2015 MARKING THE 12TH NARSAI’S TASTE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

San Francisco, 7 November 2015 - The 12th Annual Narsai’s Taste of the Mediterranean

(NTOTM), one of the most awaited fundraisers of the year, brings together inspiring speakers

and supporters of the Assyrian Aid Society of America (AAS-A) who collaborate in raising

awareness of today’s genocide in the Middle East.

The event started with hor d’oeuvres while guests admired the engaging display of live auction

art pieces and meeting fellow supporters of the evening’s cause. The guests entered the ballroom

to a welcoming speech by AAS-A Chairman Emeritus Narsai M. David.

Before the formal presentation of the evening, AAS-A President Ashur J. Yoseph introduced the

sponsors and all the respected guests. He highlighted the organization’s recent achievements and

its role in providing urgent humanitarian aid to Assyrians in Iraq. “In 2014, 94 cents of every

dollar donated to AAS-A funded humanitarian projects in Iraq. 2015 has already raised over $1.8

million to aid the internally displaced Assyrians in the homeland and our full appreciation goes

to the generous donations of our supporters who enable us to help our brothers and sisters who

are in dire need,” said Yoseph.

Special guests included keynote speaker Dr. Thomas Farr, Associate Professor at Georgetown

University and US Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo. Dr. Farr spoke about the state of religious

freedom while emphasizing on Iraq and Syria. He believes that no nation, including the United

States, is addressing this crisis effectively. Dr. Farr introduced a four step plan of confronting the

crises to reinstate religious freedom in the Middle East and plan for the resettlement of those

liberated from ISIL including the establishment of an internationally protected Nineveh Plain for

the Assyrians, Yezidis and others which will also provide a desperately needed example of

pluralism and religious freedom in the Middle East.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee was not able to attend due to a schedule change but asked AAS-A

to share a letter with the NTOTM guests, “The Narsai’s Taste of the Mediterranean fundraising

dinners were inaugurated in San Francisco in 2002 to raise urgently needed funds for the

humanitarian projects of the Assyrian Aid Society of America. Since then, the event has grown

and has often featured presentations of Assyrian folk music and contemporary music from

Assyrian singers, combining many of San Francisco values at their best through highlighting our

City’s diversity and multiculturalism while working to benefit those who need it most.”

The night featured a short visual of an upcoming documentary, Silence After The Storm, directed

by award winning Assyrian filmmaker Sargon Saadi. The documentary is a reflective

documentary that follows Saadi’s recent journey to the Middle East and unveils stories of the

plight and survival of the Assyrian nation amidst the unceasing crises in the region.

In addition, the gala honored the Assyrian Evangelical Church (AEC) of San Jose and

representative Reverend Samuel Khangaldy with the Assyrian Humanitarian Award for their

commendable humanitarian work. AEC’s ability to make a difference in the lives of many

internally displaced Assyrians in the Homeland today is admirable and deeply appreciated. The

AAS-A mission is possible with the dedication and support of honored partners like AEC.

The mission and goal of NTOTM is to showcase the works of AAS-A to the American people

and call attention to the humanitarian crises that the Assyrians face in the Middle East,

especially in northern Iraq. The Assyrian Aid Society of America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit

organization focusing on assisting the needy Assyrians in northern Iraq. The NTOTM dinner has

raised a remarkable 1 million dollars over the past twelve years of NTOTM.