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The center has its own temple on eleven acres of land in Middletown, Ohio with easy access from Interstate 75.
The Jain Society
of Greater Detroit
The Jain Society of Greater Detroit
celebrated Paryushan Parva in September,
1996.
The temple project is moving right along, with the completion of the first floor. We expect to complete the first phase of the project shortly.
The Jain Center of St. Louis
The Jain Center of St. Louis has introduced a welcome and worthwhile way of awarding the right to perform the Fourteen-Dream-Ceremony; instead of resorting to the traditional Gheeboli, the members were invited to give advance written commitment to fast, performing Samayika, or maintaining total silence. The highest bidder had the right to garland the token, and yet recognition was given to each and every bidder.
The Center's 10th Anniversary and Mahavir Nirvan day were celebrated on November 16, 1996. The program included a skit, recognition of our young people, annual report and election of the Executive Committee. Kirit Shah is our new President.
SOUTHEAST
Pravin Mehta Regional Editor
The Jain Society of Atlanta
The Society has bought approximately four acres of land in Norcross, Georgia for a future building. Jagdish and Madhuben Sheth have contributed $80,000 which will covered about half the cost of the land. They have also pledged an additional $80,000 for the building.
Elections were held last month, and Deepak Shah was elected President; Indira Bhavsar, Vice-president; Raju Shah, Secretary; and Shirish Ghandi, Treasurer.
Jair March 1997mational
For more information about the Jain Society of Atlanta please contact:
Deepak Shah
P.O. Box 15126 Atlanta, GA 30333 770/552-2507
The Jacksonville Jain Center
For more information about the Jacksonville Jain Center please contact Upendra Sheth, 1832 St. Lawrence Way, Jacksonville, Florida 32223, 904/262-3473.
The Jain Study Group of Charlotte
For more information about the Jain Study Group of Charlotte please contact Vijay Doshi at 704/844-8120.
The Jain Center of Middle Tennessee
For more information about the Jain Center of Middle Tennessee please contact Pravin Mehta, 2273 Dewitt Drive, Clarksville, Tennessee 37043, 615/6489535.
SOUTHWEST
Jadavji Kenia Regional Editor
The Jain Society of North Texas
The Jain Society of North Texas celebrated Diwali on November 10, 1996 at the Jain Center in Richardson, TX. The youngest children from Jain classes recited Namokar Mantra and sang. Next group of children performed Mahavir Pooja, reciting Slokas and explaining the meaning of the rituals they performed. The Jain Youth Group members presented a skit about the difference between Jain and Hindu Diwali including Mahavir Nirvana celebration by Indra of the Devlok. They also presented a segment on general Jain rituals. Between Diwali and Christmas, JYG members collected about 400 pounds of vegetarian canned food and donated it to the needy.
For JAIN DIGEST Use Only
The Society will celebrate Mahavir Jayanti and Ahimsa Day with the help of Gurudev Chitrabhanuji on April 19-20, 1997. This visit is of extra importance because it is a part of the "Freedom 50," a celebration of 50 years of India's independence is planned by India Association of North Texas throughout 1997.
538 Appolo Drive Richardson, TX 972/867-6255
The Jain Society of Houston
The new Board of Trustees are K.T. Shah, Mukesh Gandhi, Suresh Ghelani, Pallaviben Mehta, Ramesh Shah and Ashok Shingavi. Our new Executive Committee is Navin Shah - President, Narendra Shah - Vice president, Kishor Shah - Secretary, Hasmukh Shah-Treasurer, Vinod Bilakhia, Suresh Chokshi, Dinesh Lakhia, Vikram Mehta, Sudhaben Parekh, Jagrutiben Shah, Jitendra Shah and Vipin Vaidya.
Just like a PTA meeting, an open house was held this past year that was well attended by young people, parents and teachers. Our pathshala program is gathering new momentum under the guidance of Ujwalaben Shingavi and Pallaviben Mehta. We are getting help from new teachers and the program is becoming more structured.
Rae Sikora from the American AntiVivisection Society conducted an interesting and interactive seminar on animal compassion and environment. The seminar
was an eye opener.
During the 1996 Shekhar Chandra Jain, Dhirajlal Mehta, Saman Shrutpragna and Saman Ashwinipragna visited our center and held discourses. Our Jain Fellowship, organized a drive for used clothes and articles for the needy as a part of this year's Ahimsa Day celebration.
Gurudev Chitrabhanuji visited the Society in October, 1996, his visit was coordinated through JAINA to help celebrate his 75th birthday and the Silver Anniversary of his arrival in North America. His lectures were part of the program which also included Snatra Pooja, and Sangh Jaman. Navin Shah, President of JSH, Kishor Doshi and Ramanik Velani praised Chitrabhanuji's achievements, career, service to the Jain community and his contribution to Jain causes.
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