Jain Digest 2006 07 Vol 24 No 3

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

Page 19

NORTH EAST Dinesh Chheda, Regional Editor
CHERRY HILL, NJ
Under the umbrella of the Cherry Hill Jain Sangh Pathshala, seventy children learn about Jainism with the guidance of fourteen teachers. Pathshala classes run twice a month. Different aspects of Jainism are taught as well as Sutra and Gujarati language. Teachers use various techniques or methods of
Jain:
Hill.
Sangh
Pathshal
This year Cherry Hill Jain Sangh Pathshala had organized a Logo competition for children ages 8 and up. The competition entailed preparation of Logo designs at home within four weeks and participants were instructed to submit their designs on the day of Diwali Celebration.
B) Color(s) used in the design must be ness of our Jain religion. Jain Center limited to three colors only. had another great Paryushana because there were more than 58 Tapasvis who did 8 or more Upvas. Tapasvis were felicitated at the Derasar. Snatra Pooja was performed everyday during Paryushana. More than 50 young members participated and joined for Chaitya Paripati trip to Washington D. C. and Baltimore.
C) "Cherry Hill Jain Sangh Pathshala" must be incorporated in the design. D) Design concept must relate to
Jainism.
teaching
such as story
telling, arts and crafts, and games to CALDWELL, NJ
encourage children to participate with a hands-on approach and to provide a better understanding of Jain Philosophy. Every year we organize an annual function, giving an opportunity to all children to perform on stage (skit/ dance/play musical instruments/sing prarthanas) and make arts and crafts projects. In the past children have enjoyed making 24 Tirthankar Bhagwans' Aangi on poster boards, 3D models of 14 Dreams of Trishala Mata, Panch Parmeshthi, and descriptions of Jain temples.
JAIN DIGEST Spring 2005/17 Jain Education International 2010_03
On the day of Diwali Celebration, they were given a surprise element, which was to answer the following question: "Please explain your Logo with relation to the message you want to give us and why should we select it?" Judges selected the winner's design based on the size, color(s), Jain concept, incorporation of Sangh's name, and Logo explanation. The winning design will be printed on T-shirts for all Pathshala children. All the participants worked very hard to prepare the Logo designs as per guidelines given to them. They all deserved to be called winners.
Pathshala classes have started af
ter the Summer break. Students of Pathshala were awarded certificates for completing / graduating a year. More than 300 students at three different locations attend Pathshala classes
on a regular basis. Graduating class of 2005 celebrated their graduation by having Puja at Dehrasar.
Pujya Shri Rajendrabhai Dalal from Hyderabad performed Vasupujya swami Bhumi Suddhikarni Pujan at Franklin Township site. Also Narendrabhai Nandu and his group performed Padmavatidevi Pujan. Both Pujans were well received by the members who participated.
Center's members were fortunate to hear swadhayay conducted by Dhirajlal Pandit, Smt. Tarlaben Doshi. Paryushana parva was celebrated Specific guidelines were given to with enthusiasm under the auspicious the participants such as: A) Size of the Logo design must be smaller than 2 x 3 inches and not exceed 4 x 5 inches.
presence of Shri Narendrabhai Nandu and his group. Narendrabhai gave lectures on various topics relating to Jain philosophy that showed the great
Diwali and New Year were celebrated at Dehrasar. 12 hour Navkar Jaap were held at Dehrasar from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning followed by Manglik and Snatra Puja on Thursday. More than 500 people participated in the celebration. Gyan Panchmi was also celebrated. Pathshala Students were explained the importance of Gyan Panchami and the benefits of going to Pathshala.
Monthly Pooja and Samuh Samayiks have continued through the year. Dedicated members keep Dehrasar open every Sunday afternoon. This year the Dehrasar was also kept open for darshan on Saturday afternoons starting from April till end of October with the help of very supportive members.
If you are visiting New Jersey / New York City area and would like to visit or attend a program, please call
Shri Virendra Shah at 732-329-3236.
CANADA
Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor
TORONTO, ON
The Paryushan Parva was celebrated in beginning of September. The number of members is steadily increasing every year with influx of new immigrants and this has increased the variety and intensity of various programs at the Jain Centre.
REGIONAL NEWS