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NEWS & EVENTS
Jain Digest Summer 2007
2007 East Coast Winter Retreat By Ashil Gosalia
Young Jains of America is proud to announce that the 2007 YJA East Coast Winter Retreat, which occurred from February 17th-19th in the Poconos in Pennsylvania, was a total social and spiritual success! Over 50 youth, varying from high school to post-college ages and traveling from Boston to Ohio attended the event. The conference took place at the Sterling Inn, and provided an excellent environment for spiritual growth, meditation, and most of all, fun!
The conference provided youth with a forum to learn about Jain Dharma in a relevant manner, and network with other youths from all over the country. The sessions were meant to incorporate the main theme of Mind, Body, and Soul. Rather than lecturing to the youth, the speakers created a space for discussion to take place. Speakers Vikasanada, Parth Savla and Dhrumil Purohit led session topics ranging from Personal Conditioning to Creating Inner Peace.
Most importantly, this conference created. camaraderie between all the youths, regardless of age. The conference, however, was not simply a venue for broad talks of Jainism. Being in the Poconos, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to hit the slopes! On the first night, all attendees were taken to the local ski slopes, and went snow tubing. The next day, all attendees were taken back to the slopes and were allowed to either ski or snowboard. The attendees varied in their ability to ski or snowboard, and it's safe to say that over half of the attendees fell at least once. Even though it was tough at times, the attendees overwhelmingly enjoyed the time spent at the slopes.
Overall, the YJA East Coast Retreat was a resounding success. The youth were encouraged to discuss ideas on Jain Dharma, learn more about themselves and other Jain youths, and finally, were encouraged to have as much fun as possible! Special thanks to the YJA Co-Chairs Rajiv Jain and Dhrumil Purohit, the Northeast Regional Coordinator Ashil Gosalia, the Director of Events Parag Parekh, Chintan Shah, Chirag Shah, and Vinit Talsania for organizing the conference and ensuring its success. We hope that the next East Coast Regional Conference will be as successful as this years!
Making a difference by getting involved with YJA
ucation International
Young Jains of America is initiating an effort to promote youth projects being undertaken across the country that will create awareness and add value to our Jain community across the globe. This effort, known as YJA Outreach, is an opportunity for youth of all ages to get involved, contribute ideas, learn from youth across the country, and make a difference in our Jain community. Currently, the projects topics include local/national conferences, making Jain education relevant to today's youth, promoting Jain living, a youth web team, and a youth mentorship program.
For more details visit our website at http://www. yja.org/projects or contact us at chairs@yja.org
Upcoming YJA Events
YJA Midwest Conference
"Take the path least traveled" and attend the 2007 Midwest Conference, which will be held at the end of summer in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. YJA hopes to inspire youth attending this conference with motivating speakers, leadership seminars, and sessions that are relevant to common issues faced by all Jain youth in this country. We also hope to provide an environment that will foster friendships that will serve to strengthen the local communities. This weekend long conference will be open to all youth between the ages of 14-29.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, contact Ajay Dagli, YJA Midwest Regional Coordinator at ajay.dagli@yja.org.
For more details about all YJA events including the Midwest conference, please visit our website http://www.yja.org/events.
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