Jain Digest 2001 01 Vol 17 No 01

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

Page 28

REGIONAL NEWS....
(Editor's Note: Jain Digest is initiating a special feature of Focus on a Jain Center, giving the details about history, present activities and future plans of the subject Center. The special feature will be published in each issue of the Jain Digest. Please provide information about your Center to the area Regional Editor of the Jain Digest for such publication)
NORTHEAST
Dinesh Chheda, Regional Editor
Focus: Jain Center of New Jersey, Essex Fells, NJ
tion, devotion for our hearts and mind. On August 24, 1980, the Jain Center of New Jersey was established with the efforts of a few dedicated members. Within a year, the first Jain Derasar in New Jersey was established at 233 Runnymede Rd. (formerly a synagogue) in the town of Essex Fells, NJ. With generous contributions from mem
bers, the Derasar opened its doors without a mortgage obligation. Ramesh Shah and his family from Bloomfield, NJ donated three deities. These are: Moolnayak Bhagwan Parshvanath, Bhagvan Mahavir and Bhagwan Rishabhdev. The first Paryushana was celebrated at the Derasar in 1982. From a modest beginning, the membership of the Center has now increased to approximately 800 Jain families from northern and central New Jersey. During the last few years, the Derasar facility has received some improvements. The inner sanctum of the temple (Ghabhara) has been renovated.
In the sixties and the early seventies many professional Indians, including Jains, started to migrate to the USA. Right after the initial settlement in the seventies, our community members started to organize religious events like Mahavir Jayanti in the Indian Consulate in New York and various churches in New Jersey. The events were performed with such enthusiasm and devotion that some members (Late Vinod Shah, Sanat Jhaveri, Ramesh Shah, Diwakar Shah, Dilip Shah, Dipak Gandhi, Narendra Gandhi, Ajit Parekh, Arvind Bhandari, Virendra Shah and Kirti Shah) started to dream about establishing a Jain Center with
Derasar where:
1)Children and adults, poor and rich, all of various Jain traditions are welcome; 2) Jains in New jersey can focus on their collective and individual spiritual pursuits; 3)It can be a place for educating the future generation in our tradition and impart the Jain Samskar to them; and
4)It can also be a place of peace, medita- centers regularly invite them to perform
pujas. Besides the celebration of the Paryushana Parva, Mahavir Jayanti, Diwali/ New Year, and the monthly puja the following activities are conducted by JCNJ on a regular basis:
26/JAIN DIGEST SPRING 2001
The Jain Center of New Jersey has its own constitution. The 15 Member Executive Committee consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer is elected by the membership every two years. The Executive Committee is charged with complete responsibility of daily administration as well as planning of various events including celebration of Paryushana, Mahavir Jayanti and other Jain holy days. Jain Center of New Jersey is the member of JAINA
since 1990.
In last few years there has been an incredible growth of the Jain community in Cenneeds, the JCNJ recently acquired a parcel tral New Jersey. To fulfil its increasing of land (approximately 9.6 acres) in Town
ship of Franklin, NJ, with plans to build a
beautiful shikharbandhi Derasar, a hall, care
taker house and other amenities at an estimated cost of $6 to 7 million.
Puja: The monthly puja and other religious ceremonies are performed by duo brothers: Virendra and Dr. Kirti Shah. Nearby Jain
dren are divided in three to four age groups. They are taught the meaning of various Jain symbols, significance of Jain religious holidays and festivals, how to worship in Derasar, basic principles of Jainism, and simple Jain Sutras. The classes are conducted every other Sunday. Students are also encouraged to learn the Gujarati language.
Swadhyaya: Adult classes (Swadhyaya) are held every week, either at the Center or any other convenient place in central Jersey, by local scholars that include Mr. Chandrakant Mehta, Dr. Kirti Shah, and Dr. Rajni Shah. These scholars are also invited many times by other Jain Centers to help celebrate Paryushana Parva as well as Swadhyaya. Jain center of New Jersey also invites Jain scholars from India to give discourses through out the year. Aayambil Oli: Twice a year, the Center organizes a samoohic Aayambil at Derasar on a weekend that is attended by about 70-80 people regularly on each day. Samooh Samayik: Once a month, a group Samayik is organized on Sunday morning.
It starts with a recital of the Bhaktamar Stotra, followed by Samayik. More than 100 people regularly participate in it.
Current News Esssex Fells, NJ:
New 19 members Executive Committee has
been formed for year 2001 and 2002 with general body approval. Shri Diwakar Shah was elected President for the year 2001 and Executive Committee. Shri Viren Shah for the year 2002 by the
A 2nd Health Fair organized on Sept, 00 was a success. More than 15 doctors volunteered their services for EKG, General Pa
tient Care, Dental Care,Women's healthcare, children's health, physical therapy, Bone Marrow donation drive etc.
Seventy two hours of continuous Navkar Mantra JAP were held at the Derasar from
Pathshala: Classes are conducted on a regu- the evening on Diwali day to the morning lar basis to provide spiritual and cultural heritage to children and young adults. Chil
of New Year to celebrates the 72-hour