Jain Digest 2005 01

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

Page 24

CANADA Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor
SOUTHEAST Surendra Shah, Regional Editor
CLARKSVILLE, TN.
TORONTO, ON
REGIONAL
NEWS.
Annual Winter YJT Ski Camp: The 2005 winter Ski Camp was organized by Young Jains of Toronto on 18 Feb. 2005. 42 young Jains traveled to Mansfield Cross Country Resort, north of Toronto for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Besides skiing, there were many group activities such as Scavenger Hunt, Bridge Building Competition etc. Everyone enjoyed the outing, made new friends and renewed old acquaintances.
2004/2005 Sri Roop Lal Jain Lecture: Alecture was delivered by Prof. Whitney Kelting of Northeastern University on March 19, 2005 at St. Hilda's College of University of Toronto.
It was a very scholarly interpretation of 'Karuna' (compassion) that Bhagwan Mahavir demonstrated towards Chandanbala during the final stage of accepting the food from her. The speaker explained that Karuna is not one of the 'Nokashayas' that attracts Karma and gave more examples of such a situation e.g. Bhagwan Neminath showing compassion towards the animals destined to be slaughtered on his wedding day and Marudevimata showing a great joy at her son(Bhagwan Adinath) attaining Keval Gyan. It was intellectually stimulating evening and the number of questions from the audience showed how enthralled the listeners were.
Samanji Shrutpragyaji visited Jain
Society of Middle Tennessee (JSMT)in CHARLOTTE, NC
March. Samanji gave lectures discussing
the activities in daily life and its effect. 2004 was an exciting and eventful year Mahavir Jayanti is planned to be for our Sangh. Following is the summary celebrated at Clarksville on Sunday, April of activities and programs.
24, 2005. The agenda includes elections
for the executive committee for the year SCHOLAR VISIT: Three accom
2005/2006, Snatra Pooja followed by the plished and reputable speakers were in
dinner. vited to Charlotte: Sadhviji Shubhamji, Tarlaben Doshi, and Rajnibhai Shah.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA ENTERTAINMENT: We organized three music programs during the year; There were several significant Mangalam, Ghanshyambhai Joshi, and achievements during the year 2004. The the "Beat 16" group presented lively de- outgoing president Mr. Rajubhai Shah votional and popular music programs. and the committee did an excellent work.
The significant achievements are: PICNIC: The picnic in 2004 was full
Net assets of about $1.7 Million of fun and frolic, but this time it had an
Cash balance of $463,000 added significance, in that a General
Paying off mortgage and making the Body Meeting was held during the
society is debt free. Planning activities event. In 2004 we rekindled the Jinalay building effort which had been dormant
for the temple were initiated. The budget
for $108000 for the year 2005 was for a couple of years.
unanimously approved by the MAHAVIR JAYANTI: We had a very membership successful Mahavir Jayanti and The members of the 2005 executive Paryushan program. The children per- committee are: formed magnificently during Mahavir
Madhuben Sheth President Jayanti.
Deepak Shah Vice President
Raksha Bhalani Treasurer PARYUSHAN: Several tapasyas were
Anil Shah General Secretary performed during Paryushan (many by
Ketan Shah Youth Director children), including a Bhavna for 16
Ravi Ajmera Executive Member upvaas, 3 athaais, and 8 athams and a
Kaushik Desai Executive member few chhaths.
Jain Scholarship awards of $1001 each
were given to Lisa Shah (daughter of Our attendance during the monthly Jyotin and Bharati Shah) and Pallak meetings appears to be increasing Mahendra Shah. Navinbhai and Dr. steadily. The Pathshala program for chil- Taruben Shah and Rajen and Anuradha dren is also progressing very well. Sheth sponsor the scholarship. These Vibhakar Modi was the President for
two families plan to continue awarding 2004 and to lead 2005 Surendra Patel
scholarship every year. has graciously accepted the responsibili
Manharbhai Parekh has been ties again.
conducting weekly swadhyay on Tattavartha Sutra since 2001.
EDMONTON, AB
Devila Mehta & Sirish Shah represented Jains at an Interfaith Dialogue on the "Roles & Rituals of Women" on March 05. Mahendra Jain represented Jains at an Interfaith Prayer Service on March 18 celebrating UN International Day against racial Discrimination.
Jain Education Intemational
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