________________
YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA
Federation of Jain Associations in North America A Non-Profit Tax Exempt Religious Organization. IRS Code Section 501 (c)(3) El #54-1280028
yja-exec@egroups.com. http://www.yja.org/
YOU.JUNS OF AMERICA
CHAIRS
Ronak Shah 918-269-7665 ronak shah@yja.org
Suchita Shah
734-764-9666 suchita shah@yja.org
Jai Jinendra,
DIRECTORS
Education Ami Shah 323-965-1140 ami.shaha yja ory
Events Karishma Shah
510-486-8148 karishma.shahayja.org Finance/Fundraising
Arpan Shah
281-804-7964 arpan.shahayja.org Information Technology
Paras Dodhia
416-271-61848) paras.dodhiala ya.org Project Development
Lopa Vadi 732-522-5832 lopa vadiayja.org Public Relations
Chirag Shah
414-339-6023 chirag shah ayja.org
Publications Arpan R. Shah
646-339-7020 arranr.shah ayja.org
Young Jains of America (YJA) has had a tremendous six months! With the support of wonderful parents, hard-working volunteers, and dedicated board members, YJA continues to grow. In the past six months, YJA has hosted 6 Regional Conferences, sent 10 youth to India to assist in community service, and added more resources to it website. In the next six months, YJA will continue to expand grassroots organizations, select the Host City for YJA Convention 2004, and team up with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for those less fortunate.
With over three hundred youth from all over North America participating, "Regional Fest" was a huge success! YJA kicked off “Regional Fest,” six regional conferences in six months, this past Thanksgiving in Houston. The regional conferences continued onto Los Angeles and Toronto during Christmas Break and Chicago and Atlanta during Martin Luther King Holiday. "Regional Fest" finally concluded in Easton, PA this past March 7th. "The conference really helped youth get to know each other and learn Jainism on a more intimate level," exclaimed Chintan Shah, former Co-Chairperson of YJA and attendee of the Midwest Conference.
On December 25th, ten youth embarked on a spiritually fulfilling journey with YJA in Bhuj (Kutch), India. These youth spent two weeks with Veerayatan, an international community service organization founded by Acharaya Shri Chandanaji, to help those impoverished. Some of the projects included creating video documentaries, building architectural layouts for educational institutions, and teaching the youth. These youth made a difference in the lives of those less fortunate from our homeland while also learning about the importance of community service.
The road to YJA Convention 2004 begins now! YJA is now accepting bid packets from potential host cities for the next convention. A YJA Youth Convention requires a year of solid work, a core group of volunteers, and a supportive community, but the culmination of the hard work and the amount of knowledge spread is immeasurable. If you are interested in becoming a host city, please email chairs@yja.org. The deadline for bid packet submission is May 18"
YJA has several ways for youth to get involved. Currently, YJA is accepting applications for Young Jains of America Advisory Convention Committee (YJAACC), an executive of 5 board members that will supervise, assist, and provide creativity to the Host City Convention Committee for YJA Convention 2004. For more information and an application, please visit www.yja.org/yjaacc/index.html. Also, YJA begins its election process for the 2003-2004 Executive Board this coming May. Please visit www.yja.org/elections to see what position suits you! And please email board@yja.org if you would to see how you can volunteer.
REGIONAL COORDINATORS
Mid Atlantic Dipa Talari
917-371-1476 dipa calatyja.org
Midwest Nirali Vora 630-452-2667 nirali vorala yja.org
Northeast
Lily Jain 416-931-8149 lily.jaina yja.org
South Rishabh Khara 469-438-4331 rishabh.khara uyja.org
Southeast Priya Palvia
678-525-5716 priya.palvia dyja.org
West Pinita Shah
714-310-1034 pinita shahayja.org Board of Trustees
Prem Jain
Sachi Jain Naishach Shah
Nirav Shah
Thank you, Suchita Shah & Ronak Shah Co-Chairs, 2002-2003 Young Jains of America chairs@yja.org 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.
JAIN DIGEST. Spring 2003/29 Jain Education Intemational 2010_03 For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
