Jain Digest 1996 05

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

Page 14

COMMITTEE NEWS
Ahimsa Day Celebration
Chair - Surendra Singhvi
The first four books have been developed for children ages 3 to 7 and include:
• Coloring Book. • Dot to Dot Book. • Alphabet - Part I. • Jain Lessons - 1.
Jains should plan to celebrate Ahimsa Day on October 1, 1996. An Ahimsa Award in memory of Acharya Sushil Kumarji will be presented on Ahimsa Day at Siddhachalam. For more information on these events or those wishing to join this committee, please call Surendra Singhvi at 513/885-7414.
Animal Compassion and Vegetarianism Chair - Narendra Sheth
The second group of four books have been developed for children ages 8 to 11 and include:
• Alphabet - Part II. • Jain Lessons - 2. • Jain Skits. • Jain Stories.
Each set is beautifully printed with color pictures and valuable material on Jainism. A complete set is available for a suggested donation of $25. payable to JAINA. A set of pictorial story books is also available and can be ordered for a suggested donation of $15, payable to JAINA
In addition, a CD ROM is being prepared. This CD will have information on Jainism, Jain Temples and Jain Organizations. It will be distributed to all Jain Centers and at the YJA Convention. The Committee and JAINA would like to thank the sponsors of this project for their generosity. For more information about these educational material please call Prem Gada in Lubbock, TX at 806/ 793-8555 or 806/794-4777.
This committee is working on three major projects - preparation of a booklet entitled "Jainism and Animal Issues," organizing "Jivan Sanskar" an interactive workshops throughout North America and participation in the YJA Convention.
The "Jainism and Animal Issues" booklet will address various issues relating to Jain beliefs on what we eat, what we wear, how we learn and how we entertain ourselves. There will be a special emphasis on cosmetics and household goods with a list of 150 manufacturers who do not use any animal ingredients in their products and who do not perform testing on animals. In addition, there will be a list of nearly 500 retail stores and mail order outlets in the United States and Canada which stock cruelty-free items.
The booklet is scheduled to be published before the YJA Convention in July, 1996 and will be sent to all the Jain families. The entire project will cost approximately $10,000 and donations are needed to defray the cost.
The "Jivan Sanskar," interactive workshops that have an emphasis on Ahimsa, animals, environment and their interconnection, that are led by Rae Sikora and Zoe Weil of Philadelphia, have proven successful in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Raleigh. Plans are being made to hold these workshops in Chicago, Dallas, and Houston.
Several workshops of this type will be organized for the YJA Convention in San Francisco. For more information about any of these projects please call Narendra Sheth at 619/693-8272.
All those interested in expressing their opinion or having more information about the slaughter of millions of cows in England should contact Dilip Shah at: 215/561-0581 or Fax 215/561-0758 or toll free at 1-800-392-3237 or Email at dilip@aol.com or his home page at www.mad-cow.com.
World Community Service: Dhiraj Shah - Chair
With the help of the Jain Center of America, NY, the World Community Service presented a check for $7,000 to Dr. Anil Patel, director of the Women's Health Center. The Center is located on the banks of the Narmada River which borders Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
The Center trains traditional birth attendants in safe, modern methods of child delivery and helps fulfill an overwhelming demand for Pre and Post-Natal care by offering a hygienic and safe clinic and delivery room.
The World Community Service would like to thank all those who have contributed to this very worthy cause. For more information please contact Dhiraj Shah at 716/282-3018.
The Jain Center of Southern California once again helped to raise over $30,000 for the Bidada Medical Camp held from January 31 - February 10, 1996. Over 14,700 patients were examined and 410 operations were performed.
Library and Education
Chair - Prem Gada
A milestone has been reached in the development of a curriculum for JAINA's Education program. We now have a set of eight books which have been printed. Each set is divided into two groups.
12 Jain Education International
JAIN DIGEST For Personal & Private Use Only
May 1996 www.jainelibrary.org