Jain Digest 2001 07 Vol 19 No 03

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

Page 36

YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA
Federation of Jain Associations in North America A Non-Profit Tax Exempt Religious Organization. IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) EV #54-1280028
yja-exec@egroups.com http://www.yja.org/
पत्रकोमा जीवानाम
September 10, 2001
CHAIRS
Birud Shaveri
(503) 292-1965 birudjhaveri@mail.com
Chintan Shah
608-217-4807 chintan.shah@yia.org
Jai Jinendra
YJA has just completed a successful year which consisted of several great accomplishments. The earthquake relief effort was a great success and aided thousands of people in India, thanks to all the great efforts of youth and adults in the US, collecting and shipping medicine and supplies. Similarly, Mahavir Jayanti celebrations across the US, in over 15 cities, performed the 27 Past Lives of Bhagawan Mahavir play, produced by YJA. Organized by Pavan Zaveri, the 'play in a box' was a fantastic success nationwide, allowing hundreds of youth to participate in the performances.
DIRECTORS
Education Shayna Parekh
562-865-1679 shayna parekh@yja.org
Events Shamna Khandwala
847-985-6858 shamakhandwala@mail.com Finance/Fundraising
Mintu Shah
708-275-1070 mintushah@mail.com Information Technology
Bcencet Kothari
631-586-1579 becncetkothari@mail.com
Fundraising Vishal Jhaveri
503-292-1965 vishalihaveri @vin.org
Publications Mansi Shah
858-722-1100 mansi shah@yia.org Public Relations
Kunal Shah
562-417-2700 kunal shah@yja.org
In addition, three regional conferences were held in the West, South, and Southeast regions. Finally, YJA made a strong presence at the JAINA convention in Chicago this past 4th of July weekend. From selling newly designed YJA t-shirts to creating six youth sessions, YJA made a strong impact on all the youth that attended the convention. Through this successful, active year, YJA will springboard the enthusiasm from its members into the upcoming year.
As the summer months wind down and school once again resumes, YJA is kicked into high gear once again. During our executive board meeting in early August, we planned several exciting projects for this upcoming year, in addition to the grand New Jersey 2002 Convention. In order to allow our members to remain dynamic, we will be actively pursuing a grass roots approach with all our projects.
In our desire to promote Jain values and ideals, YJA will support and initiate several volunteering activities, highlighted mainly by our collaboration with Habitat for Humanities. We plan to lead small groups of youth into underprivileged neighborhoods to help build and reconstruct homes. Our Foster Focus program, citing several cities across the country, will help to activate and elevate youth involvement on a local level. Please be on the lookout for YJA in your neighborhood and contact your Regional Coordinator for more information.
Please mark your calendars! The YJA 2002 Convention will be held in New Jersey from July 4th to 7th, 2002. For details and registration information, see our web page at www.yja.org
REGIONAL COORDINATORS
Mid Atlantic
Neel Shetti 646-215-8913 neel shetti@via.org
Midwest Suchita Shah
734-764-9770 suchita.shah@yja.org
Northeast Dhrumil Purohit
302-832-0361 dhrumil purohit via.org
South Ronak Shah
918-299-2873 ronak shah@yurg
Southeast Shalin Jain 219-315-1335 shalinjain@yja.org
West Karishma Shah
510-664-0383 karishma shah@vja.org
Chintan Shah & Birud Jhaveri Co-Chairs, YJA 2001-2002 www.yja.org
Young Jains of America (YJA) is the umbrella youth organization of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA). The mission of YJA is to be
recognized nationally and internationally as an umbrella youth organization for establishing a network to share Jain heritage and religion through youth.
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