Jain Digest 2016 08

SR No.: 527140
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 2016
Total Pages: 44
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 6 MB

Page 25

Digest
Current State In order to grow the network of young Jains living in North America, YJA had organized several events and projects in the past year, some of which include the following:
Local Events YJA's Regional Coordinators and Local Representatives have collaborated with Jain youth to organize religious, community service, and social events. Some of these include "National Dinner" weekend, Navkar Jaaps, temple clean-ups, and outdoor activities.
Regional Retreats YJA's Regional Coordinators held retreats throughout the winter and spring. These all lasted for an entire weekend, and they were filled with educational sessions on Jainism, outdoor recreation, and social bonding activities. The 2016 retreats were located at Three Rivers, CA (West), Texas Hill Country (South), Magnolia Springs State Park, GA (Southeast), Chicago, IL (Midwest), Poconos, PA (Mid-Atlantic).
Educational Webinars Our Director of Education organizes educational webinars, which serve as an opportunity for youth across the nation to listen to knowledgeable speakers and join in on discussions on topics related to Jainism. Recent webinars include "The Power of Travelling (to India and the World)." "Jainism 101: Understanding Karma is a Cinch," and "Compassion in our Many Faiths: An Interfaith Webinar."
Compassion in Our Many Faiths:
An Interfaith Webinar Cheoist
March 2nd 9 PM EST
Young Minds Our quarterly e-magazine is meant to connect the Jain youth community. It includes articles in which individuals reflect on their experiences of applying Jainism in modern society, pictures and summaries about events, Jain recipes, and promotional material about major YJA projects.
YJA Forums YJA Forums allows young Jains to share insight with each other through blogging. Some of the many topics in which people can converse about include Science and Religion, Jain Theories and Scriptures, Vegetarian/Vegan Diets, and Holidays and Festivals.
College Chapters Project YJA has worked with student organizations that have joined the YJA umbrella. Participating colleges include UPenn, Michigan, Pittsburgh, UTAustin, Illinois, and Boston University. YJA provides schools with educational handbooks, along with assistance on creating, promoting, and executing events.
Young Minds
YJA FORUMS CONNECT RESPECT LEARN
Young
Amani
FORUMSYTA.ORG
Future Vision While YJA has excelled over the years, its leaders are looking to branch out and promote Jain values outside of its own community by taking the following steps:
Globalize YJA hopes to globalize its network and collaborate with Jain groups in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, South Africa, Kenya, Singapore, etc. Many of their youth communities are very active, and YJA believes its own members can broaden their perspectives by learning about the presence of Jainism in other modern societies.
Promote Interfaith Activities YJA is looking to collaborate with other youth religious groups to find similarities in their core values. Aside from raising awareness about Jainism in North America, this will also allow young religious leaders to come together and find solutions to current issues that exist in today's world, many of which can be solved through religious coexistence.
Collaborate with JAINA One of JAINA's main initiatives is to promote youth activities. YJA hopes to play a large role in this by working with JAINA to implement more joint events and projects. Furthermore, YJA hopes to assist with JAINA's convention planning efforts, from organizing youth activities to leading sessions.