Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2008 09 Pratishta Souvenior

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

Page 78

Vision Leading to Establish the Jain Center of Southern California and
the Formation of JAINA
Sudhir & Niru Kothari
Prior to the establishment of the Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) in the Los Angeles area, there was a natural desire among Jain families to get together and pursue our culture. At times, four or five families would get together at one of the family's homes (such as Niranjanbhai and Sudhaben, Shree Shantibhai and others) to do Swadhyay and practice Jain rituals.
Shree Lalit C. Shah, a Los Angeles area resident, was the pioneer in bringing Jain families together with a vision for the larger cause of Jain unity and propagation of Jain values to all. He conceived the idea of organizing a Jain Center at both local and national levels. Shree Mahendra Khandhar and others realized that dream and it soon became the aspiration of the whole community. Shree Mahendra Khandhar provided leadership, organization, administrative skills and selfless devotion to turn the dream into reality.
The formulation of JCSC began to take place in 1978. Mahendra Khandhar was the nucleus with the help of the community members such as: Kalyanji Mota, Niranjan and Sudha Sheth, Manibhai and Savita Mehta, Gordhan Patel, Lalit Shah, Jindas and Manda Shah, Ninu and Sudhir Kothari, Rajen and Rajul Mehta, Dr. Dinesh and Mukti Shah, Shirish Seth, Dinkar Shah, Mahesh Shah and several others.
There were many obstacles to be overcome: no money, no contacts or advisors, no facility, concern for surrounding communities not understanding our culture and religion, a new project in a foreign country, etc.
The only thing we had was a dream and the desire to achieve it. Working hard, several informal community meetings ensued to discuss the establishment of a local Jain Center over a period of the next twelve months. Particular attention was paid to goals, principles, constitution, organization, activities, and finance.
The Jain Center of Southern California was born on September 15, 1979.
Mahendra Khandhar was elected as its first President with Lalit Shah as Vice President and several community members in the Executive Committee. A visionary culture prevailed among the Founding Committee and members of those years. The vision envisaged had many facets. Some of the highlights of this vision are:
1. To conduct the activities of the Jain Center without any partiality to any one Jain Sect. 2. To develop and implement the idea of organizing a National Federation of all Jain Societies/Centers in the
United States and Canada. 3. To help establish other Jain Centers throughout USA and Canada. 4. To keep our children from being lost in Western culture by imparting Jain values and beliefs in them. 5. To promote the ideals of Jainism among fellow Indians and Americans.
Following these principles has been the main guiding philosophy of the vision of JCSC.
Now that JCSC was established, the Working Committee started to discuss and implement the idea of organizing the National Federation of all Jains throughout the USA and Canada. JCSC decided to hold a convention for that purpose and invited community leaders from various states, other Jain associations, and interested community members throughout the USA and Canada.
A meeting for the formation of a North American Jain Federation for all Jains was held at the convention chaired by JCSC. A Constitution was hammered out and the name JAINA was adopted at the meeting.
In 1981, JAINA was born at the first ever Jain convention held by JCSC in Los Angeles. The convention was a huge success in every way. The guiding vision was now turning into reality step by step.
Our JCSC has a rich and glorious past of which every member of JCSC can take pride and help in marching toward a wonderful and noble future.
Amita Aunty starts the Pathshala class with laughter which I think is a way to unwind our sleepy minds!
Sahil Patel, 9