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YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA
Co-Chairs
Chintav Shah
Dharmi Shah
Jinen Shah
Siddharth Shah
chairs.chi@via.org
Committee Leads
Adult Volunteer Coordinator
Aastha Kodia
Anand Shah
Miten Shah
volunteer.chi@vja.org
Daytime Programming
Bansari Shah
Foram Shah
Neelam Savla
Parshva Vakharia
daytime.chi@via.org
Fundraising
Monika Jain
Nilesh Dagli
Rachna Shah
fundraising.chi@vja.org
Hospitality & Souvenirs Brinda Shah
Neil Shah
Prapti Ghiya
Rishab Jain hospitality.chi@vja.org
souvenirs.chi@yja.org
Jain Networking Forum Avish Jain
Michelle Shah
Neesha Daulat
inf.chi@via.org
Public Relations Darshan Shah
Mayuri Jain
Sehal Shah
pr.chi@via.org
Registration & Technology Anish Doshi
Avni Nandu
Mahima Shah
Sidhant Gandhi
registration.chi@yja.org
Security
Mansi Shah Simmi Nandu Sunny Shah security.chi@vja.org
Site
Mishi Jain
Saejal Chatter
Vishal Mehta
site.chi@via.org
Social Programming
Charmi Shah
Julie Mehta
Pranay Patni
social.chi@vja.org
Young Jains of America
Reconnecting with Our Roots | 13th Biennial Convention In Partnership with the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago 2018@vja.org⚫ convention.yja.org
Dear Young Jains of America Convention Attendees, Distinguished Guests, and Supporters,
Jai Jinendra and welcome to the 2018 YJA Convention! As we gather for the 13th Biennial Convention, let's reflect on the journey that brought us to where we are today. In 1991, a pioneering group of visionary young Jains came together to establish the Young Jains of America ("YJA"). Three years after that, the 1st ever YJA Convention was held in Chicago, IL, and ever since we have seen a distinctive drive for influence, impact, and inspiration embodied in all our Jain youth. Twenty-four years later, we are beyond excited to come back to Chicago where it all started as we Reconnect with Our Roots.
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In the past four years, we have seen tremendous growth in our organization. By expanding initiatives such as YJA Pathshala, YJA Forums, College Chapters, our new YJA APP, and more, we have built a tight-knit community that brings Jain ideals to the far corners of America and beyond. During the 2017-2018 term, we have continued to share ideas, stories, and knowledge about leading a Jain way of life to pave the path for generations of Jain youth to come.
Our goal this weekend is to create a unique, educational, and memorable experience for all 750 attendees that have joined together from around the world. With the Convention theme - Reconnecting with Our Roots - we are not only reflecting on the location of #YJA18 as a tribute to the 1st Convention, but also sending out a call to action. We want our Jain youth to reach deep into the history of our past and discover how our individual and collective roots hold both a map of how to live as well as the key to unlocking the purpose within our lives. We hope attendees examine their day-to-day lives and connect with stories and ideals told by Mahavir Swami 2,500 years ago to design better futures. Finally, we want this Convention to open the eyes of all attendees to the power they hold in changing not only themselves, but also the communities and the world around them.
YJA is blessed to have the unified backing of over 10,000 North American Jain youth and the support of the entire Jain community. We would like to thank our Board of Trustees, the JAINA Executive Committee, the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago, other sanghs around the nation, our donors, and the many volunteers who have helped us with our efforts. Without you, this weekend would not have been possible.
We hope that in our preparation, we did not harm any living being and, if we did, we humbly ask Micchami Dukkadam. As we move into the future, let's rediscover our Jain Roots and continue to further the ideals of Ahimsa (non-violence), Aparigraha (nonpossessiveness), and Anekantvada (multiplicity of viewpoints).
"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
With #yjalove,
Your 2018 YJA Convention Committee
Young Jains of America (YJA) is an umbrella youth organization of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), a Non-Profit Tax-Exempt Religious Organization. IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) El #54-1280028.
2018 YJA CONVENTION | CHICAGO, IL 11
