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Contact Us

Telephone: (773) 274-9262
Fax: (224)251-7620
General: Generalinfo@acf-us.org

Art: Melanie.Perkins@acf-us.org
Music: Emma.Shaw@acf-us.org
Tutoring: Stella.Sweiss@acf-us.org

Homecare-CCP-E-mail: info@homecare-aid.com

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