Jain Digest 1998 04

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

Page 13

Southeast
Surendra Shah, Regional Editor
Raleigh, NC
At the Jain Study Center of North Carolina, the following were elected to the executive committe: President-Ramesh Fofaria, Vice President & TreasurerPratyush Mehta, Secretary-Madhuker Mehta, Food Coordinator-Arti Shah,
Southwest
Jadavji Kenia, Regional Editor
Dallas, TX
Jain Society of North Texas celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on April 12, 1998. The day began with a Snatra Pooja followed by children's cultural program. They recited Nine Tattvas and Six Dravyas taught to them in the Pathshala. Youths from ages 14&up performed in an Oprah like talk show where they interviewed Mahavir and Confucius and covered their respective religions. Then there was a dance by four young ladies using a song "Jay Mahavir Bhagwan" for their music. The program was concluded with Shanti-Kalas and various Aartis followed by delicious lunch.
Among the dignitaries this year we had Sadhvi Subhamji from Veerayatan covering the human service side of Jainism and how human life should be lived. Over the Memorial Day weekend, we will have Babubhai Kadiwala and his assistants here to perform SidhdhaChakra Pujan and Bhavana. A lot of our members are enthusiastically waiting to participate in these auspicious events. Among the other dignitaries, we will be hosting Dr. Bharill and Dhirajbhai Mehta in late May/early June. Others are yet to be decided. Several of our Jain Youth Group members are planning to attend the YJA Convention in Houston. Some are also preparing for a workshop presentation. As usual Jain Society is sponsoring their participation by contributing about half of their expenses. Adult Swadhyay sessions are continuing twice a week, though the attendance has been somewhat marginal. JSNT
Jain Education Intemational
Youth Coordinator-Rekha Banker.
Shramaniji Shubhamji helped celebrate the Mahavir Jayanti on 19th April. The celebration included Asta Prakari pooja and cultural program. Thirty youths participated in the program. The members meet every
contact is current president Pradeep Shah at 972/867-6255.
Houston, TX
During March Jain Society of Houston sponsored an "Ekasana" program. About 80 persons participated with great enthusiasm. During April, we had a "Navpad pooja", and Ayambil program. More than 60 individuals did Ayambil on that day.
During our general body meeting in April we elected the officers of the executive committee and Board of Trustees. Officers of the new executive committee are: Jitendra Shah (President), Pritiben Sheth (vice president), Rahul Lakdawala (Secretary), Nitesh Mehta (treasurer), Rajan Barua, Mina Kapasi, Kanti Shah, Manohar Kucheria and Hema Chheda. The Board of Trustees consists of Ashok Singhavi (Chief trustee), Udai Jain, Virendra Kothari, Virendra Khemsara, Parimal Desai and Navin Shah.
Youths of Jain Fellowship of Houston had two nights camp at Steven F. Austin Park. Youths of HYJAC (Houston Young Jains of America Convention) committee is busy planning the YJA convention in July. Everyone is working very hard and looking forward to the upcoming event. JSH contact is their president Jitendra Shah at 281/ 550-3155.
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Jain Sangh celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on April 11, 1998. Program included Snatra Pooja followed by a delicious
Thursday for swadhyay. Pandit Dhirajlal Mehta is going to visit Centers From July 19, to July 26, 1998.
Paryushan parva will be celebrated in August 1998.
lunch. One of our members did AULI for 8 days to celebrate Mahavir Jayanti. Our planning for building our own Temple and a Jain Center is progressing well. We are in process of applying for a building permit. Sunandaben Vohra will visit Tulsa from July 13 to 16. Samanji will visit Tulsa from November 4 to 11, 1998. Tulsa Jain Sangh contact is Kanti Shah at 918/369-3163.
Phoenix, AZ
Jain Center of Greater Phoenix Area celebrated Mahavir Jayanti this year on April 28, 1998. The program included the following items:
Pathshala songs, Diva Dance, Jain Band, Stavans, Garland Dance, Meera Dance, Megh Kumar Drama by Pathshala Students, Garbo by Adults and Kshamapana, Mangal Deevo. It was followed by a delicious dinner. Everybody worked very hard for this auspicious day and over 125 people joined in the celebration.
Two Pathshala teachers from our area are planning to attend the First Quadrennial JAINA Pathshala Teachers Conference to be held in Boston on May 23-24, 1998. Some of the topics to be discussed are:
-Developing a Vision/Mission for Educators/Pathshala Curriculum Dissemination
-How the curriculum will be circulated, maintained, and disseminated to the
-Pathshalas, New Material Development Plans; what are the guidelines for Continued on page 19
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