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CANADA
Mahindra Mehta Regional Editor
Edmonton, AL
On April 7,1996, over 425 people including Jains from all over Alberta witnessed the Pratishtha Mahotsav in Edmonton. Pratimaji of Bhagwan Rushbhdev and Parsvanath were installed in the Jain Temple.
Pratishtha Mahotsav, Alberta
Ottawa, Ont.
The Ottawa Jain Society celebrate Mahavir Jayanti on March 31, 1996. Although the community is small the event has become a tradition with a large number of Jains and non-Jains participating. This year almost 400 people joined in the celebration.
Toronto, Ont.
The Jain Society of Toronto elected its new Executive Committee for 1996-98 under the leadership of the new President, Sobhagya Khamesra. The Society wishes this new Executive Committee much success in their many undertakings.
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on April 7, 1996 with nearly 800 attendees. The Pritibhojan was financed by the Trustees and the President. Acharya Chandanaji, along with other sadhvijis will join us to celebrate Paryushan Parva and Dashlaxana.
Jain Education International
REGIONAL NEWS
NORTHEAST
Vinay Vakani
Regional Editor
Buffalo, NY
The Jain Society of Buffalo is very busy in making plans for the Pratishtha Mahotsav which will be taking place at the Hindu/Jain Temple on Memorial Day weekend, 1996.
Washington, DC
The 1996 elections for executive committe were held and a new slate of officers were elected under the leadership of President, Manoj Dharamsi.
Six hundred people celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on March 30, 1996.
Regular classes for children began ten years ago and now we have 50 students attending regularly. There is a set curriculum with graduation requirements which include course work, presentations and an oral examination.
A unique "Adopting the Jain Center for a Day" program has been recently initiated to help offset the operating expenses for the Jain Society. This program encourages member families to select one or more days of the year to celebrate a happy occassion, observer an auspicious day or commemorate a special event. The family pledges to make a minium annual donation of $101 for that day, for at least 5 years. On the day they have adopted the family is encouraged to visit the Center, perform religious activities, help with cleaning and maintaince, or arrange children centered activities. So far we have over 90 familites that have adopted one or more days.
The Society has joined with 11 other Hindu Temple organizations in the Washington area to form the Association of Hindu/Jain Temples of Metropolitian Washinton. The interfaith Diwali program is expected to have over 10,000 participants.
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Jadavji Kenia Regional Editor
Dallas, TX
The Jain Society of North Texas has had visits from Samaniji and Sunandaben Vora who spoke on Aatma-Karma interaction and the value of human life among all possible forms of life. In November many of our members attended the Pratishtha Mahotsav in Houston.
In December, our Youth Group sponsored a canned food drive. Over 400 lb. of vegetarian food was collected for the needy. Adults also participated in the "Shoe Box Ministry" project where toiletries were donated to the homeless people in the DFW metroplex.
Our monthly meetings include: discussion of the Tattvarth Sutra, poojas, Swadhyay and a once-a-month board meeting. Discussions always include something new to learn.
Currently there are 4 youth classes every Sunday. Younger children meet twice a month and the older ones meet 3 to 4 times a month. After class the older children meet as the Jain Youth Group.
In March, 1996 we hosted the JAINA Executive Committee for their regular meeting. Our Youth Group hosted a multi-faith conference for Jain young people from Austin, Houston, Lubbock, Tulsa and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Speakers representing Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism spoke.
We concluded the month with a huge gathering to celebrate Mahavir Jayanti on March 31, 1996.
Houston, TX
The Jain Society of Houston celebrated their Pratishtha Mahotsav from November 18-27, 1995. The dream, of many years, finally came true because of the will and support of the entire community.
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