________________
YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA COMMITTEE - FRESH IDEAS
Samir S. Mehta, Associate Editor - Youths
A New will be accomplished through They are also eager to develop a Beginnings various activities which encompass sense of unity which is not confined Young Jains the spiritual, religious, cultural and to the inimediate Jain community
aspects of the Lain heritage. There is a sense of urgency, and of America
YJA will incorporate existing local many believe that Jainism will die youth groups under its umbrella, out in the twenty-first century due
and also help form new local youth to the fact that the youth are not The idea of forming an umbrella groups and foster them.
taking an active role in their youth organization was spearheaded
The delegation selected a community. We need to and we in 1989 at the 5th JAINA Transition Executive Board to run want to change these notions. For convention in Toronto, Canada. In the committee. This Transition these and many more reasons, the the 6th JAINA convention in Executive Board then had its first time is right to put YJA on a firm Stanford, CA, a group of dedicated official meeting during January 7 footing and develop it into such a youths started Young Jains of 9, 1994 in Houston, Texas. The group which will cater to the needs America (theyouth wingofJAINA). meeting itself had ten Board of the second generation Jains. We They divided the country into 6 members present along with three hear the constant fearsofour parents regions and appointed 12 regional invited guest youths. More concrete and we are responding. coordinators. At the 7th JAINA plans were made for the upcoming We urge all the Jain convention in Pittsburgh, PA, an JAINA-YJA Convention in July centers to forward the names impromptu YJA meeting was held 1994. Also the Transition Executive of local youths to us and which was attended by Board has set for itself modest goals encourage youth activity approximately 50 youths. À for the upcoming year. The within their community. All majority of the youths felt that the Executive Board will also be involved the youths and youth leaders JAINA convention, due to its in establishing sound communica- may contact Seema Jain format, was not conducive to hold tion channels with various youth (708-653-0308) or Aashish youth meetings and get seriouswork groups.
Vaidya (713-498-8416) if they done.
The next generation of have any ideas, comments, and Therefore, it was decided Jains are faced with unique concerns that they would like to to hold a YJA Youth Leadership problems and challenges. They share. Conference in Chicago on August have different needs than the first 7-8, 1993. The delegation consisted generation. For the most part of Dr. Urmila Talsania, the JAINA these needs are only partially -JYA Committee Chair, ten youths addressed by the larger Jain
Young Jamna of from around the country and five community. Herein lies the main
America's Youth youths from Metropolitan Chicago. challenge and the activating The main purpose of this delegation YJA. As a youth group, it is
Convention was to formalize YJA and provide suited to clearly define the clear goals and purpose for the problems of the youths, ad. Young Jains of America cordially committee and formulate a good dress their needs, and provide so- invites you to attend the first bien. action plan.
lutions.
Genial YJA convention which will be The two days of the
Since the last two JAINA held July 1-4, 1994, in Chicago, conference were indeed very
conventions, communication has Ilinois. The purpose of this event
conventions, communication has Illinois. productiveand many solid decisions increased amongst the youths from is to explore Jain ideas. values. were made. Young Jains of America different regions. The youths are and be
different regions. The youths are and beliefs within a community of will aspire to continue to impart the eager to move beyond the paro- Jain youth. This is an excellent Jain heritage to the next generations. chial interests that plague some of opportunity to address the unique Its main function shall be to raise the first generation Jains. They problems that our generation awareness of Jain ideals and are eager to see how religion can faces. We are hopefiil that events
principles amongst the youths. This play a greater role in their lives. like this one will Jainism to con March 1994
JAIN DIGEST Jain Education International 2010_02 For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
ASSO
19
