Jain Digest 1999 04

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

Page 12

REGIONAL NEWS (continued)
Northeast Vinay Vakani, Regional Editor
Essex Fells, NJ
Jain Center of New Jersey (CNJ) cel
1999. Over 75 people did Aayambil each day. Pathshalas at two locations are receiv- ing overwhelming support from the par- ents. Over 150 children are enrolled in Pathshala classes. Some children are also learning Gujarati. Monthly Samuh Samayik is held regularly and over 150 people are participating to recite Bhaktamar Sutra and doing Samayik. Biweekly Swadhayaya classes are regularly held at the Temple and in Piscataway. For information about the upcoming programs please call 201/226-2539
thusiasm on April 4, 1999, attended by over 1800 area Jains. There were 10 cultural program entries. JCNJ has two Pathshalas and children from both Pathshalas participated in this program. It was gratifying to see that all participants had put in lot of efforts to prepare each entry. All entries were well received by the enthusiastic audience. A new Executive Committee of JCNT for 1999-2000 was recently elected. The members are Virendra S. Shah (President), Diwakar N. Shah (Vice President), Kirit Shah (Secretary), Usha D. Gandhi (Trea- surer), Sudhir N. Shah (Joint Treasurer), Nilesh Jhaveri, Priyavadan Jhaveri, Madhu Kamdar, Kirit Mehta, Dilip Shah, Raju Shah, and Jatin Shah. Vinay Vakani and Usha Gandhi were selected to represent Jain Center of New Jersey at JAINA. Aayambil Oli was celebrated on Mar 27th, and 28th,
teen folk dances and Dandia Raas entrees, performed by youngsters of age varying from 3 to 15. Entire program was professionally conducted by Hemant Shah, acting as the Master of Ceremony. Dr. Dilip Mukhtyar and Dr. Jyoti Gandhi summarized the activities of the last year and provided details of future plans of building a new temple. Approximately 1500 Jains from New York and Long Island attended the celebrations. On April 26, 1999, Jain Center of America submitted plans and made an effective presentation to the Appeals Board of the Town of Lake Success, Long Island. This is the beginning of the process for obtaining necessary approvals and permits for JCA's plans for building the temple in Lake Success. For further information about temple construction activity, please contact Rajni Gandhi at 718/962-6441.
Continued on page 13
New York, NY
Jain Center of America celebrated the Mahavir Jayanti on Sunday April 4, 1999 with Snatra Pooja in the morning and a colorful cultural program in the afternoon. Chief Guest was the Consul General of India, Mrs. Shashi Tripathi, joined by representative of Mayor Rudolph Guiliani, Mayor of New York City and Jain community leaders. The program consisted of thir
Southeast Surendra Shah, Regional Editor
picnic in May, and over 150 members at tended. The construction of the center for the society is progressing well. and a is expected to be finished by fall of 1999.
Atlanta, GA
The activities under the guidance of President Madhuben Sheth are expanding, Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on April 10 in presence of Prof. Padmanabh Jaini. The program consisted of a cultural program with a skit about karmas and how to shed them for purity of the soul. Professor Padmanabh Jaini was visiting Adanta to take part in the launch of Emory University's Jain Study program. Emory is located in Atlanta and is a nationally recognized uni- versity in theology, business, and medicine. The society is looking forward to working with the school and learning from visiting scholars. As reported last time, Professor Jon Cort from Denison University in Grandville, Ohio gave an interesting talk abour Jainism. The society held its annual Jain Education Intemational
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Jain Study Center of North Carolina celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on March 28, 1999. The program started with Asthaprakari and Kaloj Puja. A cultural program was presented by youths ranging from age 2 to college students. The pro- gram ended with Swamivatsalya. About 300 people attended the program. Dr. Niraj Jain, Arun Zeveri, and Pandit Dhirubhai Mchta are planning to visit the center this summer. Mr. Arvind Shah hosted the Char- lotte Jain group during their visit to the center on April 3, 1999.
Miami, Florida
Jain Center of South Florida celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on April 10, 1999 at the South Florida Hindu Temple. Samanjis Madhura Pragya and Akshaya Pragya from Jain Visha Bharati, Orlando graced the occasion. They gave a discourse on the meaning of religion. There was also a cultural program consisting of stavans, dances, bhangara, Tirthankar symbols, debate and discussion followed by swamivatsalya. The Center has published an elegant souvenir booklet and Jain directory of families in South Florida. The commitments for the building of the proposed Jain Center have been received. Pictures from the Mahavir Jayanti celebration were shown.