Jain Digest 1994 03 Vol 10 No 01

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 8

the individual responsible for such a horrible crime. The Shah Family-Bhupendra, Pravin, Narendra and Bharat- have been associated with the Jain Center of America for many years. Mr. Pravin Shah is survived by his wife Chandanbehn, and four daughters, Pragna, Daksha, Smita and Manisha, and their spouses.
month. Over 60 children and 40 adults attend the classes regularly. Mr. Pravin Dand indicated that Jain religion education is one of the most important activity that JSMW has organized on a continuous basis.
Bhupendra and Ketan Shah, and Bipin Pujara contributed their services and 18 families contributed $100 or more.
SOUTHEAST
REGION Surendra Shah, Regional Editor
Raleigh, NC
Shri Virchand R. Gandhi's Family Support Fund, started by Jain Study Center of North Carolina, has collected $3,262 as of March 10, 1994. The money (Rs. $100,000) has been deposited with Vishal Trust of Bombay, India. The contributors will receive V.R. Gandhi's books as a token of appreciation for their generous support.
Storrs, CT
Jain Center of Greater Hartford celebrated the Diwali/New Year on November 14, 1993 at the Storrs Campus of the University of Connecticut (UCONN). The celebration included reading of passages from Tattvartha Sutra and Samayasara, Snatra and Mahavir Pooja, and recitation of Nirvana Kanda. It was attended by over 100 persons, including the students from UCONN and the nearby Provident College along with families from Connecticut and nearby New England States. The celebration concluded with Aarti and Mangal Divo, and was followed by a community dinner. JCGH is planning the celebration of Mahavir Jayanti in April 1994 at the Storrs Campus.
Atlanta, GA
The Jain Society of Greater Atlanta begins 1994 with a new set of officers, among them President Narendra Maniar. The group, consists of about 80 families. Plans for the new year include celebrations of various festivals and a lecture series. Mr. Maniar's phone number is 404-923-1517.
SOUTHWEST
REGION Jadavji Kenia, Regional Editor
Clarksville, TN
The Jain Society of Middle Tennessee, based in Clarksville, has been active with celebrations of Swamivatsalya, Ahimsa Day, and Shrimad Rajchandra Janma Jayanti. Upcoming events are focused on sending a youth delegation to Chicago for the JAINA Youth Conference. As a sign of changing times, the group now has an electronic mail account on Internet (IN%MEHTAP @lynx.apsu. edu" or IN%MEHTAP @apsu.bitnet). The president of the Jain Society of Middle Tennessee is Pravin Mehta (615-648-9535).
Washington, D.C.
Acharya Sushil Kumarji and Amrendra Muniji visited the Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington (SMW), on October 29 & 30, 1993, and their discourses and meditation sessions were attended by many members. New Year's day was celebrated with the recital of the Nav Smaran at the Jain Center. Approximately 125 members participated in the celebration of Diwali and the arrival of the New Year. On November 25, Thanksgiving Day, about 25 members observed the Ayambil at the Jain Center.
JSMW held its Annual General Body Meeting on Saturday, December 4, 1993 and elected the following new Officers of the Society:
Memphis, TN
The Jain Society of Memphis is active in studying "Chhadhala." Currently, they are meeting three times a month. The president is Dr. Prashant Palvia (901-7566626).
Dallas, TX
The Second Annual Southern Region Youth Convention organized by the Jain Youth Group of North Texas and sponsored by the Jain Society of North Texas was held during Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 2628, 1993). In spite of the unexpected ice storm, approximately 60 youths from Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, Austin, Waco, Tulsa and Albuquerque attended the convention. Shardaben (Susan) Segall, a licensed professional counseloranda meditation and yoga teacher was invited to the convention to help conduct exercises on meditation and yoga. Shardaben has practiced Jainism for the last 18 years and has learned meditation techniques under the guidance of Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji.
A few highlights of the convention were the interesting discussions, "Where is Jainism going?" and "The Generation Gap". Several skits emphasizing Jain values were performed by the youth. Other highlights of the convention were self-improvement exercises conducted by Shardaben. All the youths participated very enthusiastically in these activities.
The convention provided a forum for religious education, sharing of youth concerns, exchange of ideas and experiences, support, fun and overall strong bond of friendship. As usual, parting was painful; teary good-byes filled the air but with a feeling of a rewarding experience.
President, Pravin Dand Vice President, Arvind Shah Secretary, Manu G. Shah Treasurer, Yogendra Sheth Chairman Board of Trustees, Kanu Doshi
Miami, FL
Jain Center of South Florida in Miami has now registered as non-profit organization and is the newest member of JAINA. The Community is raising funds to build temple (Derasar). Kan and Malti Mehta donated 1/2 of land for this purpose. Over fifteen families have donated or pledged $5000 or more. Also about 350 people participated in “Bhavana" with Bhanu Vora and party. Bhavana was sponsored by Manojand Urvashi Sanghavi. Many people including Lata Vakil,
JSMW has organized Pathshala to conduct classes for religious education on every second and fourth Sunday of the
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MARCH 1994
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