and there are likely many others. The name Zakem means strength.

The majority of Zakems are Marionate Catholics. Some are Roman Catholics, Greek Byzantine, Syriac Catholics, Eastern Rite and Orthodox. There are also Jews and Moslems that carry the Zakem name. A gentleman from Chicago by the name of Brian Zakem, who was interested in his genealogy and is Jewish, theorized that hundreds of years ago, there was likely voluntary and forced conversion between Christians, Jews and

Moslems.

When I reflect on this and consider the possibility that some of our ancestors could have been Orthodox, Jew or Moslem, and the fact that the three great religions had their origins from the prophet Abraham, one has to wonder why peace and harmony has eluded the Middle East and the Holy Land for so many years. We all pray to the same God of Peace and Compassion. Let us continue to strive to know, understand, and trust each other so that we can all live in harmony to share and enjoy our rich heritage which is

the envy of the world.