Jain Center Los Angeles CA 1998 07 10th Anniversary of Jain Bhavan

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

Page 65

Winter camp for children has been a regular annual event. Sixty to eighty children participate in the winter camps. Best part of the camp children enjoy is the opportunity to be with their friends and make new friends. They have ample free time besides religious studies to have fun at the camp. Evenings are filled with entertainment programs performed and arranged entirely by children. They wish the camp were for a week instead of three nights!
Girishbhai Shah was JCYC coordinator in the beginning years. Kalyanjibhai Mota and Pallaviben Gala followed Girishbhai C. Shah as coordinators for a brief period. Sailesbhai Jain was appointed as the JCYC coordinator in 1995 and continues to serve at present.
Participation of students at the Center has exploded in recent years. More than 250 students registered for the classes last year, and more than forty teachers gave their time to teach them. Majority of the children are under eleven years of age. However, there is a significant number of teenagers, which includes children over sixteen. It is an important fact that we have been able to attract older children to our Center. The older children are very involved in the Jain Center activities. They volunteer at events like medical camp and major event dinners. Last year they introduced temple cleanup, which shows that they take pride in their Center.
Recently JCYC committee arranged a "Fun and Game Day" for children of all ages. They helped younger children with creative painting on T-shirts. Children have been participating in the stage performances during special occasions like Paryushana and JCYC graduation. Our present JCYC presidents are Suken Jain and Karishma Shah. They have inspired their committee and other JCYC children to perform at levels above their past performances, and set a challenge to the future JCYC leaders. Our JCYC presidents, after the Center was built, include Suketu Khandhar, Rajiv Gala, Kamal Shah, Preeti Dudhekar, Sunita Mehta, Shayna Parekh, Mansi Shah and Kevin Shah.
Religious studies and language classes have become more fun for the children at the Center. Our children's knowledge of Jain philosophy is commendable. Recent essay competition on their understanding of Jain religion revealed their true potential. Everybody must read these essays. Knowledge of our native language amongst our children was best demonstrated recently in the stage drama during the JCYC Graduation Day.
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At Pathshala we learn Jainism. We also learn to tell the truth. We learn to respect others.
At Pathshala we learn to say Jai Jinenedra. - Amy Shah (8)
Jain Education Intemational