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REGIONAL NEWS
complement this meeting, the same group of panelists will address the concerns of the parents at a forum entitled "Raising our Children in America" scheduled at the Jain Center on February 21. No children will be allowed to attend this meeting. A summary of the discussions from both the forums will be published.
nity service, active participation in CNC and the Jain Bhawan project, and social networking. BAJA is planning to coordinate a summer spiritual retreat with Samanjis and Samanijis. For further information, please contact Seema Bhimani at 510/4821357, Nita Itchhhaporia at 650/322-1468, or Nilesh Goel at 510/793-7974.
Please contact Jitendra Shah at 408/ 729-7916 for JCNC activities, and Parveen Jain at 408/559-6987 for the Jain Bhawan update.
Sacramento, CA
For information about the activities and events organized by the Jain Center of Greater Sacramento (JCGS), please contact Jagdish Shah at 916/685-4716 or Naresh Jain at 916/488-2601.
West Chandrakant Parekh, Regional Editor Los Angeles, CA
A new Board of Directors of the Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) was elected.
JAINA Executive Committee met at the Jain Center on February 20 and 21. A town hall meeting was held to provide an opportunity for the Jain Center members to interface with the JAINA Executive Committee. In continuation of the expansion plans for the Jain Center, the acquisition of an additional property, the Volvo dealer- ship lor on the north east corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Stanton Avenue, has been completed. The newly acquired lot will be used to address the parking requirements of the proposed new facilities.
Ninety eight children from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Jersey and Singapore, and fourteen teachers and volunteers attended the JCYC winter camp at Pilgrim Pines Camp Grounds in Yucaipa, San Bernardino Mountains. Class curricu- lum included practical aspects of Jainism in daily life as well as participation in various projects depicting Jain objectives. Entertainment activities included a talent show, a hike up the mountain trail, and a campfire. Lack of snow was the only major disappointment on this popular and enriching activity for the youngsters.
A forum entitled "Growing up in Multi Cultural America" was organized at the Jain Center on February 7. A panel of Jain youths who grew up in America, are now settled in a career path, and some of whom are married and are parents, fielded ques- tions from the Jain youths, age 14 years and older, on such topics as communication, conflict resolution with parents, conflicting culture values, retention of religious and cultural heritage, peer pressure for smoking, drinking, and drugs, dating and sex, arranged and mixed marriages, and educa- tion and career opportunities. No adults were allowed to attend this session. To
San Francisco, CA
The new Executive Committee of the Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC) were selected. Vision and philosophy of the committee include completion of the Jain Bhawan project, integration of different sects of Jain religion arrangement of lecture series and programs
Detailed information on regular activities and events, including schedules, loca- tions and directions, are accessible on the Internet website at www.jcnc.org. Pathshala program is coordinated by a JCNC Education Committee. Classes are offered for various age groups and are conducted using study course books at levels 1 to 6.
The Jain Bhawan Committee accomplished a great deal during 1998. The temple and building design has been completed and negotiations are underway to select a contractor and to order temple carving and fabrication in India. Donations of $2.85 million have been pledged through 2001 of which approximately $2.2 million were collected in 1996 to 1998. Mahavir JanmaKalyanak and Jain Bhawan Construction Initiation Ceremony will be celebrated at the Jain Bhawan Site on April 17 under the direction of H. H. Bhattarak Devendrakirtiji.
Bay Area Jain Americans (BAJA) was established in March 1998 to provide an outlet for young Jain professionals, over the age of 23, to promote Jainism amongst the peers, and to develop a network of friends. BAJA charter and activities emphasize edu- cation and awareness of Jainism, commu
San Diego, CA
The committee members of the Jain Society of San Diego for the year 1999 were selected. The regular activities of the center include: Navrangipuja every Saturday, monthly meeting on 2nd Friday of the month, monthly Jain Shala, and monthly Swadhyay by Girishbhai Shah.
Fifty Jain senior citizens from Los Angeles visited San Diego and were welcomed by the Jain Sangh with a traditional brunch, stavans by Paresh Shah, and a dinner at the Shri Mandir Derasar. Shramanji s lecture at Rohak Vora's residence was attended by forty five adults and kids who learnt about the meditation, exercise and stress management techniques. With the help of several adults and kids, Nipul and Renuka Shah are constructing a beautiful 24' x 24 temple from hydrostone which will be displayed at the upcoming JAINA convention in Philadelphia. The temple is a replica of the antique Palitana temple received by the Jain Center of Southern California. Further information is available on the web site at www.geocities.com\yosemiti meadows3550.
8/JAIN DIGEST SPRING 1999 Jain Education Intemational 2010_02
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