________________
REGIONAL NEWS..
CANADA
and staff, Fasting, Holy Days and Celebra- Edmonton, AL
tions and Curriculum. There are many good Dr. Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor suggestions such as initiating Heritage
On April 16, Jain Society of Alberta celMonth to teach all children about Indian
ebrated Mahavir Jayanti and Pratistha CerToronto, ON Civilization, Music, Visual and Dramatic
emony of Shree Padamavati Devi before a At the biennial elections of our Society for Arts in regular curriculum etc.
crowd of over 500 people. Entire cost of 2000. the members elected a new execu- Youth Activities: Much of the temple's ac- bringing the Murti by air from India and tive for the period 2000-2002. Lataben tivities over the past few months have been the construction of Temple for the installaChampsee is our new President and she youth oriented.On November 28, a youth tion of the Murti was borne by the Jain brings with her a great wealth of experience. forum was held in regards to issues concern
Community of Alberta. The ceremony beThe Vice President Pankaj Bhavsar hasing the Jain youth and the derasar. The fo
gan with a Yatra and was received in the proven his mettle in last administration. The rum was attended by about 100 people, and
Temple by the President of the Hindu SoGeneral Secretary Ashwin Vora has been created much needed debate within the
ciety of Alberta and his wife. It was received President of Jain Social Group for many temple. The four topics discussed were: The at the Ceremonial Stage by the 2 Priests - years. The Treasurer Hasmukh Batavia is a need for a new Jain temple, the role of rituals Pandit Shiv Shanker Dwevidi and Shree well-respected hard working individual in the temple, Ghee Boli, and Our role in the Sushil Kumar Kalia who conducted the The other Committee members include surrounding community. The youth and Pratistha Ceremony. It is a tribute to the JayshreeShanghavi(Pathshala & Library), adults in attendance were split into four entire Lin Families of Alberta who worked RupalDoshi (Cultural Programs), HansaPatel breakout sessions, and each group discussed
so hard to make this last Jain Pratistha a (Food) Sushmita Mehta (Women's&Seniors one of the four topics. After the session, the
special and a moving occasion. activities), Chetan Mehta (Youth) Tushar main solutions discussed were forwarded to
Jain Society of Alberta participated in 2 Mehta (Membership) PrabhulalMehta(Guest the executive committee of the JSOT for
Interfaith Prayer Services held at the City Lecturers) and Kirit Mehta(Picnics& food). discussion and consideration. Also, on
Hall and Grant MacEwan College to mark Dr. Chandrakant Shah, a member of Jain January 16h, the youth held the first ever
the UN International Day for the eliminaSociety of Toronto, has been elected to the English Snatra Pooja. About 200 people,
tion of Racialism. The participants at this University of Toronto's governing council including 20-25 world religion students
ceremony were Jasvant Mehta and Mona for a 3-year term, starting July 1, 2000. This from the University of lowa, attended the
Patel and her daughter Alisha Patel. is one more feather in his career. Toronto event. The event proved to be a huge sucJains are proud of his achievements. cess, as many youth for the first time unMs. Vellely of the Center of Study of Reli
derstood the true meaning of the Snatra gion, University of Toronto is conducting
SOUTHWEST Pooja. a 'Socio-Religious Study of Jains of Greater INTERNATIONAL MAHAVIR JAIN Jadavji Kenia, Regional Editor Toronto'. Jain teachings have had a pro- MISSION OF CANADA: found influence on her life and also in her The IMJMC will celebrate Bhagwan choice of her academic career. The study Adinath Nirvan Mahotsava and Acharya Houston, TX seeks to learn various challenges facing first Sushil Kumarji's birthday at the Jain Cen
Jain Society of Houston celebrated Mahavir and second generation Jains and the degree ter on Sunday June 11, 2000 at 3 pm.
Jayanti on April 16, 2000. Two of the to which Jain ethics are observed and trans- Amrendra Muniji and Manek Muniji will
Samanijis gave a beautiful lecture on mitted in this new environment. Her re- speak as well as Consul-General of India.
Bhagwan Mahavir. Then the Pathshala chil
B search will help in raising awareness about This year's Arhum Yoga Camp for children dren ages 5 to 13 provided a great religious Jain community among the wider Canadian starts on August 5, 2000 at 2pm. and runs program. Afterwards we had a Sangh society. We hope to publish the results in until Friday August 11,2000 at 3pm. It is Jaman. Following are the new executive Jain Digest in the future. being held at the Mansfield Outdoor Cen
members for the new term: Kishor Doshi, Interfaith News: Prakash Mody has made ter, Airport Road, Mansfield, Ontario. For litendra Shah, Bharat Shah, Bhupesh Sheth, an excellent detailed submission on the sub- more information, call J.K.Jain at 905-469- Preyna Shah and Kantibhai Shah. Two new ject of "Religious Accommodation Guide 8869.
Trustees are: Navin Shah and Pravin Mehta. lines (Jain Faith)" to the Toronto District The Adult Retreat in Niagara Falls will be JSH contact is Parimal Desai at 281-859School Board. It has details on subjects such held July 22-23, 2000 at the Loretto Cen- 3661 Perry. Desai@Jacobs.com until the as Dietary Requirements for Jain students ter in Niagara Falls. For more information, ne
contact Harish Jain at 905-525-5651. 8/ JAIN DIGEST. SUMMER 2000 Jain Education International 2010_02 For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
