Jain Digest 1997 11

SR No.: 527069
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 8 MB

Page 7

JAINA Executive Committee Meets at Siddhachalam
JAINA'S newly elected executive committee's Ist meeting was held at Siddhachalam on Oct 4th. President Dhirajbhai uplifted everyone's spirits by pronouncing the JAINA Patron program a grand success. 235 Jains from all over North America opened their wallets and pledged $65,000 to this most essential project. Dhirajbhai reported that in the last 90 days he visited 6 Jain centers (New York, Boston, North Jersey, Atlanta, Orlando and Siddhachalam). During his trip to Orlando, he helped that center raise $80,000 for building their new temple. A donation of a 2-acre plot has brought their dream closer to reality.
In this meeting the E.C. agreed that JAINA would act as a conduit for collecting donations on behalf of Shree Virchand Raghavaji Scholarship fund. E.C. appointed Pramodaben Chitrabhanu (JMIC), Shantibhai Shah (President of Siddhachalam), Dr. Bipin Parikh (Chicago), Rajiv Pandya (youth member), Virendra Shah (L.A.) and Ramesh Jain (Toronto) as JAINA Directors at large. New chairpersons were appointed for the following committees. Bachubhai Ajmera Vinay Vakani Prabodh Vaidya Kamlesh Shah
World Community Service:
Senior Citizens:
Long Range Planning:
Membership:
Ila Mehta
North American Families Assistance: Community Leadership Council:
Jagat Jain
To help with increased workload at the JAINA head quarters, a part time position of Executive Director to JAINA was created. Kamlesh Amin, who has been helping JAINA for the past 3 months at no cost, was approved for that position (Tel/Fax: 716/636-5342).
JAINA is exploring a proposal for a pilgrimage to Jain Tirths in India during Dec. '98 with the help of Bharatiya Jain Sanghathan. Dr. Pandya proposed to send to all the Patrons and the members of Charitable Trust, as a souvenir, a wonderful book on Jain Art titled "Peaceful Liberators" if he can get enough copies. He also proposed to sponsor in cooperation with Education Committee a book project on fundamentals of Jainism to be supervised by Pravin Shah for every Jainfamily in North America. Pravinbhai will also work with education committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Prem Gada and prepare a proposal for an essay competition every year before Mahavir Jayanti for children inthree age categories see page 14).
JAIN DIGEST in the future will allocate a page for the news of Pathshalas. Dr. Subhash Jain of University of Connecticut was appointed as an editor of feature articles in JAIN DIGEST for one year.
Sobhagya Khamesra, and Gyan Chand Jain of Toronto presented financial report of the 9th JAINA Convention. The good news from Toronto was that the convention has surplus of approxi
mately $100,000 and they have allocated $25,000 of that to JAINA'S general fund. They presented JAINA a check in the amount of $7,215 on account.
Tulsa Jain Sangh (Tulsa, Oklahoma) has embarked upon building their new Jain temple and requested JAINA's help. JAINA Charitable trust agreed to a grant of $5,000 and JAINA will publicize their need through JAIN DIGEST and JAINA Focus to bring their dream to reality.
Members felt that each center should try to include news of JAINA in their newsletters.
JAINA FOR ALL AND ALL FOR JAINA!
Board of Directors meets at Siddhachalam
As is our tradition, JAINA's Board of Directors and Presidents of all 54 Jain Centers were invited to Siddhachalam on October 4 for the annual meeting. This annual meeting of JAINA always takes place during first weekend in October when Siddhachalam celebrates Kshamapna Day and Ahimsa Day. This informal gathering of JAINA board members and trustees of Siddhachalam permits dialogue between Siddhachalam, the only Tirth in North America and JAINA, the only voice of 80,000 plus Jains on this continent. This wonderful idea of combined meeting was suggested by Acharya Sushil Kumarji to JAINA in 1992 and it has served every one very well.
Dhirajbhai talked about the vitality of JAINA. In three months since this present committee has been elected to serve, we have published first issue of JAIN DIGEST, two issues of JAINA Focus, inaugurated JAINA Patron Program that generated sufficient funds for JAINA'S basic operations. JAINA's next priority is to help every metropolitan area build their own temple. If they have a temple, help them to create Pathshala Program and if they have a temple and a Pathshala, encourage them to build housing for our senior citizens.
Girish Shah of San Francisco announced that their temple building plans have won final approval from the city planners. This new temple will be on a 1.7-acre land and will serve 500 Jain families in the bay area. Bhumipujan will be on November 15. They have already raised $1.1 million and $600,000 in pledges. They hope to raise balance of $2 million needed to complete by sponsorship of deities. Everyone at the meeting cheered and wished them good luck. JAINA will certainly help to bring their dream to reality.
Raju Shah, coordinator for YJA along with Gaurav Kapadia and Anish Sheth announced that 1998 YJA Convention will take place in Houston (see page 15 for more information). Girish Shah announced a gift of $500 and enough frequent flyer mileage for one air ticket to YJA. Pravin Shah of North Carolina talked about
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