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Jain Digest. Winter 2007
tically and overseas. Miss. Suchita Gala and Miss. Sejal Lakhani reported on their most recent convention in Florida. They presented a plan to revamp YJP to meet its needs as well as work with JAINA and YJA to identify underserved age group and avoid duplication.
Mr. Pravin K. Shah of Education Committee presented updated report upcoming books. In addition, he talked about financial issues affecting his committee. He added that some of JAINA books are in much demand from other faith. Mr. Pravin C. Shah of Shri Veerchand R Gandhi Scholarship committee updated every on the progress being made to preserve his house and creation of Museum. In addition, he noted that they have provided scholarship to nearly 40 students including students doing post graduate work in Jainsim.
NEWS & EVENTS
Mr. Rajeev Pandya of JAINA Calendar committee reported there are a little format changes to make it more user friendly. He added that this time their production is on target as planned. He hopes to have these calendars in Jain Household by mid Dec 2007. Mr. Kirit Daftary and Ms. Usha Maru presented a report on Teerth Uddhaar Committee. Mr. Nirmal Doshi of Scholar Visitation Committee outlined some of the key points which will help local Sangh as well as visiting scholars in an effort to plan and stream line their visit. Dr. Sushil Jain read the written report from Pilgrimage Committee and noted that the next JAINA Yatra dates are 4-19 January at the cost of $950 while in India.
The Monmouth Center of World Religions and Ethical Thought (MCWRET) is an interfaith organization dedicated to enhancing the acceptance of religious and cultural diversity. There are 14 faiths represented in MCWRET and it conducts program throughout the year. "United We Sing" (UWS) program started in November 2001 after the 9/11 attack at the World Trade Center, where many of the Monmouth County residents perished and the community was still recovering from the disaster. The first UWS was held to bring different faiths and communities together to start the process of healing. The 2001 UWS was a big success and since then it has become an important annual event.
The next meeting is proposed to in late Mar/ early April 2008 in Southern California. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm.
International Jain Sangh, a JAINA member organization has been participating in the "United We Sing" program every year since its inception in 2001 by presenting a skit or a dance item from the Jain community. Two girls presented a dance item choreographed by Divya Jain during the November 18 event. Dr. Ari Jain serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of MCWRET and Naresh Jain, JAINA Interfaith CoChair is an advisor to its Board. The statue was gifted to JAINA by Mr. Mahendra Mehta of Mumbai, India.
STATUE OF LORD MAHAVIR IN MONMOUTH CENTER OF WORLD RELIGIONS
by Naresh Jain The East Room Library of the Monmouth Center of World Religions and Ethical Thought (MCWRET) has a beautiful statue of Lord Mahavir. Visible right from the entrance of this room that contains some very good titles and artifacts on religions of the world, this statue was gifted by JAINA to the Monmouth Center during the 2007 JAINA Convention in New Jersey. This precious gift was acknowledged in the Center's 7th Annual Program "United We Sing"- Music of Thanksgiving held in the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse in Lincroft, New Jersey, on November 18, 2007.
Ms. Isabelle McFarland, a member of the Board of Trustees thanked Mr. Dilip Shah, President of JAINA and said that the Monmouth Center for World Religions was honored with the gift of a statue of an important Jain prophet. A central vision of Jains is nonviolence. A common bond with the Monmouth Center is an interest in, and respect for, all religions. She invited the audience to visit the beautiful statue in the East Room of the Center after the program.
While accepting the honor, Dilip Shah said that one of the main teachings of Lord Mahavir 2,600 years ago is Anekaantvaad or respecting the views of others or keeping an open mind. This program 'United We Sing' is an
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