Jain Digest 2004 11 Vol 23 No 4

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

Page 15

Committee News:
INTERFAITH EVENTS AND INITIATIVES
September 11 Interfaith Service for United Nations The Jain delegates also had a special meeting with the interfaith center
staff to discuss the possibilities of including Jainism oriented visual The annual Interfaith Service of the Commitment to the arts and performing arts programs. Contact Naresh Jain at Work of United Nations to mark the opening of the 58th session of nain52253@aol.com the General assembly was held on September 11, 2003 at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City. This year's service attended
Thanksgiving Interfaith Service: by 1500 people was in Celebration of the International Year of Freshwater and in remembrance of the UN Victims who died in An Interfaith Thanksgiving Program was held at the Unitarian Iraq. International Jain Sangh (IJS) of New Jersey co-sponsored the Universal Meetinghouse in Lincroft, New Jersey on Sunday, service. HH Amrender Muniji recited Jain Prayer. IJS distributed November 23, 2003. Several religious organizations participated flyers on Nonviolence and Jainism and offered vegetarian snack items including Presbyterian Church, Baha'i faith, Hindu religion, Jainism Contact: Naresh Jain at njain52253@aol.com
and many others. A dance sponsored by the International Jain Sangh
of New Jersey for 'World Unity' was performed by Divya Jain and World Fest 2003 in California
her group Contact Dr. Ari Jain at arijain@hotmail.com.
Conference of Religions for Peace:
Jains from Southern California put up a Jain booth in World Fest 2003 in Los Angeles. The volunteers served as Ambassadors of Jainism explaining its philosophy and message to hundreds of visitors from numerous backgrounds and walks of life. Free copies of Amar Salgia's booklet- Pure Freedom: The Jain Way of Self Reliance was also made available to visitors. The annual World Fest event is a public celebration of vegetarianism and environmentalism. Contact Amar Salgia at asalgia@yahoo.com
Annual program of the Council of Presidents of the United States Conference of Religions for Peace will take place in Dec 03 in Boston. Arvind Vora, Chairman of JAINA Interfaith Committee and Chairman of the Long Island Multi-faith Forum will represent the President of JAINA in the discussions which will focus on the "Role of Religion in International Affairs for the Council of Presidents" and "What are the implications for Religion Given Current US Foreign Policy positions" Artist Nancy Burson is working with the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council to include a large peace-focused artwork in the reconstructed World Trade Center area. Plan is to inscribe peace prayers of member traditions on the inside of this unique translucent public art project. JAINA will coordinate with the council to include Jain Peace Prayers in this WTC site remembered forever. Contact: Arvind Vora (631) 269-1167.
Open House for Jainism
An Open House for Jainism to the Public was hosted by the Jain Center of Southern California in its Buena Park Temple on October 5th. The afternoon Welcome Program to share Jain experience with non-Jains included vegetarian snacks, panel discussion on Philosophy and Practices of Jainism. Contact Amar Salgia at asalgia@yahoo.com
Accommodation of Religious Communities
Season of Nonviolence at the United Nations, NY in Schools and Hospitals:
A program entitled 'Season of Nonviolence will be held in the A two day working retreat organized by the Interfaith Center
United Nations in New York on January 30, 2004 from 1:00 pm of New York was held in November. Naresh Jain coordinated the to 2:30 pm. This pioneer event is being held on the anniversary participation of Jain community in this event attended by 95 delegates day of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi to highlight violence from ten religions representing numerous institutions. Deepal Jhaveri as the cause of his death and to promote the spirit of nonviolence. represented the Jain Center of New Jersey on the school panel. Dr. The program is co-sponsored by several major interfaith Mamta Shaha from the Jain Center of America- New York participated organizations and the International Jain Sangh (IJS) of New Jersey. in the health care area.
Registrations will be accepted up to January 10, 2004. IJS will The issues that surfaced in the session for accommodation arrange for security clearance. If you are in New York area and in schools included diet, dress code, sex segregation, prayers at set wish to attend, contact Naresh Jain at njain52253@aol.com. times, and objections to the contents of the curriculum. Deepal Jhaveri in her panel presentation articulately described the connection
World religion Camp in Florida: between the diet of children and the quality of education and that the religion was in fact a part of the multi-culture.
Asia Cultural Society will hold a World Religion Camp in February The hospitals were more receptive to individual preferences 2004 in Orlando, Florida. Jain Society of Central Florida will and religious accommodations due to customer orientation, profit participate in this event and will also have a booth to display Jain motive, patient's bill of rights, and the right to religious liberty. materials. Contact Rajendra Mehta (407) 260-6459.
JAIN DIGEST. Fall 2003 / 13