Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1999 08 Twenty Years

SR No.: 528542
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 122
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center NC Raleigh, & USA
File Size: 15 MB

Page 103

Memories, Cakes and other Sweet Things
by Surabhi Shah
For this written celebration of our Jain Center, I decided to share my experience as a newcomer to our group. This story highlights what I find exceptional about our Jain group: the way we welcome new people. My experience with the Jain group, while unique, is typical: since my arrival, I've seen many newcomers welcomed, involved and embraced.
With gratitude and affection, Surabhi
As I reflect on our Jain group, my mind wanders back to the time when I first joined... A warm rush of memories of what it felt like to be new: new to North Carolina, and new to the US, having lived most of my life in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. I had just completed graduate school and so I was new to the working world. Also, having taken the usual hiatus that college students take from "organized religion", it had been some years since meetings and pujas were a part of my life. So, I was also new to being a part of a Jain group.
And what was my "part"? I wasn't a "kid" (I had a job, after all) and I wasn't an "adult" by cultural definitions (I wasn't married-with-kids-of-my-own). My unique situation presented a little dilemma for the post-meeting lunches: I instinctively wanted to bring something to share at our lunches, but I had to admit that the thought of myself, single-handedly frying up pounds of puri, seemed amusing and unlikely. So, I took to showing up with the occasional vegan cake, which Wellspring was encouraged to bake. This solution seemed symbolic: true to my Gujarati roots, a dessert, and like me, vegan.
A New Recruit
Most of the young adults my age were away working or in grad school. Although there were few members my age, I felt comfortable participating in the Jain group. This was probably because our Jain group has retained my favorite Indian tradition: the natural and effortless interaction along the entire spectrum of ages. I was also overcome by the warm and easy way in which I was involved. As soon as I appeared, Pravin Uncle called, saying that he could use "a little help editing". This was the start of a pattern. Over the years, he has always found interesting projects that keep me involved as a "freelance volunteer". During regular visits to their home, Arti Auntie -- patron saint of newcomers -- would talk me out of my doubts or shyness. Within a year, they'd teamed me up with a new friend, Parul Shah, to present a session at the first YJA conference, held in Chicago.
Next, Lalit Uncle had both of us coordinating youth education at our annual Jain Carnp in Umstead Park. The camp experience left me feeling connected to the younger members of our group ("the kids", younger brothers and sisters to me). I found myself interested in ways to expose them to new ideas. With the constant support and openness of the parents, we did some volunteer work beautifying Noah's Food Coop, and helping at a "fair trade" crafts sale. We hosted a workshop with Atul Shah, a Jain speaker from the UK, and finally, the Jivan Sanskar
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